Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Not Quite the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Yesterday, Summer Nanny was here and she was...ok. She arrived early (good!) and the kids were immediately comfortable with her (good!), so I left her on her own and camped out at the library for a few hours. I thought everything was great. She even cleaned up after the children (!), which is something that Bingo Becky never did. I thought "whew, this could really work out," until Madhubby and I grilled talked with Olie about What Really Happened.

Apparently, Summer Nanny misunderstood her job description and instead of "playing with the children" she just "watched the children play." Olie and Bubba played downstairs most of the day while Summer Nanny sat upstairs playing Solitaire. Oh, she took them outside for awhile but she mostly just watched them play. Hmm...not exactly what I had in mind. I can watch them play and still get my work done. I want someone to hunt for bugs with them and spin extraordinary tales fit for dress-up adventures and be completely available for random toddler train play.

Do I expect too much? Madhubby thinks "maybe." Bingo Becky set a high bar - she was the best nanny we've ever had despite her sorority ties - and I compare everyone to her. It's a shame she won all that money, otherwise, I'd look her up and offer her a job.

Summer Nanny is here for two more days, especially since I promised my boss a super important project by Friday, but after that we'll just have to see how it goes. She could just be nervous or bored or both. Two more days ought to work out the kinks and if it doesn't, Summer Nanny will be Unemployed Nanny.

3 comments:

PT-LawMom said...

Disappointing! Have you said something to her like, "The kids really like to play ____" or "The kids would really enjoy it if you took them to the park down the street." Hope she shapes up.

LawSchoolMom said...

When I got home, I did suggest she take the kids to the park and she seemed miffed. I know it's warm outside but it's summer and I'm paying her to play with the children! I hope she shapes up, too.

PT-LawMom said...

Oh, that is a very bad sign. :( I'd get through the next few days and then let her go. If she's miffed with you, imagine how she'll treat the kids who aren't paying her? Warning Will Robinson! ;)