Confessions of a Nanny

Part III

When I first met this mom, I didn't think she was bad.  Then when I met the kid, she turned into a Devil.  Not only was she the Micro Manage Mama, but she just got downright mean when I would try to help her kid do something.  So, before I started, I gave her my hourly rate, and she came back with an offer that was 50 cents less.  5-0 cents!  Which came out to like $10 less per week.  Now, ok.  I've got a lot of experience and when it comes to negotiating, my rate is my rate.  I don't mess around.  So, I said "my rate is my rate, take it or leave it."  Obviously since I'm the shiznit, she accepted.  But man, did that leave an awful taste in my mouth about this family and I did not want to work with them.  But since it was the highest paying, I accepted it.  But I absolutely dreaded every single day.  

And sure enough, their cheapness showed at holiday time when they gave me $0 for a bonus and didn't even say thank you after I gave the kid a present. 

I ignore them everytime I see them walking around. 

Wake the Baby Up

The more I come in contact with first time parents, the nuttier I think most of them are.  "Make sure you wake the baby up around 10:30pm to get the last feeding in."  Uhhh what?  Wake a sleeping baby just to prevent YOU from having to get up at 1am?  Why would ANYONE do such a thing...seriously I want to know.  

I find that first time parents prevent their child from sleeping just to accommodate themselves from not getting sleep.  Put it this way, if your   baby fall asleep at 7pm and is still sleeping by the time their next feeding "should" be, there's no need to wake them up.  YOU should be sleeping when the baby sleeps.  Therefore, if the baby wakes up at 1am ready to eat, get your butt up and feed it.  You are setting your baby up for disaster by waking it out of a deep sleep.  

Let the baby sleep.  Do not wake the baby up.  

Leave Me Money for Dinner!!

I stayed late with the runts tonight while the parents went on a hot date.  I get really peeved when there's nothing to make myself for dinner.  I mean, I'm there all day where I bring my breakfast, lunch, and some snacks, but I expect to be given money for dinner if I'm working a long ass day.  Why shouldn't you treat me to dinner once in a while?  Am I wrong to expect this?  Here I am, slaving after your kids all day while you gallivant around TriBeCa, and you expect me to eat what for dinner?  Giving me $10 for dinner means a lot.  I'm not a millionaire and you clearly have nothing in your house, otherwise you wouldn't go out so much. 

Parents, it's the little things that make Nannies(and Babysitters!) happy.  If you leave a note saying "here's $10(or $20 if you want to help include tip), buy yourself dinner tonight"...we would feel so appreciated.  I won't use the whole $20 and the change is yours.  A little thoughtful tip from the HobokeNanny.  Make us smile!

Dinner Dilemma

Everyday, I feed my charges dinner.  I always find it weird because the parents don't get home at a late hour.  I leave work at 5:30pm.  How come around the NYC area, many parents choose not to eat dinner at home with their kids?

Growing up, regardless of when my parents got home, we always ate as a family.  If we had to wait until my dad got home at 7pm, well, we waited.  We would have a snack of fruit or veggies and then did homework or watched a TV show while we waited.  

Which brings me to ask why do parents ask their Nanny to give the kids an early dinner?  Is it because the parents don't want to cook?  Because that's what it seems to me.  But then again, with prepared foods being such a hit in Hoboken, what's so hard about warming something up and eating as a family?  If a parent ever wonders why their kids don't want to talk about what goes on in school or if there's a social problem, you should think that maybe the Nanny knows about since that's who your kids have dinner with.  Parents, take the time, order a pizza, and eat as a family.  Everyone will absolutely love it.  And PS- leave your phone where it won't be a distraction.  Dinner time should be family time.  Every second of it!

The Jealous Nanny Stare

Yesterday I was at Church Square playing with one of my kids.  He wanted to go down the slide but is too young to go by himself.  So, what does an awesome Nanny like myself do?  I went down the slide with him!  Wouldn't you know...this gray haired lousy looking Nanny was staring at me like I was some monster for taking my kid down the slide.  Are you kidding me?  She was there with two girls, probably 7 years old, just sitting there doing nothing.  And she has the audacity of giving me a look for having fun with my charge?  What I wanted to do was go up to her and say "do you have a problem?"  Maybe next time.  Nanny, why don't you try having fun once in awhile?

Confessions of a Nanny 

Part II

My biggest fear is if my charges get bumps and bruises on my watch.  Sure, it happens, and it's not my fault, but it still scares the crap out of me. 

When a baby cries

Why do Nannies and parents jump the second their baby cries?  Do you not realize that you're setting yourself up for doom?  Let the thing cry.  The baby is fine...they cry for no reason whatsoever sometimes.  

And also, to the people who stare at the Nannies and parents who actually do let their baby cry: Mind your business.  If a baby is crying in a stroller, chances are it doesn't want to be in the stroller.  But why take the child out and teach it a bad lesson?  

Let.Your.Baby.Cry.