Saturday

What Should I Do?

opinion 2 I'm currently a full time nanny in a share. I found out today when I came into work that the toddler had a seizure over the weekend and was hospitalized overnight. His parents are home today and tomorrow to help with him since the affects of the medication given to him haven't worn off. My concern is that we share with another family who has an older infant. She is very laid back but since the toddler needs so much attention, I haven't been given her much. I have been with the toddler since he was an infant and we just started the share 6months ago. The infants family is very nice and have always stayed home if the baby is seriously sick. I was wondering if I should tell the toddlers family that I believe it's better for me to only care for the infant at her home until the toddler is back on his feet? I feel like biatch suggesting this because he has been a handful so far today and I wouldn't want to leave his parents stressed out but I feel bad about the baby not getting as much attention. Also, he will be entering preschool soon and they will no longer be employing me but I will continue with the infant. So I guess who should I feel obligated too?

15 comments:

Ms. Dr. Juris said...

I'm kinda confused here, OP. If the parents are staying home (and I'm assuming both are, since you made it plural), why would they need you at all? I would just discuss it with them and bring up the fact that since both of them are with him, that you aren't needed. You could throw in some phrases like "family time" too, if you feel it's necessary.

Just My Two Cents Just Now said...

OP, I read, then re-read this post 3x and I do not understand it. Can you clarify things for me please?

UmassSlytherin said...

Part of the reason that you are in a nanny share is because the parents want to save costs. If you go to the infant's family and tell them you only want to work for them, what makes you think they would keep you on, at your same pay rate? Are the parents friends? It sounds like you're playing with fire. It also sounds like there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Op said...

sorry about any confusion I wrote this email quickly. The two families are not friends, I found the second family who I will continue working with after family 1 enters preschool. I was the one who created the share in order to make more money and to help family 1 out since they couldn't afford me anymore. The share has worked out great, both families treat it like a daycare and work out issues through me. The share is hosted at family 1's house.

So the issue was that family 1's son had a seizure and instead of having me go to family 2's house and care for only 1 child they thought that If they stayed home to "help" that would make it easier for me. (family2 lives further away) what needed up happening was I juggled caring for the infant and helping them care for the son. They were stressed out the entire time and made things much more difficult which in turn deprived the infant of attention.

I understand the level of stress that is involved in caring for a sick child or this case a child who is coming off of a heavy amount of meds. But I felt they should have cared for him on their own rather then have me come in and try to care for both children.

The last part of post was to recieve your option on who I should feel more loyal too. Family 1 my original employers or family 2 the employers I will continue working with after family2 moves on to preschool. This will help me make better decisions should an event like this happens again.

Op said...

* ended , their, opinion
iPhone doesn't have great spell check sorry

Op said...

Umass,
I will continue working with the second family, we already agreed that once family 1 goes to preschool I will create a new contract for another year. Also the contract we have now states what will happen if one family backs out and how I will be paid. I covered my ass.

UmassSlytherin said...

Sounds like you have made your decision, and it sounds like a good one.

Good luck!

MissMannah said...

If the toddler's parents are only home for two days, it seems like it would just be simpler for you to suffer through it. Also, wouldn't it be easier for the parents to take care of their kid and you to take care of the infant? As for loyalty, I guess it depends on how soon you'll be down to just the infant. If it is happening within a couple of months, then it is obvious. But if it is still a year off, then you have to split your loyalty evenly.

I hope this answers all your questions.

Keppra said...

I think Parents Number 1 need to be more concerned about training you how to react to any future seizures, you don't sound concerned or knowledgable. Would you know what to do and how to do it, quickly? Also, infants generally don't suffer much from a slight decrease in attention for a few days if another child needs more atention. Sounds like you want to keep Family Number 2 happy which is fine. Just be sure you still have enough interest in Family Number 1 to be able to safely care for their kid.

HellokittyNanny86 said...

Anomyous- Can I say you obviously suck more, you are completly missing the OP's point. She is worried about the todler, they are close. She has taken care of him since he was an infant! The toddler had BOTH of his parents to care for him. Thr infant was not getting proper attention because they needed her to help them. Which isn't fair to the baby. Stop pointing fingers, have some compassion.

Op said...

First off, he has had seizures before and I am more then capable of handling the situation. I was actually the first person he had a seizure with when he was an infant. I know how to inject him with his medication and can calmly take control.

Second, his parents are both doctors and were both home. They wanted me there to clean up their dirty house.

So before you start talking shit and not offering any help maybe you should ask questions.

Op said...

Also keppra,

How would you feel if you dropped your child off and he/she wasn't getting attention. Why should your child be deprived because family 1 didn't want to care for their sick child alone? Why should you find alternative care, when your child isn't the one who was sick? Why should you have to pay your nanny and another babysitter because the other family didn't want to go with the nanny even though both parents were home all day.

Op said...

You know what, I've already handled the situation and no longer need advice. Thanks to those who asked questions when they were confused and offered advice.

Miss marypoppinpills please delete my entry from the website, I no longer seek advice. Thank you I appreciate your website.

Keppra said...

Maybe this website should delete this post to maintain any integrity. The entire post from OP sounded fake, although not on an inflammatory topic, so it seemed odd as to why someone would post such a bizarre paragraph. It caught my eye as I am familiar with pediatric seizures disorders.

Kids are rarely hospitalized after a seizure, especially if they have a history. Medication effects do not linger so long that 2 physicians would request a babysitter to stay home to help "with him" as originally stated, not with a messy house. If there were any lingering effects, the child would be sedated, not acting like a "handful." Approved treatment for a child experiencing a prolonged seizure at home is the administration of DiaStat (valium gel given rectally) with immediate calls to 991 for respiratory support, not any "injections." Or, the seizure is allowed to run its course.

If I were in a childcare share,I would expect that occasionally the other child would require additional attention, but with two physicians at home, who had stayed home to monitor their child, I wouldn't worry too much about the nanny being pulled away from my infant to render medical care to the sick child.

Op said...

Keppra,

Diastat is INJECTED rectally if the seizure lasts 3 minutes. He has a history of ferber seizures but his recent one came on suddenly and lasted an hour. Since he is a toddler hospitals apparently like to keep a child overnight to monitor and run a few tests. He was over medicated in the ambulance and then again at the hospital, so its not uncommon for a child to have some lingering effects that last a few days. He threw up everything he ate, could barely walk, was uncomfortable and crying constantly. His parents were overwhelmed and just wanted a break from him which is why I was there. They stayed home just incase of an emergency.