New mom left her toddler with an Amish babysitter for the first time — what she caught the nanny doing upon returning left her speechless
Leaving a child with a babysitter for the first time can feel overwhelming for any new parent. Instagram user Jaclyn Shaw, who was born and raised in California, moved to rural Indiana after getting married and welcoming her daughter in June 2022. To help care for the little one, she hired a 22-year-old Amish woman named Rosanna, whose life fascinated her. But on the first day, when she returned home and saw what the nanny was doing, she was left completely speechless, as reported by PEOPLE. She posted a video on May 10, 2023, on TikTok under the handle @jaclynkshaw, where she talked about hiring an Amish babysitter and what she learned along the way.
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Because she worked remotely, Shaw was able to show Rosanna around, introducing her to features like their Google Home and explaining that they relied on it to stream songs for their daughter. Shaw, who owned a keyboard, recalled that the funniest moment happened on Rosanna’s very first day. She said that while her daughter was asleep, Rosanna suddenly began playing hymns and singing on the electric keyboard. Shaw laughed as she remembered walking in and wondering what exactly was happening, as most traditional Amish communities don't allow you children to learn or play instruments, especially for entertainment. They also have limited access to technology growing up. She later discovered more about Rosanna’s time during Rumspringa, a period when many Amish youth are given the chance to explore life beyond their community’s traditions.
After understanding how much Rumspringa had exposed Rosanna to the outside world, Shaw grew increasingly curious about her experiences. As she learned more, she playfully commented that the young nanny appeared to have lived a more adventurous life than she had.
Shaw also revealed how she hired the Amish nanny for her daughter. Living in a small and close-knit community, she found that childcare options were limited. “They had Amish nannies for their children because they lived further out in the country,” she told the outlet. Friends of her husband suggested the idea, explaining that the caregivers were reliable and deeply involved in family life. That is how Shaw met Rosanna to help care for her toddler.
In her TikTok video, Shaw said many people initially asked if the nanny arrived by horse and buggy. She admitted she had wondered the same at first. However, she explained that buggy rides were usually for groups or longer trips, not short daily commutes.
Shaw shared that the weather in the Midwest could be extreme. She further explained, “When it is snowing or just downpouring rain, they will call what they call a taxi.” She described how Amish families arrange specific drivers who are paid for their time and mileage. On bad weather days, Rosanna would call her regular driver to take her to work. Shaw said, “If her usual taxi wasn’t available, she would sometimes call me, and we would go get her.” Over time, the two built trust.
At first, Shaw felt nervous when Rosanna asked to take her daughter for walks because the nanny did not carry a phone. But in their small town, she eventually felt comfortable allowing it. Shaw also shared that Rosanna once offered her a buggy ride and explained that quality buggies can cost around $4,000, while a strong horse may cost close to $10,000.
For more interesting content around the Amish community, follow @jaclynkshaw on TikTok.