“7 Reasons Nursery Is the Best Calling” by Annaliese Lemmon

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1. I get to play with toys.

No matter how old I am, it is always satisfying to yell "Boom" as a tower of blocks falls over. 

2. There are snacks.

Yes, the snacks are officially for the kids. But the servant is worthy of her hire, and sometimes, a couple goldfish hit the spot. 

3. There are few people to talk to.

It's an introvert's dream! There's only a few names and faces I need to remember. I have an excuse to beeline out of sacrament meeting instead of chat with people. Plus, the parents are too focused on breaking separation anxiety to ask how I'm doing. (The answer is, I'm ok.) 

4. I can dress for comfort instead of looks.

Why would I wear heels when I am on the floor half the time? Sandals for the win! And no one will notice or care if I forgo makeup rather than risk it running. 

5. The lessons are short.

There's not much material you can cram into the five minutes before a toddler's attention span runs out. So preparation is a breeze. Just read a few verses and mark which pictures to turn to. No need for me to find personal experiences that connect. Those events would be beyond their understanding anyway.

6. The lessons are simple.

We talk about how to say prayers, and that Heavenly Father wants us to share. Not about how to find joy in our trials. When we discuss Jesus' miracles, we focus less on the healing and more on what we can do, such as the ten lepers showing gratitude. Faith and worthiness requirements for such miracles are not mentioned. 

7. I don't have to pretend to be happy.

We sing about turning frowns upside down, but when I'm sad, the kids don't offer platitudes of testimony. They'll let me just sit in the corner as they race the toy school bus across the room the exact way my son did when he was that age.

This piece was published in 2026 as part of the 15th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz by the Mormon Lit Lab. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.