Bad Nanny on the M15 Bus in NYC

Location: 86th at and took the M15 up to 86 in NYC

Date/Time: 1030/1040am today 8/11

Description of Nanny: See photo

Incident:
Nanny (I really hope this isn't their mother) on 79 and 1st at screaming at them, embarrassing them and ignoring them as they cried. They were heading to the movies on 86th at and took the M15 up to 86. She also screamed at the person on the phone who was saving them seats at the theater. She made fun of the kids as they got on the bus for whining and then she ignored them on the bus and until she screamed at them when the bus stopped for them to get off the bus. This was beyond an adult being annoyed- this seemed abusive.

Send your nanny sighting to isynblog@gmail.com.

The Firings 2015, #1

I had been working for a family for 17 months. They had two children under five and I got along well with all of them, especially the wife. One night she came home crying and as always, I was really nice to her. I set the children up with a movie and asked if I could do anything for her. She kept trying to get it together. She told me that she had read an email from her husband to another woman talking about sex at a hotel and how he couldn't stop thinking about her and was hoping they could get together again next month. I don't think she would have told me had she not been so upset, but also had a drink with a friend after work and two glasses of wine trying to get herself together.  I left about ninety minutes late. I came in the next day and her husband didn't appear to have been there. She took me aside and said, "I have to know you will never tell anyone what I told you, I shouldn't have said anything."  I assured her I wouldn't say anything. That was a Friday. She left for work, my day was as usual. She came home that night and paid me per her always. She paid me my flat salary although I had worked an extra two hours on Tuesday night (and the ninety minutes Thursday, but I wasn't considering that paid working). As we were saying our goodbyes, her phone rang and I could tell it was her husband. She started talking about what he could pick up for dinner on the way home from the train station. I said good night and left. On Sunday night I got a text that said, "Thank you for being a great nanny, but there have been some changes and we don't need you anymore". I tried to call her and she did not pick up. I never even got to say goodbye to the little boy and girl. They had another nanny start a week later. I can only figure out that she regretted telling me anything. But I didn't deserve to be fired in that way. I was really good to them all!

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(Text Message)
J (her dad):How much are you gonna give S (me) for her severance pay?
M (Boss): I am not sure. I know by Friday- her last day?
This was a Wednesday- my last day.. Yes, this is how I found out I was losing my job...

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I had been working as alive-in nanny in Westchester for three weeks,I had just gotten my phone line installed in my room and become acclimated to the very long schedule. (715-730, M-F). One Thursday night the father came home earlier than the wife who was planning to be out until nine. She had asked me if I could work until nine and I had said yes. One of the children was only 4 months old. When the father came home I was feeding the baby and he went to put the 3 year old to bed. He came downstairs to the living room where I was still feeding the baby and said. "Hey do you like Seinfeld?" I said yes and he put it on. He sat on the sofa. I was sitting in a big chair next to the sofa. His wife came home like 20 minutes later. She looked at me in such a way like I was an idiot. I didn't know if I was supposed to work or not work. I indicated that the baby was almost out. She said very bitchy like, "go ahead and put her down, that's all". So I did. I went out with a friend for pizza down the street, came home to a dark house and went to bed. The morning started as always. At 1030, the front door opened and the wife charged in. She demanded my house key. I was totally confused. She told me she was letting me go and I needed to get out NOW. She was very near frantic about it. I went upstairs packed up my stuff and carried it downstairs. As I was walking downstairs, I dropped the housekey and it went sliding across the foyer. She ran and grabbed it, as if I accidentally dropped it and was trying to keep it. It was December 16th. It was fucking freezing. I had to sit outside on my luggage until my friend could come and get me from NYC. She paid me 1/2 of that weeks salary and said I owed her the rest for the phone installation and whatever charges I had run up. I was too in shock to argue. Didn't do anything. Her husband was a harmless nerd.

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I was fired by my boss's sister. She lived on the UWS, my boss lived on the UES. It was a Friday. I had been there only two months. She rang the doorbell, I answered it. I assumed she was looking for her sister. She smiled at me. She was really a nice person. She hesitated for too long so that in that long pause I knew I was being fired. She said, "LaLaLoopsy doesn't feel this is working. She's never had to fire anyone before so she asked me to come and take care of it before the kids came home. I have your paycheck for this week and she put something extra in it." I asked if she said why or if there was a reason. She said, "I don't really know how to say this, but she just doesn't like you personally."  Yep. And the "something extra" was $50.

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My boss fired me by phone for eating her cheese and drinking the last bottle of Perrier water. Perrier water which costs like $1.79 a bottle. I don't know what the cheese cost, but it was just cheese. She told me on the phone that I was "eating her out of house and home." No severance. No warning. On a Tuesday. After almost 5 months.

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I worked my ass off during a trial period knowing I was replacing super nanny. Super Nanny had left after two years to get married. The trial was three weeks. I liked the kids. I liked the family. I even liked the dogs. I was a live in. The agency that placed me called me on the Saturday after I had worked three weeks. She told me that Super Nanny was coming back. I don't know how they convinced her to come back since she now lived over an hour away, but it didn't matter. I suddenly had no job.

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My mom got me fired from my job after almost a year. I was a nanny outside Boston working in a very large, semi formal home. She had come to visit from Oklahoma. When she met my boss, you could tell they didn't like each other. They were like fire and ice. My boss tried to compliment me in her way (she was terse and cold, but trying) and my Mom deflected and made a comment about how nice it must be to have so much free time. (My mom was awkward but trying to make small talk). My mom was going to be a guest in the house that next week when my boss and her husband traveled to CA. To avoid any awkwardness, I put her up at a hotel that first night. The next day, which my boss was planning to leave at 4 that evening, she told me that my she wasn't comfortable with my Mom staying in her house, that she had never been treated so poorly by anyone and certainly I shouldn't expect her to now stay in the house. I tried to apologize. But the more I thought about it I got so mad. My mom was out here for six more days. When I tried to talk to her about it, she told me that she wasn't about to have the nanny make her feel bad, that it was her house and that I was free to leave. I asked her if she was serious. She told me, "At this point, I don't really care". She took her two older children out of school and took them to California with her. After almost a whole year, I left with nothing. I had to fight to be able to stay to pack up my own things. She let me come back at 4 to pack up my room, under the watchful eye of Joban, the gardener, who had a locksmith come and change the locks as I was still packing.

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I went on vacation from Chicago to California with my nanny family after 9 weeks. I was excited. The children were 3 and 9 and we were staying in a staffed beach house. There was someone to cook and two people to clean. I did nothing but play games, play on the beach with the kids, etc. I put the three year old to bed every night and got him up every morning. On the fourth day, I was getting the kids dressed to head out and the Mrs asked me where I was going. I said, "I told the kids we'd go to X and get ice creams this afternoon by the boardwalk". She said, "Oh Melissa, this isn't your vacation. You're working. I will take the children with me. Could you stay and help Oma with the beds and laundry? Thanks a bunch/" By the time we flew home, she wasn't even talking to me. She had even tried to keep the kids from me. At the airport when we landed, we waited for a car service to take us back to their house. I was given an envelope and told I would need to take a cab home "or wherever I needed to go" and that "This is obviously not going to work."   No extra pay. PS Oma didn't need my help and knew she was just a fucking bitch!!!

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Are you a nanny that's been summarily dismissed? Or an employer that has had a nanny quit? Send your stories to isynblog@gmail.com

Ready to leave nannying...

I need advice on how to give my family notice that I will be leaving. I have been with them for about two years, but am ready to take the next step in my life and find a career outside of nannying. When I took this position, the parents asked me to give them three weeks notice should I decide to leave. My issue right now is that I am currently looking for a new job, but have no idea how long it will take before I find something. It could be a week, and it could be a month. I am concerned that needing three weeks before starting a new position will hurt my chances of finding a new job. I don't want to miss out on a potentially great job just because I need to give my family three weeks notice. I would love to tell my family that I am looking now, but am afraid it will take me a while to find something new and that they will find a new nanny, and I will be out of a job completely, which I absolutely cannot afford. I need some guidance on how to handle this situation - I am completely stressed out! Thank you so much!

2015 Survey -Live Out Salaries Across the US

Location: Scarsdale, NY
Pay Rate: $11/hr
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: 1 week paid vacation per year, 6 major holidays paid.
Length of time: Two years. I am an employer and tired of these surveys which I think show certain kinds of nannies responding only and inflating the salary. I have a nanny who works 44 hours a week and she gets paid more than minimum wage. Yes, we take taxes out her salary. She makes more than she would in retail or fast food and we supply a comfortable work environment, fun activities and healthy food.

Location: Danville, CA
Pay Rate: $500/week
On the Books or Off: off
Perks: Major holidays paid. A week off at Christmas paid.
Length of time: 10 months

Location: Newport Beach, CA
Pay Rate: 875 per week for 40 hours
On the Books or Off: ON
Perks: Reimbursement for college courses completed with B or higher as an incentive to return to UC Irvine, use of family vehicle during work hours,
Length of time: 1 yr. 8 months

Location: Massachusetts
Pay rate: $750/week for 54 hours
Pay is: on the books
Lenght of time: 8 years
Perks: 2 weeks paid vacation, 7 paid holidays, 2 sick/personal days, use of timeshare getaways (i pay weekly fee- cheaper than hotel)

Location: Brookline, MA
Pay Rate: $17/hr, 35 hours per week
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: The family travels about four times a year, so I get atleast four weeks paid vacation per year.
Length of time: 2 years, 9 months.

Location: Chicago
Pay rate: $700 per week (45-50 hours per week) Time and a half for any week over 50 hours
Perks...None really I'm able to request toys for the two infants in my nanny share or purchase and be reimbursed.
Benefits:I have 10 vacations days. 5 I pick and 5 they pick. I have 2 paid sick days in the year. I'm paid for my normal week regardless if one of them decides not to use me.
Length of time: I've been with the families for 3 months.

Location: Simi Valley, CA
Pay Rate: $16/hr
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: Gold's Gym membership, use of employer vehicle, paid extra for non nanny errands and jobs. taxes are paid by employer and employer is helping me come up with down payment for my own house.
Length of time: 13 months

Location: CT
Pay Rate: $20/hour - 25 hours/week
Pay Is: Off the books
Perks: Mileage reimbursement for driving my vehicle
Length of time: 7 months

Location: Fresno, CA
Pay Rate: 9/hr
On the Books or Off: Cash
Perks: The baby sleeps alot so I have a lot of down time.
Length of time: 3 months.

Location: UWS, NY
Pay Rate: $16/hr for 32 hrs.
On the Books or Off: Taxes paid by employer
Perks: Cab fair home in bad weather, lunches out, extra $ for additional hours
Length of time: 7 months

Location: White Plains, NY
Pay Rate: $14/hr, $21 per hr. after 40 hours. (Between 670-720 per week)
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: They bought me a gym membership for Christmas, use of their bike, 10 paid days off per year.
Length of time: 5 months

Location: Bonita Springs, FL
Pay Rate: $10/hr
On the Books or Off: Cash
Perks: No perks. I work M-Sat- from 8-6
Length of time: 17 months

Location: Westchester County, NY
Pay Rate: 12.00 per hour. 60 hrs. per week, 720/wk.
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: Sometimes I get off early on Fridays.
Length of time: 2 years

Location: SF Bay Area
Pay Rate: $17/hr
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: I work different hours almost every week because of positions of parents. Sometimes, they will add a(cash/non taxed) bonus to the week's pay to subsidize an inconvenient schedule. I don't count on it, but it's nice when it happens.
Length of time: 1 1/2 years

Location: Westchester County, NY
Pay Rate: $600/weekend. Friday 6-11, Saturday 8-11 and Sunday 9-6.
On the Books or Off: Cash/off
Perks: Going to great places with my teen charges, family offers that I can stay over in bad weather, downtime during long hours, great food, great working environment, great bosses.
Length of time: 11 months

Location: Park Slope, NY
Pay Rate: $14/hr
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: I work 48 hours per week at a base, so they pay me $28 for any OT after the 48.
Length of time: 9 months

Location: Seattle Area
Pay Rate: Nanny Share/ M-F 7-7, family one pays $400 cash, family 2 pays $600 cash and it is at family #2 home.
On the Books or Off: $400 cash for one, $600 on the books for other
Perks: The two families surprised me with a $1,000 cash bonus last month.
Length of time: 7 months

Location: Alexandria, VA
Pay Rate: $18/hr, $25/hr OT & weekends
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: On the books, health insurance, Metro-rail furnished by employer
Length of time: 20 months

Location: Chappaqua, NY
Pay rate: $925 per week, m-f 730-630
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: I had my own baby three months ago and I bring her with me. (Priceless)
Length of Time: Over two years

Location: Brooklyn
Pay Rate: $11/hr
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: leftovers from the night before, Britta filtered water, unlimited bathroom breaks, heated work area,
Length of time: 4 months

Location: Philadelphia PA
Pay rate: $18/hour
On the Books or Off: 30 hours on the books, everything else off the books
Perks: membership to the zoo and 2 museums
Length of time: 6 months

Location: Rye, NY
Pay Rate: $800/week Sunday-Thurs. 8AM-8PM
On the Books or Off: Off books
Perks: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years are paid off.
Length of time: over a year

Location: Colts Neck, NJ
Pay Rate: $12/hr for 2-8 M-F and Saturdays 10-8.
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: None. If they don't need me, they don't pay me.
Length of time: 9 months

Location: Purchase, NY
Pay Rate: 900/week
On the Books or Off: I have to pay my taxes as a independent contractor
Perks: I get paid when the family goes away on vacation
Length of time: 13 months

Location: Oak Park, Il
Pay Rate: $22/hr
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: RTA pass. The family has responded to things I do with the children for example,they bought me roller blades and a bike to keep at their house, so I can do activities with their kids. Paid sick days, holidays and 3 weeks vacation per year.
Length of time: 3 years.

Location: Bay Area, CA
Job A
Pay rate: $14/hour-- 23 hours/week
Pay is Off the Books :(
No perks, they have a mini farm so I get free organic food (eggs, veggies). 1st xmass $100 bonus, 2nd a $200 bonus; and I got $75 for my b-day. I can read books when the kids are busy.
Been with them for 1 year and 9 months, 2 pre-teens/teens

Job B
Pay rate: $17/hour--20 hours/week
Pay is ON the books
No perks. One bonus, only because I did a "favor". No b-day present, no x-mass, nothing. I get the kids stuff... they keep saying oops we forgot, get you something soon.
Been with them for 1 year. 3 under 5; but I just care for the baby.

Location: Rahway, NJ
Pay Rate: $15/hr
On the Books or Off: on
Perks: health insurance paid at 100% by employer, all major holidays, 2 weeks vacation per year but it must coincide with their time away.
Length of time: Since September 2013

Location: Altadena, CA
Pay Rate: $450/wk
On the Books or Off: off
Perks: meals?
Length of time: 2 months

Location: New Canaan, CT
Pay Rate: $20/hr
On the Books or Off: on
Perks: Metro North Monthly Pass, Pilates studio gift certificates on a reg basis and Starbucks cards.
Length of time: 8 months with possibility of health insurance (being researched now)

Location: Westchester County, NY
Pay Rate: $14/hr
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: They give me their old food to take home.
Length of time: 4 months

Location: Skokie, Il
Pay Rate: $25/ hour (about 20 hours per week)
On the Books or Off: Off
Perks: Children are older so most of the time I take them to do fun activities, like go to the museum or a baseball game and get paid well to do it.
Length of time: 4 years, 4 months

Location: Manhattan, NY
Pay Rate: $1100/wk 54 hours
On the Books or Off: On
Perks: Metrocard, 2 weeks paid time off in December, 10 paid holidays, 1/2 insurance paid by employer = $228 per month)
Length of time: 1 year, 7 months

If you are interested in participating in our live-in salary survey for April 2015, please include the below details with your submission and email to isynblog@gmail.com.

Location: Pay Rate:On the Books or Off:Perks:Length of time:Accomodations:

16 Handles Ave J in Midwood Brooklyn

When: 4:30 pm on 3/11/15
Who: AA Nanny (see photo)
Child: Boy of about age 2, wearing a striped shirt.
Location: 16 Handles Ave J in Midwood Brooklyn.
Incident: Was with a boy about aged 2 at . Little boy was  running around. Nanny is in between the glass doors standing up shown here. Nanny was on her phone and threatening to punish the boy while she pushed the stroller, he ran around the store and continued to get caught in between the doors while she is still on her phone. When they walked outside he ran up onto a snow bank near the stree
t on Ave J and almost ran into the road. She is still on her phone talking and pushing the carriage while the boy runs out of her sight. About 2 minutes later she loads him onto the back of the stroller and he is standing on the back of the stroller instead of sitting in the stroller while she is still on her phone pushing him on the stroller with 1 hand. If you Enlarge the photo you can see the nanny's clothing. I hope that someone in this close knit orthodox neighborhood can identify the nanny and the boy.

Do you have a sighting you would like to share? Email isynblog@gmail.com. 

After School Soccer Program at PS198 in NYC

Monday, 3/9/15 @545 PM
Nanny of child in the Monday after school sports program (soccer I believe).
Description of Nanny: African American with bad skin, round black framed glasses, hair was shoulder length and mostly straight. She was wearing what looked like Burberry tan and red rainboots and a tan knee length jacket,
Description of Child: The child was about six months and riding in a camel colored stroller. I think it was an Xari, with the top part that looks like a detachable car seat. (So no excuse for her leaving the child alone!) The child had a grey striped blanket in the stroller.
Incident:The nanny arrived looking for where she had to pick up the child. I only know he was a male. She was ridiculously peeved and so confused. She left the stroller in the hallway while she went looking around. That I can understand, but she left the stroller and went up three flights! I could have taken the child and fled. She only came back because another woman and I were yelling, "um, hello, your baby is here". She stomped over to us and grabbed the handles of the stroller and jerked it so hard and said, "a lot of fucking help you are" and stomped off in another direction on the first floor. If you are the parent of the children she is watching, 1) you did not prepare her appropriately, 2) her basic temperament is terrible for a nanny 3) she has no patience and 4) she was very rough with your child in the stroller. I saw the child's little head jerking around.

ISYN Bad Interviews, #1

1) I literally just got home from an interview that lasted fifteen minutes, where I was told the position was filled. They are in need of weekend care, and the second I sat down, the mother tells me someone from the center their children attend will be watching them on weekends, and could she keep my information for backup? Fine, although I was ready to walk out. I found out their children attend one of my center's competitors, and the competitor has frequent turnover, poor quality care, less than dependable teachers and has been written up for violations from DHFS, leading me to wonder is the person she hired reliable? My center has been written up, yet not to the frequency of this center. Literally a day after I called her, this other person applies. I contacted her last week; she couldn't have emailed or called me, telling me she filled the position?

I didn't have to drive far, as they live less than five minutes from me. The point is, why have me come over in the first place?

2) I showed up for an interview on the UES (NY) on Monday at 555PM for a 6PM interview. The housekeeper let me in and told me her employers weren't home yet and allowed me entrance to wait. While I was waiting she was preparing dinner. I started making polite chit chat which led to the present childcare situation. The nanny leans in and tells me, "she was a good, good nanny, a good person and they did her dirty, no no no no, I wont never say a bad word about that woman, she was the loveliest." With that, the door opens and "Mom" comes through the door. She is flashy and polite and interested. I answer her questions and the interview seems to go well, but the housekeeper's whispered words and THE SCARED LOOK on her face when she said it and the woman walked in the door haunt me! It's Friday and I have an email from the lady saying she would like me to come and work a trial day next week.  My bank account says yes, even for the one day of pay, but I think that was a sufficient warning!

3) I went from my present job to my bosses apartment in Brooklyn for an evening interview and arrived as a delivery order was arriving. My boss & her husband invited me to join them at a table off the kitchen. They spread out the boxes and stuff and handed me a plate. The interview went nice.  As we ended with promises of a follow up, DB says, "would you mind just tidying up in there, I mean, since you ate, and take any leftovers you want". WTF?

4) This weekend I interviewed with a mother at STARBUCKS. This is something I don't really like because it gives you no feeling for who you are dealing with. She brought her three year old girl. She had told me her children were great and she was raising them 'the Chinese way' and yadda yadda yadda, it was all about respect. It became very clear that the mother was not raising the children at all. The three year old asked no less than 100 times for her nanny. "I want Claudy, where is Claudy". The mother explained 'Claudy' had been with them for about a year and suddenly quit without notice. This for some reason didn't ring true. During the interview the child was allowed to order a cookie, a muffin, a hot chocolate and a Perrier. She ate bites of stuff and squished the other stuff. She squished the muffin right into the mothers chest, all over her shirt. The mother was frazzled but tried to play it cool. You could tell her child was not accustom to relating to her. The child also stood up on a chair and said," Im peeing my pants, Im peeing my pants" and appeared to do just that. The mother said, "Oh, ___, why are you being so silly?" The child also called her mom a "dum dum", told her to "go to work" and told me, "mommy told Claudy to go to hell." I smiled politely as if the child was just being precarious. The mother said, "well I was caught off guard and disappointed to be left in the lurch".  The child also told me my jacket was ugly and my teeth need braces. Other people in Starbucks realized it was an interview and, well even if they didn't, all those around had a look of horror on their face!

5) I interviewed with a family in Bronxville at a very nice house. The parents both met me at the door and told me how down to earth they were. They offered me tea. They sat on the sofa and kidded around the whole time. It seemed real... And then it got to real. He "tooted" and she smacked him on the thigh. Then she "tooted" back to him even louder and more aggressively. He immediately "tooted" back to her. I thought I was going to pass out from the smell and weirdness of it all. They offered me the job on the spot. I told them I had a second interview with a family I was very interested in the next day but that I would let them know.

Share your bad interview experiences! Send them to isynblog@gmail.com 
Posts may be edited for content and space.

Alcohol and the New Nanny

Today I came home and smelled alcohol on our nanny's breath. This is not the first time I've thought I could detect something but today I was able to confirm when she left the room that she definitely had vodka in her Mountain Dew. I don't know when she drank it, though my wife and I don't know any reason it would be okay.  We will be confronting her on Sunday (Mother's Day).

Question:  Is there any justifiable reason we shouldn't fire her on the spot? 
Our daughter is four months old.  Our nanny has worked for us less than a month and does a fantastic job for us. She is a live-in.

Do you have a situation you are looking for input on? Email isynblog@gmail.com. 

SINGLE WHITE FEMALE ?

I'm guessing you haven't experienced this before. I am a 26 year old nanny with a BS in the Arts. I am attractive, energetic, positive and I think a lot of fun. I started working for a family in January. The job is going well but with one concern. At first it seemed funny, but now it seems weird. The mother of the children is wealthy and unassuming. She wasn't really into fashion or make up and is 11 years older than I am. Over the past few months, she has changed her style, dramatically. In fact, she has assumed my style. This includes adding dark low lights to her hair, wearing jeans clearly intended for a twenty something year old and just doing things that make me thing that she wants to be me. This is very real so don't suggest I am overconfident.  Ill be honest, I borrow my style from here and there, but hers is clearly all from me. This is despite where we live and her access to salons and shopping and even more stylish women. The style kind of looks weird on her, like cheap. In addition, she works from her home about 1/3 of the time and more and more it seems like the 1/3 of the time she is home, she wants to spend time with me (and the children??). I really think it's more like to be with me. It's not a sexual thing either, but it's weird. Husband travels excessively so I have considered she is just lonely but this feels weird.

Have an experience to share? Email isynblog@gmail.com.

Nanny Pay Across America, #2 in series

To read part 1 in this series, please click here.

Part 2

Marin County, CA
On salary: 53,500.00 year

Taxes: yes

Method of payment: $1604.00 (net) direct deposit into bank account every 2 weeks

35-40 hours per week.

Time trade for overtime.

Paid time off several times per year when they travel without me.

Two weeks paid vacation/ seven paid holidays

Five paid sick days per year

Use family car on job.

ATM debit card for child related expenditures.

I've been with this family almost 2 years (in July

Connecticut
Yearly Salary $73,000
FT-Live Out Nanny , 2 kids,Mon-Fri, 8am to 530-6pm &1-2 nights overtime for night time care e.g. babysitting.
Adjustments to pay: Occasional weekends at weekend rate, plus travel with family when needed.
Adjustments to pay: Live-out monthly rent stipend $900
On or off the books: Paid on The Books
Use of family car while working , Child are duties only
Other: 10% raise every 6 months
**A higher salary comes with an even bigger price. Children disrespectful, no rules or boundaries, stay at home mom who was very confrontational...and attacked by family pet. Random weekly schedule change at beck and call of mom.

Austin, TX

Today's pay: $528 - $13/hr for about 40-455 hours/week
Pay period: weekly, every Friday
Method of payment: check
Taxes on the books or off: on the books
Disposition of payment: personal check handed to me by the kiddos
Adjustments to pay: none
Pay supplements: Bonuses and/or PTO handed out about 3 times per year, usually Christmas, Spring Break, and my birthday
length of time at current position: 2.5 years, but I am leaving next month to take a summer position (which pays $15/hr)
years of Nanny experience: about 4

Denver, CO

Today's pay: $600.00
Pay period: Every Friday for 8-6 M-Th and 7-5 on Friday,
Method of payment: Cash.
Taxes on the books or off: off the books for them, I have to claim independent contractor
Disposition of pay: Left laying by or under fruit bowl on Fridays

Adjustments to pay: none
Pay supplements: Bought me a bike for my birthday last month
length of time at current position: 1 year, 4 months
years of Nanny experience: 1 year, 4 months

New Rochelle, NY
Today's pay: $800
Pay period: M-Friday 7-7.
Method of payment: Check.
On the books or off: Off
Disposition of check: Handed to me on Friday evening.
Adjustments to pay: -$50, second in three payments employer is charging me for 'damage; to her Calaphon dutch oven pan.
Pay Supplements: Never
Length of time at current position: 9 months
Years of nanny Experience: 8 years

Winnetka, Ill

Today's pay: $2240, gross
Pay period: biweekly pay period, with one week kept "in"
Method of payment: Company check
Taxes on the books or off: On the books through one of their companies
Disposition of pay: direct deposit

Adjustments to pay: Cash on Fridays for any overtime @ $25 per hour. (Usually about $200 extra per month).
Pay supplements: Health insurance, 100% paid for by employer, childcare for my two year old, 100% paid for by employer.
length of time at current position: 3 years
years of Nanny experience: 5 years

If you would like to participate in the ongoing series of Nanny Pay Across America, send your submissions to isynblog@gmail.com.

Nanny Pay Across America

Would you like to include your details in our Friday Salary Feature?
Please email isynblog@gmail.com or message us on FB. 
These are the details that we would like:
Today's pay:
Pay period: (i.e. 40 hours, 3 days, 2 weeks, 5 10 hours days...)
Method of payment: cash check other:
Taxes on the books or off:
Disposition of payment: (i.e. direct deposit, envelope of cash in the teapot, personal check handed to me at end of day)
Adjustments to pay:
Pay supplements ( i.e. insurance, 501K, employer pays taxes, gym memberships, bonus, tip)
your location:
length of time at current position:
years of Nanny experience:

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?

Email isynblog@gmail.com.

Day In The Life

3 kids...18 (L) months, 10 (A), 12 (J)

7am: Arrive at work to find L and A sitting in the living room watching Sesame Street. L has a sippy cup in her hand and she is in love with Elmo and "Cookie" MB is in her bedroom getting ready and J is in the shower. A gets up and retreats to the basement now that I'm here to keep an eye on L. I greet L and she usually says something like "No" thinking I'm going to remove her from her activity. I sit and cuddle with her for a bit.

7:20: I ask L if she is hungry and ask her to go to her chair. She runs over and waits until I put her in. I give her cereal and blackberries which she gobbles up like candy. She is a great eater and eats a lot and often but still is a tall, slimmer baby (maybe its all the running and dancing she does).

7:30 J makes his way downstairs and goes to the living room after greeting L. He checks his email, sports scores and the news. I take L out of her chair and she scurries into the living room to play. J talks to her in between news headlines while I clean up her chair.

7:40 I empty the dishwasher and load dishes in. L wanders in and helps. She's all about putting things in the trash and when she does it (wanted or unwanted) she says "thank you". Her mom's kindle has fallen victim to this resulting in the need to purchase a new one.

8:00 I call A up from downstairs and tell him its time for breakfast and tell J to do the same. They eat and make their lunches for the day (I stopped doing this about 6 months ago). L continues to play while I chat up the boys. After they are done making their lunches they go to the living room to hang out with L or watch youtube videos. They are easily distracted by L's singing and hugs.

8:30 time to head out to the bus. They brush their teeth and all of us go to the bus stop. L waits for her favorite neighbors who are just as happy to see her. 8:45 back in the house, L and I play and read "bookas". I usually eat breakfast during this time. Usually L heads to the window to look out her backyard for "puppies"(deer).

10:00 depending on her mood I usually put L down for a nap at this time. She goes down easy (I think she was 5 months when it was decided she should self soothe, prior to that she had to be rocked for a LONG time with fans and such on) and I tell her I love her (I point to my eyes, heart, and her) and she does the same hand gestures. I go downstairs and clean up a bit then watch hulu for about an hour before I take my own little power nap.

12:15 L wakes up and I let her talk in her crib for about 5 minutes while I get her lunch ready. I change her, and we eat lunch.

12:35 L wants to go "outside" for a "walka" and looks for her shoes. Every day I try and take her on a walk. I've done this since she was a baby. We go to the park on nice days (they have a really nice bike seat for her and in the summer we ride the trails near by). If I'm not careful I can be gone for 2 hours or more.

2:30 we come back for a snack and diaper change. We have downtime and play.

3:15 L is super crabby so I put her down for some quiet time

4:10 the boys come home and I ask A to go get L from her room (she gets SOOOO excited when she wakes up and the boys love seeing that) A does his homework and J is on the phone ready to go to a friends house.

4:30 I give L a heavy snack and we play some more. A usually has headed to the basement by now.

5:00 MB comes home. I give a report on the day; naps, feedings, activities, etc.

5:20 I get home, let my puppy out.

10:30 my head hits the pillow and my pager goes off (I'm a volunteer EMT on a mid-size fire dept) and I'm off to the station. If I transport to the hospital I'm gone a minimum of 2 hours. Most of our nighttime calls are between 10 and 2 am. Due the the adrenaline rush its often hard to get back to sleep (which is why I nap at work). I love my job, love my bosses, and those kids make my life. I also love that I can do what I love as far as an EMT and still function at my job (some days I'm a zombie).

Nanny Day In The Life Made by a Mom

Twin’s Schedule:
The twins wake up at 7:30am, and I will breastfeed them both in the morning before the nanny comes at 8:00am. Since I will need to leave right around 8:00am, our nanny needs to help the babies get dressed and ready for the day. I leave out their outfits in the morning, to make this easy for her. They usually play from 8:00-9:00 before breakfast. Their favorite morning activities are tummy time, reading books, listening to music, or relaxing in their swings.

They will eat breakfast at 9:00. Breakfast is usually oatmeal and a pureed fruit. Their favorites are bananas, pears, and peaches. After breakfast, they will go down for a nap at 9:30, sleep for 1.5 hours, waking up at 11:00. As soon as they wake up, they each will take a bottle of 4 oz of pumped breast milk that I will leave in the fridge; it will need to be heated up in the bottle warmer. We have two to make warming them faster and easier.

They will have play time again from 11:30-1. During this time, we set up a blanket in the backyard for them to hang out on while they play with toys and watch their older brother explore, or we hang out in the living room and play with toys, or we will take a trip to the local park (which is about 2 blocks from our house).

They will eat a later lunch of pureed veggies at 1:00-1:15. Their favorite veggies are green beans, carrots, and peas. They are definitely not picky eaters, and love trying new foods. After lunch, they will take another nap at 2:00. They will sleep for 1 hour, waking up at 3pm, and will have play time until I come home at 3:30-3:45.

3 Year Old Schedule:
Cameron will wake up for the day at 8:30am and will need help getting dressed for the day. He likes to pick out his own clothes, so I normally leave out 2-3 choices for him to pick from.

He will eat breakfast with the twins at 9:00am. Breakfast usually consists of 1-2 of the following: eggs, toast, cut up fruit, yoghurt, oatmeal, or cereal. I will prepare his breakfast and leave it in the fridge so that it will be easier.

He will have play time from 9:30-12:30. He will eat lunch at 1:00 with the twins. Lunch usually consists of 1-3 of the following: a protein dish (baked fish, baked chicken, lunch meat, or something of the like), some sort of pasta dish, cut up fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, or soup. Again, I will prepare this and leave in the fridge (labeled Cameron Lunch). It may need to be heated up, and cut up. We want to make sure, though, that all meals are eaten at the table, either in the dining room or at the picnic table in the backyard. We have portable high chairs for the twins if you decide to eat outside.

After lunch, he will take a nap at 1:30, sleep for two hours, and wake up at 3:30, when I will be home for the day.

Day In the Life of Newborn Nanny

830 Arrive at work and give Bubba (3mo) his first bottle
845 Change Bubba's diaper and then put him down in his crib for a nap.
1000 Bubba wakes up from his nap, change his diaper then give him a bottle.
1015 Put Bubba in the stroller, round up the 2 dogs and take them all for a walk
1100 Return home from a walk then play until Bubba goes down for a nap. He loves tummy time or laying on his back and having books read to him. I like to lay next to him on my back and hold the books up above both of us so we can both look at the pictures while I read. His favorite books are Brown Bear Brown Bear and Polar Bear Polar Bear
1200 Change Bubba's diaper and then give him a bottle. Lay him down in the crib for a nap.
115 Bubba wakes up from a nap, I change his diaper and then we cuddle on the couch together for about half an hour while I read or sing to him.
145 Diaper and Bottle
200 Go to grocery store and get things on grocery list for that nights dinner
300 Return home and give Bubba a bottle, lay him down in crib for another nap. When he is napping I start the prep for MB and DB's dinner.
430 Bubba wakes up from nap, change diaper, and give bottle. Play with Bubba until it's time to start dinner.
500 Put Bubba in bouncy chair or swing in the kitchen with me so I can cook dinner for MB and DB
545 Dinner is ready so I set the table for MB and DB.
555 MB and DB both get home from work
600 Lay Bubba down in the crib and then sit down for dinner with MB and DB ( I don't always have dinner with them, depends on what I make or if I have plans that night. But 3 out of 5 nights I usually stay for dinner.
6:30 Bubba wakes up and I go grab him while MB and DB clean up dinner table and dishes.
645 Give Bubba a hug and kiss and tell him I can't wait until tomorrow then I leave for the day.

Day In The Life

7:30- Show up to work, clock in, and get both girls (15 mos and 4) up and dressed.
7:45- Get 15mo and 4yo set up at the table for breakfast. Rush them a little because as usual we are running late
8:00- Send 4yo to the bathroom to wash her face and brush teeth before school, run back there and quickly to her hair which is usually a pony tail or braid of some sort depending on how much of a rush we are in!
8:15- Load both girls into the car with diaper bag, and 4yo's backpack and snack bag.
8:30- Drop 4yo off at preschool and on the way home stop at the park so 15mo can play.
9:30- Return home and put 15mo down for a morning nap.
Clean up around the house while 15mo naps. Take care of breakfast dishes, make 4yo's bed, run any laundry that may need done, pick up playroom from the night before, start preparing lunches and put in the fridge so they are ready to go.
10:30- 15mo wakes up from nap, bring her out to the table for snack. Then we play around the house until it's time to go pick up 4yo old from preschool.
11:15- Load up in the car then leave to go pick up 4yo from preschool.
11:30- 4yo in the car and we are all headed home for lunch.
12:00- Lunch time. After lunch we usually stay at the table for a quiet activity: craft, coloring, reading, etc. After that, we'll play around the house until nap time
1:00- While 4yo plays in the playroom take 15mo back to her room and put her down for a nap. Turn on humidifier and sound machine. Close shutters and blackout curtains, turn on monitor, change diaper then lay her down for her nap. Give hugs and kisses then turn of the light and shut the door behind me.
1:15- Tell 4yo it's time to go take a nap. She argues and tells me she isn't tired but I say if she doesn't want to sleep she doesn't have to but I'd really like her to have some quiet and alone time in her room. Remind her to go potty, then help her get into bed. We read a couple books together and then I turn on her sound machine, close the shutters and blackout curtains. She asks me to sing her favorite song and she sings along. Tuck in all of her stuffed animals "just right" then turn off the lights and shut the door behind me.
While both girls are napping I clean around the house: lunch time dishes, finish up laundry, pick up playroom and wipe down kitchen table, counters, sinks. Sit down for my lunch and read or watch TV with my remaining down time.
3:30- 15mo wakes up from her nap, I go in and get her and change her diaper. I ask if she wants to try sitting on the potty to go peepee and she tells me no. We play in the playroom until 4yo wakes up from her nap.
4:00- 4yo wakes up from nap and 15mo and I go in and greet her. We tell her how much we missed her while she was sleeping and then we ask about her dreams. She gets up and goes potty then we all wash hands and go sit at the table for snack time.
4:15- Snack Time
4:30- Both girls want to go play outside so we decide to walk to the park again before dinner time.
5:30- Walk back home and watch the girls playing in the backyard while I prepare dinner.
6:00- Girls sit down at the table for dinner time.
6:45- Bath time, after bath we put pajamas on, brush teeth and hair, then have down time until bedtime. We like to read books together, or play with dolls. If it's been a really long day we'll sit down and watch a movie together. Sometimes we'll color or play with our blocks/legos.
7:15- MB or DB come home from work and the girls go to bed shortly after. Usually around 7:45-8.

Holiday Bonus Survey, Part 2

To read part I of the Holiday Bonus Survey for 2012, click here.

Part II

Bonus this year (2012): So far None but may Change during the week*

Your weekly salary: Varies, around 400*

Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: none*

 Length of time you have worked for the Family: 8 months*

City, State and Country where you live: Denver,CO, USA

A lady I babysit for sporadically throughout the week/month gave me 250 for Christmas, I have known her for 4 years but have worked for her for 8 months also.

* Bonus this year (2012): $350

* Your weekly salary: $384 gross

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: a set of handmade

ornaments made by MB

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: 1 year

* City, State and Country where you live: Tulsa, OK, USA

* Additional comments: After working 11+ years in childcare, this is by

far the best job I have ever had.  I always feel appreciated and

valued

Bonus this year:  One week's pay (cash)

Supplementary gift: $100 gift card for my favorite restaurant

Length of time with families: 1 year with one family, 4 months

with the other (share)

Location: San Francisco, Ca.

Comments: It's really nice that they remembered my favorite restaurant

* Bonus this year (2012): Two weeks worth of pay= $900

* Your weekly salary: $450

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: $100 Target

Gift Card, $25 Gift Card to a local wine bar, box of candy, framed

picture of my charges and I

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: Since August 2012, so 3.5 months*

City, State and Country where you live: San Diego, CA, United States

* Bonus this year (2012):  random "tips" on payday

* Your weekly salary: $10/ hour= averaging 35 to 45 hours a week

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:  I received small gifts throughout the year (lunch, etc)

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: February 2013 will be one year 

* City, State and Country where you live:  Commerce, MI            

* Additional comments:  This has been one of the best families I have

worked with.  I am the girls' first nanny.  I started with the twins

when they were only 2 months old and I plan to stay forever!!!!   

* Bonus this year (2012):   $500
* Your weekly salary:   $570 (net)
* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:   No
* Length of time you have worked for the Family:    4 months
* City, State and Country where you live:    Seattle, WA
* Additional comments:   I was so surprised, touched, and thrilled by
this bonus! I love working for this family and look forward to coming
in every day.

* Bonus this year (2012):

Family 1: $100

Family 2: $0

* Your weekly salary:

Family 1: average $120 for 10-15 hours per week.

Family 2: $40 for three days of homework help for special needs child.

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:

Family 1: $15 gift certificate for family business and a lovely letter.

Family 2: $50 Amazon gift card and a nifty Christmas wall hanging.

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: 5 months for both.

* City, State and Country where you live: Tennessee, USA.

* Additional comments:  Honestly, I wasn't expecting a bonus at all

 from either family -- especially the first family.  It's been a big

transition year for them (Mom went back to work), which means

everyone's under a lot of stress.  Sometimes I don't feel very

appreciated by them, so it was nice to have them show that they care.

 I absolutely adore the second family, but given how few hours I work

for them, I would never have thought they'd give me a gift.

* Bonus this year (2012): $2,000

* Your weekly salary: $750/week plus overtime (52 weeks a year, whether

I'm working or not)

* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: gold necklace from

Tiffany & Co

* Length of time you have worked for the Family: almost 3 years

* City, State and Country where you live:  Los Angeles

* Additional comments:  I feel so lucky to have a job I love and a

family that truly appreciates me!

What did you get for Christmas?!

 As soon as you get your Nanny Bonus, make sure you send it for all to read! It is one of ISYN's most popular Features and the Reader's can't wait to see what everyone got for 2015... good or bad! Please follow the format below and e-mail it to: isynblog@gmail.com.

* Bonus this year (2015):
* Your weekly salary:
* Any supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus:
* Length of time you have worked for the Family:
* City, State and Country where you live:
* Additional comments:  

FOR SUBMISSIONS AND SIGHTINGS:
* Physical description of nanny/caregiver
* Physical description of involved child/children
* Address or venue of observed incident
* Date and time of incident
* Description of what you witnessed
* Description of vehicle, bag, or stroller that may aid in identifying caregiver
* (Your identity will be respected and withheld)
 

This is a slice of what I do. Everyday is different. That is why I enjoy being a nanny. My job is never boring.

7:11 I kiss my boyfriend and head to work flipping stations. I pause long enough to sing along with "I'm a believer," by SmashMouth and "You are Holy," by Michael W. Smith.

8:04 I arrive late as usual cursing myself in my head to get my tardiness under control. I am greeted by a happy five year old. I unload dishwasher and praise myself for getting the top unloaded.

8:19 MB leaves to drop off the two older children at school while two year old Obadiah* blows kisses and waves calling "Dwive safe!" though the front dining room window.

8:28 As I slice cucumbers, strawberries, and apples, Obbie* does his new trick on his blue rocking horse. "Wook! Wook at me!" he calls as he stands on the back of the horse and rocks at gravity defying angles. I give him a thumbs up not choosing this battle because he is only four inches off the ground.

8:39 We read four books. Two of them matched our Holiday theme. One matched our letter M theme, and the last was a classic "Three Little Pigs."

9:02 I ask Obbie* if he needs to potty before we go out. He says, "no." I encourage him to at least try.

9:16 I strap Obbie* in his car seat reminding him to pull the top restraint up to his nipples. "Why?" he asks. "Where is my complete sentence?" I ask patiently. "Why I need to my nippows?" he asks. I inform him he needs to be strapped in safe. We listen to Laurie Berkner on Pandora before arriving at the mall.

9:49 I unstrap Obbie* and grab our Star Wars lunch box holding hands as we walk into the mall. Obbie* goes straight to the train table as I gently remind him him "In ten minutes, we will go to listen to a story."

9:56 The intercom reminds us story time will start in five minutes. I remind Obbie* and ask him how many five is. He holds up two hands. "Nope, try again," I encourage. He holds up one hand, and I smile and nod.

10:04 Obbie* finds a green chair up front while I sit on a wood bench off to the side six feet away where we still see each other, but I am not taking a seat away from another child.

10:31 After two books and some coloring, we return to the train table. When he starts to wander and look disinterested, I suggest we go downstairs to the Play Place. His eyes glaze over, and I remind him to use his words."One more minute?" he asks holding up two fingers. I smile and nod.

10:51 We skip to our Lou through the middle of the mall to the play place. Some laugh; some smile. I don't care. I am 28, and the children keep me young.

11:43 We potty and wash hands before lunch. I order chicken and fries while unpacking the Star Wars lunch box. Obbie* asks for his apple juice, but I tell him to eat a few bites of actual food before I can give him his cup. He finishes all of his strawberries and pokes holes in his cucumber slices. I offer him some chicken bites and he gladly gobbles them in one bite each.

12:18 We walk hand in hand to my car. Obbie* asks if a black Toyota is mine. I say, "No, but it does look like my green Honda doesn't it?" I hand Obbie* an ABC book as I drive back to his home. He comments as I drive. "Is dis a Q?" "I found T! I found dah letter T!" "Dat a wed wight, Manna." "Thank you for reminding me," I respond reminding myself not to skirt through yellow lights.

12:46 I arrive at his home, unlock the door and remind Obbie* to potty and find a diaper for nap. He sings, "Life is a Highway," from his favorite movie.

12:59 We both climb into a twin sized bed and cuddle listening to Deepak Chopra on Pandora.

1:21 I ask if Obbie* if he is asleep. He nods gently with his eyes closed. If he smiled huge and squinted his eyes, that means he is not really sleep yet. Even though he is unconscious, I tell him I will go downstairs to do dishes in ten minutes.

1:32 Obbie* is good and asleep. I kiss his forehead, and walk downstairs to finish unloading the dishwasher. Then, I load it as I listen to "Braking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer.

2:26 I pause my book to take out the trash and recycling. I press resume as I take down eight pieces of artwork hung and displayed over the last month. I label each piece with the month, year, child's name, and child's age. Then, I place each piece in a save box for MB.

3:29 I rub Obbie's* back telling him it is time to awake. He scowls at me red faced blond hair a sweaty mess and shoves his arms high in the air. "Words?" I ask. "Cawy me, pwease," he huffs.

3:41 After a snack of peanut butter and wheat crackers, DB arrives with the nine year old and five year old from school. I argue with the nine year old about his homework before threatening to take away his Lego privileges.

3:57 I practice math facts with the nine year old. Then, I tell DB about Obbie's* day before leaving.

4:04 I start "Braking Dawn" again as I pull away from the curb and drive home.

4:56 I exit my car, make a couple calls and organize supper plans.

*Obadiah is a name change.

Thank you for reading, "Nannytastic"

What's your Nanny Day Like? Email isynblog@gmail.com. 

Is Light Housekeeping a Nanny's Responsibility?

Submitted by Abby Nelson
nannyclassifieds.com

There’s hardly a phrase more confusing in nanny lingo than that of “light housekeeping,” yet it’s a phrase that is widely and consistently used in job descriptions and work agreements all of the time. In the nanny world, light housekeeping typically means leaving the home in the same condition it was in when the nanny arrived. If there were no dishes in the sink in the morning when the parents left for work, there should be no dishes in the sink when they return home. If a nanny arrived in the morning and the floors were sparkling clean, and then she and her charge tracked in mud after playing outside, it would be reasonable and expected for her to clean up the mess and restore the floor to its original morning condition prior to the end of her workday.

In addition to childcare, nannies are also generally responsible for undertaking all tasks related to providing care for the children. While each job will vary slightly, depending on the family’s needs and if a housekeeper is also employed, most nanny jobs require that the nanny do the same household tasks as they relate to providing childcare. Nannies typically: do the children’s laundry, launder the children’s linens, keep the children’s areas neat and tidy, sanitize and disinfect toys, sterilize and clean bottles, prepare nutritious meals and snacks for the children, pick up after activities and arts and crafts, pick up after themselves and the children, keep the family provided vehicle clean, organize the children’s toys, and organize the children’s closets.

Some nannies may also take on additional household related tasks. They may do the children’s grocery and clothes shopping, as well as purchase the supplies needed to properly stock the nursery. In some cases, nannies may also be responsible for ordering age-appropriate supplies, toys, and arts and crafts, depending on the arrangement that was made. Nannies typically do not: do the parent’s laundry, clean the bathrooms, mop the floors, dust the furniture, or prepare family meals regularly. In each family and nanny work arrangement, light housekeeping should be clearly defined. It’s what is in the contract that will dictate what the family’s housekeeping expectations are and what the nanny’s housekeeping responsibilities are. Instead of, or in addition to, using the term “light housekeeping” an employer’s definition of what light housekeeping means should be defined.

Many nannies do agree to take on additional non-childcare related housekeeping tasks. They may do this because the children spend mornings in school or they simply enjoy cleaning and would gladly take on the housekeeping tasks in exchange for increased compensation. If your nanny agrees to take on additional housekeeping tasks, she should be provided additional compensation for them and allowed adequate time to complete them when childcare is not her responsibility. For these nannies/housekeepers, it should be stressed that when the children are in her care, childcare should be her main responsibility.

Often times a nanny will go above and beyond the call of duty simply out of practicality. If a nanny is doing the dishes from lunch and her employer left a knife and dish in the sink after breakfast, for example, she’s likely going to wash them too, rather than simply leave them sitting there in the sink. If a nanny is preparing one of her favorite homemade pasta recipes for the children’s dinner, she may make enough for the entire family, since it’s easier than tweaking the recipe for smaller portions. When these random acts of kindness become expected by employers through, resentment and relationship problems in the nanny relationship can occur. Light housekeeping is going to mean different things to different people. Clearly articulating the duties and responsibilities that meet an employer’s definition of light housekeeping will help to prevent job creep and miscommunication over housekeeping related expectations.