Working with the Manny

Val Muhin

     Has anyone ever worked with a manny before? I started a job two weeks ago working as one of two nannies/mannies. The manny has been there since last summer. There are three children. What I am seeing is when it is something fun like taking a child to the movies or the zoo, he is there, but for homework and making snacks and cleaning up, it's me. Between us we are supposed to handle the kid's laundry too. I don't know if this is his year of seniority or what, but he will do things like say, "I started the laundry, can you just process it and put it away". He says he "started the laundry" like he did the lion share!
     The parents have rules about screen time. I know because I just interviewed with him. When I asked the oldest child to come and do X since his screen time was up, the manny turns and says, "we're a little more relaxed since school is almost over" to which I said, "oh okay, I'm just going by what I was told" and he says, "besides I'm playing too, so you have to double it". Are you even serious?
    The middle child is a girl and this morning he did her hair in a really pretty braid. Rather appropriately, I think, I said, "wow, that's really pretty" to which he said, "And you wondered why I get paid more than you?". I think it was a joke, but wasn't it inappropriate in front of the kids?
    When we played soccer in the park, we split it up so he had the two younger and I had the older, who is an athlete. I am not great at soccer, but played with effort. He played so fiercely. I can't even say the boy minded, I mean maybe it is good for him.  He and I got crushed. Believe me, I am looking for redemptive qualities in this guy. I am considering that he may see me as a threat. I would really like to find common ground and get along with him. This job works REALLY well for my schedule, One Friday he gets off at 2 and the next time I do. For the same pay. That alone is a huge in the life of 10 hour days.
     One more example. I was told she preferred to feed the kids healthy foods, no processed, whole grains, etc. So I was suprised when he came in and saw me at the table with the littlest who wasn't eating her turkey sandwich. He whipped up a nutella and fluff sandwich. I was mortified. I said, "I was told to give them healthy, non processed foods" to which he said, "well I don't do the shopping. I fix what's here." He also tells me all the time, "Consider how big of a deal is it. Is everyone safe? Okay, relax".