NANNIES of INSTAGRAM

We love being able to showcase the real, the genuine, the professional nannies out there making the world a better place! Let us know what you think of this proposed new feature. All of these pictures took place within one four hour window.

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2015 ISYN A Day in the Life, #13

I work an unorthodox schedule, and just about every day is different for us. Believe it or not, this is a pretty typical day. I have 11 year old twin girls. This is really two days, but when we travel they run together like this.

6:00- Wake up. Dress, make myself look presentable. At 6:20 I hear Twin 1's alarm clock go off on the baby monitor I have in my room. She turns her music on.

6:30- Leave my apartment and go to the main house. Go into Twin 2s room and turn on her music. They each get to listen to two songs before they get up to get ready.

6:55- Both girls are dressed and I've done their hair for school. I remind twin 2 *again* that she needs to put her glasses in her backpack. She's complaining about having a cramp so I make a few jokes about their periods starting (they yell at me but they're smiling). We go downstairs for breakfast. The other nanny (L) meets us in the dining room.

7:00-7:30- We eat breakfast; it's french toast today which is one of their (and my) favorites. At 7:30 we go to the car which is waiting outside, and ride to school.

8:30- Arrive home from taking the girls to school. Sometimes while they're at school we have nothing to do and we can just relax, but today we leave for a trip so I have to make sure everything is packed.

9:00-13:00- Pack, pack, and more pack. For the four of us (two nannies and two kids) we have 11 bags. We're heading to a colder climate so the clothes are bigger, and we need to bring everything for school in three languages since they'll be missing lessons while we're gone.

13:00- Eat lunch with the other nannies and teachers. There are times during the year when the family and staff is spread out over the world, so we really take advantage of the times when we're all together.

13:30- Make sure my bags are completely packed, and bring all of the luggage to the front door so it can be taken to the airport in advance.

14:30- Get a snack for the girls to eat in the car and travel to pick them up. Head straight to the airport from school. In the car the girls are excited about the upcoming trip.

15:30- Arrive at the airplane. Greet the pilots and flight attendants, and then relax. We have to wait for the girls' younger brother to arrive so we can leave. The girls have something to drink and get themselves settled. They start working on the stuff that their teachers sent with them so they won't have as much to do on the trip.

16:30- Everyone is on board so we buckle up and take off. The kids play and goof off for a bit and then start a movie.

18:00- They pause the movie for dinner. The kids know that there aren't really any rules on the plane, so they choose to sit on the floor to eat while the adults eat at the table. There aren't any parents on the plane so it's very relaxing and fun for just the nannies together. We all eat dessert and then the kids start their movie again.

20:00- The movie ends and everyone gets ready for bed. Children and adults change into sleeping clothes and brush teeth, and everyone goes to their usual sleeping places, aka bedrooms or couches. The flight attendants make the couches into beds and I end up on the L shaped couch with twin 2. They fight over who I will sleep with.

2:00, or 8:00 in our new time zone- Wake up for landing. We all brush our teeth, change clothes, and eat something chocolate croissants for "breakfast". Dress the children in layers for the cold weather.

9:00- We've landed and been cleared by customs, and we get into the cars that are waiting for us. We take the short drive to our favorite hotel.

9:30- The girls are anxious to see our rooms. We don't have the same ones as last year but they're great anyway. We have 3 suites and 2 bedrooms all in a row for them and their brother.

10:00- The luggage arrives and I unpack while the girls play on their iPads. They want me to hurry up so I tell them it will go faster if they help. They do, and have fun and are proud of themselves for taking some responsibility for their own things.

11:00- I order tea to the room. We drink tea and have a snack, then get into our ski clothes. We head down to the shop to get fitted for skis and snowboards and meet the children's instructors for the week. We see some of our favorite staff from years past and are happy to be with them. Once we're ready we get into the van to take us to the mountain.

12:00-16:00- We ski! We're all out of practice and completely exhausted, but very happy. We take the train down and the van back to the hotel, and relax for a few minutes.

17:00- DB has arrived at the hotel so we go to the lobby to greet him. He tells us the plan for the evening which includes a cocktail reception and formal dinner. We go back to the room to prepare.

17:30-19:30- The girls shower and put on the dresses and tights that I've laid out. I used to get a lot of resistance about dressing up, but they've gotten so much better and don't have any problem putting on the fancy clothes. I shower after them while they blow dry their own hair. When they're finished they play on their iPads and I dress and do my makeup as fast as I can. Then I do something to each of their hair.

19:40- We go down to the lobby with their brother to wait for DB. Once he comes he greets everyone and we all go to the cocktail reception together. The guests are mostly people we see often, so we walk around talking and meeting anyone new.

20:30- Dinner begins. Nannies, teachers, and children are at one table together, and as always it's always the fun table. We all joke and laugh and have a great time.

21:30- The children start to get tired so we take them back to the room. They get ready quickly and get into bed. I'm sleeping in the same room with twin 1, but I'm not ready to go to sleep so I say goodnight to both of them, leave them with the other nanny, and go back down to the party.

22:30- DB has gone to bed but there are still quite a few people there including some of my friends, so I drink some champagne and eat dessert. There is singing entertainment which is fun. The drinking and singing lead to dancing, and before I know it it's after midnight.

00:30- One of the other staff walks me up to my room because I'm a bit tipsy and I sneak in and brush my teeth before crawling into bed without waking twin 1. Just day one in a long line of days like that.

*We spend 2 weeks at this location and have the best time. Skiing all day and fancy parties at night :)

ISYN Day in the Life 2015, #11

7:15 Set table for kid's breakfast. Wake up kids if they are not already watching tv in family room (which they normally are). Wrangle three half awake kids to the table. Help them get their breakfasts ready -- cereal, toast, Nutella, waffles and on some special mornings eggs and bacon, which the kids like to help make.

7:30 Unload dishwasher from previous night and lay out lunch boxes. Ask if anyone wants to buy lunch at school today (they are allowed once per week) and prepare lunches. Usually they have sandwiches or leftover pasta. Make everyone a healthy morning snack for school as well. Mom and dad are either still getting ready upstairs or are on their way out the door.

7:50 Finish making lunches as kids finish breakfast. Remind at least one child to clear their plate. Head upstairs to get clothes on. Youngest and oldest usually pick out their own outfits, and mom or I pick out middle child's (he just isn't picky about what he wears).

8:10 Youngest and oldest are dressed and brushing teeth and hair and washing faces. I'm helping slow poke middle child get his clothes on still, because he was doing god knows what (staring out the window/laying in his brother's bed) while the others were getting dressed.

8:15 Oldest is downstairs with shoes and coat on ready to go to school. Middle child is finally dressed and brushing his teeth. I do the youngest's hair in the chosen style of the day (or a pony tail if we are running late).

8:20 Everyone is downstairs and are hopefully putting shoes and coats on. I send them outside to play soccer for a few minutes to get some energy out.

8:25 Walk, bike, drive to school (depending on weather, how early or late we are, and after school activities).

8:40 The latest we can arrive at school before they are considered late. Remind everyone to have a good day and I will see them after school. They run off to their collective doors and are ready for another day at school.

8:50 Arrive home from school drop off. Clean kitchen from breakfast explosion and reload dishwasher. Wipe down table and any visible crumbs/messes. Give cats food and fresh water.

9:00 Make myself breakfast and watch Kelly & Michael while I sit for the first time in 2 hours. Catch up on Instagram and Twitter and any tv shows I missed the night before.

10:00 Head upstairs to start the daily laundry loads and clean up kids rooms and bathroom.

10:30-12 Go to Zumba or Yoga some days and other days take a nap.

12:00 Head out to do errands (grocery store, family errands, personal errands, shopping) or go to the gym.

2:00 Return home to have lunch and switch loads of laundry. Vacuum the downstairs about 3x a week. Straighten up downstairs and prepare any afternoon activity bags and snacks.

3:00 Head to school to pick up kids.

3:30 Play dates, activities (soccer, gymnastics, Dutch school, more soccer), carpools, arts and crafts at home.

5:30- 6:00 Return home with some or all of kids. Set them up to do homework while I cook dinner. Send them up for showers or join them upstairs for a bath.

7:00 All kids are home and showered, in pajamas, with homework finished. Kids watch a bit of tv while I am finishing dinner.

7:15-7:30 Set the table and call kids for dinner. We eat and talk about their days.

7:30 One or both of the parents usually arrive home at this time. (Some days they will not arrive home until after 8, so I put kids to bed myself. They are pretty good about sending texts when they will be late, so it isn't a huge deal) They will join in for dinner if they are home at this time.

7:45 Finish dinner. Kids are allowed a bit more TV or some iPad time. I clean up kitchen with parents help if they are home. Load dishwasher and turn it on.

8:00 Head upstairs with kids. If parents are not home I do whole routine with kids. Brush teeth, go to the bathroom, fill water bottles, tuck in bed. If parents are home I help assist because the kids can get a little crazy!

8:30 Everyone is tucked in and youngest and middle are most likely sleeping. Sometimes the middle and oldest have trouble settling down and I have to go up and give a warning about losing iPad time for the next day. This usually silences the chatter and giggles.

8:45 Finish cleaning up kitchen from dinner and do quick pick up of downstairs.

9:00 I'm off duty and retreat to my room to watch tv and prepare to do it all again tomorrow!
*Live in Nanny in Greenwich, CT and have been with this family for 8 months. I take care of three really great children, ages 6,8,10. 

Send your submissions to isynblog@gmail.com.

ISYN Day in the Life 2015, #10

7:00 Wake up, having slept in workout clothes, I wake up and start working out. Quick lunges and sit ups and then I run outside. I live where it's fairly cold in the winter, but I run in every temperature.
7:50  In shower, Dress, Head Upstairs.
8:00 Simultaneously start toasting waffles and pancakes, select yogurt, slice bananas and brew a pot of strong coffee. 8:105-8:15, Dad comes downstairs, grabs coffee and heads out the door. Mom has already left. She goes in early to be home by 6, he goes in late and works until 8.
8:20-8:35  Feed up and clean up after the twin 3 year olds.
8:45 Kids are both dressed and playing on the floor in the playroom.
9:00 Physical therapist arrives for Twin #2.
9:10 Leave with Twin #1 for his Pre K group. Put him in the jog stroller, bundle him, get my gator on and start running, Try not to get frustrated with the pedestrians and stoplights.
9:25 At preschool, make small chat with some of the nannies. Talk about the weather. We wonder where Spring is. I'm draining my bottle of Poland Springs.
9:30 Twin #1 is in the classroom, backpack in his cubby. I leave the stroller tucked in a special closet and run home. The physical therapist leaves by 10:15. I go three blocks further South than I need to to make the loop longer. The air stings my lungs.
10:10 I'm home and catching up with the physical therapist who demonstrates some activities that will help with hamstring flexibility. After she leaves I wash my face in the kitchen sink with soap and cold water, then I drink a cup of black coffee and a cup of hot lemon water.
10:25 I get out the trainset and set the tracks on course. I attempt to get #2 interested in playing. I put the different trees and train parts in his chubby hand. He laughs and watches me with wonder. It's too quiet so I put a CD on. Mazzy Starr.
11:00 Morning snack for #1. Cheese and a cut up apple with peanut butter. I let him take his time and encourage him, but I don't help him any more. I've learned that I was giving him too much help and I need to let him do everything he can for himself. The apple pieces are in tiny bites with no skin, even his jaw muscles are weak.
11:20 I take him with me down to the laundry room in the building. He loves riding in the cart. If the laundry room is empty, I can spin him around and chase him between the machines. He's the sweetest and easiest kid ever. After getting the clothes from the washer to the dryer, I head upstairs and we dress to go out to pick up brother from preschool.
12:20 We arrive at the school in the double jogging stroller. I get brother, load him up with his artwork for the day and we head home. #1 asks to go to Dinosaur park, his favorite, but it's too cold.
12:40 We are home and I am making lunch for the two. They are fighting over a cookie monster toy that neither of them really likes. I put in a swing CD and crank it up on high volume while I make grilled cheese and slice tomatoes.
1:00 The boys sit at the counter in their big boy stools at the counter. I drink a cup of coffee and nibble on some cheddar cheese and tofu. #1 will fall asleep in his jello if I don't watch him. I scoop them both up and carry them back to the bathroom. #1 is diapered, #2 uses the toilet. Both lay down on their beds in an L Shaped formation and I read them one story. It's so cold outside and so warm and comfortable there, I am tempted to fall asleep. I don't, but I do stay until they are sleeping and then quietly sneak out the door.
1:10 With the baby monitor I run downstairs and get the load of laundry from the dryer and bring it upstairs to fold it.
1:30 On my IPAD, emailing friends, checking FB, sharing status updates about my little charges. Mom is a FB friend. I never share too much and I never share pictures of their faces. Nina, who lives two floors up rings the bell and brings the single stroller back from this morning. She uses it on the return trip for her daughter, who is usually tired after school. She comes in to chat for awhile, holding her baby monitor, of course. She declines tea today.
3:00 I wake the boys if they are not already awake. Today both have to be woken and so they are grumpy upon rising. I ask them if they want to go play. #1 leaps up off his bed and rushes in my arms, "Dinosaur, Dinosaur". I tell him again, it is too cold out today but suggest we go to our favorite indoor playground. They cheer unanimously, "yeahhhhhyy".
3:15 We handle bathroom functions, pack snacks and head off, again in the double stroller. This ride is short though and they chomp cheerfully on Cheezits the whole way. At our favorite indoor play spot I run in to Bindi. Bindi is a  busy body who visited my employers on a Saturday morning to tell them that I favored one child and wouldn't let the other out of the stroller. She smiles at me now, I look through her. These boys are differently abled, I love them the same but things are not the same for each of them.
5:30 We are home. The boys show no sign of tiredness. I was thinking maybe a movie to wind down before dinner, but they want to do something. I get out some of my home made dough (I have all kinds) and set them up at the kitchen table while I bread chicken breasts to make what I hope will pass as chicken nuggets for dinner. I mash some sweet potato and give each a scoop of greek yogurt on their personalized plastic dinner plates. #2 drinks from a sippy cup still but #1 uses a regular cup. They sit like little men across the table from each other and grunt conversation to each other. The nuggets are acceptable but only when dunked in ketchup.
6:05 Mom comes home and throws her stuff down on the entry table. "I'm so tired, I'm late, do I have time to change" "Of course", I say, "Do  you want me to do baths tonight?". She insists she will do them. I hang back in the kitchen cleaning up as the boys finish up to give her some time to wind down. I carry the boys to the bathroom where she is sitting on the side testing the water. "Anything to report" she asks.  "Same ole, same ole" I say.
6:15 I am out the door and off work for the night. Tonight I will hit an SAA meeting at Times Square Art Center and an NA meeting at St Francis. I'm sure I could find closer spots, but I'd prefer not to run into any neighbors or acquaintances. Some days I wonder if I'll still be sober when I wake up in the morning. It's a fear that never leaves you, as committed as I am to my complete recovery.

"K" has worked as a live in nanny on the for this UWS family for 10 months. She does not wish to disclose her salary.

Send your Day in the Life Submission to isynblog@gmail.com.

A Day in the Life 2015, #9

6:30 AM: I make it to work and am bombarded by 6 little arms wrapping around my legs and waist. After a quick greeting, I usher the kids back to the table to finish their cereal. Dad usually has them at the table when I get there and has making his coffee. He gives them all a quick goodbye and is out the door. I turn the t.v. from cartoons to music.

6:45 AM: I remind big sister that she needs to hurry with breakfast so she can brush teeth and do hair. She almost always already dressed so she’s 75% ready for school when I arrive. I put together her lunch, make sure all needed items are in her backpack and zip it up and throw it on the floor - next to the door. I then grab her shoes and jacket and throw it next to her backpack. I grab the little kids’ (twins) shoes and jacket so that they can accompany us to the bus stop.

7:00 AM: Big sister finishes up with her teeth and I start to get her hair brush, spray, and hair ties ready. I create a fun and fancy little do for her hair and ask her to get her shoes and coat on. I also ask the little kids to get ready for the bus stop.

7:15 AM: We walk a few houses down to the stop, greet the parents and other children. The bus quickly arrives and I give big sister a smooch and remind her to have a great day.

7:20 AM: Little kids and I walk home, get inside and they finish up with their breakfast, clean up, and brush teeth. I head upstairs, make everyone’s bed (even Mom and Dad), get together a load of laundry, and straighten up rooms. I throw the twins’ clothes over the railing and into the living room and ask them to get dressed.

7:50 AM I put together little kids’ snacks for school, make sure their backpacks are ready to go, pull out their shoes and jackets again, and throw it all by the door.

8:00 AM Little kids and I load up in the car. I am so happy that we have big kid booster seats now AND they can even strap themselves in. I do a double check to make sure they’re fastened safely and then we are off. I always smile and giggle at their cute little twin conversations. Twin #2 asks if we can play at the park after school and I happily say yes.

8:10 AM We head inside to school (I remind them that we use walking feet), twins hang up their backpacks, and we walk down the hall to their classroom. I sign them in, check their cubbies, and place their snack bags in the container. They usually go in without saying goodbye but I never leave without hugging them and telling them to have a good morning. I then head back to their home.

8:20 AM I’m back at the house and I unload and reload the dishwasher, sweep the kitchen floor, wipe the breakfast table, wipe kitchen counters, and swiffer the kitchen floor. I head back upstairs and fold whatever load Mom has left in the dryer, move clothes from the washer to dryer, and start another load. I lay out jammies for the night, and on Mondays I lay out their soccer clothes.

9:00 AM I pull out the vacuum and vacuum under the breakfast table and in the family room. I straighten the living room. I do a quick walk through on the main floor just to make sure it’s not messy.

9:30 AM If I have some more time, I straighten up the mudroom, pantry, and coat closet. I’ll then sit down for a cup of coffee and some downtime.

9:50 AM I head back to pick up the little kids from school.

10:00 AM I wait in the hallway for the twins and they soon emerge and attack me with the best hugs ever. I remind them that we can play on the playgroup for a little while and their little faces light up with big smiles. We talk a quick potty break and then head outside. We play for about an hour, they usually play with some of their classmates and I keep a watchful eye and chat a little bit with the moms. I am happy to report that all of the moms are so easy to talk to and respect me and my job. Sometimes, they’ll ask if I am available to sit for them on certain dates and if I am, I happily accept the gig.

10:50 AM I give the twins a “we leave in ten minutes” reminder. I gather our things and soon gather the twins and head home.

11:00 AM I turn music on, let the twins freeplay while I fold laundry and put it away.

11:30 AM I start to put together lunch: PB&J, apples, yogurt, and popcorn. I’m more than welcome to eat whatever is at the nanny house so I find something and join the twins for lunch. We talk about their day at school, what they want to do for the rest of the day, etc.

12:00 PM Clean up from lunch, load the dishwasher, wipe the tables and counters (if needed). Twins do more freeplay and I usually put together a craft or activity for us to do together. We’ve been prepping a lot for Kindergarten so I put out some shaving cream, spray it on the table, and let them draw letters and pictures in it. They would do this until the end of time if I let them.

12:45 PM We head outside to play in the backyard. Twin #1 rocks at swinging herself but we are still working on it with Twin #2, so we practice. They also love to head into the near back park of the backyard and find acorns and throw them into the woods.

1:45 PM We head inside and I put together some water and a small snack. I set up ABC Mouse for them on their own iPads and they enjoy their snack and get their gaming on. I use this time to unpack their backpacks, empty snack bags, and set forms on the counter. I run outside and grab the mail and also lay that on the counter.

2:05 PM I give the twins a “ten minute left on iPad” warning and head upstairs switch over the laundry.

2:15 PM Twins put away their iPads and free play for a bit. I’ll either engage with them if they want me to or I’ll have a few minutes of downtime.

2:30 PM I ask the twins to get their shoes and jacket so we can go get big sister from the bus. If we have time, we’ll also do a quick run-through of the house (together) to pick up toys and any messes.

2:40 PM We always head to the bus to get big sister a little early so twins can run and play. Once the bus comes, big sister comes off of the bus. She tells me about her day as we head home.

3:00 PM We head inside, and I ask all kids to put away their shoes and hang their jackets. Each kid picks out a snack and heads to the table. I empty big sisters backpack and lunch bag and lay her homework out on the counter.

3:10 PM Mom usually arrives home around this time. Kids and I greet her, I tell her about the day, and she gives me a few reminders. I give each kid a hug and a kiss and head out the door.

I am a full-time, live-out nanny in Virginia for a 6 year- old big sister and her 4 year old twin siblings. I've been employed by this family for a little over 4 years, they’re a great family to work for and pay very nicely

Day in the Life 2015, #7

6:30am: Arrive, let myself in, hang up and put away personal things.

6:45am: Start cooking breakfast for the kids, from the weekly menu MB put together.

7:10am: Food is ready; go upstairs, get Oldest two children up, tell them breakfast is in 30 minutes. Remind them to comb their hair and brush their teeth before coming for breakfast. Get up younger two, take them potty, brush their teeth, comb their hair. Change them into clothes for school. Take them downstairs and put on Paw Patrol while plating breakfast and setting table.

7:40am Breakfast time. Give younger two breakfast. TV off. Older two come down and sloowwwlyyy eat breakfast, while taunting and teasing younger two. I tell them to knock it off and remind them that they have X number of minutes to finish eating.

7:55am: Breakfast is over. Mad rush to get shoes on, coats, backpacks and into car. Strap in two younger ones. Make sure everyone has the appropriate homework/permission slips/lunch money.

8:10am: Drop of two older boys at school. Remind them if they have any after school activities. Tell big boys who is picking them up from school/after school activity. "Have a good day! Learn something!”

8:30am: Head home. Set up little boys with play dough or coloring pages and clean up breakfast dishes. MB comes down on her way to work. Both little boys clamor for her attention and she absentmindedly gives them hugs and kisses before grabbing some coffee and heading out the door.

9:00am: Time to run errands. Load little boys into van and strap them in. Head to Target to get new clothes for the children/the Grocery store to pick up produce and yogurt for the week. And chocolate milk. God forbid they drink ‘white’ milk.

10:00am: Quickly drop off stuff from running errands. Change little boys (per parent’s request) for daily outing. Head to museum/library story time/park/hiking trail.

11:45am/12:00pm: Home for lunch. Pop little kids onto chairs around table and hand them kinetic sand to play with (even though it’s a God awful mess and a disaster to clean up). Prep lunch. Try to remember if parents consider carrots to be a carb or a veggie. Decide that it’s a veggie which means you still need to figure out a carb for the little boys lunches. Cook up a sweet potato and call it good. Plate the food, send the little boys to wash their hands. Pick up kinetic sand, wipe table, pour milk and put plates on table. Realize that the boys are taking quite a while to wash their hands. Go in there and remind them that they need to wash their hands, not lick each other/stick their hands in the air vents.

12:45pm: Little boys eat, sorta. Didn’t they mention that they now HATE apple slices? That they don’t eat sautéed snow peas and carrots? And did they mention that the protein doesn’t taste like a protein and that they don’t think broiled chicken counts as a protein? Remind them that LOVE sautéed snow peas and carrots, and convince them that chicken is, in fact, a protein. Let them eat slowly, while they try to stretch lunch time through nap time. Kill time by singing songs and reading stories.

1:30pm: Put little boys down for their nap, after reminding them that yes, we did in fact read stories before nap. Remind littlest that today he needs to take a ‘sleeping nap’ and he is to not get out of bed until I com to get him unless it’s an emergency. Remind him that not being sleepy is not considered an emergency. Give big hugs, check for monsters, kisses on foreheads and lights out.

2:00pm: Take a deep breath. Play some non-kid music while washing dishes from lunch. Heat up my lunch. Eat slowly. Relax for 30minutes. Read/study/play piano/watch Netflix.

2:45pm: Times up! Fold laundry, place on steps for big boys to put away later. Check living room and big kids rooms for cleanliness. Pick up errant toys in living room. Make a note to remind big boys to straighten up when they get home.

3:15pm: Little boys are awake now. I go to their rooms and tell them it’s time for them to get up. Change them out of pajamas (third clean outfit for the day, **sigh**) and into a new outfit. Make sure teeth are brushed agin, comb hair again, straighten collars, loop belts, tie shoes and tuck in dress shirts. Give each boy an afternoon snack.

3:45pm: Pick up older boys from after school actives/ Big boys are dropped off from school by carpool. (Remember that you have carpool next week/week after that and make a note in bold letters to arrange for the neighbor to come watch little boys for that week during carpool hours so that they can nap.) Set up big boys with homework and a snack. Outside play for little boys, change them (AGAIN) into outdoor clothes. Play outside with little boys while keeping an eye on big boys and helping with homework.

4:30pm: Big boys are done with homework. Tell them to get going on their chores and remind them to take their laundry up when they go to their rooms. Remind big boys to straighten up their rooms. Help little boys tidy up their rooms and make up their beds from their naps.

5:00pm: Give little boys a bath. Wash hair. Brush teeth. Blow dry hair and style according to their instructions. Move little boys to their rooms and get the big boys to get into the shower. Remind them to brush their teeth and style their hair appropriately. Dress little boys for dinner. Remind oldest that his parents do not prefer for him to wear his lime green belt/hiking boots to dinner. Talk youngest into letting you tie his bowtie for him. Adjust all children’s clothes, straighten collars, retie shoes. Wipe youngest’ face again.

5:30pm: Take all children downstairs for dinner in the Dining Room. Seat them in their chairs, help them place napkins on their laps, help the cook pour milk for the children. Quick walk through of the house. Pick up stray toys and straighten pillows.

6:00pm: Leave note on parent’s door reminding them about a permission slip that is due tomorrow or a museum membership that needs to be renewed in the next few days.

6:30pm: Let myself out, lock door, go home.

-OhTHATNanny, A Nanny for Four:I worked 12 hour days, Monday through Friday, $10 per hour worked. Ah well, lesson learnt. I NOW know that the service that I provide is worth a LOT more; I am the person who dresses, feeds, entertains, takes care of, hugs, kisses, disciplines and works right up alongside parents. I will do everything in my power to make sure your child is safe, happy, cared for, and loved.

Send your Day in the Life Submission to isynblog@gmail.com.

Day in the Life 2015, #6

8:15am-I arrive at host family's house. Parents are usually clattering around the kitchen getting their lunches together and fill me in on the morning. T's diapers, and ask about today's activities. T is sitting in her high chair eating her rice krispies. Shes awesome at feeding herself with a spoon! This is when I eat my breakfast, a muffin or whatever I bring from home. Parents leave and it's just the two of us. T is soon to be 18 months. She's so sweet and loves cuddles, kisses, and hugs! She has no problem saying "bye! Bye! Bye!" to her parents.

8:20am- Other baby comes and the parent goes over her morning. Unless there's anything that needs discussing (an on coming illness, clarification about an activity or a babysitting request) parent usually quickly. L.J. is a loving and happy child at 16 months. She likes hugs and getting loved on but in her own time :)

8:30am- I clean up T's breakfast, fill snack cups with goldfish and make sure they each have their water cups. I check diapers and then we play. I usually sit on the floor in the living room witand play with the girls. They just go to the play room and bring out what they want to play with. I find this works best because they actually play with what they bring out. When we'd try to play in the playroom they would just pull out all their toys and were quickly bored. Now they bring out their doll stroller, toy shipping chart or duplos. We'll play until they start fighting or throw them (both of which are automatic game overs).

9:00am- If diapers were empty before chances are they've filled them up now. After a quick change I usually watch them play. They come to me for hugs and kisses or need me to referee but they usally just play with each other. I'll sing and make up games but the parents want them to play on their own, too.

9:30am- usually we have a something at the library, toddler class or music class at 10:30. I watch the clock and prepare to leave. I pack the backpack with water cups, diapers, wipes... "hmm the water cups are gone... Oh the girls have them ok I'll let them have them for now." Socks are found, shoes go on. I go out side and put L.J's car seat in my car. The parents installed a large gate on their front porch (so convenient! I love it!) The girls wave bye to me from the top of the steps. They're happy when I come back although they don't have their water cups. *Sigh*

10:00am- I scramble trying to find the water cups... "under the entertainment center? No. In the toy bin? Nope. Dog bowl? Under the couch. Oh yeah the trash can. Yep...here they are." Ok a quick wash and time to go. I then smell poop... Ok a quick inspection, one more change. I look around the house.. Ugh it's a wreck but I'll clean at 4:30pm. "Bye boy! bye Jo-Jo!" I always say good bye to the dog and cat.

10:30am- We arrive at said activitie. As always L.J. is always right in the middle of everything! Doesn't matter what we're doing. She's so social and adventurous. T sticks close by me. She is social as well and is adventurous but just in her own time. She doesn't seem to be scared but likes to stick close for a few minutes. Sits in my lap and looks up at me for reassurance. Before I know it they're both up and playing!

11:30am- after fun with friends I strap two sleepy and hungry toddlers back into their car seats. If it's music class we hang out with one of my nanny friends at the church's park for 20 minutes or so.

11:40am- (they live just minutes from everything) We get home and change diapers. The girls sign and ask "eat? eat? eat?". I prepare lunch while trying to make sure they don't hit each other in their hungry fits.

12:00pm- Finally it's time for lunch. Each girl gets a different lunch. L.J. used to get so mad and would go hungry when she didn't get to have what T was having. She'd just cry and cry but after a few days she realized it was either what was in her lunch box or nothing. L.J. usually has pb&j and cottage cheese (hey she likes it!). T has whatever her parents made the night before. I usually wait to eat. I put the local news on so I can be up to date on the town/world outside this house - parents don't mind.

12:30pm- This is where I wait for poop. Poop needs to happen before they go down for a nap. If not they'll wake up in the middle of their nap, poop, and then that's it for naps. While we wait we play quietly and read books. Usually around 1pm they "go". T goes to hide now and L.J. will just stare at you and make weird faces.

1:00pm- After diaper changes I pick up while the girls play. I usually put them down around 1:15pm. T sleeps in her crib and L.J. sleeps in the next room, they share a wall. Usually T will play and that's perfectly fine but sometimes she'll turn sideways and kick the bars making quite a racket. I pull up the monitor on my phone "T, it's sleepy time". T looks around and repositions herself. L.J. falls alseep quickly and usually without issue. Both girls have video monitors, which I've found I can't live without!

1:30pm- Sometime T is still taking her time settling but she's asleep by 1:40. When they're asleep I usally eat lunch, study or just relax. If we're planning on going somewhere right after nap and plan to be out close to the end of the day I'll do all the chores. Usually it's just clean up what we used or played with. Then I check the backpack and see if I have everything.

3:00pm- If we're not going anywhere I'll let them sleep as long as they need to. L.J. can sleep 2+ hours. T's mom likes her to not sleep past 2 hours. They both sleep 11 or 12 hours a night so they don't need a 3+ hour nap. Usually if we went somewhere in the morning we'll be home for the afternoon. Maybe a walk to the nearby cafe.

3:15-3:30pm- Both girls wake up on their own. We change diapers. T asks "pee pee?" haha. L.J. may need some wake up cuddles but T is happy to go off and continue her day. L.J is again happy to play with T.

4:00pm- The girls give their sign and say "eat? Eat?". I cut up some stawberries, bananas and unwrap a string cheese for each girl. Sometimes if there's really nothing good we'll do nurtigrain bars but that's rare really.

4:30pm- Time to start cleaning. My duties consist of washing the dishes we used- they have a dishwasher but the girl's plates and bowls are few in number so I just wash them and then I just wash my dishes cause why not? I wipe down girls trays and booster seat/high chair. I scrub the counters and make sure there's I no food or crumbs. Then i pick up all the toys, books, games, small duplo pieces, put them away. The girls play well while I perform my tasks but sometimes they just don't get along. When this happens I hand each girl their milk cup, and sit them down in their own space. I tell them in a happy but serious tone (if that makes sense), "this is not time out. I love you very much *kiss and a hug*. Here's your milk cups. Just take some space". They talk and laugh to each other in their toddler language from their little spaces. That's great! Hopefully they'll be ready to play together soon. I bring the girls together and say "let's try playing again". 99% of the time they are back to having a blast. Sometimes T just needs her space and sometimes L.J. gets really clingy. She'll just want me to hold her. That's hard. Sweet but hard when you see them crying and reaching for you. I try to sing little songs and dance but i just have have to get things done. she holds on to my legs na d puts her head between them! Ugh my heart just melts! i just try to be fast but do a good job.

5:00- 5:45- AHHH end of the day. The house is back in shape, girls get one more change so they're fresh and ready for their mom and dad. I think back and man, I was really busy but I did it! L.J.'s mom comes and you'd think a 16 month old would run to her with a big smile and a great big hug!...no she's happy she's there but eh. Let's not get crazy Haha. It's a joke with her mom and me. Her mom loves that L.J. so happy to be there. T's mom gets the goods though.. Hugs and kisses! The moms and I talk about the day, transistion that they're working on or waiting for. Planninh lunch dates for us. We wrap up, say our "see you in the mornings", I leave out the back to take the bag of diapers out and head home around 5:45pm

*Nanny share in North Carolina; 2 toddlers, M-F, 8:15-5:30pm **I love these families and feel so appreciated. I've been with them for a year since the girls were tiny babies. They listen when I have concerns and make be feel like family. I couldn't be happier!*

What's your day like? Email isynblog@gmail.com.

A Day in the Life 2015, #5

7:00 am Arrive. Sometimes C is still sleeping; so I straighten up kitchen and toys from the night before. Dad is usually still sleeping and mom is upstairs getting ready for work.

7:30 am C wakes and either mom or I greet him- sometimes both of us; but I give her some time because I'm with C all day. We change diaper, get dress, wash face and brush teeth.

7:45-8 am Depending on morning- I give C choices for breakfast using pics. its usually oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit. Sometimes eggs or waffles

8:00 am Still eating- loves his breakfast!!

8:15- Or when ever he is done: I straighten kitchen and rinse off his dishes- I will wash them later..

We head downstairs for "school time" We look at flashcards. He knows a lot of signs. Very smart little boy. We work on our basics (colors, shapes, letters and numbers). We also read a story.

8:45 am Depending on what time he woke- he maybe ready for a nap. Usually goes 2-3 hours. Sometimes doesn't nap at all. If he does take a morning nap- We go down about this time. He will usually sleep an hour or so. As I leave the room- I puled his trash.

9:00 am- Falls asleep. This time I wash up dishes, do C's laundry if needed. Have myself some breakfast

10:00 am C wakes and I go up to greet him. We say goodbye to Sophie- stuffed giraffe I got him for a gift. He won't sleep without Sophie. I change his diaper. If its Monday/ Tuesday- we have a quick snack- and head off to the library for storytime. If not- after snack- we have fun with music and work on fine motor skills. Sometimes we paint or do another craft.

11:00 am We either head outside or have fun with a Gross Motor Activity. He is very active and this is his favorite part of day.

11:30 am We clean up and head to kitchen for washing hands and making lunch. We sit and talk about our morning while we eat. His lunch is usually some sort of meat. a veggie and lots of fruit, He has a major sweet tooth.

12:30 pm We head upstairs to change diaper and read a story. This time maybe off a little- depending on the day. But usually a 2-3 hour nap at this time. While he sleeps- I straighten the house, do laundry and eat lunch. I check emails, watch T.V or nap.. He is extremely active and makes me sleepy.

Between 3:30 and 4 pm: C wakes from his nap. I change his diaper and let C play in playroom (gated across from C's bedroom) We go down for a small snack to hold C until dinner at 5:00pm

4:00 pm- gymastics time- we turn on baby channel and follow the teacher. We do our MyGym exercise!! He loves our gym time

4:15 pm We head outside for a stroller ride, bubbles or exploring.

4:45 pm We go inside to get ready for dinner. Dinner is uaually just like dinner.

5:00 pm Dinner. After C is done. I let him play with toys while i clean up the kitchen. Depending on day- we will head upstairs for a bath. Playtime until parents come home around 6:15 pm. We talk about the day and anything that may have come up. I hug on C one last time and wish him and parents a good night.

*C is 13 months old. Nanny works Monday-Friday 7am-6pm & is paid $10 per hour.

Send your submission to isynblog@gmail.com . Please include hours, pay & general location.

A Day in the Life 2015, #4

I'm a nanny to a 4yr old girl 'J', 2yr old boy 'A' and an 8 month old baby boy 'N'

7:50-I start and J and A run downstairs to greet me. We catch up on news and they head to kitchen table. I get them their breakfast-cereal and glass of milk.
8:00 -Mb and db bring 'N' down and say their goodbyes and leave. I finish giving 'N' his bottle.
8:10- J and A finish breakfast and get themselves dressed ready for pre-school. I feed N his baby porridge and then clear up after breakfast. Once dressed the big ones free play while i prep lunch stuff and tidy up. I get things ready for mine and N's morning.
8:30-Teeth cleaned,hair brushed and then shoes coats on.
8:45-We leave to walk to pre-school.
9:00-Say bye to J and A as they go into class. N now has a morning sleep in the pushchair before his music class. I have a coffee in local caffe before making my way to music class.
10:00-N wakes up and its time for music class.
10:40-Music finishes and we head home.
11:00-N has his bottle and then he plays on his playmat while i make lunch.
11:45-Leave to pick up the big ones.
Noon-Collect the big ones and come home
12:15-Home and the big ones get dressed out of school clothes into home clothes and i dish up lunch and set the table for lunch.
12:30-We all eat lunch(fish pie and broccoli, carrots and green beans on side, followed by yogurt. Glass of water)and i feed N his lunch.
1:00-I take N up, change diaper and put him to bed for his nap.
1:15-The big ones finish lunch and then we go up, clean teeth and read stories.
1:30-Big ones are in their beds for naps. I then clear up from lunch, do any lunch and prep dinner.
3:00-N wakes and he has his bottle. We then do floor play.
4:30-Wake big ones up from their nap. Its snack time for the big ones-raisins,apricots and breadsticks with glass of milk. N has his dinner-cauliflower, chicken,potoato puree.
5:00-N goes down for a nap. I do some puzzles with J and A.
5:30-J and A draw pictures while I make dinner.
6:00-We go and wake N up from nap. The children all have free play together while I dish up dinner.
6:15-I set the table etc and the parents come in. The kids sit up at the table ready for dinner, I give all 3 a kiss goodbye and leave.

What's your day like? Email isynblog@gmail.com

A Day in the LIFE 2015 #2

6:45 I wake up and put the coffee on, make the first bottle and leave it outside the parents door.
7:15 This is my official start time. I take over care of the 10 month old and 3 year old.  I make breakfast for the children and clean up the parent's mess. I am not a housekeeper and I don't get paid to do housekeeping, but the parents leave mail scattered everywhere, nursery school memos. I save what needs to be saved. Tack some things on bulletin boards, put other things in envelopes with labels like "needs signature" or "needs baby picture" or "needed $85 sign up fee.
8:00 After breakfast we hang out on the floor most mornings playing with sensory objects. I love to listen to music when playing with the children. Stravinksky and Rubinstein are on current rotation.
9:30 I put the baby down for a nap and get some one on one time with the 3 year old. Right now, we are into potions and doughs.  This morning we made Oodbleck which is tons of fun to play with, even for me.
10:00 The housekeeper arrives for her 10-2 shift. I stay out of her way, she out of mine. She speaks no English and this makes me happy.
10:30 After an hour, we get the baby up, usually feed him and go on an outing. During my initial interview the parents told me that we lived in NY, not Siberia, so with few exceptions, they want the children to get fresh air every day. Some days that means I take a walk to Grey's Papaya or Starbucks. This morning, we went to a park.  I chose a bench or sitting area near the three year old and park the little guy. He's not walking yet, so he stays in his stroller. The three year old exercises her independence and I can sit and coo to the baby. Sometimes I read to him. This morning we played with his sisters stuffed dogs, which she brought with her.
11:30 After an hour, my three year old says she is hungry and asks for an ice cream cone. I say no and insist we have lunch. She starts wailing that she wants ice cream. Her brother looks at her with big wide eyes. I give her two minutes to express her feelings, cry and scream. When she pauses, I ask her, "do you want to go home for lunch or to Subway?" She says Subway. She always choses subway.
12:00 We sit in a booth at Subway and share a foot long cheese and vegetable on 9 Grain Bread. I drink a diet soda and she drinks and they both drink organic juice from my Nanny backpack. Lunch is short and we are on our way home by 12:20.  My three year old asks again if she can have an ice cream cone. I promise her we will get ice cream on the way home from school.
12:55 After a quit change and some hair combing, we are off to her private preschool program. It is 2 hours and 10 minutes per day. For this ride, I put both children in the double stroller and head off. It's just easier to not get distracted and helps with the routine of getting out and saying good-bye. For the first three months, she cried when I dropped her off. She seems to love it now.
1:25 I am home now, changing and readying my little for his afternoon nap. I always read to him. I read him a story and lay him down under his mobile. He goes to sleep easily. He is a good baby.
1:40 I am in the kitchen making a sandwich from last night's leftovers, meatballs on a sub roll with some cheese. I put it on a paper plate and grab a bag of chips and bottle of water and baby monitor. The housekeeper who works until 2, never does. She is gone. I take my plate to my room.
1:55 My boyfriend arrives for his lunch hour. We greet and I usher him in to my room. We talk about the day as he eats the lunch I have prepared. We don't always have sex, but we have a lot sex today. He asks if he can take a shower before he goes back to work. I agree and we take a quick shower. I redress in a different outfit because it's warmer than it was this morning.
2:45 My boyfriend is out the door. I get on my IPAD and surf the internet. I'm looking for the perfect dress for a friend's May wedding and a tap class for three year olds. I find neither and flip on CNN.
3:00 The baby is still sleeping,but I wake him so we can walk to pick up his sister from school. I make a bottle and throw some things in my backpack.
3:25 We pick up his sister and she reminds me of the ice cream. We stop for an ice cream cone. She chooses plain strawberry on a cake cone. I choose vanilla frozen yogurt so I can share it with the baby.We stop for ten minutes so she can run around a smaller playground. She seems tired. On the way home she tells me I should have brought the stroller. She starts to whine.
3:50 We are home and the three year old is on the sofa watching PBS. She will last five minutes before her eyes close. I don't let her sleep for more than 1/2 hour.
4:30 The baby is rolling around the floor and often into our candy land game. When she gets bored with candy land, we get out a deck of sight word cards. This little girl is super bright. She loves to learn. We read some stories together and then we make up one of our own.  I start a sentence and she finishes it, adding in the details that suit her best.
5:15 I put the baby in his Exer-saucer and sit the three year old at the counter while I make dinner. I broil salmon and make boil in a bag brown rice. I cut up orange and red peppers and slice some pineapple and strawberries. At 545, the three of us sit down together.  The baby has his own eating regime, but we are at the table together.
6:15 The three year old helps me clear the table. We load the dishes in the dishwasher.
6:30 I put both children in the bath tub together and give them a bath. They play for 1/2 hour. I dress them for bed.
7:15-7:45 When the parents come home, we usually have a Disney movie on in the family room. They usually eat after the children go to sleep but for the next hour or so, they will spend some dedicated time with their children. They thank me for the day. I retire to my room to make plans for the evening, only to repeat the entire day again in the morning.
*E is a 23 year old live-in Nanny in the NYC area. She has been with her current family for 14 months and grosses $865 per week, with all taxes paid by her employers.

Send your submission to isynblog@gmail.com with the details you wish to include.

A Day in the Life 2015, #1

   

On Monday morning, the parents leave in a rush. Polite good-yes are said. A list is usually left. I feed the children and get them ready for the day. One will be getting on the bus, one staying home with me all day.
     7:30 The older child refuses to eat anything except French Toast Crunch. The box of French Toast Crunch is in the garbage. Dad has finished eating it. I offer bazillion compromises. Finally, she agrees on cinnamon toast. That being white bread, toasted with butter, sugar and cinnamon on it. I serve it to her. She screams for more sugar. She refuses to eat it. Her two year old brother gets it.
     7:45 I am looking everywhere for her purple rhinestone sweater. It is nowhere to be seen and it is the only thing she will wear. I find it in the washing machine, clumped together with a bunch of spun out clothes that have been sitting for who knows how long. I throw it in the dryer with a towel and try to help her brush her hair and teeth.
    7:55 The two year old has sprinkled cinnamon all over his hands. It's even under his nose. I wonder if inhaling cinnamon is a bad thing.
     8:00 the sweater isn't dry but I pull it out and blow dry it until 8:05. I give it to the girl who only agrees to brush her hair and teeth once she has the sweater on. We make it to the bus in time for another parent to see us running and halt the bus. She gets on bus and I am relieved.
     8:10 I am back in the kitchen cleaning up the breakfast mess made by the kids and the parents. I am washing the coffee pot and wiping down counters. There are two pots "soaking" in the sink. I wash these two. I empty the dishwasher. I refill the dishwasher. I empty the trash.
     8:30 The two year old and I are making craft things out of different kinds of play dough and modeling dough. We are working on a mobile to hang high above his big boy bed. We shape motorcyles out of dough and stick twine through it and bake it in the oven.
     9:30 I put on PBS for the boy and make myself a smoothie. I don't sit down. I have to run around to girl and boy's room, make their beds and pick up their scattered toys, cups and shoes. I start a fresh load of laundry. The two year old's bed has a dried wet spot on it, probably from the weekend. I can leave it, but I don't. I strip the bed, even though I am almost done making it and process this laundry.
     11:00 Two nannies I have met through the park come over with their similarly aged children. They are Jamaican and know each other. They are friendly enough but regard me with suspicion. They both ask for tea. I serve them tea. They are sitting and I go to sit on the floor with the kids when one asks if I have anything to go with the tea. I get up and go to the pantry and select some fig newtons and Ritz crackers. The hour passes slowly. They want to ask how much I make. I say "I prefer not to discuss salary". They both raise their eyebrows at me and exhange knowing looks.  I tell them, "I am so glad you could come over today. The winter has been hard on "Two year old". They agree. One tells me, "My boss don't want nobody in her house. She prefer we are out all day". I feel for her. I try to get the kids to pick up the toys that are scattered in every direction, One nanny gets up to help, the other nanny looks at me with disdain. (?)
     12:30 They leave and I sit down to have a causal lunch of blueberries, cheese and macaroni salad with my two year old. I make a grocery list as we eat, noticing key foods are missing from the refrigerator and pantry. I love that his eyelids are getting heavy and about to close.After lunch, I lay him down on the guest bed so I can remake his bed. I wash more laundry fold it. I wash out his potty seat, I am trying to potty train him. I cut up fresh vegetables, strawberries and cantaloupe. I lay ou tonight's pajamas on each child's made bed with a fresh towel and wash cloth.  In the bathroom, I  place down the bathmat, ready the children's toothbrushes and wipe down their sink and vanity. I sweep the kitchen and vacuum the playroom.
     2:00 The child is woken up by me because Mom doesn't want him to sleep more than an hour a day. He is tired and cranky. This is his worst hour. I get into my secret stash of strawberry milk and ply him with that and apple with peanut butter. Slowly he comes around. I must now bundle us both up and run to the drugstore to pick up a prescription and to pick up the drycleaning. In the car, the gas in the nanny vehicle is on negative. I have not been left any cash. The drycleaning is billed and the prescription is fully covered. I use $5 of my own money and pump the gas in the car, reminding myself to get a receipt. I look at the time and hurry from the station. One my way pulling in the garage, I realize I forgot a receipt.
     3:10 We are waiting bundled at the bus stop. It is freezing. 2 year old is crying because he is cold. The bus comes, big sister gets off the bus in a happy mood. We walk home, she skipping all the way.
     3:20 She asks for oreos. I tell her there are no oreos. I offer her a fig newton. She gets mad. She refuses to do her homework. I get out the strawberries and some marshmallows and put them together with toothpicks in cute designs to appease her.
     3:40 Brother is screaming to be picked up, changed and then for Barney. During this time I help big sister with her homework. I pull out the notes from the backpack that the parents need to see and organize them. She needs a certain amount of money for photos. I fill out the photo form with the information I have, put it with a blank envelope and leave it for the parents.
     4:00 We are playing with Monster High Dolls in the basement. Two year old is ramming cars together. My head is pounding. Two more hours, I tell myself. At 5:30, I take the kids upstairs and let big sister use her ipad for 1/2 hour and mark this on the screen time calendar. I set up a train for little bro to play with. I set the table for four. I fill a pitcher of water with ice and water. I make a fresh salad and set dressings and croutons on the table.  Ten more minutes... I tell myself.
     6:05 Mom calls, she missed her train and will be on the next one. Can I put the chicken in the pan? Sure I can. But it's not just put it in the pan. She wants it in the pan with this spice and that on it, some porcini mushrooms and x,y,z.  I do this and play cards with the daughter. Mom calls as she is getting off the train and asks me to put some water on to bowl some linguini. I am happy because I know she is now 7 minutes away. She tells me she is going to stop for bread. She is home in 30 minutes with bread, wine, desert and a Hallmark bag.
     7:16 As I am ready to leave, she looks in the sink and says, "Oy you cooked the pasta already?" in a dissatisfied tone. "Yes," I say, "The kids were getting hungry". "It's not like they're gonna starve to death she says in a haughty tone.
     7:25 I am sitting in my personal vehicle ready to pull away from the house. I have worked an hour and a half extra and will never see that money. I debate whether I should show up late, even by two minutes to make a point, but realize it isn't worth the hassle. I swear to myself that this will be my last year of nannying. Before I drive off, I text her, "Had to put $5 of my own in car for errands, please leave # for tomorrow. Have a great night".
      That's How I roll.
       *Author is a live-out nanny in Scarsdale, NY making $800 per week for the hours of 730-600. She has been with the family for 14 months.

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Day In The Life of a Grumpy Live In

6:25 Hear baby (5months) crying next door and grunt quietly into my pillow. Roll over and try to go back to sleep as I don't technically start my day until 7:45. MB and DB are both home.

6:45 After 20 minutes of crying, and still nothing from MB or DB, I roll my eyes and grumpily get out of bed and go get the baby. Change the baby's diaper make him a bottle and bring him back into my bed. Feed the baby his bottle while I half sleep and pray to the mean sleep Gods that he'll fall back asleep.

7:00 Baby falls back asleep and I can finally shut my eyes and get another 30 minutes of sleep.

7:30 MB comes and knocks on my door and asks if I can start a little earlier today. I say yes of course even though in my head I am throwing the worst toddler temper tantrum. Get up and get dressed while the baby sleeps in my bed. Throw my hair into the messiest ponytail. Barricade the baby with pillows so he can't roll or fall of the bed and go and wake up Toddler and School Age.

7:40 Wake up School Age first and get him dressed. Wash his face and brush his teeth after telling him about a hundred times that he needs to focus and concentrate so that we can finish getting ready. Sneakily roll my eyes as he tells me that he knows all about concentration and that he is really good at it. After getting him dressed I tell him to go play in the playroom so I can get his siblings ready to go.

7:50 Wake up Toddler and plug my ears and she screams and throws the biggest tantrum over me changing her diaper. Wrestle her into the day's clothes and shoes. Wipe her face and put her hair in a ponytail so that she can "thee" (see). Tell her to go play with School Age in the playroom so that I can get Baby dressed and ready to go.

8:00 Change Baby's diaper and get him dressed. Bring him out to the dining room and place him in his high chair so that I can start preparing breakfast. Throw the toast in the toaster and burn my fingers and I rush to get it out before I burn it.  Spread some butter on the toast. Cut up lots of berries because just a couple berries are never enough for Toddler or School Age. Call T and SA to the table and tell them to eat their breakfast.

8:10 Scarf down some breakfast as fast as I can without choking since I know it'll be hours before I even see food again. Pour my strong coffee into my travel mug with a spoonful of sugar and two spoons of cream. Feed the baby another bottle before cleaning him up.

8:15 Tell the kids breakfast is over and throw their dishes into the sink. Tell them to wash their hands 20 times as they continue to argue with me that they don't want to.

8:20 Realize I forgot to pack the kid's lunches and throw some crap into their lunchboxes. I know I'll probably get an earful from their teacher about not following the food pyramid and "including one food from each food group".

8:30 Take B, T and SA out to the car. Get everybody strapped into carseats and boosters. Throw all the kid's crap into the trunk. Realize I forgot my cell phone and tell the kids I'll be right back. Run in and get my phone and come back to find that T and SA are arguing about something. Tell them both that we need to get along and it's not nice to yell out our friends and siblings.

8:40 FINALLY ON THE ROAD!

8:45 Enter the preschool drop of circle and wait until it's our turn to drop off T. Finally our turn and help T out of the car. Give her a big hug and kiss and say we'll be back to pick her up in a few hours. Get back in the car and rush to get SA to school on time.

8:50 Back on the road. Talk to SA about what he can expect after school. I will be picking him up and taking him to Soccer practice. He reminds me to bring his favorite snack and I agree.

9:00 Get to SA's school, get him out of the car with his backpack and lunch bag. Unbuckle the baby and walk SA to his classroom. Say Hi to his teacher and give him a hug goodbye and remind him to listen to his teacher and play nicely with his friends.

9:10 Finally back to the car and on the road back to the house. Baby fusses in the backseat and I turn on the radio to my favorite country station and sing along on the ride home.

9:30 Pull into the driveway and open the garage door. Pull into the garage crossing my fingers that I don't hit anything like last time ;). Go straight inside and put B in his high chair for breakfast. Puree some peaches and make some rice cereal. B eats all of his breakfast and starts getting fussy which means it's nap time not just for him but for me as well.

9:45 Bring B into his bedroom and change his diaper. Sit in the rocking chair and sing him a couple lullabies while I fight to keep my eyes open.

10:00 B is fast asleep and I run out to the kitchen as fast as I can so I can rush through the dishes and fall into my bed.

11:30 Hear the baby crying and thank my lucky stars that I was able to nap for a whole hour! Go get the baby, change his diaper, and then feed him a bottle. As soon as he is done eating, we load back up into the car and go to pick up T.

12:00 Pick up T from preschool. We ask her all about her day and she tells that they learned about bumble bees and lady bugs. I ask if she can tell me the difference between the two bugs as we drive to the park. She tells me that bees are black and yellow and that ladybugs are red and black. She tells me that bees are mean and sting people when they are bothered and that ladybugs are nice and like to be held.

12:15. Pull into the park and remind T that she can't go and play until she finishes all of her lunch. Quickly mash up a banana for B to eat.

12:45 Lunch is finished and T is playing in the sand with her toys. She gets tired of the sand and runs to play on the slide. After that she decides to lay in the grass and look at the clouds. After that she wants to swing. I am tired just watching her. I take a large gulp of coffee and sing to B while his big sister plays.

1:45 Load back up int the car and head over to SA's school.

2:00 Pull into the school's parking lot and quickly "throw" T into the stroller while simultaneously strapping B to my chest in the Moby. Run into the school and straight to SA's classroom.

2:10 Doors open and kid's come running out to hug their caregivers. SA runs straight to my arms and gives me the biggest hug and excitedly starts telling me all about his day. I ask him to hold on so I can grab his lunch box and backpack and tell him he can continue telling me about his day as we walk back to the car.

2:20 Get the kids all in the car and start the drive home. On the way home we talk about what kind of snack we are going to have when we get home. SA tells me he would like applesauce and carrots, T tells me she wants strawberries and a granola bar, and B just squeals.

2:45 We are home and sitting at the dining room table eating our snacks. SA has a little meltdown telling me that he doesn't want to nap before soccer and T agrees. B slurps down another bottle and I scarf down a banana.

3:00 Kids are fed, hands are washed, diapers are changed, and potty trips have been made. SA and T are playing in the playroom while I put B down for his nap.

3:10 B is napping and now it's time to put T down for her nap.

3:15 T is napping and now it's time to put SA down for "quiet time" since he "doesn't want to nap and he doesn't have to!"

3:30 I drink another cup of coffee and lay down on the couch to check email, watch tv, and nap.

4:15 I get up and finally clean all the dishes from the day, wipe down the table, sweep the floor and pick up the playroom.

4:30 MB comes home from work and asks if I will take SA to soccer while she stays home with T and B and make dinner. I agree secretly thanking her for not saying I have to take all three kids to SA's soccer practice.

4:45 Go into SA's room since he "quiet time" is over. Help him into his soccer clothes and tell him to go get a bottle of water before we go out to the car.

5:00 Here B and T stirring in their rooms and go tell MB they are awake before bringing SA out to the car.

5:30 Pull into the parking lot and run over to the soccer field so that SA can start practice. During his practice I play games on my phone or call my mom and complain about the busy day I've had and how tired I am.

6:30 Soccer is over and we drive home for dinner.

6:45 Sit down at the table for dinner with B, T, SA, MB and DB. MB made homemade pizzas for all of us and I eat mine while thanking her for the delicious meal.

7:00 Finish my dinner and retreat to my room after a long and exhausting day.


For Reference:
SA = 5 and is in Kindergarden
T = 3.5 and is in Preschool
and B = 5months old

And you, what's your day like?

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