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!

CL-WTF? ... P&O? ... SIGHTINGS?

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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.

English Nanny Needs a Hand

Hello, I am looking for some advice. I am an English nanny with over 5 years experience working with children as well as an NVQ (qualification) in children's care learning and development. I am currently working in Europe as a live in nanny, but i am looking to move to the US later on in the year or early 2012.

I wanted to know if anybody knows anything about English nannies working in America? Where can i look, what qualification's do i need, what is the average pay packet, do i need to drive (as i don't currently) etc? All information would be appreciated as i really don't know where to start!!

By MissDee
A Typical Tuesday or Thursday:
640a-645a: Arrive at work with coffee. I bring some for our 4-year-old teacher and our cook, both of whom I am close to.
645a-700a: Eat breakfast, chat with cook. She has severe allergies to certain foods along with issues with her neck from a car accident. I help her with lifting heavy cans and draining fruit (if needed), along with setting the tables.
700a: Clock in, ready to start my day.
701a-815a: Hang out in the gym, playing with the kids, signing children in to their attendance sheets. Enjoy games of tag and catch with our 5-year-olds. Monitor a child with severe asthma, checking on him every so often to make sure he isn't wheezing. I get a lot of hugs from two girls in our 5 year old class, N and A, who, along with E and M, play the shadow game with me, where they follow me everywhere, giggling every time I turn around and make a silly face at them. The four girls have a contagious laugh and give the best hugs!!!
815a-1030a: Provide planning time for teachers, assist teachers with their morning, assist office staff, depending on what my boss would like me to do that day. Joke around with boss about different things; she teases me about different things, such as my love of hip-hop literature, which she refers to "smut books", and tells me that I am one of a kind, and the center would be lost without me.
1030a-1200p: Provide lunch for our morning preschool program. When lunch is over, we wash our hands and faces and clear the table. While we are waiting for our friends who may not be done, we play a game of "I Spy" or sing songs. Once everyone is finished, we tiptoe, gallop, skate, ski, etc. to the cubbies, where we get our backpacks and jackets (if it is an outside day) Enjoy more hugs, games of tag, catch, and monkey in the middle. C, age 5 and 4 feet tall, plays tag with me, and tells me he loves me. I get on his level and he gives me a hug, knocking me over in the process. Chat with parents as they drop off for PM kindergarten and pick up their children from AM kindergarten. The gym is loud with 5 year olds, yet so much fun!
1200p-300p: Break other teachers, myself, depending on what the schedule is for the day, or help out in office.
300p-345p: Hang out in the 4 year old room, where we read a story and sing songs. They love my "silly voice" and are engaged in the book I am reading with voices that resemble the character and the emotions. After our story, we head to the gym. I play the 4 year old version of volleyball with I, who throws the ball to me and I show her how to bounce the ball, scoop it, and hit the ball back toward me. She is getting there, and giggles when I hit the ball across the gym. She throws the ball back to me, and we go back and forth with the ball. M and the boys play soccer, which I nearly trip on the floor.
345p-600p: More office work, help out in other classrooms, send other teachers home for the day, start closing the daycare. Sometimes I am done early myself.

My job is great and I love the children, along with their families. My co-workers are awesome! I am exhausted at the end of the day, and I look forward to coming to work the next day, because I had so much fun the day before....

Borders Bookstore - W North Ave, Chicago

December 2010
Borders Bookstore 755 W North Ave, Chicago. Around noon.

Sorry I cannot give exact date. Originally was not going to report but then I reviewed photos again and thought different. Apparently this was one of the great nanny hideouts where the nannies ignored the children and used their cell phones. I was quite surprised but decided to watch the scene.

In the first photo you can see a black nanny in her late 50's hunched over using her phone. On the floor in front of her is a Caucasian baby girl approx 8 months old with brown hair, sitting flopped over forward because she cannot sit up unsupported. She was completely ignored for over 1/2 hour while nanny texted/used cell.

Next girl was a white girl with blonde hair in twenties with a boy of approx 2/12 that was running around with nanny barely glancing up when boy is trying to talk to her. Mostly scenes of neglect, but I know I wouldn't pay someone for this. Just a concerned mom.

Timonium, Maryland - Northbound Lightrail

I was riding the lightrail northbound and noticed a nanny with 4 children. This was on April 19th or 20th, I can't remember exactly. Her name was Theresa and she was blond, and she was in charge of 3 boys and a girl. She interacted well with the kids and I could tell she loved them! She maintained her professionalism and authority but was never mean to the kids. Whoever has hired Theresa is a very lucky family!

The Nannying College Student

By Nanny Megan
Over the last couple years of being a nanny, I have found that one of the hardest things to do is balance work and school. Getting a college degree is a very time consuming task, as is being a nanny. I am just finishing my second year of college, and have been through ups and downs when trying to get my degree. Not only have I faced struggles of trying to find the “perfect” major, but I have also faced struggles of trying to fit in a full course load to my 10 hour a day job.

Luckily, both MB and DB have been very supportive, and have given me three days off a week to fit in class time. They also allow me to complete any classwork that I have during down times.

Because I have both Mondays and Wednesdays off, I am able to fit in a full course load into those days. I usually take 12 credit hours a semester, which is enough to keep me busy, but not enough to completely overwhelm me. I try to take an even amount of online classes and on campus classes. However, I have found that I prefer online classes, even though it has its pros and cons. Online classes allow me to do the work when and where it is convenient to me. I can spend some time on my off days doing class work as well as doing them during nap times. However, the one thing I don’t like with online classes is that you don’t really get to meet people. You also don’t really get to form study groups for an online class unless you want to exchange notes online.

I would love to hear how all of you fit school into your job.

By Nanny Bee
230pm: I pull into the preschool parking lot and finish my texts and make a few phone calls.
250pm: I walk into the prek, sign my charge out and go to her classroom to collect Bug. She lights up and gets ready to go.
300pm: After depositing her papers and nap mat in the car we play I Spy or Tickle Tag while we wait for her brother to come out of the elementary school.
310pm: T comes out, hugs his teacher and runs to grab my hand. We drive home, usually listening to a disney movie soundtrack.
330pm: Arrive home, I text MB to tell her we've arrived. T changes clothes, Bug takes the puppy outside while I prepare snack.
350pm: After snack we often settle in the playroom or outside to play various games or with toys until dinner.
515pm: T takes the puppy outside again while Bug asks me repeatedly what we're having for dinner. They eat while I read a chapter or two of a Junie B Jones book outloud.
545pm: MB comes home, we chat about the day and she reminds me that T has tball practice tomorrow.

*This is our school day schedule. Summer and school holidays I work 50 hour weeks and we have more interesting days.

Cobble Hill Park - NY

I saw a nanny hit a child in Cobble Hill Park today. She had a bright turquoise visor. The child had on bright blue shark crocks. He looked about 5 and had a sister about 4. The nanny tripped over one of the iron chains around the grass oval in the center of the park while carrying him. She then smacked him twice, said it was his fault that she tripped and strapped him into the stroller (pink maclaren) for a time out - which lasted at least 20 minutes. The child was shamed in front of at least 20 on-lookers. He was miserable and kept sobbing that it wasn't his fault - which was true. If anyone knows this family please let the parents know what happened!

A Typical Tuesday

8:14—MB gives me my semi-weekly reminder to water down Lucy’s orange juice because she believes that her diaper rash is actually an allergic reaction to something, probably citrus. Unfortunately we cannot check the journal I have been keeping for patterns as MB has lost it.

8:19—MB closes the office door in Lucy’s face, saying she has to work. Lucy cries at the door for several minutes.

8:22—Lucy whines alternately at the back and garage doors, wanting to go play in the wet grass or with the leaf blower (a new obsession).

8:25—MB comes out of the office just long enough to remind Lucy that she is still here, then goes upstairs, where Lucy tries to follow her. I spend the next few minutes pulling her off the stairs, screaming.

8:32—Lucy runs around the house, only getting into the things she knows she is not supposed to. Just goes to one after the next, me telling her no each time.

8:48—MB calls me to the stairs, where she is standing on the balcony in a bra and a thong. She then throws a load of laundry over the edge for me to do. This reminds Lucy that her mom is still here, so I hold her screaming in one arm while I do the laundry with the other.

8:52—I tell Lucy we need to go change her diaper, MB immediately comes out of her room and meets us at the top of the stairs, where she takes her and changes her (because she still thinks her occasional diaper rash is somehow my fault).

8:53-9:20—MB tells Lucy that she can play in her room while she gets ready, so I spend this time constantly telling her not to play with the razors, get in the tub, try to plug in the straightener, etc. I also receive my daily chores—clean MB’s bathroom and do the laundry. I get to clean the bathroom “because she doesn’t want to waste her time doing it.”

9:22—She pulls together some things in her office, Lucy runs back and forth between the office (where she plays with her dad’s super expensive electric guitar and amp) and the kitchen (where she wants a bite of graham cracker).

9:26—She tells me to take Lucy upstairs to look for her phone “because it will be fun for her.”

9:28—She yells up the stairs to tell me her phone is actually downstairs.

9:30—She asks Lucy if she wants to walk her out to the garage (where the leaf blower is), she screams in my ear because she wants the leaf blower, she yells over her screams to add toilet paper stocking in all 3 bathrooms to my chore list.

9:35-9:50—She plays with something for 30 seconds, comes to table for graham cracker, plays for 30 seconds, comes to table for graham cracker, over and over (this is the only way she will eat.. Won’t eat anything if she is forced to sit and eat. She has to be moving around). This results in a disaster in the entire house.

9:55—She pulls out all of the pots and pans, drinks, and kitchen appliances she is able to access from “her cabinet” (which just has aprons and baby friendly things, but is under the island so is open to the rest of the locked cabinets under the island).

10:07—Lucy stops in her tracks, cries for no reason, looks at me, I raise my eyebrows a little, she stops and moves on to another toy.

10:18—I am sitting on a chair, Lucy is standing on my lap. She tries to climb over the back, I pull her down and tell her no. She does it again, I tell her no. She does it again, I tell her no and say that if I have to do it again I’ll make her get down. She does it again, I put her down. Immediately starts whining. After I don’t let her back up, she head butts the glass table because she is mad at me.

10:23—She has been out of the room for 10 seconds, so I follow into the other room. She is in the closet with the vacuum cord wrapped around her neck. I harshly tell her no and pull her out of the closet. She runs into another room and picks up the candlestick that is on the table at her level. I grab it and yell at her to stop.

10:32—She goes into the partially constructed wine cellar and opens the wine fridge, which is working and has bottles of wine in it (again, at her level on the tile floor). I tell her to close it, she closes and immediately opens again. I tell her to leave it closed, she shakes her head no.

10:39—Lucy starts whining and screaming because she is mad that my feet are on the ottoman instead of the floor.

10:49—MB decides to drop in to take some measurements for the living room remodel. Measurements that I have seen her take 3 times and that she has called and had me do twice. She leaves 20 minutes later, Lucy is pissed.

ISYN - A Day in the Life

11:34—Get to the library because I can’t handle it anymore. Find out that library doesn’t open until 12:30 today.

11:52—We go to lunch.

12:32—Put her down for her nap, she screams.

12:35—Empty dishwasher and reload with the dirty dishes that are filling the sink.

12:42—Pick up around the house.

12:50—Lucy falls asleep (in record time!)

12:52—Head upstairs to clean bathroom.

1:08—Go to the garage and get giant bag of toilet paper to carry around to restock the 3 bathrooms.

1:19—Take dog out to poop, clean up her poop.

1:23—Fold the laundry I have been doing throughout the day.

1:32—Do my daily chores of washing the high chair, scrubbing the grime off the table, and wiping down the counters.

1:39—Time for a break!

2:22—Lucy wakes up, crying frantically.

2:28—MB calles and I accidentally hit ‘reject’ on my phone. I call back immediately but get her voicemail. I wait less than a minute and try calling back again—she answers and is very concerned about me not answering the phone and makes a comment about me possibly talking on my phone. I then tell her about my plans for the afternoon for us to go to the library again and she says to hold off on that until another day because the gardener is coming today and she wants Lucy to be able to watch him. Even if the gardener is just across the street, she spelled out that she would like us to walk across the street and watch the gardener.

2:42—Get Lucy out of bed and change her diaper.

2:54—Lucy whines because she can’t reach her balloon.

3:01—Lucy is mad because she is sitting on the ottoman and her balloon is on the ground next to the ottoman.

3:04—Lucy wanders into other room and picks off part of the armoire and hands it to me with a smile and heads over to the other area of house with extensive non-babyproofed items on low tables.

3:08—She won’t stop pulling on the shutters and I manage to redirect her by having her go and find her juice.

3:09—She runs to the stairs and starts going up on her own. I tell her no, we have a stare-down until she finally says ‘mama?’

3:14—We sit down to color. I let her have 1 marker at a time, she tries to color without taking the cap off, I tell her to take it off, she scribbles a little, puts cap back on, and wants a different color.

3:17—MB calls and wants me to measure the current couches because she is at the store right now and needs to know. I measure, turn back around, and Lucy has colored all over herself, the table, and her high chair. I had tried to take the marker away before I walked to other side of the room, but she started screaming and her mom would have been highly concerned if she continued.

3:28—Another poopy diaper.

3:30—Lucy cries because she doesn’t want me to put another diaper on her, I once again explain that she has to wear them until she decides to potty train. She shakes her head no to this.

3:32—Lucy opens the drawer and pulls out the peeler.

3:34—Lucy opens the cupboard and starts pulling all of the food out of it.

3:35—I put her in her high chair and give her some crackers.

3:37—She has eaten all of the peanut butter out of them, wants more, I tell her no, not until she finishes what she has.

3:39—She wants down, I reach over to get her, she frantically grabs her remaining crackers to stuff into her mouth. So I leave her there and give her more.

3:45—Whines because she wants the tape measure, I make her say please, she goes and tries to measure the furniture.

3:48—Play with balloon on couch.

3:51—Lucy fake cries because she threw the balloon over the couch on purpose and the dog started smelling it.

3:53—She measures my body parts.

3:57—Teach Lucy the word “you.”

4:03—Head out to the backyard.

4:15—Sticks her arm in a puddle.

4:18—I accidentally peg her in the shoulder with a plastic baseball, she is so shocked that she doesn’t react, so I start to laugh and she does too. Then we run pretend bases together.

4:20—She starts to turn on the hose.

4:24—Started to pick a lime off the tree, I said no, picked it, I got mad, she tried to put it back, then gave up. Then picked another one.

4:37—Lucy listens the third time I tell her not to destroy the palm tree. Breakthrough!

4:40—I continue to attempt to teach her not to run while holding a stick.

4:58—Head home.

How does this compare to your day? Email isynblog@gmail.com or message us on Facebook to share your story.

Success in Putting Together a Playgroup...

By Nanny Megan
It wasn’t until just recently that I made the decision to venture into the world of playgroups. My charge and I are always trying out new activities. I quickly began realizing how boring these activities were becoming because we weren’t able to share them with friends. I wanted to make sure my charge had an opportunity to socialize and make friends beyond the people we meet at various parks and story times that we never see again. I also felt that it was important for him to have some socializing beyond his immediate family, myself, and his cats and dogs.

As soon as I came to the conclusion, I began frequenting various play group websites such as Meetup, Playgroup USA, and Play Dates of America. I would also periodically check Craigslist to see if there were any leads. After searching through all of these sites, I found a couple that had seemed like they would be a good fit. I excitedly emailed the group admin to ask about meeting times/dates and to get more information on each group. I heard back quickly from some, while others took a couple days. It was a Tuesday when my charge and I attended our very first play date. It was an experience that I will always member for reasons both good and bad. This specific group was a Baby Sign Language groups for Stay at Home Moms. Although I am a Nanny and not a SAHM, the group admin informed me that it would not be a problem. As soon as I got there, the group leader began introducing me to each member. I was the only Nanny, which to be honest is what I expected. The group was very informal. The adults broke into their own little “cliques”, while the children played together. I expected the conversations to revolve around, but not consist completely of, Baby Sign Language. That was not the case. The group was okay, but I felt as though my charge and I didn’t quite click. I wrote it off, and went back the drawing board. It was the following Thursday that I decided to try another playgroup. This group didn’t really have a theme. It was a group of 5 ladies and 6 children. Three of who were SAHM’s and the rest were nannies. This group was more structured. The play date began at 3:00. From 3-3:30, the children would have sharing/play time. From 3:30-4:00 would have snack time. We were responsible for bringing their snacks and drinks. Then from 4:00-4:30, we had music/ dance time. This group proved to be a better fit than the first, but still the feeling wasn’t quite right.

It was at this time that I decided that I would put together my own playgroup. I put listings on Craigslist, Meetup, and a couple other Playgroup websites. I began getting responses immediately, and it wasn’t long before my email was flooded with replies to my ads. I thought I would only get a couple responses, but soon I was stuck with trying to find a way to narrow down my responses. I had an initial meeting where about 35 people came with their children. We met at a park where the children were able to play together and the adults were able to talk. I met a few people who I had an immediate connection with, and we just went from there. Now after going through all the trouble of finding the perfect playgroup, I have come to the conclusion that no playgroup is perfect. There is no way perfect way to match personalities, work out everyone’s schedules and make sure that all the children get along. I was however able to find a group of about 7 moms and nannies for our playgroup with whom we meet twice a week.

Salem Dad Accused of Abuse Faces Charges

SALEM, Mass. -- A Salem father accused of abuse was in court and facing attempted murder charges on Wednesday.

7NEWS has learned that the mother of the infant is no longer at Salem Hospital and that the state will take custody of the baby.

The suspect in custody is a driver for a daycare center that has five facilities in the greater Boston area.

Dario Finkel is accused of doing horrific things to his 7-week-old baby boy when he started crying.

"This defendant, Mr. Finkel, became very upset, very angry as he does generally when the child begins to cry. The defendant at that point yelled at the 7-week-old boy to shut up," said Michelle Decourcey, prosecutor.

But when he didn't, police say the 26-year-old father got violent and tried to suffocate his own son by stuffing a baby wipe in his mouth, leading to a charge of attempted murder... (continued)

TO READ THE REST: PLEASE CLICK HERE!
___________________________________________________
Special Thanks to World's Best Nanny for Submitting this News Article.

By cheesenipsaregood

7:20 Pull into driveway. Chug the last of my coffee.
7:30 Go inside, greet the kids who are watching TV while mom gets ready for work.
7:35 Roll the baby, who is already in his highchair, into the kitchen and give him some cheerios to munch on while I make breakfast.
7:50 Call kids into kitchen for breakfast. Eggs for Baby and Toddler. Cereal and fruit for Big kid, who doesn’t like eggs.
7:55 Mom is ready for work. She comes in and chats for a couple minutes while she gets the last of her stuff together.
8:00 Mom kisses kids goodbye and leaves for work. Toddler refuses to give her kiss, but cries when she is gone.
8:05 Clean up Toddler and Big kid, clean up table, put dishes in dishwasher, wipe down counters. Baby is still a mess, but content in his high chair. Big kid and Toddler have gone back to the TV.
8:15 Clean up Baby, take him into his room and get him dressed.
8:20 Tell Big kid and Toddler to turn off TV. They fight over who gets to push the button. Tell them that Baby gets to push the button and they laugh as I carry Baby over to the TV and try to make him turn it off.
8:23 Take Toddler into his room to get dressed. Big kid plays on the floor with Baby.
8:30 Help Big kid get dressed while Baby and Toddler play on floor.
8:31 Grab Baby just as he’s about to get into the potty. Pat self on back for fast reflexes.
8:35 Get school stuff together for Big kid while the kids play some rendition of duck duck goose.
8:45 Get shoes and coats on.
8:48 Wonder why I started with Toddler who is already out of his coat.
8:50 Rush out the door, get kids strapped into car seats. Try to convince kids to listen to Spanish cd, but they want the radio.
9:00 Arrive at school just in time. Walk Big kid and her friend into school, while friend’s mom watches the little ones in the car. Wonder who had the bright idea to put pre-school on the second floor.
9:02 Help Big kid and friend hang up their coats and backpacks and put their snacks in the snack box.
9:05 Big kid and friend both decide they have to go potty.
9:10 Kiss kids goodbye, tell them that friend’s mommy is picking them up today.
9:15 Try to get out of busy parking lot, speech pathologist will be at the house in 15 minutes. Sing along to the radio with Toddler. He loves Lady Gaga!
9:25 Pull into driveway. Beat speech pathologist to the house! Rush inside.
9:30 Take off shoes and coats. Toddler waits by the window for speech pathologist while I get Baby ready for nap.
9:32 Speech pathologist walks up to the door. She comes in with her bag of toys and Toddler immediately asks for “tato” head. They sit down at kitchen table and get started.
9:40 Baby is asleep. I join Toddler and speech pathologist at the table. We play with playdoh, Mr. Potato Head, puzzles, and books.
10:15 Speech session is over. Toddler gives speech pathologist a high five. I talk to her for a few minutes about his progress and she writes a note for his parents.
10:20 Toddler and I read books and munch on goldfish.
10:50 Toddler wants to go outside. I explain that we can’t because baby is sleeping. He cries. I redirect Toddler to blocks. He tells me all of his colors and counts five blocks. I‘m so proud of him.
11:00 Baby is awake and talking to himself in crib. Toddler and I go to get him up. Diaper changes for both.
11:15 Get Baby and Toddler into shoes and coats and loaded back up in the car.
11:25 Arrive at school early. Sing with Toddler while we wait for friend’s mommy to bring out Big kid.
11:35 Big kid cries when she has to say goodbye to friend.
11:45 Arrive home and go inside. Help kids out of coats and shoes. Set Big kid up at table with crayons and paper. Toddler and Baby play with refrigerator magnets while I make lunch.
12:00 Help Big kid clean up crayons, get Baby in highchair, and Toddler in booster seat. Give Big kid and Toddler their soup and crackers. Feed Baby yogurt and give him vegetables and chicken from the soup to feed to himself.
12:10 Get Big kid and Toddler popsicles. Give Baby a small piece to try, he throws it at me and it goes down my shirt. Everyone laughs.
12:20 Clean up kids, change Baby's messy clothes, put Baby on floor to play. Tell Big kid and Toddler we are playing hide and seek, and they get to hide first!
12:25 Pretend to look for Big kid and Toddler while I change the bag in the diaper pail and take out the kitchen garbage.
12:30 Finally find those sneaky kids and tell them what a great hiding spot they had, even though it’s the same closet they hide in every single time.
12:35 Stand in the bathtub with Baby waiting for someone to come find us.
12:40 Baby screams, we’ve been found!
12:50 Back to pretending to look for Big kid and Toddler while I load the dishwasher.
1:00 Everyone is sick of hide and seek. Time to put Baby down for nap anyway.
1:02 Change Baby’s diaper, warm up his milk, rub his back, turn on his music, tip toe out of room.
1:10 Do craft with Toddler and Big kid.
1:30 Toddler and Big kid do their best to help clean up
1:40 Put Toddler down for nap. He’s asleep before his head hit’s the pillow.
1:45 Put on TV for Big kid. Sweep and steam mop kitchen floor.
2:05 Read books with Big kid.
2:25 Put Big kid down for nap. She says she’s not tired, but she’s falling asleep on my lap.
2:30 Eat my lunch, do sudoku puzzle, call my grandma, text another friend’s mommy to set up a play date later in the week.
3:00 Fold laundry. Finish cleaning up mess from the morning. Wonder where Big kid’s other sock is. Wonder where pink sippy cup is. Wonder where all Baby’s pacifiers are.
3:30 Baby wakes up crying. Crying wakes up Big kid. Change Baby’s diaper, tell Big kid she gets a prize if she can find her other sock, the pink sippy cup, or Baby’s pacifiers.
3:35 Big kid has produced a sock and two pacifiers. Give her a nickel. She thinks she’s rich and runs off to put it in her piggy bank.
3:36 Play catch with Big kid while Baby plays on floor. Then blow raspberries on Baby’s tummy with Big kid. She loves to make him laugh.
4:00 Toddler wakes up. His teddy bear has fallen down between his bed and the wall. Big kid climbs up on bed to find teddy bear, but Big kid and Toddler end up jumping on bed instead, which they know is not allowed. Big kid and Toddler go to time out.
4:05 Explain to Toddler and Big kid why jumping on the bed is dangerous. Have a three way hug and the time out is forgotten. Change Toddler’s diaper.
4:10 Big kid and Toddler run around between bedrooms, Baby sits in his walker while I put laundry away.
4:25 Big kid and Toddler sit at the kitchen table and eat granola bars while Baby sits in high chair and has a bottle and cheerios. I run around picking up last minute messes.
4:30 Dad is home. I tell him about the day and Big kid gets teary because it’s time for me to go.
4:40 Big kid and Toddler walk me out to my car. I watch them walk back to the door and blow them kisses as I drive away.

Chase Bank - Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

Hi I was just at the Chase bank in the ATM area at about 9:45 am 4/21/11 when I saw a nanny wearing a grey beret and two boys with light brown hair about 6 or 7 years old with her. Not sure if they were twins or not. She has a west indian accent. One of the boys was playing with the atm machine and she said something to the effect that he must be a baby to be playing with it and ask if he was a baby several times in an irritated voice. She pulled him roughly towards her and when he pulled away she hit him on the back. Not hard, but not gently, either and pulled him by his arm holding him harder than necessary to restrain him on his arm. He complained that she was pulling him and she pinched him. She was on the phone for some of this conversation. Although it wasn't extreme "abuse", I would say that if these were my kids, I would be in a big hurry to replace her with some one who seems to actually like kids and someone who is a better role model! My concern was that if she does this in public, what does she do to them in private. It was obvious to me that the kids did not like her. I hope someone knows someone who might have an idea of who the parents are -- I didn't say anything because I thought it would escalate the situation and I don't know who to report to... Just concerned, Park Slope

By Nanny Lexy
7:50: I walk through the door and call "hello?" I hear dishes clanking and see the baby running towards me with a big smile on his face. At almost 2 years old, he is now a toddler, but I think I will always see him as a baby. I scoop him up into my arms and give him a big kiss.

7:51: I greet Dad who is busy finishing up the dishes and I pretend not to see "Bear" hiding under the table and begin our morning routine of "looking" for him. Normally we keep this up for a couple minutes but today he decides to hide a little longer.

8:00: Mom comes downstairs and greats me with a big hug and asks how my weekend went. After I get the details of their weekend we talk about the schedule for the day.

8:10: Mom and Dad both head out the door and I start to make the boys breakfast. Depending on their preference that day I make either oatmeal, eggs, cereal, or french toast. Today they decide on cereal and I begin cutting up some fruit. I then help the boys into their chairs and I sit down with them while they eat and we talk about what they did over the weekend.

8:45: After cleaning up both the boys I start to pack the diaper bag, fill the sippy cups with water, grab the stroller out of the garage and let the boys fill up the basket with sand toys and balls. We then go up stairs and get dressed. I always have "Bear" pick out his outfit and help me pick out babies as well.

9:00: I slather sunscreen on the boys and put their hats and shoes on. We then make our way to the park.

9:30: We are greeted at the park by the normal "group" which consists of nannies and mommies. Normally we have a mom or nanny set up at each station of the park so we know the kids are all safe. Today I got the sandbox and began filling up buckets of water from the water fountain to dump in so we can make sandcastles.

11:00: We arrive home. After arriving home we all wash our hands and I turn on a show for the boys to watch (PBS of course) while I prepare lunch.

11:30: We are all gathered around the table eating a lunch consisting of sandwiches, carrot sticks and a plum.

Noon: I walk the boys up stairs to "Bears" room where we read two books of his choosing. I then take "Baby" to his room and read him one book of his choosing. After stories I kiss "Baby" and go back to "Bears" room. We read one more story of my choosing and then I kiss him and head downstairs to clean up the lunch mess.

12:40: After finishing tidying up, I lay down on the coach and watch a show. After that I read my book until "Baby" wakes up.

2:00: "Baby" wakes up and I bring him downstairs to have a snack. We sit and read books while he eats some cheerios and drinks his milk.

2:30: I hear "Bear" coming down the stairs and see him peek his head around the corner. I smile at him and tell him to join us when he as ready, as he often wakes up grumpy.

3:00: After the boys are done with their snacks we go into the play room and play games, do art projects, or play hide and seek.

3:30: Dad comes home from work, he is a teacher, and the boys run downstairs to give him hugs and kisses. Dad gives me a big hug and asks how our day went.

3:45: After a recap of the day, I play 2 more games of hide and seek. I kiss the boys good bye and they all walk me to the door. As I get into my car I can see them all standing in the front window waving to me. I wave back, get into my car and drive away. Another successful day with "my boys". I drive home while planning the next days activities...park, beach, pool, disneyland, mall, harbor?