the mom i was babysitting for just emailed me to say that she won’t need me tomorrow, because I’m not a good fit for her kids (especially one of them), so she’s going to try out some other sitters.
if you’ll remember, this is the second nannying job i have procured this semester, only to lose. now, the first one, the mother-in-law came to watch the baby, so that was through no fault of my own. but i’m just incredibly frustrated.
i know that it is her decision, and her kids, and her choice. but, honestly! i hate this aspect of childcare, how you can just get let go on a whim. i also hate that i turned down a job opportunity with a non-profit (as an admin assistant) because i had committed to the hours she needed. i’m just frustrated, and disheartened. what the hell is wrong with me? am i cursed? honestly.
so now, we’re about six weeks away from Christmas, i’m incredibly broke, and i have no job. that’s just great.
Today was just a really cool day. Babysitting was… eh. E, the five year old boy, is difficult to deal with. Very much a “neener, neener, neener” kind of kid. However, the 20 month old, J, went with Mom, so it was easier than normal.
After babysitting, I headed off for coffee with Jon of Idiot Wind. It was good, it was incredibly helpful. He had a lot of insight about some whining complaints I’ve been having, and this gem: “Ha. Your subconscious was laughing at you in a dark corner.”
Then, dinner with my bible study and off to the Derek Webb concert. Holy crap. It was really and truly completely amazing. I was not a Derek Webb fan but I now am. Nothing like a modern day prophet to make you realize how jacked up you are.
Derek Webb’s a controversial figure in the Christian world. Naturally, he uses words like “whore” in his songs, criticizes the modern church, and challenges us to believe that Christ really did mean everything He said.
Yeah.
Nothing like coffee with my brother in Christ and a modern day prophet dressed as a rock star to get my head on straight.
Today at 3:30, I have an interview about a part-time nanny position for a five month old. The mom works at my college and would be willing to work around my schedule, so it sounds like it could be a pretty good fit for my needs (and the new expenses of my big girl apartment.)
Keep your fingers crossed! I could certainly use the money.
UPDATE: Woot! I’m in. The baby is so super cute and Mom seems cool. I start on Tuesday. I’m only working 10 hours a week and the salary is pretty sweet ($100 a week.) I work three hours a day on Tuesday and Thursday and then four hours on Friday. That’s a lot of extra money per month – it’ll help greatly in… you know. Financial goals and whatnot.
I will be babysitting for a six week old infant for 2.5 hours tomorrow night. Mom’s providing me with my favorite snacks, plus amazingly yummy amounts of diet coke.
She wants to pay me $15 an hour, as well!! I think that seems like WAY too much. What do you guys say?
My feelings are just really hurt by this whole situation I’m in right now. I know that it’s almost over (tomorrow is my last day) but it’s still really upsetting me and making me feel like I’m a complete and total idiot when it comes to dealing with kids and their parents.
The expectations are too difficult to meet. I don’t see how it’s possible to keep lazy kids both actively engaged and happy. They want to sit around and do nothing but read or draw. If I make them do other stuff, they get mad. Mom wants the kids engaged and happy. How?
The kids are rude. I do not appreciate the old “You’re not the boss of me” routine. Um, yes, I am. I asked politely, now do as I asked. Especially when it comes to things like not walking down the middle of a street in downtown Raleigh at rush hour? Mmkay? Thanks. The parents don’t seem to respect my time. Since when did “We’ll be home at six” equal me not leaving until 8pm?
Our ideals are just too different. Yes, I can respect political differences and all that, but when Mom comes home ranting about the “homosexual lesbians” at the restaurant that day, teaching her kids a legacy of hate, I draw the line. Not to mention I think that sometimes kids are unhappy and you have to let them be that way. (Not in matters of life and death of course, but if a kid doesn’t want to go to the park and that’s the activity for the day, they can suffer for ten minutes until they start having fun.)
I’ve taken a job as a nanny for a great family. It’s got a variation of hours, cute kids, nice pay, fun activities, etc.
Here’s the cast of characters:
Mom (M) – A great lady with a lot of interesting things to say about politics/religion/world affairs. I like her a lot. She’s also a cool mother, who seems determined to raise her kids well, and with open minds. GREAT sense of humor.
Dad (D) – Seems busy, equally committed to raising cool kids. Nice sense of humor.
Big Brother (BB) – Quiet, a little shy. You can tell he wants to be friends, but isn’t quite sure how to go about the situation. Around 9.
Little Brother (LB) – Very outgoing, tiny little sprite of a boy. He is your friend, loves you right away. Love ‘em and leave ‘em kinda fellow. Likes to build things.
Both boys seem to be incredibly creative. They like going to museums and playing imagination games. I think I’m going to try to cook with them, and do a lot of craft projects. I certainly think I’ll have my hands full!
So far, I’m planning on:
- A trip to the Museum of Life and Science
- A trip to the Planetarium and the new Chapel Hill Children’s Museum
- A trip to Exploris
- A trip to the $1.50 theater
- Cooking expeditions.
- Pooltime in the afternoons.
