Third time's the charm?

[rivka]

We have hired a new nanny. She starts the Monday after we come home from SUUSI.

I was pretty confident about her right-ness after our phone interview. I had spoken to a series of young women who all sounded very much the same: an oppositional four-year-old? Time out, followed by taking away a privilege. Tantrums? Ignore them. This one said: "Four-year-olds love games, so I'd probably try to make it into a game somehow." And "I try to be sympathetic even if it doesn't make any sense to me, but then there's a point at which you just have to say 'maybe you just need to be alone for a while to get this out.'" She just sounded... more thoughtful. Less by-the-book.

Then she came into our house for the interview, and both kids were drawn to her like iron filings to a magnet. In about five minutes, Alex was sitting on her lap. She seemed to be one of those people who is just effortlessly good at relating to children, with a calm, low-key, but fun and imaginative energy. She even - and I still suck at this, so I was impressed - found a way to play with both of them at once: she pretended that Colin was a giant baby attacking Alex's dollhouse. She moved Colin and narrated his actions, and Alex played the role of the fleeing dolls. They both loved it.

Religion's not going to be an issue; she's got a rainbow flag button on her bag and her .sig quote is from Thich Nhat Hanh.

Her references think she walks on water.

This time it's going to work, right?

(And if it does, we owe lyrical1 dinner at the restaurant of her choice.)

Comments

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

Sounds good!

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

YES.

She sounds terrific, and you deserve that!

[simplykimberly.livejournal.com]

She sounds practically perfect in every way! ;)

Fingers crossed and all that!

[kate_nepveu]

That sounds awesome. Crossing my fingers for you all.

[acceberskoorb.livejournal.com]

Awesome!! Good luck!!

[ckd]

Also crossing my fingers with best wishes; things certainly sound promising!

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

The only downside I can see is if she has to change into her secret identity to foil bank robberies or stuff.

But I assume that Alex, at least, would make an excellent sidekick, so even that might work out for the best.

[mizchalmers.livejournal.com]

She's the one you were meant to get, and the misfires were just to make sure you will appreciate her :)

ARGH! GIANT BABY COLIN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

[journeywoman.livejournal.com]

She sounds really cool. I hope she works out!

Supernanny

[hazelchaz]

That is a risk... Glad that she's good at imaginative play! That's what Alex is all about.

[ailbhe]

Colinzilla! and he's not even walking yet!

I'm so glad Alex likes her. (Also, time out? does that *work* for oppositional children? Ever?)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

She sounds wonderful - I hope she stays as wonderful as she looks/sounds today, and stays a long time.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

She sounds fantastic.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yes, the third time *is* the charm. Was for us, at least. And it made us appreciate her (each other) all the more.

*keeping my fingers crossed*

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

She sounds perfect. I'm thrilled for you all!

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

Oh, she does sound like the right one!

[threeringedmoon.livejournal.com]

It is almost scary how well suited she sounds for your family.

[lyrical1.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you liked her, I'm happy when the right people can connect. I hope it works out for all of you! Maybe this means we might finally meet each other!

[droewyn.livejournal.com]

Yay! She sounds fantastic!

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

Oooh yes, she sounds wonderful. Hope hope hope!