Falling out with Charges friends and mom.

[Anonymous]

Today the mother of the kids across the street from my charges addressed that she is very unhappy with the way out outside play is going...


To give you some backround info, I am a nanny for a foreign family, they are minimalists. The kids In this circumstance are all under 4.

We play at least 3 times a week with this particular family. We go to their house, we go to them, we go to lunch and activities together etc. The kids are very close and the mom and I have become close because of this...

My bosses don't have a lot of outside toys for the kids. We have a few thing but not much.

The family we play with has an insane amount of toys for outside. So they invite us over frequently or we just end up playing together outside because of promiximity. I though this was going well until recently. Friends mom has started to voice concern because we don't have many toys to share and she feels her kids aren't getting to play with their toys. Fine. I get it. But being the nanny, I can do absolutely zero things about it...


So today when playing she wanted her child to play with a certain toy that was a gift to him while my charge was on it. Totally fine. I get my charge off. Her kid wants nothing to do with new toy. Kid wants an old toy and wants my charge to keep playing. Friends mom is not okay with this and takes her now screaming child and tries to get them play with it again. More screaming. My charge is now onto something else. After she tried to get her kid to play with it and failed again she tells my charge to play with it - totally confusing my charge because thirty seconds ago this was not okay...

Friends mom tells me that they will not be inviting the kids over or letting them play together when their mom is home to try to show her she needs to buy more outside toys and continues venting to me about it... I feel bad but I also think the whole scenario was a little ridiculous. Her child didn't even want the toy.

I don't know, I guess this is more of a vent... I'm just really sad and disappointed. The kids love each other but that really tainted the way I feel about her and I'm also unsure if there's anything I can do or if I am in the wrong in someway..


Any opinions would be appreciated. Let me know if you need clarification, I'm writing from my phone.

[Anonymous]

*we got to them, they come to us

[Anonymous]

There really is nothing you can do, Nanny. Just never bad-mouth or criticize your MB/DB to the neighbor mother (who in my opinion is NUTS!) and make up excuses to your charges on why they can't play at their friends' house as often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There really is nothing you can do, Nanny. Just never bad-mouth or criticize your MB/DB to the neighbor mother (who in my opinion is NUTS!) and make up excuses to your charges on why they can't play at their friends' house as often.

Op here: I kind of figured what a bummer for all the little ones involved. Time to make new playmates I suppose!

[Anonymous]

Is there a way you can contribute in another way like cutting up fresh fruit for a snack for all the children. Maybe make homemade Popsicles or water with fresh fruit inside? Maybe set up an obstacle course in your yard and invite her kids over for that. Plan a scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt and entertain all of the kids.

[Anonymous]

Wow she sounds crazy. Time to find some new friends!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a way you can contribute in another way like cutting up fresh fruit for a snack for all the children. Maybe make homemade Popsicles or water with fresh fruit inside? Maybe set up an obstacle course in your yard and invite her kids over for that. Plan a scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt and entertain all of the kids.

I do my best to contribute, we invite them over for dinner and lunch or special arts and crafts activities... I am really doing my best but I also don't want it to turn into me constantly worrying if my nanny kids are playing with toys they shouldn't or what have you.. Or my constantly having to entertain four kids to keep things 'equal'

[Anonymous]

I can understand her frustration. Kids are hard on toys and it is nice if everyone contributes so that one family isn't shouldering the expense of all of the wear and tear on the toys. That said, it feels very passive aggressive to vent to you. She should either talk to the parents or invite you guys over less.

[Anonymous]

Bitch is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Thanks pps, I feel better now that people agree that this shit is cray haha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bitch is crazy.

+1

For reals.

[Anonymous]

Umm...the other mother is insane. Unless your kids are breaking her kids' toys by using them why is it even an issue? Plus she should recognize that you, the nanny, has no control over your family.