Donna Robinson is the founder of Oh, Baby! Her career started off 20 years ago when she founded www.thetravelingnanny.com.
The International Nanny Association
Proudly Presents
Donna Robinson – The Traveling Nanny
As their 2008 Nanny of the Year
In 2008 I was nominated by the Agah Family and chosen by the International Nanny Association to be their Nanny of the Year. At that time, I was the only specialty nanny to be chosen for this honor. I continue to attend their annual conference whenever possible. Each year I have the opportunity to continue learning about this amazing world of childcare.
My Story:
My original goal when I started as a newborn/temporary/travel nanny was to help parents with temporary nanny needs, newborn care and specialize in traveling with children of all ages.
When I first started the traveling nanny business, I just had one goal–to offer parents a partner in their quest for childcare. I’ve always had a heart for the needs of my parents and when I started doing more and more newborns, I realized I brought the same “compassion and desire to fit my job to the needs of the parents.”
My clients say I have a way of making parents feel nurtured as I demonstrate to them the art of swaddling or helping them learn the importance of feeding and sleeping schedules. My philosophy tells me to listen to the parent, understand their goals, if I want to effectively help them become confident parents.
When I moved to Austin, Texas, I decided to limit newborn care to the Austin area. I wanted to downsize my workload, but I also wasn’t ready to give up my babies!
I started Oh, Baby! because I felt parents deserved choices even if on a limited budget. Sometimes, especially when this is the second or third child. Parents sometimes need temporary affordable night help for the newborn so that they can get the sleep they need for recovery from birth experience. They might have limited budgets but still want quality newborn care.
The world changes as technology gives us instant information. I often find parents feel overwhelmed with all the different information out there on newborns as many offers conflicting advice. Who is right?! I advise parents to not get to set in with one method. Rather, wait till they hold their newborn and learn about the baby’s uniqueness.
I try to answer questions during the pregnancy via email. After birth, the parents and I talk while the baby is sleeping to answer questions or explain my approach. I want my parents to know why I am using certain techniques. Every night I do extensive notes which I text to parents. I want them to know what I am doing and why. I want them to feel they are “in the room with me”. Most of our communication is done through texts as it lets them go back and read when less tired! They often text with questions and concerns as I help them find a good day schedule. What happens during the day often determines how the baby sleeps at night.
I love that this generation wants to be hands on parents from the beginning. Fathers are now asking as many questions as the mothers, and I try to make them feel comfortable talking to me. I had a father who had many questions as what I was doing was different than what he had read. “I don’t mean to come across as questioning you but it’s just my nature to be direct!” I just smiled and reassured him that having questions meant he wanted to be a real part of this newborn experiences, and I wasn’t insulted. In fact, I was thrilled to answer his questions.
I’ve always thought of myself as a parent coach. When I decided to design a web page, I thought about my needs when I was a young mother. The childcare knowledge is invaluable to a new mother, but I also knew there were times I was just too tired to cook a meal and run the errands that seemed to pile up and sleep at night was my ultimate goal!
Oh, Baby! was created to give parents a choice. Even after the job is done, I am available for questions and concerns as my parents navigate changes as they baby grows.
I am proud to say I am a member of the International Nanny Association and in 2008 was chosen as their Nanny of the Year. I still attend conferences and workshops as learning is an ongoing process. I, also, try to attend the Nanny Palooza Conferences and was their guest speaker in 2007. I loves nanny’s conferences because I feel you “can never stop learning”.
I try to stay connected with the business world as a member of National Association of Professional Women.
In this business you sometimes have to wear a lot of hats but ”I am first and always a nurturer at heart”.
