New Nanny Job

Updated on October 17, 2010
C.W. asks from Lexington, KY
11 answers

I am starting a new nanny job the end of November. There is a three month old daughter and two year old boy. The boy will be in school from 830-12, and I will pick him up at 12. At first the parents said it would be okay to take the three month old out to library and other places, but now they want us to stay home and just go for walks. They said they want to try to keep her from getting sick, which I agree is a good thing. My only concern is that I will go completely crazy being in a house all day, with no adult contact except for picking the boy up from school!! I like to stay busy on weekends, and `cant stand being home all day. Do you all have any suggestions on helping me not be so bored?? Or some perks of taking babies out at a younger age that I could inform the parents of?? Thanks!

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

If a two year old boy can't keep you busy nothing ever will. 2 yr olds are very active and as a nanny aren't you responsible for more then just their care like dishes, light cleaning, etc ? You will find you won't have time to get bored.

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A.G.

answers from Norfolk on

Well, here is the thing, you are a nanny and you need to either take the job as offered, or let them know as soon as possible that you are not interested and find something else. It is completely irrelevant if you agree that the baby should be kept indoors (I see both sides by the way). They pay you to spend quality time taking care of their children, cuddling, reading, singing, playing etc, they don't pay you to worry about being bored. While the baby is napping I am sure you have other responsibilities, or you can read, use the internet, listen to ipod, talk on the phone etc. Babies at that age shouldn't necessarily be kept at home though low germ exposure is a good thing since they can't get the flu shot. However they usually need a midmorning nap and more than one feeding so you won't really have that big a chunk of time to be out anyway.

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M.B.

answers from Lexington on

I have been a nanny for the last 17 years and have had a job like the one you are talking about. It was not a fun job and I found that it did not get better as the job went on and eventually the mom was unhappy with me because I was used to a very different job where I decided what we did all day. (Some families as I am sure you know like when you plan fun outings and such for the kids.) I know things are kind of tough right now job wise but I would suggest finding a better job that you are more suited for.

If not you should could let the parents know that when you have a two year old in school that he is going to be bringing the germs home and there is not really a way to keep the baby from getting it. Since when you go out babies don't touch anything they are less likely to catch as much stuff on their own as well. Going out is good for kids.

I have an almost two year old and never kept him at home even though he was a preemie. I went back to work with him and yes he caught some colds and such from the almost two year olds I watched but he was just fine and has a great immune system. He loves to be on the go and so do I in all honesty there is no reason to keep them home like that but as the parents they can make you do whatever they want and sometimes it is super tough to change their mind about it. Good luck in whatever you decide.

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

3 months is really young to bring out especially during the colder months when others tend to be more on the sick side. Good for you is its the holidays when you start. I would gather up leaves outside and make pictures..you live in Lexington so the weather will still be nice...go for a walk with the baby...have the little boy draw pictures for the holidays. Will they allow you to make cookies?? 2 year olds are sponges and CRAVE learning...learning anything and everything. Hopefully by spring or when they feel more comforatble with you they will let you go to the library.

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S.H.

answers from Enid on

kids love to do activities find what interests the toddler and go with that. my son is almost three, but he loves arts and crafts, always have. with holidays coming up, see how hard it would be to make a center piece for the table some sticks leaves pine cones crazy glue, and maybe some glitter paint and beads, let him make it and see how much fun he has :) my son loves these types of things! designing stockings was something we loved last year too

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M.N.

answers from Chicago on

Look for a different job:( if your already finding issues then I would see it as a red flag

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L.N.

answers from New York on

when you work as a nanny you have to do what parents want you to do. if they say no venturing out then that it is. things will change as the infant grows more and more. in no time he will be one year old and then hopefully a trip to a local park, library, etc will be ok with the parents.

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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

I agree with Popmom, my baby was born in January and I would have gone NUTS if I'd been forced to stay in the house all day every day.

That being said, it is they're baby, so you dont want to go against their wishes. But at least you'll get out of the house once a day to get the older boy! And once it warms up the baby will probably be old enough in their eyes for trips to the park and library.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

I would say give them a few months and then they will probably let you take the baby out. At 3 months old, it is best to keep the baby indoor, especially during the cold winter months. By the end of the winter, the baby will be seven or eight months. By then, the baby will actually benefit from going out and enjoy going to the park and library. They may just want to get to know you better before you start bringing the baby out.

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B.T.

answers from Detroit on

at 3 months old, baby is probably too young still, especially going into flu/RSV season. HOWEVER, I feel the same way about my current job, and I watch a 20 month old. It can be frustrating!

I would sit down with the parents and ask them to consider the situation if it were reversed, especially headed into Winter time, being cooped up all day with the kids, can be very bothersome and can stress a nanny out, and cause kids to act out more, like being isolated from the world.

I signed up my kid for a Kindermusik class at 8 months old, and told the parents that if they couldn't cope with me taking their kid there, there was no way I could stay.

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R.B.

answers from New York on

I am sorry but you people are crazy. I have 2 perfectly healthy kids one is 4 the other 5 months and I take them everywhere. Bundle them up. Neither of them have ever been sick. It is a baby not a immuno suppressed cancer patient. I have been taking my kids to the library, zoo, aquarium, grocery store... etc since they were both born. My pediatricians have NEVER said anything about not taking them out. It is simply old fashioned and absurd.

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