450-520: Arrival (based on start time), chat with M and DB about the childrens' week, etc.
500 or 530: Lots of cuddles and hugs for D, age 3. She has separation issues due to what she has been through with her biological mother. D, her brother, 2.5, does very well with transitions.
500 or 530-730: Playtime! Coloring, games, playdough. Both children have FAS, and D has sensory issues, so I have to watch things going in his mouth, etc. I try not to use the television as a form of entertainment, even though it is on when I arrive, and I am not sure how to turn it off, as it is a high tech tv. I remember to give Pediasure, as the nutritionist said that they are a bit underweight with FAS, but catching up quickly.
730-800: Get ready for bed and wind down. I brush both children's hair, as requested by MB. D gets her allergy pill, and D gets his nuk. D will cuddle with me and watch Dora, Paw Patrol or the Wiggles. If it's the Wiggles, I start singing and dancing-I seriously will do this to certain songs. D and D both laugh at me and think I am silly. D tells me she loves me, and we sit together, while D has his nuk and rocks back and forth on the couch.
800-815: Story time. I usually bring books with me, and read in D's room, where he gets very fidgety, rolling all over the place. MB said this is typical of him, and part of the SPD. Stories over and hugs, kisses, and I love yous to both. D heads back to her room, where she snuggles with her blanket and her cup is next to her.
815-1100 or 1130: Watch tv, play on IPad, read, or lesson plan prep. I work in a preschool, so I bring work with me, like coloring projects, lesson plans, evaluation folders, etc. to do while kids are asleep. At some point, I may take a short nap, especially if it's a Friday night, as I worked all day and have been up since 5ish that morning.
1100 or 1130: M and DB come home and we chat about the evening and other stuff. They pay me and I go home.
These are biological siblings in the foster system for over a year; M and DB are C and K to them, not Mom and Dad. C and K are planning on adopting both children, and the children's mother knows where they are and who is caring for them, whereas the father is out of the picture. D and D know that C and K aren't Mom and Dad, and refer to them by their first names. D and D also know they are loved by C and K, and that I love them too. I really like this family, and plan on staying with them for as long as possible, as I understand the need for consistency.
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5 comments:
Babysitting every other week is not being a nanny.
I know what a nanny is, thank you, because I am a full time educator and part time nanny. ; ) While it is only "babysitting", to me it's a regular job, because I am there twice a month, and with the generous pay, I treat it as a nanny job.
And this is not just "babysitting", this is caring for two children with pretty substantial special needs, which cannot be handled by your average high-school student. Knowing how to deal with sensory issues, potential resulting behavioral issues,ensuring consistency of routine and a modulated environment, etc requires a bit more experience than your $7/hr teenager. You sounds like a great caregiver for these kiddos who I'm sure was hired for your experience and educator given the circumstances, and they sound very loved by you and their foster parents! (To add, perhaps you could politely ask them to show you how to turn off the TV, now that you've been with them for a little bit)
**education, not educator. Wish we could edit comments!
The job is babysitting and the employee is a nanny. There - that wasn't hard.
Sounds like you're a great caregiver!
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