Nanny search.

[rivka]

We're talking to a few different nanny candidates. I helped Alex make her own checklist of qualities she is hoping for. This time I'm getting most of my questions out of the way over the phone, so that the interview can focus more on actual interaction between the prospective nanny and each of the kids.

In the meantime, Michael is running down the possibility of hiring a temporary sitter to look after Colin until we hire someone permanent, which should take some of the pressure of the search. We'd keep Alex at school full-time in the interim, because she's a lot more likely to be bothered by changes in caregivers than Colin is.

Colin is at work with me today. Right now he is taking a nap on my desk. I've got his changing pad underneath him, and he's tightly swaddled, and between those two things he is perfectly happy napping surrounded by binders and folders and my tape dispenser. I wish I had a camera.

Comments

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

That sounds like an excellent strategy for interviewing.

I'm surprised that your church community can't come up with something. Our favorite sitters are from the synagogue where #1 first attended preschool.

I wish you had a camera, too! Does anyone nearby have one you can use? Too cute.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised that your church community can't come up with something. Our favorite sitters are from the synagogue where #1 first attended preschool.

We got our best caregiver ever (Dorian, who was Alex's nanny for a while and was our childcare for when Colin was born) from church, and we've found a great teenage babysitter there too. Finding an ordinary nanny is just harder.

[going-not-gone.livejournal.com]

I'm curious about what Alex's checklist includes, and am reminded of the movie version of Mary Poppins, in which the children write their own ad:

"Wanted: a nanny for two adorable children.
If you want this choice position, have a cheery disposition,
Rosy cheeks, no warts, play games, all sorts.
You must be kind, you must be witty, very sweet, and fairly pretty,
Take us on outings, give us treats, sing songs, bring sweets.
Never be cross or cruel. Never give us castor oil or gruel.
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
If you won't scold and dominate us, we will never give you cause to hate us.
We won't hide your spectacles so you can't see,
put toads in your bed, or pepper in your tea.
Hurry, Nanny! Many thanks!
Sincerely-...
Jane and Michael Banks!”

May you find your own Mary Poppins.

[geekymary.livejournal.com]

I thought of that, too!

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I'm curious about what Alex's checklist includes,

Never tell jokes or tease
Talk like Miss Beth (the nanny who quit; "how does Miss Beth talk?" "Like me." "You mean, not have an accent?" "Yeah.")
Like pretending, reading, and playing outside
Know how to read
Make sure Alex doesn't fall
Let Alex have three cookies
Know cool games
Sometimes pay attention to Colin.

[razil.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome list; truly reflecting the priorities of a four year old. I love how she added the cookie bit. And "sometimes pay attention to Colin."

[ailbhe]

"Sometimes pay attention to Colin" is brilliant.

[laurarey.livejournal.com]

I'm curious what you do with Colin when he's awake. (Even when he's not at your office.) Rachel spends several hours a day alert and I swear she is a little robot seeking "INPUT" all day long. We sing, we talk, I read to her, we do tummy time, she sits in her stroller and plays "Ooo...I have hands and I can touch my toys"...but honestly, I am really running out of things to do with her. I'm used to working with older kids, and ran several after school programs, but this three-month old has me a bit boggled.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I play with Colin in short bursts - talking to him, doing lap bounces and nursery rhymes, reading to him, playing toys with him, making silly noises. But not for all of his alert time - that would drive me crazy. He spends a lot of time in physical contact with me, but he's not always the focus of my attention.

He lies next to me on a blanket with toys within reach while I play with Alex or lies on her bed while I read to her. I hold him in a standing position on my lap while I meet with a research assistant, and he watches us and listens to us. We go shopping and I talk to him about what we're going to buy. He comes along to restaurants or church and looks over my shoulder at other people.

Do you have a sling or front carrier? Strap her on and go shopping, go to a museum, walk around outdoors, go to a concert in the park, go to a crowded place where she can see a lot of people. The best input is a busy and complex world. You don't have to provide all the stimulation she needs yourself!

[laurarey.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I can't carry her in a carrier for long periods of time due to previous back surgery, but I do take her in the stroller with me to the store, on walks, etc.

How much does Colin nap during the day?

[rivka.livejournal.com]

How much does Colin nap during the day?

Not that much, alas. For the past couple days he's taken a good long afternoon nap, but mostly he naps for half an hour to 45 minutes, three or four times a day.

[ailbhe]

I used to read a book and play hand-games at the same time - swooping and flying a hand at the baby. And a pushchair/buggy/stroller where the baby can see out. Lots of walking outdoors.

Finding other children, toddlers or preschoolers, really helped, too. Toddler group was wonderful even before they could sit up. Babies like babies.

[carbonel]

Now I have the song from Mary Poppins going through my brain.