Qualities of a caregiver
Important Qualities in a Caregiver
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
– Henry Ford
I had a friend named Joe Martino. He never admitted to his age, sometimes he would say he was 77, or 75 but he was truly young at heart! He liked to read, learn new recipes, remake old ones, and write stories and he even wrote his biography, proudly giving his closest friends a copy! In his “70s” he taught himself piano, and how to use a computer and even volunteered at the local jail, speaking with inmates about the power of change.
He has since passed away but I still think about him all the time. He had such an impact on me, he had a bright light about him and even though he was in his golden years he was always curious about life, people and learning.
Just like my dear friend Joe Martino, I feel it’s incredibly important to continue to learn throughout your life and that can come in many different forms. It doesn’t have to be a Master's Degree in Education, Psychology, or Child Development but if you take the time to seek out the knowledge you are already a scholar.
Embracing the Qualities of a Caregiver
Being a caregiver, nanny, house manager or family assistant is a very unique position that involves more than a skill set or even applied experience. It’s a perfect blend of your professional and personal skills. To be really great at what you do means you are open-minded to learning, not only about children or your capacity to multi-task but also about yourself. Working closely with a family allows you the opportunity to know yourself better because you will be constantly challenged through relationships, communication and conflict resolution all while keeping a sense of humor. Now if you can do that, you have truly embraced the qualities of a great caregiver!
Ask yourself the following questions; how do I…?
Saying Positive
It’s how we show up each day that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Those little people can feel our vibes, they may be small but they are naturally intuitive. Whether it’s that cup of joe that starts your day, or an early morning workout or a simple mantra to reset your mind because when you walk through that door it’s go time! I like setting an intention for the day, it helps me have the ability to come back to my original intention even in a time of stress or difficulty.
Having an Open Mindset
Every family is different. It may not be your way or what you are used to but every family is unique and you are not there to judge, you are there to help, understand and respect their differences. A great caregiver will find ways to infuse their own knowledge, not force it. Finding a balance between being open-minded while keeping healthy boundaries can be difficult when working so closely with a family but it’s sometimes as simple as understanding your own thoughts.
We all fall into confirmation bias when what we think or know to be true is challenged. Our ego will fight tooth and nail to prove we are right. Being able to change and revise our core beliefs and make way for other ways of thinking or perspectives is an important part of learning and personal growth.
Be Introspective
Having awareness of your thoughts and feelings, taking notice and reflecting is a superpower! It leads to greater self-awareness which strengthens our relationships, self-esteem, happiness and overall well-being. Being able to recognize our weaknesses allows us to learn from our mistakes. Pay attention to your triggers, when you are feeling frustrated, annoyed or judgmental and move beyond those feelings and jerk reactions to create a new pathway for yourself. Easier said than done right, but in that moment you are now a master of your experiences.
Be Humble
Isn’t it funny how the people who think they are the smartest person in the room really aren’t? If you already think you are the best, you are already losing. We all want to be right when it comes to an argument or disagreement with an employer, friend or family member but the second we double down, we shut down and stop learning.
One of my favorite quotes is by The Rock, “I’m always asked, ‘What’s the secret to success?’ But there are no secrets. Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.” – Dwayne Johnson
Be Curious
Curiosity is the ability to seek and acquire new knowledge, skills, and ways of understanding the world around us. It is at the heart of what motivates young people to learn and keeps them learning throughout their lives. Curiosity makes our minds stronger and brings excitement into our lives. When we are curious we are more optimistic, happier and successful.
Start by listening and asking questions. Being curious allows us to stay relevant. We all have had a relative or friend who has a staunch opinion on policy, politics, or how to raise a child, they have lost their ability to be curious. Being a nanny and working with children is a good reminder of the power of curiosity. We want to foster a child's curiosity so foster your own as well!
Seek out Knowledge
Challenge yourself by choosing one educational goal at a time. It can be taking a course, getting a new certification, or reading or listening to an educational book that pertains to your job. If you have a long commute, listening to an ebook
There are lots of ways to add to your professional and personal development. For some people just the act of writing is cathartic. Daily journaling has been found to reduce stress, keep your memory sharp, boost your mood and strengthen your emotional functions.
The Takeaway
Education is a lifelong journey. The learning never stops. There are always new things to discover, new ways to improve ourselves, and new challenges to face. Being a caregiver is an educational journey, whether it is learning how to be more compassionate, open-minded, and thoughtful or applying skills learned, it is an important part of being human and improving your practice… just being better!
I’ll leave you with this last quote by Dr. Seuss. It reminds me not to take myself to seriously, to stay curious, humble, open-minded and a tad bit silly maybe even dance in the rain!