Readers love our list of 10 Famous Nannies — and they especially love the last name on the list: Mary Poppins! With her spoonful of sugar, this 1960s Disney classic has withstood the test of time and stands out as a model of child care excellence. Children adore her and grow up with fond memories of her life lessons, and parents and nannies who watch the movie later in life marvel at seeing Mary succeed at instilling order and discipline, while still maintaining a cheerful and gracious demeanor. Her unwavering good spirit and dutiful approach to life distinguish her as one of the greatest nannies of all time.
So if Mary were here today, what advice would she have for contemporary parents and nannies? By taking a look at some of the great quotes from the film, we can hear from her directly to soak up some of her wisdom. Here are our top six picks:
- “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and SNAP! The job’s a game!”
“Being a mom of two strong-willed girls is hard work,” shares Tatiana Tugbaeva, mother and owner of My Little Jules boutique. “They don’t always listen, so whenever possible, I try to add an element of fun to our daily routines.” Like Mary, Tatiana sings while she gets her girls dressed or tries to make a game out of putting toys away. “These little tricks go a long way, especially when my girls are in a mischievous mood.”
- Try to be “practically perfect in every way.”
Mary always strove for success. She believed in tidiness, order, good behavior and manners. And, amidst it all, she somehow managed to make organization look like magic. To Mary, these were the hallmarks of perfection. She herself aimed to embody these qualities and serve as a role model for the Banks children.
- “There’s nothing like a good laugh.”
Everyone can agree that laughing makes you feel great. Mary believed that people should laugh every day. Mother and nanny Kim Hoeltje encourages others to adopt this joyfulness while on the job. “Sing, dance and be silly with the kids,” she says. “Just because you’re an adult, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy swinging at the park too.”
- “Never judge things by their appearance.”
Mary herself was certainly more than she appeared at first. Though seemingly shabby when she arrived in her plain hat and coat at the Banks’ door, Mary proved instead to be sensational — sliding up and down the house banister and unpacking her seemingly endless, extraordinary bag.What should be in a nanny bag? Here are 11 things nannies should bring on every job.
- “Practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking.”
Though Mary was supernaturally good humored, she was also exceptionally pragmatic. She believed in thinking from the head, not the heart. To maintain proper order and her stature as an authority figure, Mary relied more heavily on reason than emotion.
- “First of all, I would like to make one thing quite clear… I never explain anything.”
Mary also felt strongly about standing by her actions. She held to her convictions and understood that her unique style might not suit everyone. Mary also knew that once she had fulfilled her role, that there would come a time for her to move on.Children and parents will forever love Mary Poppins. “It’s one of my all-time favorite movies,” says mother and nanny Melissa Martz. “I’ve turned my young niece into a new fan, I’ve seen the Broadway show, I’ve dressed up as her for Halloween…and Julie Andrews and I have the same birthday.”
Few other fictional characters can claim that same adoration. Is Mary Poppins one of your favorites? If so, what are your favorite lessons she has taught you?
Tiffany Smith is the director of content and publicity at William Woods University. She has written for All You, Time for Kids and the Boston Globe. And as a former babysitter, she knows a lot about fun games to play with kids. Getting them to eat their veggies — that’s a different story! Follow her on Twitter @tiffanyiswrite.
