Daylight Saving Drama

I want to know how everyone has done this week with the adjustment of daylight savings.  The kids hopefully got an extra hour of sleep, but their bodies still think it's one hour later.  There were some meltdowns due to tiredness but that's totally normal.  Anyone else?  

Confessions of a Nanny

I'm bringing up the Micro Manage Mama again.  This woman bothered me and the more I think about her, the more it makes me remember how awful she was.  

Anyway, so one day, she got home from work early.  She said hi to the kids and then disappeared. (Nope, didn't say hi to me) Now remember, these are the kids who just sucked at life and were the brattiest brats ever.  They told me to go home(yes, the brats told me) but then I continued to sit there since we were playing a game.  Like I was going to listen to them, but I wish I would have.  So, the MMM disappeared and the kids were like WTF.  So, they barged into her room.  What was she doing?  She was watching TV in bed.  Uhhhh, W-T-F WOMAN?  Here I am playing a board game with your brats and you are laying in bed watching TV?????  

So, the kids got in bed with her.  I sat on the couch from 3:30pm-5:30 and did nothing, while the 3 of them slept.  Then at 5:30, the dumb Mom came out and asked if I started dinner.  Obviously I didn't because why would I when everyone was sleeping?  Idiot.  So, at 6:15, the kids got out of bed, and the dinner I made was ready.   Yes, I made dinner while the Mom was home and doing nothing.  Ugh, she sucked so much ass.  

Why did I sit there, all alone for two hours?  Because I'm a loyal and reliable Nanny and since it wasn't my time to leave, I sat there and waited.  

Lazy ass MMM made me so mad that day that two weeks later I gave my two weeks notice.  That's what ya get!

Emailed Topic: Nannying Around Parents

I received this great topic from someone who signed the email as "Nanny in Hoboken."  (I'm totally fine with not signing your given name, by the way.)

Let's talk about this.  Nannying with Parents around can be explained like this: when working in corporate world, it's very uncomfortable having your boss around, right?  So, Nannying with your boss around is no exception.  It's kind of like, we do things one way, and the Parents do things another way, so when everyone is around, the kid becomes a doofus.  Kids don't know who to ask so they can get the outcome they want, and it's a Disaster with a capital D.  As I've said before, kids are different people around different adults.    

My belief is that if Parents are going to be around with Nanny, they either need to completely take care of the kids or they need to be invisible.  Meaning, go in your room and don't come out or go somewhere for the day.  The worst thing to deal with is a crying, whining child whose Mom or Dad keep walking in and out of the room.  It's like a big tease for the kids.  

This topic also brings me to the Stay at Home Mom who has a Nanny or a Sitter to watch the kid(s) while Mom does house chores.  No, it can't work like that.  Especially on a rainy day like today.  If the child doesn't understand that Mom will be around, it makes it very difficult for the Caregiver to be able to have fun with the child.  

A child doesn't want the Nanny, they want the Parent.  Remember that!

BAD MOM SIGHTING

We were in Church Square Park this morning, as usual, and I saw this woman with brown curly hair and her son.  He was playing in the area close to 4th Street.  He was getting bored, so the Mom opened the gate and out ran the boy.  He was probably 4 years old, but a very tall 4 year old.  So without warning, the Mom ran after him and put him in his stroller.  

Sidenote: why does a 4 year old still sit in a stroller?  How lazy can you make a kid?  As soon as the kid is capable of walking without stopping and getting tired, ditch the stroller.  

Anyway, of course, the kid started to cry.  Does anyone know why he started to cry?  Because the Mom decided to discipline him for something that he didn't know he did wrong. 

Here's how the situation should have gone down:  The Mom notices the kid is bored.  The Mom should say "Honey, would you like to go to another area?"  The kid says "yes" and the Mom says "Ok, but you need to hold my hand as we walk to another area and if you don't listen, we are going home."

Is it that difficult?  

Sometimes I see both Parents and Nannies discipline a child for something that they don't know his wrong.  Explain the situation and give a consequence.  Not difficult, people.  Why would you want to deal with crying in the middle of Church Square when all you had to do was communicate.  Dummies!

Emailed Question: The Evil Mom

I got this Email from Mary who lives in Jersey City but is a Nanny here in Hoboken.

"Hi Hoboken Nanny.  I am contemplating whether I should quit my job.  I really love the kids.  But the mom is unbearable to work with.  She never takes my side if the kids say negative things about me.  When she's around the kids will tell me to go home and that they don't like me.  I can handle it, but shouldn't the mom discourage the behavior?  I am always very vocal about this, even with the mom around.   I have been with them since they were babies but now that they are talking, I am not getting backed up with encouraging positive behavior.  What should I do?"

Mary, here's what needs to happen: you need to tell the kids that it's unacceptable to say that someone.  Ask them how they would feel if someone said it to them and then talk about it.  But, you're right.  The Mom should be on your side.  She should discourage the behavior...that's her job as a Parent.  If she doesn't know that it annoys you, then pull her aside and tell her that you've talked about it with the kids and now it's her turn to be on your side.  It's pure evil if she isn't on your side because deep down, maybe she likes hearing her kids say those things.  But as part of the family (because that's what you are as the Nanny) everyone is on the same side.  

Bonus Update

I just realized that Hannukah is in 3 weeks.  I believe it starts on Thanksgiving Day.  Maybe the night before?  I'm not sure how Jewish holiday's work.  (Can someone tell me?) 

So...

This means, if your Nanny, Babysitter, Cleaning person, Dog walker, Teacher, or anyone who HELPS you, celebrates Hannukah, then their holiday bonus should be given then.  Afterall, why should someone whose holiday is earlier than Christmas wait until Christmas?  

I will post NEXT WEEK what Parents should be doing for these wonderful people in your life and what Nannies/Babysitters, Cleaners, Dog walkers should be doing for their bosses.  

Housekeeper Nanny

I'm just curious, but why do Parents want a Nanny who also does house work?  I'm not one of those Nannies, however, when I look at job postings on various Sitter sites, I notice that almost every posting is for a Nanny or Sitter who also will do "housekeeping."  

Here's what I do in terms of cleaning: cleaning up after meals and snacks, if there's a mess made by the kids I'll vacuum, kids laundry, and occasionally, I'll unload the dishwasher.  I don't enjoy unloading it, but I'll do it once in awhile to help the Parents.  

But what annoys me is this one posting in Hoboken where the family needs school drop off and then have the person go back to their apartment to clean.  WHAT IS THAT?  Nannies are not slaves and anyone stupid enough to agree to that job is dumb.  It's one thing to clean up after the kids as a Nanny, but get a housekeeper if you need cleaning.