Meet Greta Schraer - 2010 INA Nanny of the Year

Meet Greta Schraer …
2010 INA Nanny of the Year
by Kellie Geres, ADCAN president

ADCAN is pleased to introduce you to Greta. A few of us met Greta in October at Nannypalooza, and she is a friend to many. In knowing Greta myself these past couple years, I wanted to learn some new things and share them with you, so read on and share Greta’s story ….

Greta Schraer is a full-time career nanny currently caring for three year old triplet boys. She has worked with children for the past 18 years in the Cincinnati area. She has been a full-time, temporary, part-time and seasonal nanny for many families. Greta has also been a Youth Ministry Administrator mentoring junior and senior high school students through one-on-one and group teaching. Since returning from the 2009 International Nanny Association Conference, Greta started the blog, CincyNanny, to connect the nannies in Cincinnati and share resources and information. CincyNanny now has over 80 nannies involved! The CincyNanny blog continues to grow and be featured outside the Cincinnati area. Greta has also been able to mentor families and nannies through all the issues they face. In May, she was the recipient of the INA Nanny of the Year award for 2010 and received her INA Service Award Pin. Greta has just recently joined the INA Board of Directors as the Membership Committee Chair. In addition to spending time with her husband, Greta teaches Lindy Hop/Swing Dancing. She also volunteers at her church as well as partnering in national and international mission trips. Greta's hobbies include traveling to new cities, cooking new recipes, decorating, writing, and making projects on her Mac computer.

A typical day for Greta …
Each morning I arrive at the house by 7:00. N is always the first awake. He quietly sneaks downstairs then in view he runs and jumps in my lap. We usually check the weather channel or news while I drink my coffee and mentally plan our day. By 8:00 all are up. We keep to a routine as I feel it brings comfort and ease to all of use. The boys know the cues and what to expect. First we go potty, get dressed, and have breakfast. Meals are a great time to teach and talk. Mornings are usually an easier part of the day, so after breakfast I try to get most of the chores done (dishes, laundry, and etc.) as the boys play and help me. By 9:30 we are usually heading out the door for the adventure of the day. The boys love to go to museums, parks, the pool, story time, errands, or school. No matter where we are headed they are excited to ride in my car. I like to use this time out and about in the world to teach and connect with them through songs, experiences, and simple conversations. They are like little sponges and soak up all the city has to offer them. Sometimes we eat lunch out, or have a picnic but most days we come back home. After lunch, the boys play as I clean up, then we all have "clean up time" together. Then comes story time on the couch, where we read about 3 books. Next is quiet time/nap. I use this time to eat, take a break, and finish chores. After quiet time we have snack. In the last hour of our day we play games, color, playdoh, etc. This is usually the wild part of my day; the boys sense the transition coming. Unless staying late, I head home at 5:00. H usually opens my car door and tells me to “Go home, see Doug” then says “Have a good day”. Throughout the day there are always surprises, questions, time outs, encouraging the potty, wrestling, games, the potty, singing, helping, the potty, teaching, and of course more of the potty. I try to carve out time with each boy alone as well as play as a group. Can you tell there is never a dull moment with three year old triplet boys?

Asked how she sees herself inspiring others, Greta says …
The people that I look up to and respect are people not only doing wonderful things for the world, but are also real enough to connect with and learn from. They are people who are humble, honest and desire to grow. As Nanny of the Year, I hope that people realize I am not perfect nor the perfect nanny. There is always more to learn, and I hope that I will inspire others to continue that process. I hope that I will show others that by following your passions you can do great things. We are each unique and therefore have a unique gift to share with our world.


How Greta wants to be remembered …
A few years ago, my Nanny (grandmother) passed away. She and I were extremely close my whole life. When this hard time came... I was thinking, what do I want to be remembered for? I came up with 4 things. Someone who loved God, loved others, was faithful and giving. This is how I want to trend my life, including being a Nanny. I hope that people see me as someone who is passionate about people, children, and is faithful and giving to them and this industry.

Greatest Accomplishment …
As a Nanny, my greatest accomplishment is partnering with my family in caring for the most amazing boys. I have seen so much growth in them over the past three years and I am honored to have been a part of that.

As an individual, my greatest accomplishment five years of marriage to my best friend. While in comparison to others it may not seem like much. However, I grew up in a broken, unhealthy family and longed to do things differently. I am proud that my husband and I share mutual respect and trust. We are committed to do the work a marriage requires. Plus he is pretty cute, funny, and has amazing character.

5 Fun Facts …
I am obsessed with Broadway and got to see Wicked the week after it opened in 2003 with original cast.
I tweet quotes from the boys each day so that I never forget their cutest moments.
I have 52 pairs of shoes in my recently organized closet.
I have swing danced in about 20 cities in the US, and always look up the best venue as I travel.
I have boxes of journals from my youth. I had no idea that I would become someone that writes in the open, rather than alone to herself.

Favorite …
Vacation: Ocean views, clear water, swimming, massage, and margaritas.
Childhood memory: Riding in my Nanny's (grandmother) car, she would always take me on country drives. She sat me on phone books in the front seat. I said my first full sentence to her..."Look, Nanny, a cow, how 'bout that Nanny, how 'bout that?"
Song: Gravity, John Mayer
Food: Mashed potatoes
Book: Philippians (in the Bible)

Finally, if you could have lunch with anyone - dead or alive - who would it be?
I would have lunch with my half-brother that I have never met. I grew up an only child and always wanted a brother. Maybe someday I will come across some more clues that will make this possible.


You can read Greta’s acceptance speech from the INA Conference on her blog, CincyNanny.