We’re looking forward to introducing you to Danielle Chappell. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Danielle, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days start pretty quietly for me. I wake up and do a 30-minute meditation — it helps me center myself before the day gets going. Then I head to the kitchen and make a simple, healthy breakfast for my husband and me. I really enjoy that time together in the morning.
After breakfast, I like to check on my garden — water a few things, see what’s growing, maybe pull a weed or two. Then I head off to teach a yoga class, which is always a grounding and heart-opening part of my day.
When I get home, I make some lunch, and then shift into work mode. I spend the afternoon working on Munchkin Minders and Dragonfly Moon retreat planning, answering emails, making to-do lists, and checking in with families or collaborators. I try to keep things flowing but not overwhelming.
At some point, I make sure to fill the bird feeders (I love watching who shows up), toss in a load of laundry, and figure out what we’re going to have for dinner. In the evening, my husband and I usually snuggle up on the couch, watch a movie or a show, and just relax.
Before bed, I do another 30-minute meditation, which helps me let go of the day. Then I’m usually ready to crash — and do it all over again the next day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Danielle — a mom of two, former nanny, and the founder of Munchkin Minders. I started this little business because I know how hard it can be to find someone you really trust with your kids. Our sitters and nannies are not only responsible and reliable, but they’re also fun, creative, and genuinely love spending time with children. They show up with activity bags, crafts, games, and ideas to keep things playful and engaging. What really makes us different is the heart behind it all — I personally take the time to get to know each family and caregiver we work with. I care deeply about the matches we make, and I want every family to feel supported and at ease. Whether you need occasional help or something more regular, we’re here to make your life a little easier.
At Munchkin Minders, our sitters and nannies are fun, creative, and full of heart. We provide fully vetted, trusted caregivers for both local and visiting families — whether it’s for a night out, a weekend away, or everyday help. We’re also a nanny placement agency, helping families find the right long-term fit with experienced, loving professionals. In addition to one-on-one care, we also specialize in group childcare for events, offering engaging activities and hands-on care so both kids and parents can enjoy the experience. No matter the setting, our team is committed to creating safe, playful, and positive environments where children feel happy and supported.
What makes Munchkin Minders so special is the personal care and connection at the heart of everything we do. We’re not a big, impersonal agency — we’re a small, hands-on team that truly takes the time to get to know each family and sitter. As a mom, former nanny, and someone who deeply values trust and reliability, I understand how important it is to feel safe and supported when it comes to your children. Our sitters and nannies are more than just childcare providers — they’re creative, engaging, and genuinely love being with kids. From thoughtfully prepared activity bags to flexible scheduling, to finding just the right long-term nanny, we offer a level of warmth, attentiveness, and flexibility that families can really feel. Whether you’re local or visiting, need occasional help or full-time support, we’re here to make your life easier — and your kids’ days a little more magical.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who to be, I was a dreamer, a nurturer, a quiet observer with a big imagination. I was the little girl who loved being outside, who found magic in the simplest things — sunlight through the trees, the rhythm of a new day, the comfort of holding someone’s hand. I was usually just happy with what was, not reaching too far ahead or worrying about what was next. I lived in the moment often, soaking up whatever joy, curiosity, or stillness the day brought. I didn’t need to be told I was enough; I just was.
I was drawn to helping, to listening, to making others feel seen and safe. I found joy in dancing, roller skating, playing in the dirt, and exploring — anything that brought movement, freedom, and a sense of adventure. There was no pressure to perform, no need to prove anything — just a deep, intuitive sense of love, connection, and presence.
That version of me is still here — softer maybe, a little wiser, sometimes hidden beneath the layers of “shoulds” and “supposed to’s” — but always waiting to come forward when I choose to remember. When I slow down, return to nature, teach a yoga class, hold space for children, or care for others with intention — I reconnect with her. And in those moments, I know I’m exactly who I’ve always been.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Sweet girl, I see you — quietly observing, trying so hard to be good, to be liked, to do everything right. I know how much you care, how deeply you want to make others happy. You’ve always had such a big heart. But I want you to know something that took me a long time to learn: you don’t have to earn love by shrinking yourself.
You don’t need to mold yourself into what others want you to be. You are enough, exactly as you are — not because of what you do for others, not because you’re agreeable or kind or helpful (though you are all those things), but because you are whole and beautiful just by being.
Yes, you were shy. Yes, you looked to others for permission to be yourself. But that softness in you — that tenderness — was never a weakness. It’s your superpower. It’s what makes you deeply empathetic, intuitive, and warm. And even though a little piece of that insecure girl still sneaks in sometimes, I promise — you are no longer defined by her. You’ve grown. You’ve become confident, grounded, creative, and strong. You’ve learned how to trust yourself, how to speak up, how to stand in your own light.
So to the younger me: Keep dancing. Keep exploring. Don’t worry so much about who approves of you. The love you’ve been looking for? It’s already inside you. And one day, you’ll see that clearly — and you’ll be so proud of how far you’ve com
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what matters to me the most, they’d probably say: people. Not just in the general sense, but the people I love — my family, my friends, my community, and the children and families I care for. They’d say I pour my heart into my relationships, that I care deeply about making others feel safe, seen, and supported.
They’d say I value presence — not just being around, but being truly with people. Listening. Holding space. Slowing down. They might mention how much I care about creating meaningful experiences — not just through a yoga class and retreats, but with each one of my Munchkin Minders clients, our sitters, and every child and family we work with. Whether it’s a mindful breath, a thoughtful email, or a nurturing activity, I try to bring heart into every connection.
They’d also probably say I care about growth — my own and others’. That I believe in the power of healing, in returning to what’s real and true, and in helping people reconnect to themselves. And maybe, they’d smile and say I care about beauty in the everyday — gardens, birds, laughter, a good meal, warm hugs, and quiet moments that remind us what really matters.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I’ve come to understand deeply — that maybe not everyone sees right away — is the importance of being fully present. Not just showing up, but really being there with someone. Whether it’s a child, a friend, a client, or a moment in nature, I’ve learned that presence can be more powerful than anything you say or do.
I’ve also come to realize that slowing down is a gift, not something to feel guilty about. Some of the most meaningful things in life happen in the quiet, unplanned moments — in stillness, in small joys, in real connection. I don’t think you have to move fast or do everything perfectly to live a good life.
I care deeply about people — about making them feel safe, seen, and cared for — and I think that kind of love and attention makes a real difference, even if it’s subtle. I’ve also learned that being soft, open, and kind in a busy world isn’t weak at all — it’s actually really strong.
I guess what I understand, deep down, is that the little things matter. The way we show up matters. And that being true to yourself, even when it’s quiet or messy or not flashy, is more than enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.munchkinminders.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/munchkinminders/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-chappell-b8723010/
- Twitter: https://x.com/munchkinminders
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MunchkinMindersLLC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/munchkin-minders-fun-and-creative-sitters-and-nannies-san-diego
Image Credits
Photo by Rebecca Kuritz
