Anonymous wrote:I know this will sound like a dumb question but please be kind. How can a nanny provide good care to both a baby (4 months) and an older child (age 2)?
I’m going back to work soon and don’t understand how our nanny can care for both kids without putting one in a bad situation at times.
Examples:
-If they’re at the playground, she can’t prevent DD from falling off equipment while sitting next to DS’s stroller. DS dislikes baby carriers, but even if she did wear him, she wouldn’t have full mobility. DD had a bad fall recently (on my watch), so I’m feeling anxious about this.
-DS’s wake windows are short, so he often needs to be put down for a nap at inconvenient times, like during DD’s meals or while she’s making messy art in the basement. DD is a slow eater and underweight. If DS gets tired during DD’s meal, it seems like nanny’s options are 1) leave DD alone while she takes DS upstairs for a nap; or 2) bring DD upstairs mid-meal and try to convince her to play quietly alone while nanny rocks baby to sleep. Option 1 clearly puts DD at risk of choking. My concern with option 2 is that DD won’t finish meals after they’ve been interrupted, and she’s already so thin. Putting DS in a swing for a mid-meal nap isn’t an option.
What am I missing? How do people do this safely?
I observed the same, especially with our very active toddler, and ended up putting him in daycare.