Brenda Ashford has dedicated her life to raising many children in Great Britain. She describes her training as a Norland Nanny and the rigorous practices she learned during her training. She also tells of raising her charges during World War II and the challenges that presented. Throughout the book, she writes of maintaining a positive attitude with the children and seeking to shelter them from the adversities of war. She is strongly dedicated to her career and reports that she continued to be a nanny until her eighties. Gives a very interesting insight into pre-WWII, the prevalence of nannies in British homes, how WWII changed the British home and the role of women. What is hard to imagine is the lack of mother's involvement in the life of the child in homes where they had nannies. I did like her opinions on caring and nuturing children. I wish more mothers would slow down and not cram a multitude of activities on their children.
A look at the life of a British nanny during the pre- and post-WWII years in Britain.
—Mia
Very interesting insight into a nanny's life. Loved the bits of history too.
—kdcolbert
Just an awesome read. Very easy, yet satisfying.
—decapitatedmary
