Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Sheffield.
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hi, I’m Emily! I started working with children in late high school. Honestly, while I love children, I fell into this work in the beginning. I happened to be eighteen and responsible and the leaders of a church recovery group needed an adult to help out with the children on a particular night.
Despite the happenstance nature in the beginning a passion was awoken! I began hosting the children’s portion of recovery groups all over my hometown. I saw so clearly that all children deserve good and safe childcare and providing good and safe childcare created a ripple effect that allowed parents and caregivers to be better parents and caregivers.
Fast forward several years, I was working as a full-time nanny with a desire to grow professionally and discovered Doula’s work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t know… If someone tells you it was smooth sailing they’re lying. I think the biggest struggle has been feeling like I’m not an actual professional. Working with children is often seen as a stopover on their way to other work. I also have a disability.
While I often have trouble identifying as someone with a disability it has nonetheless impacted how I see the world and how the world sees me. It’s often (at least for me) not the disability that creates obstacles (I just do things differently) it’s societal expectations and ideas of what it’s like to have a disability.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as a professional nanny and postpartum Doula. I specialize in overnight newborn care and organizing for babies. I may not always be the nanny with all the fun crafts and baked goodies, but I love making sure everyone is fed, safe, and well-loved while in my care.
I support parents and caregivers by taking care of the business of life so they have the opportunity to enjoy the quality of life. There’s more to life as a caregiver than doing laundry and collapsing into bed.
What matters most to you?
It is important to me to elevate this work to both nanny and Doula. If we learned anything during the mayhem of 2020 it’s that so many mothers felt abandoned. How were they going to work and care for their families? I get to stand in that gap. It often feels like the most feminist thing I could do.
Contact Info:
- Email: rallyaround.knox@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rallyaround.knox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PepRally-106479735027352
Image Credits
Calli Voorheese
