Blogging Claims Another Job - Page 2

That was a bad day.

There were many other days filled with the laughter of small children, sunlight shining on the droplets of water from the sprinklers we danced under, hugs, silly faces, and singing ABC's. My time as a nanny was rewarding and challenging, but it also was frustrating at times.

As well, it wasn't my entire life. I had a boyfriend. I had sex. I had arguments with people. I got caught lying to my parents. I smoked cigarettes. I even drank alcohol as a minor. But all of those things were separate from the time I spent with any of the children in my care. I suspect the nanny in your article had a separate life as well.

Regardless of how rewarding caring for children can be, too often it is the parents who sour the experience. Usually, when one is employed as a nanny, unless it's expressly stated prior to the employment, a nanny is there for the children. A nanny is not the parents' servant - not a cook, a chauffeur, errand runner, or maid. The nanny is there to care for the children. If your nanny was kind enough to go beyond the call of duty and help you on occasion, consider yourself lucky. That is rarely the case. I did have a friend at that time in my life who also happened to be a nanny. As per her contract, she did cook and clean. She also ran the children to school and occasionally ran errands for the mother - if it was something that could be done easily while she managed her other duties. Mostly, though, she tended her charges. She also got paid more for those extra duties.

As well, a nanny is not a referee for spousal disputes. Those arguments should never be conducted in front of your employees. If you were the manager of a store or the president of a company and had a disagreement or issue with someone else, you'd conduct those sessions behind closed doors. Not everyone needs to be privvy to your temper or private matters. It's totally uncalled for.

Did my friend and I become close the families with which we worked? Yes, on some level. At the same time, we were reminded of our status as employees each payday. No matter how much you come to care for a family, as a nanny, you are still paid for your work.

Article Author: Joan Hunt

Former Baywatch babe, Playboy centerfold, and stunt double for Abe Vigoda, Managing Editor of Blogcritics and member of the board of directors for BLUSD, Joanie juggles her love of words, music, photography, wildlife, and television with her greatest love -- her kids. …

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