nanny for sahm

[Anonymous]

I started nannying part-time for this family three months ago. The toddler is two years old. Mom has now been on maternity for 2 weeks.
When I was hired, she told me she would be out of the house on the two days I'm there during her maternity leave. Ends up she's not leaving the house much after all.
The problem is I don't know what I'm supposed to do when I'm home with mom and the kids. She takes care of both children so I end up filling the day with meaningless tasks. After I've done the laundry, cleaned the playroom, swept the floors, and prepped the toddler's snack(I don't cook for this family) there's not much else I could do. The toddler and I do go out but only in the morning.

For other nannies who work for a SAHM who is very hands-on, what do you do all day?

[Anonymous]

Seems she initially hired you because she thought she would really need you, but now realized she can handle a lot of it on her own. Perhaps she doesn't want to fire you after she hired you for the job so she is just keeping you around because she feels bad for you?

Or maybe she just likes the idea of another adult around for back-up? Or companionship?

[Anonymous]

It's a real problem, OP. If only they knew the trouble they were creating. Healthy boundaries seem to be a tough thing here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems she initially hired you because she thought she would really need you, but now realized she can handle a lot of it on her own. Perhaps she doesn't want to fire you after she hired you for the job so she is just keeping you around because she feels bad for you?

Or maybe she just likes the idea of another adult around for back-up? Or companionship?

She certainly doesn't need companionship. I wish she had tasks for me to do like running errands, but the only tasks she asks me to do don't take much time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems she initially hired you because she thought she would really need you, but now realized she can handle a lot of it on her own. Perhaps she doesn't want to fire you after she hired you for the job so she is just keeping you around because she feels bad for you?

Or maybe she just likes the idea of another adult around for back-up? Or companionship?

How about mb doesn't want to look for a new nanny when she goes back to the office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a real problem, OP. If only they knew the trouble they were creating. Healthy boundaries seem to be a tough thing here.

?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems she initially hired you because she thought she would really need you, but now realized she can handle a lot of it on her own. Perhaps she doesn't want to fire you after she hired you for the job so she is just keeping you around because she feels bad for you?

Or maybe she just likes the idea of another adult around for back-up? Or companionship?

How about mb doesn't want to look for a new nanny when she goes back to the office?

OP here: maybe, but she's taking almost a year off...

[Anonymous]

But the baby is only 2 weeks old? Maybe she is still recovering from childbirth.

[Anonymous]

I'd be looking for a new job, or have a talk and tell her you'd like a nice long list of a schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But the baby is only 2 weeks old? Maybe she is still recovering from childbirth.

Yes he is two weeks old. He's very easy and only fusses when he's hungry or unwell. The toddler wants to be with his mother all the time and it was the same before the baby was born.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be looking for a new job, or have a talk and tell her you'd like a nice long list of a schedule.

Sadly, I think I'm going to have to reconsider this job because there's not much childcare anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the baby is only 2 weeks old? Maybe she is still recovering from childbirth.

Yes he is two weeks old. He's very easy and only fusses when he's hungry or unwell. The toddler wants to be with his mother all the time and it was the same before the baby was born.

When I had newborns, I was exhausted all the time. I wouldn't rush to quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the baby is only 2 weeks old? Maybe she is still recovering from childbirth.

Yes he is two weeks old. He's very easy and only fusses when he's hungry or unwell. The toddler wants to be with his mother all the time and it was the same before the baby was born.

When I had newborns, I was exhausted all the time. I wouldn't rush to quit.

What kind of help would you have needed?

[Anonymous]

I know the mom is exhausted because the toddler is extremely needy, but I can't take him away from her. She doesn't want me to and the toddler clutches at her and cries when he thinks his mom is going to leave.

[Anonymous]

Do puzzles and games with the toddler in the same room as the mom.

Have you asked her if there's anything else you can do?
And really, of course she isn't going anywhere! She just had a baby two weeks ago. She's still healing.

I don't know what you're asking for, OP.