Getting Out of the House... When You're Allowed!

Yesterday while walking in the neighborhood where I nanny, I heard someone call out my name from the park I was passing by. It ended up being a nanny friend of mine who was off for the day but was hanging out with a nanny friend of hers who was at the park with her 2 charges. It got the 3 of us talking about our jobs and what we liked, etc.

I have realized through my past jobs and my current position that it makes a BIG difference when there is freedom in the position to take the kids out of the house and participate in various activities throughout the day/week. I nanny an infant currently, but we meet up for ‘play dates’ with other babies several times a week—mostly for myself in order to get out of the house! I LOVE planning activities and outings for older children---especially in a city with SO much to do and see.

With summer soon approaching, I would love to hear about some of the creative ideas for outings other nannies have come up with (along with the ages of the kids)!

I would also be interested to hear from anyone who has had positions when they couldn't leave the house with their charges and how they dealt with this and/or still made for enjoyable experiences for the children.

By Anonymous Nanny
A day as a Mothers Helper

2:30 Open the door and greated by morning nanny.
2:31-2:40 Talk to the morning nanny and discuss what went on earlier the day what time the children were put down for their rest etc.
2:40-2:50 Do dishes, sweep floor.
2:51-3:10 Walk to pick up child from school.
3:11-3:30 Talk to mom, figure out game plan for the day.
3:31-4:00 Child 2 is done with his rest give him a snack and turn on the tv.
4:00-4:30 Child 3 is done with rest give her a snack and allow her to watch TV.
4:30-7:00 Mom and daughter 1 go out for extra curricular activities.
4:30-5:00 Finish snacks, clean up, allow children to play by themselves.
5:01-5:15 Potty time and get socks and shoes on.
5:15-6:00 Play time in back yard.
6:01-6:15 Clean up kids, put their coats and shoes away.
6:16-7:00 Play time until mommy comes home.
7:01-7:30 Prepare dinner and eat (mom tells me she needs to run errands and she will be back at 9)
7:45-8:00 Clean off table and dishes.
8:01-8:45 Bath time for all 3 kids.
8:45-9:00 TV pull ups, potty and teen brushed.
9:00-9:10 Mom comes in apologizing for being late I say good night to all the kids.
9:10-9:30 Last minute clean up before I leave for the night.

Eureka Valley Recreational Center, in San Francisco, CA.

This happens at Eureka Valley Recreational Center, in San Francisco, CA. It happens on a daily basis, so if a parent suspects it might be your children, come in and check it out in the afternoon, around 2pm-3pm.

There's a playroom inside the Recreational Center. It's called Tiny tot's room. This nanny takes care of two boys, ages around 2 y.o./3y.o. The nanny is Filipino. She wears glasses, polo shirt, Adidas pants. She sometimes carries a pouch. She's tall and big.

So, inside the Center, there's a hallway where you can park your stroller, it's right next to the playroom. Some kids fall asleep in the stroller. This nanny's kids sleep in the stroller. So far there's no problem, but she let them sleep in the stroller and goes to the playroom and just leaves the stroller unattended in the stroller parking. She checks from time to time to see if they are awake/still there. The issue here is that although there's always someone in the hallway sitting on the bench, you can't really tell which stroller belongs to who. So if some random person just shows up and takes a stroller away, nobody is going to stop (unless someone knows whose stroller it belongs to), because there's a lot of strollers parked over there, a lot of them are similar/same brand/style. I find it irresponsible and risky. I have seen many homeless/crazy people walking by that area, and since the place is open to the public, anyone can walk in.

I have also seen the same nanny leaving one of the children by himself inside the playroom while she stays with the other one outside. Whenever she's inside the room with the kids, they are always banging toys against the walls/doors, so she screams from across the room to them to stop. She's pretty loud and she talks in a mean way with them. I once asked her if the parents knew she leaves the children unattended while they sleep in the hallway and she said "yes". Yeah right! I bet the parents don't even know what she does. One of this nanny's friends' child once broke a toy and she said there was no problem, since the people who donate the toys, donate them halfway broken, so I guess in her mind, it's o.k. for a kid to finish destroying it, since it's not brand new, and it's not hers....

There's also another Filipino nanny who leaves a little girl, about 2 years old, named Olivia in the stroller most of the time, while she chats with her friends.

Now I bet you think I am a mom, right? Wrong! I am a nanny and I am appalled by the way this nanny treats the kids and how irresponsible she is. I never leave the children that I take care of out of my sight. I am far from being a perfect nanny, but I think this issue is basic, you NEVER leave children by themselves, no matter what.

Breaking Boundaries...

Hi! I would love some advice.. I am a nanny who takes care of the sweetest girls and I just love them. I have been taking care of them for about a year and a half. The family has been wonderful and I am very fortunate. They pay me above the going rate, on the books.. do a salary, holidays and vacation. The first year that I nannied, they were a dream.. however, I did not get a raise @ the 1 year mark.

In the meantime, I was on a state funded health plan that with all the budget cuts has been eliminated.. my medical coverage went from 36 a month to 435. I was very honest with the family and asked them for either a raise or some help with medical coverage. I was hoping for around 200 more a month total.. that's about half the insurance. I have looked for cheaper insurance but have not found a plan that offers any type of coverage that compares.

The mom said that she would talk to the husband and think it through, then a week later said she had not forgotten to get back to me, she still was thinking. This was in January. Also, I know the economy is not hurting them. Their company is expanding all over the place and they just opened a 2nd business. They drive fancy cars, have a million dollar home and a private jet.

In the meantime, I started paying the premium myself and also am working for a family on the weekends. This other family, family x is awful. A nanny nightmare. I took it because I felt like I just needed to make some extra money.. family x sees nannies as replaceable, treat them terribly and has 24 hour childcare.. the parents expect the nanny to walk their 2 dogs, prepare elaborate meals for the mom and dad, not the kids.. clean, do laundry, get them beverages, etc. I am always out hours late there and am so unhappy. Its also a 45 minute commute for me. I want to leave badly, but need the money. I do love their very sweet babies and dogs though so I try and make the best of it and at least do right by their children.

Also in the last few months with my first family that I had asked for insurance help, I really started trying to go above and beyond.. coming in early, staying late, doing extra house stuff.. and now feel like not only do I not have insurance I now have no boundaries and that these extra things are expected, not appreciated. They are always nice to me and I adore their kids.. I am just resentful that they never got back to me about the insurance and would like some suggestions on how to take back my boundaries. Any thoughts?

Braeswood Park, Houston, Texas

I see nannies everyday at the park near Braeswood... they talk about their bosses horribly. They sit and read magazines all day and the kids are not watched at all. I told my friend anyone could reach over the fence and coax a child away as the nannies are busy. It is near the medical center in Houston... if u want proof of their behavior have someone go there around 1:00pm everyday to see.

They are all Hispanic and the park at Sunset in West Univ is where I quit going due to the way they speak of their employers in front of the kids. I have passed this info on to countless people and agencies in the area... they keep kids in strollers for hours while they congregate... they also order meals there. My fear is lack of liquids as the kids are there so long they run out... its too bad to talk about.

By Anonymous Nanny
A Day in the Life of a Live-In…..

7:00 – Get up and come downstairs to help MB get kids ready for school. Pull out iron and begin ironing clothes picked out the night before. Give to E & C a piece at a time while they are “warm” so they can put them on immediately. (you have no idea how many times I have ironed underwear, simply for the fact that they want them warmed up before putting them on)
7:15 – Throw toast or bagel in the toaster for E & C. Pour a bowl of cereal for youngest, G, with a glass of milk on the side (so it doesn’t get soggy). Finish breakfast for E & C, call them to let them know it’s ready.
7:24 – Let the dogs outside.
7:25 – E & C come downstairs and eat breakfast while I pull out their jackets and get their backpacks ready for them, making sure all homework is in there.
7:35 – MB comes downstairs, I give kisses to E & C as they head out the door with MB for school.
7:40 – Go upstairs with bowl of cereal and milk and wake G by snuggling into her ear with kisses and whispers. G wraps her arms around my neck as she slowly awakes from her slumber (this is, by far, my very favorite part of any day). She smells of delicious sleep and watermelon shampoo.
7:55 – G finally relents and we drag ourselves out of the bed. First stop, the potty. Her nighttime pull-up is still dry, wahoo!
8:00 – Pour milk in G’s cereal, she eats as I iron her clothes and help her put them on a piece at a time, do her hair and help her brush her teeth.
8:15 – G and I make our way downstairs and let the dogs in. G puts on her jacket and we talk about what she is going to do in school today while I feed the dogs.
8:30 – Out the door, we are on our way to school.
8:50 – Arrive at school, we go in, hugs and kisses, G runs off to play with her friends.
9:20 – Back home. Let the dogs back out. Tidy up kitchen from breakfast while eating my own breakfast. Pick up pajamas from the morning, make all beds (including MB’s) and tidy up the house as needed. Throw work-out clothes on in hopes of getting a quick 30 min jog on the treadmill today.
9:50 – Let dogs back in, start a load of laundry on my way to the treadmill.
10:00 – Hop on the treadmill with my ipod and a killer playlist.
10:15 – School calls, C forgot her _______, needs me to bring it to her right away. Oh well, at least I got half a jog.
10:30ish – Out the door with said forgotten item after a quick shower. Sippy cup, goldfish, and dry cleaning in hand. MB calls while I’m in the car. Add stop at store to pick up stuff for dinner and shoe repair store to pick up DB shoes to today’s list.
10:45 – C’s forgotten item dropped off, headed to finish remaining errands for the morning.
11:25 – Back at school to pick up G, dry cleaning dropped off, shoes in the back seat. Greet G on the playground and watch her do the monkey bars, 3 times. She’s so proud of herself as I cheer her on.
11:35 – Headed to the grocery store while G eats her goldfish and tells me about her day at school. She painted a picture and had storytime. We sing the ABC’s, and she remembers almost all of the letters.
11:45 – At the store. Pork chops, fresh green beans, corn, rice, salad and more milk. (we typically go to the store for dinner stuff every day, rather than shop in advance. MB prefers this, as the food is “fresher” this way, I don’t argue).
12:30 – Home again, groceries unloaded, dogs back outside. G watches her favorite TV show while I make her lunch and change the laundry.
12:45 – G eats lunch and we talk about random things like why cat’s have rough tongues while I get the afternoon bags ready. We talk about weather we want to go swimming at the club this afternoon , or go to the Zoo since it’s a nice day. We settle on the Zoo. Diaper/activity bag, check. Soccer bag for C, check. Chaps, boots, jeans and helmet for E, check. Let the dogs back in.
1:15 – Throw the bags in the car. The Zoo is only a couple blocks away, so we decide to take the stroller and walk. MB calls to remind me that she has a hair appointment after work, and that C needs to wash her hair tonight, then she talks to G about how her morning went at school. We have a great afternoon at the Zoo, the Lemurs are out today, and we got there in time to see the elephant show (which we’ve seen a hundred times). G falls asleep in the stroller on the way home, so I walk slow, and then let her continue to snooze while I swap the laundry again, and let the dogs back out for a quick potty.
3:25 – Off to pick up E from school. G is a little cranky about getting woken from her cat nap. Dora fruit snacks quickly fix that problem. C has soccer practice so we drop her bag off as we pick up E, headed to the riding ring for her lesson.
3:45 – E tacks up for her lesson, I remind G not to run through the barn, she might scare the horses. We settle in the viewing room to watch E’s lesson. E does great, as she always does, she’s a natural. I text a couple nanny friends to see if they want to plan a playdate this week while G builds a giant wall out of wooden blocks. I am not allowed to enter her new domain. I say please, but the answer is still no.
4:50 – E is done, horse is untacked, cleaned, and put away. Headed home, we pick up C from soccer on our way.
5:10 – Everyone at the kitchen island working on homework. Dogs back outside. I start making dinner while homework is being finished up. G helps me wash and spin the salad in the salad spinner and then asks for a wet rag to “clean” with. She proceeds to wipe the cupboards, the fridge, the fish tank (note to self: windex the fish tank later).
5:45 – Homework is done and checked, spelling words gone over, dogs back in, dinner is almost ready. E sets the table for me, G is still “cleaning” and decides to wipe the dogs down because they are “yucky”.
6:00 – DB is home, hugs and kisses, we all sit down to eat dinner. MB will be late tonight, I make her a plate of food for later. We quiz states and capitols over dinner, and end up telling fart jokes with DB, since MB is not around to disapprove of such talk. :o)
6:40 – All 3 kids head upstairs with DB for some special time with him while I clean up from dinner and start the dishwasher, windex the fish tank, unload the day’s activity bags, and feed the dogs. I grab the clean laundry on my way up the stairs.
7:00 – Put G in the tub while I sit with her and fold laundry. We decide to go to the pottery painting place tomorrow. C’s birthday is coming soon and she wants to make her a fish, or a frog, or a cat. Tough decision. MB comes home, G wants to get out and go see her. I wrap her in a towel, which is quickly discarded as she runs down the hall. I put the laundry away as I tell E & C to hop in the shower, reminding C to wash her hair tonight. C ignores me, she’s watching TV.
7:45 – E has picked out her clothes for tomorrow, and is nearly done in the shower. I tell C to go hop in the shower….again, I am ignored….again.
7:50 – Turn the TV off, and tell C she needs to hop in the shower NOW. She grumbles and scowls at me as she heads off to get in the shower. “Wash your hair” I remind her as she shuffles down the hall.
8:00 – Chat with MB about the day, and tell her about our plan to do pottery tomorrow. She is taking E to the dentist after school so I will only need to pick up C.
8:20 – Hugs and kisses for E, C, and G. They are ready to go to bed, I am ready to go back upstairs to my cave. It’s been a long day. I let the dogs out and remind DB to let them back in. I get a “Goodnight” and “Thank You” from both parents as I climb the stairs to the 3rd floor. I smile, knowing I will probably be asleep before the kids.

Southridge Recreation Center Pool, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Thursday, April 21
Tuesday, April 26
Thursday, April 28
Southridge Recreation Center Pool, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Nanny: Very young, looks to be about 21-23 years old. Shorter, dark reddish-brown hair, brown eyes. Slender, typically wearing black, with a pink flowered pool bag and small canvas purse. Her hair was in a ponytail every time I saw her.

Child: Boy (Caden), about six years old. Light brown hair, blue eyes. Blue and white swim trunks, blue rash guard, green goggles.

This nanny has an amazing relationship with her charge. From what I can tell, they come to the pool at 4:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Caden swims in the kiddy pool and the nanny stands or sits right by the pool. She usually has a book in her hands, but she never looks at it because she doesn't take her eyes off Caden! She laughs when he discovers how to make water spray on the water playground, and always claps when he shows her what a good swimmer he is. The nanny shows an obvious delight with her charge. At 4:30 they go into the fitness pool for swim lessons. She reads her book while he's in his lesson, but always watches when it's his turn to practice treading water.

After the lesson, they go back into the main pool area and he swims around some more. They always leave at 5:30, with the nanny wrapping him in a green towel and giving him a big hug. She always tells him how good he's getting at swimming. She definitely acts with authority and patience. What a great nanny!

How Parents are the Envy of Their Peers...

Dear mb and db,
It must be wonderful to be the envy of your peers. To be known has super parents, to be prominent in your fields all the while raising three children. How do you do it? I know exactly how you do it. Me.

I work 11 hour days. I go against most of the contractual agreements we have to insure your happiness. I wake, feed, and bathe your kids while you sleep in. When and if you go to work on that day i keep your house spotless so that nobody can see children live here. I stay at your home all day with your kids and your parents since i am not allowed to leave the apartment and i am always on high alert because if you do come home the kids can not know and must be kept silent so we do not disturb you.

When i get up the nerve to ask you for a holiday that is not Christmas off you rub it in my face that you need rest and that you let me call in sick. I worked on my birthday, actually i worked late that day. You acted like it was completely wrong of me to expect to leave at a normal time much like how you act towards holidays. And on the nicest day in a long time i stay late with both of your parents.

So, the next time someone asks how you do it...

Love Nanny p

By Anonymous Nanny
I am a nanny for three children full time. They are ages 5, 3, and just turned 1.

7:28 - arrive at the house, knock on the door quietly, and greet the dad, who then sits down at his computer to finish watching a YouTube video. I take my book out and read a few pages.
7:32 - dad heads upstairs to get ready for work.
7:35 - mom brings T downstairs, along with his diaper and clothes for the day. She hands him to me and asks about my weekend. We chat about a few things, plans for the day, and she begins to get her breakfast ready. I begin toast for the baby and cut up a banana for him, sitting him in his high chair with a cup of milk.
7:45 - mom is done eating and heads upstairs to get L up and ready for the day. D wakes himself up, gets dressed and comes downstairs. He prefers cereal, so I pour him granola with milk and rinse grapes.
8:00 - L finally wanders downstairs, dressed and with her hair done. D is done eating and begins to play with his new favorite toy, an indoor mini golf kit. With L's toast toasting, I hand her a banana & milk and she sits down. I get T dressed for the day.
8:15 - Give L a gentle reminder to finish her breakfast, since her bus comes in less than half an hour and she tends to dawdle at the table. Dad leaves for work.
8:30 - Mom leaves for work, L finishes brushing her teeth, and I help T and D get their shoes and coats on.
8:37 - walk to bus stop, wave goodbye to L.
8:45 - back at the house, D brushes his teeth and goes potty while and I clean the kitchen from breakfast, gathering a couple diapers and a cup of water for T for our outing. T is rolling a ball and playing with his cars.
9:02 - I email Mom to let her know we're on our way out for a couple of hours.
9:20 - 11:10 - we stop by craft store, slowly perusing the aisles for fun crafts for the next few weeks. Afterwards, we go to the pet store to say hello to the puppies, fish, parrots, hamsters, etc. We also love to hit the local mall's play place, the library storytime, indoor rec centers, the zoo, and parks when it's nice out. We've had a lot of rain lately!
11:15 - arrive home and email to let mom know we're back. I help D get started on painting a wooden birdhouse, read T a book and put him down for a nap, and begin the family's dinner in the crockpot.
11:35 - while D is finishing his birdhouse, I quickly make a phone call before L comes home or the baby wakes up.
11:45 - At the exact moment I see L's bus, T begins to cry. Once she's inside and I've asked about her day, I change the baby while the older two kids play together.
12:10 - I've prepared lunch for all the kids - grilled cheese, celery w/ pb or broccoli, apple slices, cheese, milk -- some variation for the baby, who is now 12 months old. The kiddos begin to eat and I grab a hard boiled egg, which leads to a discussion about chickens and eggs, which ones we can eat, etc. Between helping clean up spills, grabbing new napkins, refilling plates, and chatting, I heat up my lunch and eat. By the time I sit down, L and D are finished eating.
12:45 - With L working on painting her birdhouse, D watching his intently hoping its dry, and T playing with a new colorful set of blocks, I begin to clean up and load the dishwasher, stopping to fix L's hair clips, wipe D's bottom, rescue T from behind a corner chair, get D some water, and comment on L's colorful painting.
1:09 - I start the dishwasher and call for the kids to get their shoes on. We are going to attempt a walk before the rain begins.
1:11 - when I stop to help D with his shoes, the baby walks the in the mudroom and comes back with one of my own. It's the first time he's done that!
1:15 - shoes on and we're out the door. I email mom to let her know we're walking around the neighborhood.
2:00 - we're back, right before the rain begins.
2:03 - I email mom to let her know we are back and escape to go to the bathroom while the kids drink their water and eat pepperoni for a quick snack.
2:06 - I come out of the bathroom to find that T dumped all the DVDs from a bookcase (his favorite thing to tear apart). I sit down and help him clean them up.
2:10 - DVDs cleaned up and both older kids occupied with random toys, I sit down and update the nanny log since I have a minute.
2:13 - L asks me to read her a chapter of a fairy book from the library. Once T sees L occupying my lap, he comes over, a bit jealous. After learning the book is boring and without pictures, he goes back to playing.
2:22 - The chapter is read, and D and L begin playing indoor mini golf. I finish the nanny log with T on my lap.
2:30 - I grab milk for the baby and escort everyone upstairs to read books. We all land in L's room and begin reading.
3:00 - rest time begins, everyone is in their respective rooms! I sit down to have a quick snack, watch a show on Netflix, or read a book.
4:00 - L's rest time is over, so she comes downstairs and helps me unload the dishwasher. T wakes up, gets a diaper change, and both kids sit down for a snack. D typically naps until his mom arrives home later in the afternoon.
4:20 - after snack time, L helps me do some picking up of toys around the house and I vacuum the living room. T is playing with a random assortment of his toys and every once in a while I rescue him from the stairs, where he tends to wander.
4:28 - L chooses to play Dominoes with me, so we begin a round. We've been playing on and off for months, halfway keeping score. After dominoes, we finish her fairy book, play with the baby who wandered over to say hello and play Memory.
5:10 - I do one last sweep of the house to make sure everything is cleaned up. I turn the crock pot from on to warm, since the food is done cooking.
5:15 - Mom is supposed to be home, but typically late. D begins to wake up and slowly wanders downstairs. L is playing with her dolls and T is hungry. I get him some peaches, a tortilla shell and milk to tide him over until dinner.
5:35 - Mom finally arrives home and I brief her on the day. I say goodbye to the kids. T clings to me and doesn't want to go to his mom, but I hand him over.
5:40 - I tell the kids I'll see them in the morning and head home!

Welcoming Baby Number Two to The Family

By Nanny Megan

Over the last year, I have created a strong bond with the 20 month old toddler boy that I nanny for. We spend almost 10 hours a day together, 4 days a week. I have such strong feelings for this little boy, and I don’t know what I would do without him. I have such a close relationship with the family, so I even spend some time with them on my days off. A makes me laugh constantly, he is constantly loving on me, and sometimes he even gets jealous when I pay attention to things other than him.

In February of this year, we found out that MB is expecting a baby come this October. The first thought that overcame me was pure excitement. I couldn’t wait for the little boy or girl to get here. The more I thought about it, the more questions began to fill my mind, and soon, I felt nervousness overcome me.

The first question I asked myself was, how am I going to handle two kids when I am used to just caring for one? A and I have a daily routine that we have established, and I see both of us getting stressed out when this changes. I think it is very important to introduce a schedule with children at a young age. It helps them with their nap and bed time routines, it ensures that they are well fed, and it also provides some structure and discipline.

The next questions was, how is A going to handle this? He already gets jealous when I pet one of the cats or dogs. He even gets jealous when I talk to or show affection to one of the kids from our playgroup. How is he going to handle it when my attention is constantly divided between the two of them.

The third question was, what is it going to be like changing twice the diapers? When the new baby is born, A will be 27 months. I know many kids are potty trained around this age, and I hope this is true when it comes to little A. I also know that there is a slim chance that he might not be fully potty trained by then, so that puts in a small fear of double the diapers. I consider myself a pro diaper changer, but will I still be pro when it comes to changing two kids.

After asking myself these questions, I quickly learned that I am more than ready for baby two to be here. Not only am I ready, but I am very excited. I can’t wait until he or she gets here and I get to develop a bond as the one that I share with A.

New House Rules!

Submissions for Bad Nanny Sightings are way down and I am told by many that part of the problem is because the OP's get bashed about every detail. I have always been against Censorship but have decided that in order to keep the integrity of this Blog intact, negative comments directed towards those that post Sightings will be deleted from now on. Questions and comments are more than welcome though. As for the other Articles, you may post freely.

Also, Monday will be the Deadline for sending in your DITL stories. I have almost a dozen left that still need to be Published but it will probably take a couple of weeks to get all of them posted. I do not want to clog the Blog or Publish them back-to-back so please send in your Submissions for CL-WTF, P&O and of course, Bad Nanny Sightings!

Carroll Park, Brooklyn NY

Your nanny is an African American woman with very cropped, bleached hair. Your son is about 2 years old and has big blue eyes and dark blonde hair. On Thursday May 5th, he was there at about 6pm and sitting crying/sobbing on the ground. I thought he had lost his mother. No one came. He kept crying. No one came. I said to him "what's wrong?", but he seems too small to really speak and just kept crying. I looked around to see who was with him. It was not apparent. Eventually, he just stopped crying and wandered off. Later I saw your nanny with him. This wasn't a tragedy, but it was a sign that this happens all the time. He cries, she doesn't pay any attention at all.
_______________________________________
Questions and Comments are welcome but any negativity directed towards the OP will be deleted.

Undernourished Nanny Needs to Nosh!

I work 10 hour days without a contract. I don't mind the hours but the parents forget that I need to have time to eat lunch. Usually as soon as the kids go down for a nap they have me organizing the playroom or writing thank you cards for the 2 years old birthday or walking the dog real quick (which is never real quick unless he chases a squirrel) or running to the store for milk. I don't know how to bring up that I need a lunch break without sounding fat (I am a plus size nanny so referencing food is a touchy subject for me sometimes). Some days I can make through without eating lunch (usually I grab a quick snack while feeding the baby but that is not always an option with 2 under 2 years old). Other days I feel like I am starving and feel embarrassed that my stomach is growling. What should I do?

By Nanny Sarah
A Day in the Life of a Daycare Teacher for Toddlers (15-23 Months Old)

6:28am - Wake up. Shower. Get dressed. Eat. Check Facebook, email, etc.
7:47am - Get into car.
7:55am - Pull into parking lot.
**From 8:00 & down, times are approximate. Yes, I am very exact with my schedule, but obviously, with toddlers, you can’t be**
8:00am - Sign in, walk into classroom. Say hi to Teacher #1 and to the kids (anywhere from 1 to 3 kids, depends on the day). Kids usually smile and say “hi hi!”. Put stuff (purse, jacket) in storage closet.
8:05am - Read the communication log for any notes about the kids from the night before or the morning.
8:10am - Teacher #1 tells me funny stories about the kids from the morning. I tell her funny stories from the previous afternoon. During all of this, we make sure the kids aren’t climbing on the tables/chairs, standing on the toys, or hurting each other. And we check for poop.
8:15am - One of my full-time primary kids get dropped off by Dad. Same time everyday. She sits down for breakfast (she usually brings cereal or oatmeal). Depending the day, my other primary kid is either already there or isn’t coming (part-timer).
8:20am - Dad finally leaves after a long goodbye. I make sure she is holding the spoon correctly. Usually she thrusts the spoon in my face & says “help”, so I feed her.
8:25am - She’s done eating, I clean her up, wash her bowl & cup & spoon and put them in her bag.
8:30am - My very smart 16-month-old runs up to me, points to her diaper, and says “poo poo”. I change her. She’s very routine.
8:45am - Little boy gets dropped off. Some days, he runs in and hugs the first teacher he sees. Other days, he clings to his dad’s legs & cries. 2's/3's Teachers tell us to call the office because they're over (teacher to child ratio). Depending the day, I either call the office so a director goes into their class or if our class is down, I go into their classroom.
9:00am - Other little boy gets dropped off. Parent tells us when he’ll be needing his nebulizer treatment & signs the medical form. If it’s Mom dropping off, she tells us what time she’ll be picking up. If it’s Dad dropping off, we have no clue when pick up time will be. Also, Teacher #1 starts the 9:00 diaper changes for her primaries and other Teacher’s primaries (who doesn’t start until later). I start getting snack & drinks ready. Then we switch off so I can change my kids.
9:30am - Teachers get a short break to read/write in the communication log, write down diaper changes & snacks on the kids’ daily sheets, sign the allergy sheet (which we never actually look at because we all know the kids & what allergies they have, and whether or not they get water or juice for snack time) and just sit & make sure kids are using their manners. Also, Teacher #3 walks in. Her primary children = very excited to see her. By then, we have 6-7 kids (Our numbers have been pretty low lately. See note below)
9:45am - Clean up floors & tables. I do art project with the kids one by one. Teacher #1 does Circle Time (read books/sing songs). Teacher #3 makes sure kids don’t kill each other. Play!
10:00am - Twins from one of the infant rooms visit for an hour everyday. They’re 17-months-old but are not walking. They’ve been observed. Consultant does not want them to move up until they’re walking.
10:30am - Put away toys. Get kids’ jackets on & go outside. One of us has to stand constantly by the slide because the crazy kids think it's hilarious to give us mild heart attacks by trying to walk down the slide!
10:55am - Start gathering up the kids to go back inside. Some of them listen. Most of them you have to pick them up because they want to stay outside. Take the twins back.
11:00am - Jackets off. Diaper changes. Wash hands. Bibs on. Chairs out. Lunch time.
11:10am - 11:45am - Make sure kids are sitting nicely, eating nicely, attempting to use their spoons, saying “please” instead of just yelling “more!” When the kids start getting fussy & want to get up from the table, we pass out the fruit. They all love fruit!
11:45am - 12:00pm - Clean up kids, floors, tables, mirrors, chairs, everything . It looks like there was a food fight in our classroom.. everyday.. =] While I'm rinsing the dishes, my 16-month-old cries by my feet, yelling "mommy! mommy!" (She wants her paci). I tell her I'm not her mommy and ask if she forgot my name. She stops crying to think and then says, "Daddy!" I laugh & tell her that's not my name. She remembers and starts crying "Shawah! Shawah!" (Sarah) It's so cute I stop rinsing dishes to pick her up & give her her pacifier. Depending on day, start naptime. Some kids stay on their cots. Most need a teacher to sit next to them to help them fall asleep. My 19-month-old primary child cries because she never wants to sleep. Lights out in the entire center at 12pm.
12:30pm - Teacher #1 goes on lunch break. Teacher #3 & I prepare art for next day, write in the kids’ daily sheets, chat, laugh about things that we or the kids did.
1:00pm - 2:00pm - I take my lunch break. I get an hour because I have a longer work day.
2:00pm - Some of the kids are up. Teacher #3 goes on her lunch break. Start diaper changes. Try to get the kids to play quietly; remind them our friends are still sleeping!
3:00pm - Everyone’s awake. Lights on. Finish diapers. Snack time!
3:15pm - Teacher #1 leaves for the day. (She starts at 6:45am)
3:30pm - Clean up snack. Go outside! Kids start going home. My 19-month-old goes to the gate and starts saying “Mommy coming. Mama, where are you?” even though she doesn't get picked up until after I leave. Another little girl starts crying. She gets sad every afternoon as soon as she sees her friends getting picked up by their mommies & daddies.
4:00pm - 5:00pm - Come inside. Diaper changes (I do my kids. Teacher #3 does her kids & Teacher #1’s kids). Play! More kids go home.
5:00pm - I make sure Teacher #3 is okay (bathroom break, etc) and say goodbye to all the kids, which includes hugs & blowing kisses or real kisses depending on the kids' moods. I stop by the 2’s room to say goodbye to the kids I once had in my room. I go home. Most kids are gone.

Sorry, it’s not very detailed. Throughout the day, there is a lot of playing, talking, laughing, spelling out “bad” words so the kids don’t repeat what we’re saying to each other. I love my co-workers, directors/bosses, the kids. Our current group of kids are 16-19 months old. Our room is licensed for 15 kids, but we currently have 10 kids enrolled. Most of them are part-time. So on our highest day, we have 7 kids. We also have primary caregivers. Each teacher has a group of 3-5 kids that are “her” kids, to help with attachment & relationship skills and whatnot. Overall, I love my job.

Nanny Pay Raise

Hello, I have a question about raises. I just recently celebrated my 2nd anniversary with my family, I take care of one 2 year old boy and work 55 hrs per week. I didn't receive a raise last year but I received a weekly gas stipend. I just found out that my new raise is only increasing my salary 25 cents per hour. Which is a .018 percent increase. I wanted to do some research before I talked to them. I work incredibly hard for them and I'm always available for overtime hours. I would love to hear input from other nannies on this site. Thanks for your help!

Craft Ideas

By Nanny Megan

LEAF PRINT

You will need:
* Paper
* Different types of leaves
* Paint or crayons

Put the paper flat on the table and then put the leaf under the paper. After you've done that, use the crayon to shade the print of the leaf on the paper. If you are using paint, you put the leaf in the paint and then print in on the paper. Children will learn about design in nature from this toddler craft.

BINOCULARS

You will need:
* 2 toilet paper rolls
* Single hole punch
* Glue
* Yarn or string

Glue together 2 paper rolls on the sides. Punch a hole in each side of the binoculars. Tie the ribbon/yarn through the holes. Have your toddler look through the binoculars and tell you what they see. For more enjoyment, you can bring him or her outside to look for birds.

FINGER PAINTING

You will need:
* Washable, Non-toxic finger paint
* Old clothing or a washable apron/bib
* Paper
* Tape to keep the paper in place

This one is a very popularly followed craft idea, for toddlers. This is because, there is very a little requirement and compulsion for precision. More so, it will give the toddler a chance to see how, colors interact with each other. It will give you a chance to see his creative side and his inclinations, as well. All you need to do is, hand him an art sheet and some paints. Then, you just let him have a colorful gala. You could join him if you like, but please make sure that you do not try to guide or correct him too much, while painting. Let the toddler create his own creative perception.

Pre-School Age:

PALM TREE COLLAGE

You will need:
* Brown and red tempera paint
* Paper
* White Glue
* Torn up leaves and blades of grass
* Torn up pieces of red, brown, and green paper

1. To make one, have your child paint his palm and wrist with brown tempera, then press them on a piece of paper to make a print. (Tip: For easier cleanup, add one tablespoon of dish soap for each L cup of paint.) While the tree is drying, he can add red fingerprint apples.

2. Have him squeeze white glue over the branches and under the tree, then sprinkle on torn-up leaves and blades of grass gathered from a woodsy walk or backyard ramble. Allow the collage to dry completely before hanging.

GOOP

You will need:
* Cornstarch
* Water

FOR COLOR-MIXING STATION:
* Clear glass or plastic container
* Water
* Red, yellow, and blue food coloring

FOR MINI VOLCANOES:
* Small bowl
* Tray
* Baking soda
* White vinegar
* Food coloring (optional)

Ooey-Gooey Goop: This classic recipe (seen above) turns cornstarch and water into an irresistible-to-the-touch, non-Newtonian fluid: a substance, like quicksand, that acts sometimes like a liquid and sometimes like a solid. To make a batch, combine 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water in a shallow bowl or rimmed baking sheet (if the goop isn't drippy enough, add more water, a tablespoon at a time). As your child plays with the substance, ask him some questions: What happens when you squeeze it? Pour it? Press on it? Chances are, you'll both be amazed by the results.

Color-Mixing Station: Fill a clear glass or plastic container with water. Have your child add a few drops each of red, yellow, and blue food coloring (a thrill in itself!) and watch as the colors swirl and blend to create new hues.

Mini Volcanoes: Set a small bowl on a tray. Place a tablespoon of baking soda into the bowl, add a tablespoon of white vinegar, then sit back and observe the mixture bubble and fizz. For an even more dramatic eruption, first tint the vinegar with a few drops of food coloring

School Age:

BEAN BAG BALLS

You will need:
* 9 (11-inch) balloons (for 3 balls)
* Funnel
* 2 1/4 cups of dried lentils
* Scissors

1. Stretch the first balloon by inflating it halfway, holding it closed for about 30 seconds, and deflating it.

2. Place a funnel in the balloon's neck and gradually pour in 3/4 cup of lentils, pushing them in as you go. The balloon should be firm but squeezable.

3. Snip off the balloon's thick rubber lip. Cut the neck off a second balloon and gently stretch the opening.

4. Ease the second balloon over the filled balloon, tucking in the neck as you go.

5. Cut the neck off the third balloon, stretch the opening, and ease it over the other two. Repeat this process to make a set of three balls, or however many you'd like.

TIE DYE SHOE LACES

You will need:
* White shoelaces
* Bowls or plastic yogurt containers
* Warm water
* Fabric paint
* Stick or paintbrush
* Plastic bag
* Hair elastics, optional

1. Tie knots in the shoelaces about one inch apart or cinch one-inch loops with the hair elastics.

2. Prepare each color of dye in its own bowl by mixing equal parts fabric paint and water (start with a tablespoon of each). If needed, add a few drops of paint (to deepen) or water (to lighten) the color. Mix with a paintbrush or stick.

3. Dip each knot or loop into a different color. Remove the lace from the dye after a few seconds unless you want a very dark color. Keep in mind that the colors will bleed slightly. Or you may want to bleed them on purpose so that, say, red and yellow mix into orange.

4. Dry the laces flat on a plastic bag. Do not undo the knots until the laces are dry.

By Vanessa P
7:30 – Walk in, find mom in the kitchen. We chat for a bit while kids are still asleep.

7:45 – Twins wake up. Go upstairs, open the door and say a big "Good Morning!". They both smile back and say "hi" and then "hola" (that one makes me very proud! they just turned one and its one of their first words :) ). I change them and get them bottles.

7:50 – Big sis wakes up in the happiest mood. We chatter about choo-choos, count to 10 in both English and Spanish, spell her name, and sing Baby Bumblebee while I change her. (Twins are downstairs w/mom)

8:00 – Breakfast time! Twins are not patient when they're hungry! Wowee! I cut some fruit up and then big sis offers to help make some waffles. I share my omelet with them (more like they take it from me).

8:30 – Da comes downstairs and greets everybody. He doesn't stay long cause he has to go to work, so babies get upset. They love their Da! Mom locks herself in her office. Big sis gets upset so we turn Elmo on. She is back to her happy self again. I, on the other hand, start to get annoyed by Elmo's high pitched voice.

9:00 – Twins, big sis, and I play around and read books. I turn on the music channel and we all start to dance. We've got moves! I just taught big sis how to do the wave. "Ice Ice Baby" starts playing, which is big sis' fave song. She starts rapping "yo v.i.p! let's kick it!" Always cracks me up. I do the running man, she tries to follow. Girl-twin bounces up and down on the couch and marches a little while repeating "ice" over and over. Boy-twin just nods his head to the beat while playing with his cars (obviously, he's 2cool4school). Then comes Good Day Sunshine. Big sis loves it. I love her for loving The Beatles.

10:00 – Nap time for the twins. Quiet time for big sis and me.

11:00 – Take big sis for a walk around the city. She loves it! We start naming colors on cars, counting, singing, chatting, etc.

11:30 - Big sis sick of sitting on stroller and wants to roam free. I let her out and she helps me push the stroller. She's so good when walking on her own. She always listens to me! We stop and get some snacks, we feed a duck, she squeals. By "she", I mean we.

12:00 – Back home!

12:15 – Twins wake up. I go pick them up with big sis. Put twins' clothes away while they play in the room.

1:00 – Lunch time! Warm up some noodles with peas and white sauce for twins. They love it! Girl-twin eats like a caveman. She loves to grab big handfuls of food and whatever goes in, goes in. It's funny considering how delicate-looking she is! But man she ain't no lady when she eats. Boy-twin is more of a methodical, clean eater. He picks up food with his thumb and index fingers, such a little gentleman. Big sis helps me make a PB & J. She's obsessed with them. I eat last night's leftovers. Babies steal my food... again. I just can't resist their hungry porcelain doll faces, you know?

2:00 – Sticker time for big sis, fighting time for twins. Big sis loves creating art with stickers and I love helping her. Unfortunately, two little babies start to get clingy and all of a sudden they start their own little competition called "Who can climb up my leg faster and win my affection?" They start pushing each other out of the way while I pointlessly try to explain that there's enough of me for the both of them. They will not have it! They grunt and yell and push each other. I find a way to hold them both on my lap. They're like little loving monkeys. I adore them so much.

2:30 - Big sis starts getting tired. She turns from a sweet girl into a demon-child. She starts throwing things at the twins, getting hyper, and pushing every button she can. Me telling her to stop is like adding fuel to the fire. We've all had enough, so I pick her up and take her to bed. She wails because she doesn't think she's tired. I disagree. The whole world disagrees. I put her down and she starts kicking and screaming. I calm her down by asking her to tell me where each of her stuffed animals in her crib should sleep. She calms down and starts smiling again. Girlie is bossy, so I'm sure she really enjoys being the one telling me what to do.

3:00 – Twins nap time. I start singing George Michael's "Freedom", mom laughs.

3:05 – Start washing bottles, putting dishes in dishwasher and cleaning up after kids.

3:25 – Whip out the laptop and relax.

5:00 – Kids wake up

5:05 – Mom stops working and comes into the living room. She has to go to the post office and asks me if I want to come along (of course we do!) I love walking around with the babies and with mom, it's so relaxing. Mom and I are good friends and I really enjoy it when we all hang out together. I'm off the clock at 5:30 and extra-time kicks in.

6:30 –Back home!

6:45 - Mom makes dinner, she tells me she's going to make my favorite dish. I'm very excited! We all gather in the kitchen. Babies play, mom and I chat.

7:00 – Da's home! Babies flock to him, he's like their own amusement park. He manages to make all three of them laugh and have so much fun. I am officially released of duties. I sit on the couch and relax and play with girl-twin (she loooves that couch).

7:45 - Twins go to bed

8:00 - Big sis goes to bed

8:05 - Mom, Da and I hang out on the couch with our dinner plates and watch Celebrity Apprentice.

9:00 - Help clean up, say my good-byes and head home. I'm definitely one lucky lady!

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Spending Time with your Children: Priceless

Why did you have kids? The first one came along and I can understand how overwhelming it can be to be first time parents. I know it's hard to adjust to a baby centered life verses an adult centered life but that's one of the things you give up when you have a child, and by the time the 2nd one comes along you should know all of this.

You tell me often how much you appreciate me and how you couldn't do all of this without me but your words mean nothing when you pull crap on me. When you ask me 2 days before you need a weekend babysitter if I can babysit do not be upset if I tell you I'm busy and remind you that if you had told me WHEN YOU KNEW YOUR ORIGINAL BABYSITTER FELL THROUGH then I could have, don't let your preschool child tell me 2 days before you do that you need me to watch the kids the entire weekend so you and your spouse can enjoy separate vacations. When I tell you I can't and you pull two babysitters out of your ass do not TELL me the babysitter wont show up until 30 min after I'm supposed to leave. I have plans, and you knew about them. I shouldn't have to accommodate YOU. I am here every morning when I am supposed to and I am supposed to leave at the designated time. If you need me to stay late ASK me and most of the time I wouldn't mind. Don't tell me I have to stay late and expect me to like it.

The very next week when you ask me to stay late ONE DAY before you need me don't expect me to cancel my plans to accommodate you, I work 50+ hours for you so when I do make plans I plan on keeping them. I will not cancel them so that you can get your hair done. You have a spouse, maybe he could watch the kids once in a while. When I tell you I can't don't retaliate by telling me that the neighbor is going to drop of her 3 kids. Ask me if I don't mind watching them and next time I better get paid. You get one freebie on me and that's it. Three extra kids are a handful and I refuse to work for free so that you and the mother of the kids can go out to lunch and shop and your spouse and the father of the kids can go to the pool. Also TELLING me that the father will be late, and in the same breath tell me you know I have plans is wrong. Show up on time. I'm really getting fed up with your actions, remember these are your children not mine. You love to remind your oldest that I am the nanny yet who spends the most time with your children? It certainly isn't you and your spouse.

Let's move on to this weekend, where are your kids? That's right here at my house with me and my husband because you decided you wanted to spend the entire weekend drinking. Sure I could have told you no but like the previous weekend if I was to do that you would find a babysitter or two who you've never met and doesn't know your kids to watch them. It's sad when I care more about your kids than you do.

You may have money but that means nothing in the end, one day you will regret not spending time with your children.