help!

So my {sweet and supportive} parents work in positions where they interact with a lot of people on the...ahem, wealthier side of...life(?). Tonight over dinner (spaghetti) the name of an individual was brought up, a grandparent...who helps the nanny with their grandchildren.

Hold. The. Phone.

If your nanny needs help you clearly have some parenting issues. The exception being if you have more than 4-ish children (adjust accordingly).
Three children? No.
A nanny can handle it (I did, & they were not easy children).
If you're 3 children are so out of hand grandparent frequently TRAVELS (long distances) to HELP the nanny, then they are out of hand.

** I happen to know this nanny is completely competent and as a former sitter of these children also know they are out of hand.**

How to lose a nanny in 10 days? Well, when she has to call in for reinforcements (regularly) expect a 2 week notice in your future.

xoxo,
April

green with envy

I should be sleeping...but I'm blogging, because I owe my blog some attention. So here it goes...

My dear friend over here sent me a link to this CNN article a few weeks ago and I new instantly I had to blog about it! Mostly becasue of this quote from parenting expert Michelle LaRowe "The reality is that many nannies do have more parenting skills than parents". Enough said.

In the very beginning of this article a mom says she's sad she doesn't get to do the fun stuff with the kids but instead has to do the veggie eating, bath time, teeth brushing, and off to bed routine. Funny thing is, some nannies do that part (I did). It wasn't my favorite...but maybe the family I worked for was going in the right direction. Jury's still out, but I'll give them some credit.

Parents also worry because often nannies can control/discipline children better than parents. The truth is nannies (& teachers) often DO have better control over kids than parents. This is hard to understand for so many parents but so basic. The articel cites that nannies are less emotionally attached, very true. This is a job and we have a task to finish, this isn't our sweet baby boy/girl. Another reason children tend to push less with nannies is because most people are most venerable with family, they always love you. If you're going to push boundaries, it's going to be with family. It's not going to be with your nanny, who uses the words "time" and "out" more than any other human being.

As far as a child loving a nanny more than its parents. Not possible. The article makes this clear enough. We might call them 'our kids' and love them fiercely but there is no bond like the one between parent and child. (If you're really that worried, don't have a nanny).

So parents you go ahead check the worry off your list- nannies, enjoy the fact that your employer might be a tad jealous if you- and we'll all go to bed happy.
Sweet dreams!

xoxo,
April

under lock&key

First of all, let me apologize for my absence. My new schedule is kicking me in the rear. I'm going to be better (pinky promise).

Today is a very good day to mark my first post back after an absence. WHY, you ask? Today I dropped off the keys and garage door opener of my former nanny family. I was roped into (i.e. I have trouble saying no) pet/house sitting for them a few times over the summer so I still had said items in my possession. Not anymore. I have let go.
I left a short note on the kitchen counter and didn't look back...

It wasn't until I was driving down the street that I realized how significant this was. I thought I had let go long before today. It's true that I had in some ways- but I was still connected- I had keys, a garage door opener, and until they change it I still have an alarm code. This made me think about how when you're nannying (or in any job really) the physical items you have really mean so much. As a nanny, having that kind of access kept me locked into that family. Not only was I responsible for these items, they needed to stay in contact with me (people don't just let their house keys float around). So, it made me think about all the ways we end up tied to the kids we take care of. I carried lactaids around for weeks after I ended this last nanny job (the youngest was lactose intolerant), I'll probably continue to find hot wheels lodged in every possible crevice of my car, and who knows where all their artwork made "just for me" ended up. That's it though, {now} there are no more ties. Maybe now that I'm truly cut loose I'll get into the real nitty gritty about how to loose a nanny in 10 days ;)

Today's answer: take away her keys.

xoxo,
April

Get her sick.

That's how you lose a nanny/teacher in 10 days. Or 4. I made it 4 days with those GERMY (but adorable) little 3 yr olds before I called in for a sick day on Friday. It's been thoroughly miserable. Finally though, I feel partially normal and I'm looking forward to a healthy week ahead- with much more blogging. Just wanted to let you all know I'm still here and have tons of posts coming your way. Thanks for sticking with me. Love you lots.

xoxo,
April