How do you handle..

[Anonymous]

the BOREDOM. Let's go ahead and assume that all required chores are completed. Baby is napping for 2 hours twice a day. Do you read? Watch TV? Stare out the window? I've been a nanny for 7 years, but this is my first true full time position. Previously, I worked full time but with more than one family. This is something I've never quite figured out. I'm thinking listening to a book? On a similar note: how do you deal with the isolation when the child is at an age where nap schedule conflicts with nearly all group activities?

[Anonymous]

The baby doesn't sleep on his own! So infortunately not a problem for me.

[Anonymous]

You really need to identify some interests for yourself, or you might get postpartum depression, otherwise known as going nuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really need to identify some interests for yourself, or you might get postpartum depression, otherwise known as going nuts!

Was it somehow unclear that I'm the nanny? No risk of ppd--which isn't otherwise known as going nuts. I'm at work so pursuing my own interests is limited.

[Anonymous]

I didnt have to do chores aside from cleaning up lunch stuff after I put mine down for a nap.
I would lay on the couch and read a book, call a friend without any interruptions, make any appointments or important calls, again without interruptions. Sometimes I even just lay there with my eyes closed.....Totally rejuvinated me for the afternoon shift.

[Anonymous]

My charges are on 2 two hour naps so I feel ya.

My MB and DB encourage me to rest. I never sleep but I go online shop, text friends, read on kindle, and plan my weekend activities.

[Anonymous]

Figure it out, and enjoy it, because it's a short, sweet phase. Before you know it, there won't be enough time in the day to sit down!

[Anonymous]

Nanny to infant twins here. For their first nap of the day, I lay down and rest with them (I get up with them at night plus handle day shift). The rest of their naps, I do chores or watch some tv, fold laundry, etc.
Occassionaly I'll talk to my partner on the phone if her lunch has lined up with a nap that day. I do keep a book here but have yet to open it.
It's isolating, for sure, but I rather enjoy the silence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Figure it out, and enjoy it, because it's a short, sweet phase. Before you know it, there won't be enough time in the day to sit down!

This. And a corollary: look ahead at things you may not have time for when baby drops one nap and is an active, mess-making toddler.

Research sensory activities and create a binder of rainy day ideas along with ingredient lists. Look up all the local parks, libraries, pools, community centers and indoor play areas and read reviews on them and make note of when their enrollment seasons begin and end. Talkto the parents about starting solids and make a stock of baby purees and freeze them so that you can have healthy, homemade food ready to go when you get to that stage. The days of long naps are very limited, so use them to make the busy days ahead more relaxing!

[Anonymous]

I usually either read or surf the net on my phone. Or play with the cat. Occasionally I'll play a video game so I won't suck so bad when the ten year old brotherasks me to play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny to infant twins here. For their first nap of the day, I lay down and rest with them (I get up with them at night plus handle day shift). The rest of their naps, I do chores or watch some tv, fold laundry, etc.
Occassionaly I'll talk to my partner on the phone if her lunch has lined up with a nap that day. I do keep a book here but have yet to open it.
It's isolating, for sure, but I rather enjoy the silence.

When do these parents see their children?

[Anonymous]

Nanny to 17 month old twins here- The boys nap every day from 12:30-3:30 so I have a long 3 hour "break". I spend the first hour cleaning up lunch stuff, straightening up the playroom and folding laundry if needed but other then that, I just relax. I bring my laptop to work with me so I'll browse the internet or catch up on some Netflix shows.

[Anonymous]

My charges take a 3 hour nap right after lunch. I spend the first hour cleaning up, folding laundry, and cooking for other meals. Then I usually sit down with my lunch and read or watch TV for a bit. Then I'll do homework, plan activities, or workout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny to infant twins here. For their first nap of the day, I lay down and rest with them (I get up with them at night plus handle day shift). The rest of their naps, I do chores or watch some tv, fold laundry, etc.
Occassionaly I'll talk to my partner on the phone if her lunch has lined up with a nap that day. I do keep a book here but have yet to open it.
It's isolating, for sure, but I rather enjoy the silence.

When do these parents see their children?

The parents handle Saturdays solo. The rest of the week I'm primary caregiver/baby wrangler

[Anonymous]

I watch TV, read on my Kindle, play on my iPhone, eat my lunch, rest my eyes, etc.