Twenty-month-old DS doesn't want my parents babysitting him anymore...

[Anonymous]

Nice thread. I have been accused of being a nanny and a non-parent in the course of five minutes because I don't agree with a few posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, I am the only one who feels sorry for the little guy who wants to go outside and be with his nanny. He is expressing his feelings clearly and sounds like he is simply sad to be stuck in the house all day with his grandparents.

I would let him be cared for by his nanny on those two extra days a month and not put my parents in that position.

No, I feel bad for him too. He just wants his nanny. For a couple days a month and until he is older, I would absolutely have the nanny take care of him.

Come on, people - he is not even two-years-old. Make him happy.

You clearly are not a parent either or haven't been one for very long.

I clearly am a parent or else I am nursing someone else's kid as I type while my DH has someone else's kid on errands this morning.

So then the haven't been one for very long portion would apply to you unless you are nursing your 13 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, I am the only one who feels sorry for the little guy who wants to go outside and be with his nanny. He is expressing his feelings clearly and sounds like he is simply sad to be stuck in the house all day with his grandparents.

I would let him be cared for by his nanny on those two extra days a month and not put my parents in that position.

No, I feel bad for him too. He just wants his nanny. For a couple days a month and until he is older, I would absolutely have the nanny take care of him.

Come on, people - he is not even two-years-old. Make him happy.

You clearly are not a parent either or haven't been one for very long.

I clearly am a parent or else I am nursing someone else's kid as I type while my DH has someone else's kid on errands this morning.

So then the haven't been one for very long portion would apply to you unless you are nursing your 13 year old.

So you have to have been a parent for 13 years before you are qualified to respond?

[Anonymous]

He's 20 months. Its not an option.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the "hire the nanny for those two days a month" camp, OP. PP was right in that your parents are not going to get any younger and DS isn't going to get less active or talkative as the months progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you could find a "mothers helper" to assist your parents on those days? Like a high school girl who could take him to the park in the afternoon or in the yard to run around a bit?

Would this be viable, OP? Ds could be out running around like the majority of 18 month old's prefer to be, and your parents could have a bit of a break during the day. If they feel like going out with them and letting the helper do the active stuff great. If not, then they get a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's 20 months. Its not an option.

He's 20 months. It is the only option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nice thread. I have been accused of being a nanny and a non-parent in the course of five minutes because I don't agree with a few posters.

Ha! Welcome to DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you could find a "mothers helper" to assist your parents on those days? Like a high school girl who could take him to the park in the afternoon or in the yard to run around a bit?

Would this be viable, OP? Ds could be out running around like the majority of 18 month old's prefer to be, and your parents could have a bit of a break during the day. If they feel like going out with them and letting the helper do the active stuff great. If not, then they get a break.

OP here. Yes, I could look into this but it sort of defeats the purposes of both saving money and getting DS to have a solid relationship with my parents. I'm not crazy about the idea of a high school kid but I could look into a part-time experienced sitter for those days.

We live in town in an apartment and don't have a backyard, btw. "Outside" for DS means a stroller ride to the park, library or kiddie gym all about a mile's walk round trip.

Thanks for all the responses, People.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you could find a "mothers helper" to assist your parents on those days? Like a high school girl who could take him to the park in the afternoon or in the yard to run around a bit?

Would this be viable, OP? Ds could be out running around like the majority of 18 month old's prefer to be, and your parents could have a bit of a break during the day. If they feel like going out with them and letting the helper do the active stuff great. If not, then they get a break.

OP here. Yes, I could look into this but it sort of defeats the purposes of both saving money and getting DS to have a solid relationship with my parents. I'm not crazy about the idea of a high school kid but I could look into a part-time experienced sitter for those days.

We live in town in an apartment and don't have a backyard, btw. "Outside" for DS means a stroller ride to the park, library or kiddie gym all about a mile's walk round trip.

Thanks for all the responses, People.

You're welcome, OP. Hopefully we have insulted you, your toddler and your parents sufficiently and have added more confusion to your situation. That is the DCUM way, my friend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should you do? Nothing at all. If you are taking order from a toddler, you've got a looooooong road ahead of you.

+10000

I could be way off here, but my guess is when you tell him they are coming it is more of a question and a begging from you.

"Grandma and grandpa are coming Don't you like them? Don't you wan't to play with grandma?"
Then if his says no and starts to fall out you scoop him up with hugs and kisses and say" Don't worry grand ma and grandpa are so much fun mommy will be back soon or nanny will be here tomorrow"
Confirming that he has a reason to misbehave and giving him permission to do so. Not on purpose , but you are doing it.

OP here and I doubt I am doing that. I am always happy to see my parents and always act even happier when I tell DS why are coming. I also remind him that his nanny will be back. And again, he is not misbehaving during the day - he is just not happy.

He simply prefers his nanny at this point.

OP, this is just a phase one of many your son will have. Right now he is preferring his nanny. Next phase cycle it will be grandparents.
I don't think you need to do anything really.
I do think you parent should take him outside. They may not be bale to do long trips, but I don't think it's unreasonable for them to pop him in the stroller and walk him around the block or roll a ball to him in the backyard.

This. OP, I can guarantee you this will pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: It is a regular day, same day, every other week. I do present that grandma and grandpa are coming in a very happy and excited tone. He immediately asks for his nanny and continues to ask for her during the day with my parents.

Are they pretty bad babysitters? I was left with an older adult when I was a kid and it was just very slow, very boring, and we didn't do anything interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: It is a regular day, same day, every other week. I do present that grandma and grandpa are coming in a very happy and excited tone. He immediately asks for his nanny and continues to ask for her during the day with my parents.

Are they pretty bad babysitters? I was left with an older adult when I was a kid and it was just very slow, very boring, and we didn't do anything interesting.

OP wrote that her nanny was just a few years younger than her parents so it isn't about age at all. It is about energy, health and dedication.

Your parents don't want to do this anymore, OP, and are looking for a way out. Telling you that DS is asking for his nanny all day is a HINT. Take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: It is a regular day, same day, every other week. I do present that grandma and grandpa are coming in a very happy and excited tone. He immediately asks for his nanny and continues to ask for her during the day with my parents.

Are they pretty bad babysitters? I was left with an older adult when I was a kid and it was just very slow, very boring, and we didn't do anything interesting.

OP wrote that her nanny was just a few years younger than her parents so it isn't about age at all. It is about energy, health and dedication.

Your parents don't want to do this anymore, OP, and are looking for a way out. Telling you that DS is asking for his nanny all day is a HINT. Take it.

Interesting possibility, OP. Why are your parents telling you that DS is asking for his nanny all day and being cranky?

[Anonymous]

Hire the nanny back for the two days a month and save everyone the grief and unhappiness.