I need a polite response to "Are you his grandmother?"

[Anonymous]

I am a sixty-year-old energetic nanny (I still run marathons albeit slower than I used to) and look damn good for my age. I came back to being a nanny after years of being a preschool teacher. Clearly, I am rarely mistaken for his mother although it does happen and am absolutely old enough to be my twenty-one-month-old charge's grandmother. However when ever I say I am his nanny, people are embarrassed and apologize. I love my job, adore my charge and clearly don't want anyone to feel embarrassed by their natural assumption as I also have the same hair and eye color as my charge.

What can I say to let them off the hook gracefully?


TIA

[Anonymous]

Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

[Anonymous]

You aren't responsible for their reaction. You aren't being rude by saying you're his nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You aren't responsible for their reaction. You aren't being rude by saying you're his nanny.

I understand that but I was talking about the idea that they think they have insulted me by assuming I am his grandmother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

Excellent. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I am a SAHM and I made this mistake with a lovely and attentive nanny who brings her toddler charge to story-time and plays in the playroom with him. I knew she was probably too old to be his mother but she was so attentive, loving and engaging with him that it just didn't occur to me that she could be his nanny. All of the other nannies are on the sidelines texting on their phones while this nanny is on the floor playing with her charge and reading books to him.

I would take it as a compliment, OP.

[Anonymous]

I always say "I'm actually his nanny, but I wish I could take credit for him!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

That's weird. borderline creepy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

That's weird. borderline creepy.

I disagree - I think it is sweet. The other person already assumed she was in his family so where is the creepy-factor in saying that she wishes it were true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

That's weird. borderline creepy.

I disagree - I think it is sweet. The other person already assumed she was in his family so where is the creepy-factor in saying that she wishes it were true?

+ this nanny wants a way to make the speaker not embarrassed after assuming she was his grandmother. I would go for something along the lines of "I would love to be his grandmother but I am something better - I am his nanny".

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't know how you people get out of bed in the morning and choose something to wear or which route to take. How do you all get jobs at schools or as nannies? Come here to ask "what do I say to this..." This place is a barrel of laughs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't know how you people get out of bed in the morning and choose something to wear or which route to take. How do you all get jobs at schools or as nannies? Come here to ask "what do I say to this..." This place is a barrel of laughs

So you don't know the answer? Or have any suggestions? Okay... go out a get a life for yourself. This is a sad little place to get your laughs, PP. Go out and try to make friends, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

That's weird. borderline creepy.

I disagree - I think it is sweet. The other person already assumed she was in his family so where is the creepy-factor in saying that she wishes it were true?

+ this nanny wants a way to make the speaker not embarrassed after assuming she was his grandmother. I would go for something along the lines of "I would love to be his grandmother but I am something better - I am his nanny".

That's even worse!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smile and say, "I wish! I would love him in my family but I am his nanny."

That's weird. borderline creepy.

I disagree - I think it is sweet. The other person already assumed she was in his family so where is the creepy-factor in saying that she wishes it were true?

+ this nanny wants a way to make the speaker not embarrassed after assuming she was his grandmother. I would go for something along the lines of "I would love to be his grandmother but I am something better - I am his nanny".

That's even worse!

So suggest something! I am the OP and I do not like people feeling embarrassed for assuming I am his grandmother. I am old enough to be his grandmother! I hate watching them backpedal and fall all over themselves saying how young I look and feel like they insulted me.

[Anonymous]

Simply chuckle and say, "Thank you, that is a nice compliment, but I am actually his nanny."