Do I have ANY say?!

[Anonymous]

The kids I nanny for have swim lessons EVERY day from 8am-11:30am in which I'm required to stay at. The pool opens for the public at that point. They want to stay after with friends to play which is reasonable. Yesterday I stated we can stay for an hour after. So we did. This morning MB texts me saying the boys would like to stay longer until 1:30. And I know the only reason that's the cut off is because we have to be somewhere at 2.

My thing is, do I have any say in this? I'm at the pool in the blazing here for at LEAST 5 hours everyday. And I feel I'm going to be required to stay everyday until they want to unless weather/circumstances permit otherwise. I hope I don't sound selfish but I'm human too and I think ok being reasonable with saying we can stay but putting a reasonable time limit on when its time to go.

Or do I have NO say in this matter? And should be subjected to the heat for hours at end as long as my charges are happy?

[Anonymous]

Well I certainly wouldn't call it blazing heat at 8am. You do sound a little selfish, but that is probably because I love the pool and being outside. What would you like to do otherwise? Perhaps if you can come up with a fun, indoors activity from 11:30-1:30, you can approach your boss about striking a deal where you aren't at the pool every day. You can try telling her that being in the sun for that long is not good for your help and see if you can work something out.

[Anonymous]

not good for your health*

[Anonymous]

Ok maybe it's not that bad at 8. But it's 9:48 and I'm sweating the sun is out.

[Anonymous]

Anything. But I don't feel it's about my suggestions as a nanny. MB even gives me lists of things to do/get done. If I were to suggest something if the boys didn't want to do it then it doesn't matter anyways. They rather be at the pool.

[Anonymous]

You do not really have a say in this. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, water and deal with it. If the pool has a shady area, try to park your stuff under it.

[Anonymous]

You most definately DO have a say. Get a new job and let them find a sun worshiper who wants to bake every day. That person will probably be on the prowl for boys attracted to her baked skin tone.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you meet up with a nanny friend and you could all swim?or suggest going to a lake after swimming lessons? Bring a magazine? Or find a spot under an umbrella? Jump in the pool with your charges?

[Anonymous]

Mind you they also have swim lessons in the late afternoon ...every day. My boyfriend joked that they are apparently fish

[Anonymous]

I think if you approach it with another activity to do during that time two or three times a week, your bosses might be receptive. I"m not an MB (former nanny) but if it was, I'd want my kids to be outside and playing during the summer. So if my nanny approached me complaining that it was too hot to sit outside for that time period and didn't want to do it, I could see myself being a little annoyed. But if she approached me saying, "being outside for that long really wears me out because of the heat. Would it be alright if two or three times a week we did X activity between 11:30 and 1:30? And then the other days we will stay at the pool? Thanks" I'd be much more receptive. But, before I was a nanny I was a lifeguard at a country club, and then once I became a nanny I spent all day at the country club pool (10am -4pm) with the kids, so clearly I love the pool and swimming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You most definately DO have a say. Get a new job and let them find a sun worshiper who wants to bake every day. That person will probably be on the prowl for boys attracted to her baked skin tone.

Interesting. I was a nanny who took my charges to the pool everyday. I spent about 75% of the time in the water with them and the other 25% of the time playing games on the pool deck. I modeled good sun precaution by constantly putting on lotion and sitting under the umbrella. you sound oddly hostile.

[Anonymous]

1:30 is just the cut off point for today. On any other given day it could be longer, shorter. Obviously whatever the boys say.

[Anonymous]

I'm an MB, and I'd definitely be happy to hear from you alternate suggestions that my kids would also be interested in. But at the end of the day, if my kids really want to stay at the pool all day, I'd be more open to hearing suggestions from you for how I can make that easier on you, especially if you don't have any other ideas for keeping them entertained. As an MB, I want you to be happy too, but I'd be more interested in solutions than complaining.

[Anonymous]

No you don't get to say that you don't want to be at the pool. The bigger issue is that you don't like heat. In the future, you need to find jobs with infants that stay inside. You just aren't a good match for kids that enjoy, need, and want to be outside.

As long as you re-apply sunscreen, cool off in the water, and drink plenty of water there is nothing unhealthy about staying at a pool all day. It is far more healthy than an indoor play yard or sitting inside watching TV.

As a parent, I hate, hate, hate being cold. My kids are very sports oriented and love being outside. I have sucked it up since they were 2 years old and bundled up to go the park, field or just be in the backyard for hours while they are perfectly happy and I'm freezing my butt off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1:30 is just the cut off point for today. On any other given day it could be longer, shorter. Obviously whatever the boys say.

She said they have another activity at 2, which is why the cut off is 1:30