Gina Kennedy

Cause
The Nanny Share

Website
www.thenannyshare.com.au

Social Media
www.facebook.com/thenannyshare.com




What do you do?
The Nanny Share provides families with support, community, and flexible childcare at a less expensive cost, while your children build sibling-like friendships that can last a lifetime. At the same time, Nannies are provided with flexibility, a family work environment, and an increased hourly rate. The Nanny Share is a Win:Win!

What do you love most about what you do?
I love that busy working families (especially Mum's), find peace of mind and gain back quality time with their children. They also have an added bonus, gaining support from a "village." Childcare workers feel they are acknowledged and respected for their work, and are an integral part of "the village." 

What is the vision for your project/business/cause?
My vision is to give a balance of "work-life" back to busy families; to see people walking the streets of their suburbs and kids playing together. Why... because everyone knows everyone, and everybody is helping one another.
The vision is also about giving back energy and enthusiasm to working Mum's so they can be the best of themselves both at work and at home. Working Mum's do not need to wear the badge of honour, and armour to prove they can "do it all". They can put their hands up and ask for help. We are there to support each other, and ensure our children thrive.

What are some defining moments in your life that got you where you are today?
I remember laying in bed, physically wrecked, crying in doctors offices saying, "I don't understand why I feel this bad", only to be told, "You're a working Mum, this is what it is like". I finally found a doctor who listened, took blood tests, and found I had glandular fever. 
Another defining moment was watching others in the corporate world resign or reduce hours, to be able to cope with a busy home and work life. I knew there was a better way, and I wanted to help support them.
I hired a cleaner, which helped a little, then my own fabulous Nanny. She changed our lives. Coming home to a happy home, with ironing done and dinner prepared, meant my mind was at ease and I had amazing quality time with my precious girl.

What inspires you to keep focused on what you love to do?
Easy... my family, the laughter in my house and the women in my world.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you've overcome so far?
The biggest challenge is getting the message out that women need to ask for help! They seem to put pressure on themselves to do it all. 
Sharing a Nanny is a new concept, it is taking time for people to learn how it can benefit everyone.
Being new to the business world, I found that some people did not take me seriously, and I seemed to be put on the back burner. I had to learn to "stamp my feet" to be heard and for the website to be functioning as I wanted. I felt as though I was a little fish in a big pond.

​Is there anyone you haven't met yet who is an inspiration to you? What would you say?
P!NK...she is a strong, and yet down-to-earth working mother. She has stayed true to herself, and is there for her family day in and day out. I would ask her, "In the early days, where did she find the courage to be herself and to not follow the crowd, especially as a young girl/teenager?"

How would you define community and do you feel it is important? Why?
Community is a belonging. It is feeling supported by your neighbours, your work collegues, by the Mum's at the school gate. It's knowing and feeling you have a village around you, who have your back. Caring and look after one another is natural. Without community, this world has nothing, we would have empty hearts.

What is your favourite place in the world? Why?
The beach with my family, on a cool day, when it is almost empty. Feeling the breeze, smelling the air, hear the squeals of my daughter laughing while the waves crash. Just being one family with nature.

How can people get in touch or participate in your cause?
www.thenannyshare.com
Facebook Page - TheNannyShare
Call or email (details on the websites).

Please share any words of wisdom that you could offer our readers with the journey you've taken so far?
Love it! Do your little bit to spread kindness and to make the world a better place.

We'd love to know one more thing you absolutely LOVE about your life :)
My daughter!! My dearest best friend and my biggest support, my better half.

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The importance of asking
​for support

The Nanny Share

Laura Naomi 2018

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