When Jaclyn Shaw moved from California to rural Indiana, she expected quiet roads and open land.
What she didn’t expect was how often she would slow down for horse-drawn buggies — or how curious she’d feel every time one passed. The Amish community was close, visible, and completely unfamiliar.
That curiosity would eventually shape how she raised her first child — and who helped care for her.
A move that changed daily life
Shaw relocated during the COVID-19 pandemic to the small Midwestern town where her husband grew up.
He had known Amish families all his life. Shaw hadn’t. The culture felt distant, almost surreal, even though it existed just down the road.
After their daughter was born in June 2022, the differences became more practical than abstract.
Finding childcare in a small town
In a tight-knit rural community, childcare options were limited.
While Shaw searched for a daycare spot, friends suggested something common in the area but unexpected to her: hiring an Amish nanny.
The idea felt unfamiliar, even intimidating. But it also felt possible.
Meeting Rosanna
Rosanna was 22, Amish, and calm in a way that put Shaw at ease — and on edge.
At first, Shaw worried about cultural missteps and safety concerns. Rosanna didn’t carry a phone, following Amish tradition, which made Shaw hesitant to let her take the baby out for walks.
Trust came slowly, built through conversation, routine, and the quiet confidence of someone who clearly knew how to care for children.
Assumptions quietly fall away
As Rosanna settled into the role, Shaw began to realize how wrong some of her assumptions had been.
Despite living a conservative, technology-limited life, Rosanna was far from disconnected. She had recently completed Rumspringa — a period when many Amish young adults experience the wider world before choosing whether to return.
She understood modern devices, navigated new environments with ease, and surprised Shaw by sitting down at an electric keyboard and playing hymns without hesitation.
Learning from each other
Shaw, who works from home, found herself explaining everyday household routines — from smart speakers to music playlists — only to discover Rosanna already understood more than expected.
What started as cautious coexistence grew into mutual respect. Different lives, different rules, but shared care for the same small person.
The exchange wasn’t one-sided. Both women were learning.
A story that resonated online
Shaw later shared her experience on TikTok, where her videos reached tens of thousands of viewers.
Many were struck by how ordinary the arrangement became — and how easily stereotypes fell apart once daily life took over.
The story resonated not because it was dramatic, but because it felt quietly human.
Why it matters
In an era defined by division and misunderstanding, Shaw’s experience shows how proximity changes perspective.
Childcare needs opened a door to cultural exchange that textbooks rarely capture. Trust replaced curiosity. Familiarity softened fear.
Sometimes, understanding doesn’t arrive through big moments — but through shared responsibility, one stroller walk at a time.
