Welcome
One of the most difficult tasks for me is to sit down and write out a 5-10 year plan. Often in high school and college these were the projects I dreaded. Interviews came after leaving university and these questions popped up again. I’ve always found it a limiting question - I know what the interviewer wanted to hear, but I didn’t believe it in my heart.
My favorite poem/song has been the inspiration for my life that has guided and grounded me to pursue what I want in life. This excerpt particularly has spoken to me:
“Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life
The most interesting people I know
Didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't”
~ Everybody’s Free (Baz Luhrmann)
Since leaving college, I drove myself to what I believed to be a successful life. I was a consumer care chemist (lotions, soaps, detergents, etc.), then worked as a chemist building peptides from amino acids, and breaking into competitive intelligence. Unfortunately, my last company ended up closing resulting in my position being eliminated. After that position ended, it forced me to rediscover myself and what I wanted to do. I met many people and families along the way that guided me, and made me realize my value does not live in a job title or company, rather it’s what fills me. My five year plan as a junior in college didn’t have studying abroad in Nicosia, Cyprus (one of the best growing experiences of my life), nor did it have me being a chemist, much less working in recruitment and competitive intelligence for Bristol Myers Squibb. I just said “yes” to any and all opportunities and hoped I’d land on my feet. And each time I did!
For the past 5 years I have had the profound privilege of being a Youth Advisor at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, building relationships with middle school students. I’ve seen them grow, be kind to one another, and support their peers.
This has affirmed me to believe that right now, my purpose it to work with youth and adolescents. I’ve loved coaching little ones, empowering by instilling confidence, and teaching responsibility, respect, honesty, and integrity.
I’m very excited on the launch of this website and the official launch of "Nanny CoCo". This is a place where you will be able to connect with me, learn about local businesses and non-profits, request resources, and more.
In my period of growth I found many local businesses in the area that I would love for more people to be able to reach. If you are a local business in North Carolina and would like to be added please reach out to me via chat. I will respond as soon as possible!
The Sonshine Shop locally crafted bracelets and other jewelry. Whitney created her business inspired by her son. Her jewelry is "wearable sunshine", locally crafted in Charlotte. I love this small business because she makes custom bracelets that can quite literally say anything. It's a great option for children who need medical alerts that are visible ("diabetic", "epileptic", "allergy" etc.) or anyone going on vacation needing parent/ guardian phone numbers on the children in case the kids are too young to memorize their parent's phone number. Check out her work @thesonshineshop704.
Audio
Appropriate Audio for Youth
As a firm believer everyone should know what they are listening to and how the music they listen to impact other cultures and ethnicities, as well as their own, I curated appropriate audio for the house or car.
This is a starting point you and your family can use. It is compiled with positive songs avoiding the mention of drugs, sex, alcohol, or negativity. It is also primarily focusing on positive beats and lyrics to uplift their spirits. A few Christian songs and poems were added, along with a few audiobooks.
Check out the playlist.
Youth Mental Health Resources
Provided by Sara Miller, MDiv, MA, YMHFA Instructor
from The National Council for Mental Wellbeing
A list of local and national hotlines to assist with crisis and non crisis situations. Listed in the document are therapist in the Charlotte area with specific specialities to help youth.
A suggestion list of ways to help your youth in non crisis situations. We Rate Dogs is one of my personal favorites - a totally positive account with dog who do heroic, remarkable, or just silly things with a rating.
An uncomfortable topic to discuss, but hopefully these tools help aid and guide conversations with your youth. Having one supportive adult can significantly reduce attempted suicide in youth.
About
An adventurous gal, living a life full of adventure. The inspiration behind this website (and my name, Nanny CoCo), came from my love of children and working with them as a nanny in previous years. Many of the children were so young they couldn't pronounce my full name, so I donned the name "CoCo" that my close friends in high school and college gave me. I loved my career in corporate companies, but after a period of time laid off, I had to make a decision that aligned with my passions, values, and life-style. In the time being unemployed, I found joy in playing with children whether it be board games, hitting a tennis ball back and fourth, playing at the pool together, diving after torpedos, or running around parks. I realized I was having so much fun. And with each rejection or closing of posting for careers at companies I wanted to work for, I decided to launch this website, and work with children. As a Kappa Delta, protection and avoidance of abuse in children is a deep routed value in me. As a philanthropist, Prevent Child Abuse America (you may see pinwheels in April; this is the organization that spearheads that campaign) and Pat's Place in Charlotte, NC are amazing organizations. At the place I am at in my life now, I want to be as involved with my community and affiliate organizations as I can be.
All my best,
Courtney S.
Disclaimer
To protect the privacy of those close to me you will not see any pictures of minors on this website. That does not mean I am any less knowledgable, passionate, or qualified.
I also will not publicly be posting my own personal information or those of other preferred nannies. Those will have to be requested separately using the "chat" button.