This entry is in response to the several requests that I start blogging about my babysitting experiences.
Side Note: why does iMac tell me "babysitting" is spelled incorrectly?!
I don't want to separate the words!
I'm learning a lot from my part-time gig.
Here's a list of few epiphanies (because I too like lists):
- More than two is too much! If/ when we are blessed with kidlets, I cannot see myself with more than two children. God gave you two hands... Marriages are comprised of two parents (if divorce is a non-issue)... See my pattern?
- Boys are fun, but a lot of work! I'm used to watching my little sister and being a Girl Scout counselor. Sing a few songs, do some arts & crafts, plop 'em in front of a TV and voila! I've discovered this is not the case with boys. Due to their age differences of 4 years, I have found the most common and favored activity is rough-housing. Which is fine and dandy until someone gets hurt. How does that German phrase go, mom? Nach lachen kommt das weinen ~ after laughing comes crying.
- I know nothing! That's not true, but my DMIL (Dear Mother-in-Law) is very wise and knowledgeable. (see suggested chart below)
The boy's mother asked me when I did this. "The other day, when I wasn't working and avoiding housework (sorry Matt)." All but three stickers fell off when I left the chart in my trunk this weekend with the 90 degree heat we had. I switched from stars to crosses. Good thing Andrew goes to a Lutheran school, otherwise I would have had to purchase random stickers.
There are actually 2 charts on 1 board.
- The top chart is to assure Andrew gets to school on time, because I'm having issues with getting him out of bed and lighting a fire under his bummy to get out the door. The reward: 5 solid days of stickets = a trip to the nature center. So far, the chart is working like a freakin' charm!! THANKS DMIL!
Side Note: We went to the nature center last Friday.
I thought it would be a good way for them to get their wiggles out.
Chasing after them and barking, "Look with your eyes!," makes me hope
that we don't keep having perfect rows of stickers (but not really).
that we don't keep having perfect rows of stickers (but not really).
- The bottom chart is to reward good manners (a.k.a. I am not a freakin' maid!). The reward: 15 stickers = a trip to Gold Spoon for frozen yogurt. Which they don't realize is a huge treat for me! I love G.S. (No, mom. That doesn't stand for Girl Scouts.)
I'll end this entry with a...
Short Story
Last Thursday afternoon, the boys were playing with the neighbor kid from across the street, Garret, who is twice the size of a normal 7-year-old boy and doesn't know his own strength. The "fun" started when Andrew (the 6-year-old that I watch) climbed down from the short branch-y tree. "I have a splinter!" I tried to remove it myself with tweezers and a needle, but soon found the little guy shaking with fear, so I tried texting my EMT husband for some different ideas. He suggested I use ice to numb the pain & tell Andrew to "be a super hero" while I tried again to remove the splinter. I had already administered a sink bath of warm soapy water, so the skin and splinter were softening. No hope of plucking out the imbedded tree bark now!
While trying to clam down the worried little patient, the door bell rang. It was Garret, who wanted to know if I could watch him while his mom and sister went to her school and would be "right back, before 6 o'clock." I told him I leave at 6 and would find out if the boy's mom could watch him when she got home. Before I could get a response for their mom that she had an appointment at 6, Garret's mom had driven down the street! So, was I asked to remain until 6:50. "Sure, no problem."
The kids were all playing nicely in the garage (the splinter a distant memory), when one of them suggested they close the garage door and use it as a backstop. On my way through the house to watch from the front, I spent a few minutes picking up a little (i.e. shoes, toys). By the time I was able to see what they were doing, CRASH went one of the garage door windows! The thought going through my mind at the time, "Damn it! Their mom will be home in 5 minutes! I wasn't suppose to be here this late! Damn splinter! GARRET!" However the words that came out of my mouth were, "Oh, well. Accidents happen."
I sent Garret, the glass breaker home and had the boys come back inside the house. I tried to vacuum glass shards before their mom returned, but I didn't get far before the garage door opened. Luckily, the parents I nanny for are wonderful and understanding. However, I still feel bad and realized a few things:
- Look for items that can be broken before saying, "yes."
- Provide less time for the boys to hangout with Garret.
- Don't ever say you'll watch someone else's kids for even a minute when working for other parents.
