My MB and DB frequently have me work overtime sat nights,9pm-11pm, watching my 2 charges, 5 year old boy and 4 year old girl at an enclosed playground at a restaurant. There are usually about 40-50 kids there over the 2 hour period and my job is to keep my charges from getting killed. The other kids are so aggressive, particularly these 4 boys and 1 girl, I keep my kids AWAY from them. It's a pretty big area and I will think of games for app 10 of the gentle kids to do with my kids.
Last week one of the aggressive kids did something or other - tried to choke a kid, I did not see it, but the mother came at ME like it was my fault! I explained I am a nanny to 2 specific kids who have nothing to do with your son and I think I got way to her, and other parents do the same thing - come to ME as if I am in charge of the 50 kids with questions and sometimes anger. There is no adult watching the kids and I get the impression parents dump their problem kids here and go eat dinner.
My MB and DB just laugh and do thank me for taking care of my loves, but am I liable for all the kids in the playground?
What words can I say to get across I am a nanny for 2 kids not the restaurant baby sitter?
Is this their restaurant by chance? If not, why are you there versus at their home?
ReplyDeleteI'd have the restaurant put up a sign that no one is supervising the children and parents are responsible for all the actions of their child. There's a place out here where kids tend to run pretty wild, the play space is in an enclosed large room and I often helped a previous employer take her 3 kids there because even 1 adult for all 3 was not enough to prevent all the arriving conflicts among the children.
Just be firm that you're not the supervisor or paid to supervise the entire room. You're the caregiver to two specific children and repeat that if someone seems like they expected YOU TO handle or protect their child. Any time a family goes to the playground it's clear that every adult is responsible for their little one, why would that be the case at this restaurant?
But a sign is in place on the restaurant I'm speaking about an at least one employee does keep an eye out and goes to find parents when children seem to be unattended.
Or rather, "why wouldn't* that be the case at this restaurant". Basically they should assume the same rules apply.
DeleteI'd suggest though not organizing games with groups while there. Your charges of course, but to engage some over others could be a part of why people assume you work there. Try to eliminate any hazy areas you know?
Also as a nanny I do my best not to directly engage too much with children outside my charges, basically being polite and helping my charge with initiating a conversation but take a back seat to their interactions. Perhaps this approach would help others see you as individually connected to just your charges.
This site really went downhill.
ReplyDeleteWhy are kids up until 11pm??? At a restaurant playground? That's really the issue here. And I don't know where your cape is. I'm not really sure how that title is applicable to the post...
ReplyDeleteAnon 2- This incident happened with a friend who lives in the Dallas area - we encouraged her to write it up. But- this type of incident has been sky rocketing over the last 10 years, I have been hearing about it from many nannies etc in the industry - attacks upon the kids in closed playgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThe restaurant in question is middle eastern. For anyone who has not worked with that cultural element, they are very family oriented,, no use of alcohol, but they party as a family late, they go to all kinds of events even to 12 or 1 in the morning on weekends, totally family oriented.At this place on sat nights they may have 50 kids running around till 1am!
I called the nanny about making signs and she said the parents would not let her do that, they are related to the owner of the restaurant and he would have to put up a sign, but we are watching here for suggestions and picking the brain of friends. I have already told my friend to put it in writing in an email to the mother that she is only the nanny for the 2 kids and not responsible for anything else.
I used the reference to a cape because I view the nanny is expected to be a superhero instead of a normal human nanny.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe nanny will just have to verbally explain to each parent over each incident then, that she is the nanny only to her two charges and no one else.
ReplyDeleteBut I second my comment that she should not be leading any group activities with other children because that's sending the message that she's there to entertain the group.
cool totaly true so good thanks for sharing and posting .
ReplyDeleteالعاب فلاش برق
Is the blog dead?
ReplyDeleteI think it may be! I check often and see nothing new.
DeleteI kinda hope so. It's been awful for a long time now. I mean, take the above post...0
DeleteYep dead alright. I miss the old site. I miss the section they had around this time of year, on Christmas bonuses and gifts. Given and received.
ReplyDeleteNo, the blog is not dead. we have had a family member in the hospital in pretty bad shape....sorry for the silence...
ReplyDeleteThe family member is me the owner, been in the hospital for almost a month, my assistants have been concentrating on the children of our business, please try to forgive us for the slowdown - we are committed to keeping the blog going, it may not be perfect but we will be trying!
ReplyDelete