I took a job thinking it would be great. High salary. The mom said she wanted me to feel I could get dirty, so she bought me five pairs of comfortable scrubs. I wear scrubs and tennis shoes all day long.
I just have a small problem. The mom freaks out on me, anytime I don't call her right back. When I explain that I was driving or in a building with no reception, she seems to understand then, but the next time it happens, she demands always to know why I couldn't pick up. I have no reason not to talk to her. But, she really makes me feel like I should pick up if it's her, even to just text back "driving now". I know that sounds super stupid, but the way she looks at me is like I need to find a way to reassure her.
I told my new nanny friends about this and they think it's weird. They think that my boss is having my wear special clothing with tracking info and probably when the clothing doesn't calibrate to where I am or my ability to call or not call, she freaks on me.
Problem? Email isynblog@gmail.com.
I doubt your boss tagged your clothing, but you could check the items just in case (and if you find something, quit immediately). It's likely she bought you scrubs to ensure that people know you're the "nanny", which is obnoxious in and of itself. The thing about the phone - is this just during the day when you are caring for her child, or is this at any time? I had a MB (who worked from home, and generally was non-intrusive) who would text me outside of work hours and then if I didn't respond within 10-15 minutes or so, she'd text me again to ask if I got her text. To start, I'd install one of those apps that you can turn on that will auto-reply "I'm driving" when you are in the car. Beyond that, I'd try to come to some sort of arrangement; for example, can you send her a quick message when you leave the house for an outing and when you return, so that way at least she knows that you might be otherwise engaged in an activity and can't respond right away? It's annoying, but I had a MB who would text me incessantly throughout the day (and I did not have unlimited texting) and doing this seemed to help a little.
ReplyDeleteUhh...I think not. I think you are over-reacting.
ReplyDeleteNo. I had a OCD mom do this. During work, and my off hours- even late at night. It got almost as bad as if was stalking me. Last day of work- she called a bi#!$ in front of her twin 2 year old girls because I refused to answer the phone while driving. I dropped the car seats in garage and never went back.
ReplyDeleteNo scrubs, but I had an MB who texted and called non stop. I couldn't always answer and explained that my hands were full, kids in the pool, driving, reading or whatever we were doing. She said: "make answering my calls priority one. No matter what!"
DeleteI handed in my notice.
Don't know about the scrubs, but I had an MB who texted and called all the time. I explained that I couldn't always get to my phone when her twins and I were playing. She didn't like it. She said "it needs to be priority one." I handed in my notice. I cannot be tied to the phone all day! I'm working with kids!
ReplyDeleteEasy solution. When you get in the car, text her. When you get out, text her. Into a building, text her. Out of the building, text her. She has anxiety. It has nothing to do with you. Text her constantly, even a word or two, painting, drawing, park, eating. She'll back off eventually. She misses her kids.
ReplyDeleteI am confused - what is the problem? Scrubs sound like a suitable uniform. I wouldn't mind wearing them all day myself.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as a mom, I would be very upset if my nanny didn't respond to me right away. By right away, I mean within the next 20 minutes or so. Is it taking you longer than that? If you are not a mom, you wouldn't understand - we need to know that all is well and if you are not responding, we worry.
Is it that difficult to accommodate the mother? Unless she is texting you on your off-hours, I don't see the problem.
Jenna constant check ins are excessive. Either you trust your nanny or you don't. Get cams if you want to peep in, but during the day, I'm busy with my charges and don't get phone out of my back pack till nap. I keep a log and will answer some texts, but more than a couple in a day would annoy me.
ReplyDeletetoo much texting endangers the kids ( while driving) and takes away from the quality of time with them - anyone who has pride in their job and wants to be the best for the kids might have a prob with too much texting
ReplyDeleteThis exactly! I want my nanny focused on spending quality time with my kids. Not on texting or calling me. If I don't trust her to spend time with them without me looking over her shoulder, I wouldn't have hired her.
DeleteThe figs scrubs look exactly as it appears in the picture. The material is a little coarse but I'm going to wash it tonight and see if softener will help. Other than that I give it a thumbs up.
ReplyDelete