Taking care of babies and kids can be hard enough on its own — so we can’t imagine adding in the complications that must come along when those babies have famous parents.
To get a peek into the fascinating lifestyle and career of a celebrity nanny, we went straight to the source and asked one ourselves: renowned nanny to the stars Marva Soogrim. For more than three decades, she has been entrusted to take care of A-listers’ kiddos … and to navigate the very unique challenges that such a task can present. Her list of high-profile clientele includes Reese Witherspoon, Courteney Cox, Julia Roberts, Sheryl Crow, Laura Dern, and Kristin Davis, just to name a few. When she isn’t nannying, she’s offering personalized parental coaching sessions through her website, Marvalous Babies, so even regular folks can benefit from her extensive experience.
Soogrim tells SheKnows that she has found it “very fulfilling and rewarding” to make a positive difference in the lives of these famous families — but that it’s been a career choice that she didn’t take lightly, and it hasn’t been without its pitfalls.
“Sleep deprivation is very real and can disrupt your body’s clock. That coupled with extended periods of time you’re away from your family and loved ones … it can be very taxing on your personal relationships,” she admits. “These things are to be taken into consideration before deciding to have this type of nanny career.”
Read on for our Q & A, where Marva answers our biggest questions about what day-to-day life is like as a celebrity nanny (and shares one of her most memorable nannying moments!).
What are some of the differences between working with celebrity families and non-celebrity families?
M.S.: Non-celebrity families keep a daily routine with lots to do. The kids are in bed by 7:30 PM and most adults are going to bed around 10 PM. Celebrity families have structured chaos, meaning at any given moment the whole day’s schedule can change. A celebrity client could have a work trip planned for tomorrow and last minute the trip could be postponed for a couple more days. We have to put the luggage aside and get back into our routine and activities with the baby and the older siblings.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face when caring for celebrity children?
M.S.: When I first started working with celebrities the biggest challenge was going to different parts of the world and having to deal with jet lag and quick turnarounds. Celebrities have demanding careers where a lot of travel is included. Even though we all may feel tired, we have to move forward with our schedules and adapt quickly. Having a list of necessary supplies will allow more time for organizing the room, which makes traveling less stressful. By labeling garment bags and other items for certain stops, you will be taking away a lot of the unnecessary confusion.
How do you balance the needs of the children with the demands of the parents’ schedules?
M.S.: I’m there to focus on the children. I get things organized and prepared. We are sometimes in a trailer on location or backstage. When my clients have a break from filming a scene, they get to spend those moments with their children. The children are close by to their parent’s worksite for cuddles, stories and quality time together.
What are some of the most important qualities a nanny should have when working with celebrity families?
M.S.: Nannies have to have the understanding that it is not a 9-to-5 job. They must to be able to adapt quickly to any type of changes and have the right attitude for a tough job.
Can you share any funny or memorable moments you’ve had while working with your celebrity clients?
M.S.: One time, my client’s breast pump blew up while we were in Italy. I had to run to the nearest pharmacy to get a new pump. When I got there, the pharmacy had just closed and the workers were sweeping. I pointed to my chest outside the front door motioning that I needed a breast pump. They ran to the door, opened it up, and I was able to buy two pumps for my client so she could get to the event on time.
How do you handle paparazzi or fans who may approach the children while you’re out in public?
M.S.: I put my security face on and ask them not to come close to the children. I am very assertive with a little pitch in my voice and they know I take my job seriously and they do not proceed in getting closer.
How do you maintain a sense of privacy and confidentiality while working with high-profile families?
M.S.: I don’t advertise who I am working with to others, so I get to skip the many questions that would follow once they know who my client is. A part of my work is to keep my clients’ personal business private, and anything I can share publicly will always be tips and advice to help new and expecting parents.
How do you handle discipline and behavior management with celebrity children?
M.S.: I am not the disciplinarian in my clients’ homes. I follow the rules that are set by the parents. I am there to care for the baby only, but sometimes there are older children in the home and they have their own nannies that are there to remind them of the house rules.
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult or challenging situation while working with a celebrity family, and how did you handle it?
M.S.: My mom passed 45 minutes before I took an intercontinental flight with my newly pregnant client who was also traveling with her younger toddlers. It was a difficult choice to make, but I sucked it up and never said a word about my mother’s passing until we arrived at my client’s home. Then, I expressed what had happened. That was tough.
How do you handle the logistics of traveling with celebrity families?
M.S.: I have an A to Z system that helps me to stay organized. I am there to serve my clients, so staying focused on all my responsibilities and commitments are the keys to successful travel.
How do you adapt to the changing needs of children as they grow and develop?
M.S.: As children grow, each stage calls for differences in nutrition, activities and overall childcare with regular checking in with parents on next steps in moving forward. At those older stages in their offspring’s life, parents are confident in deciding what might work best and must have a say-so — with my help, if needed.
What are some of the most important safety considerations when working with celebrities’ kids?
M.S.: With safety being my number one priority for childcare, it’s important to know where they are at all times. Everywhere we travel there are pools accessible. Kids love the water and I keep extra watchful eyes out for them. For every young child in my care, I make it a point to supervise what they eat and how much at each bite so that choking does not occur.
How do you establish trust and build strong relationships with both the children and the parents?
M.S.: I follow the protocols of the family’s household. I serve each family as I see fit to their individual dynamic. Communication has always been easy between my clients and myself. This is where things are made clear and precise, thus giving me the room to bring my “Marvalous Magic” to the whole family.
Do you still keep in touch with previous clients and their kids?
M.S.: My clients are people with very busy lives and careers. I myself have had a busy career, and it’s not the easiest to see everyone that I have worked with — but I have stayed in touch with many over the decades. It’s such a pleasure watching their kids grow up as well.
Before you go, check out these celebrities who gotten real about their love for their kids’ nannies.
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