So Cal Nanny Asks....When Will This Extreme Heat Wave Go Away?? Ugh....

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny who resides in Southern CA. We are currently suffering an extended heat wave that isn't going to go any time soon.
Where I work at, in an inland area the temp soars to triple digits.
My charge is 3 yrs old and I work 3 days per week, at 10-12 hrs each.
He takes a nap daily, however his naps usually last an hour, more or less.
His mother requests that I take him out once per day which is totally reasonable to me.
However I am not allowed to drive him anywhere, we can only walk in the stroller.
Normally this is not an issue, the days are long and he gets quite stir crazy when we don't go outdoors.
This triple digit heat along with oppressive humidity on top makes getting out tough.

They live on top of a hilly street, so going down isn't so bad.
But after a day at the park where there are no trees, or the library where the A/C doesn't work, I dread taking him out, then having to push the stroller up a HUGE hill.
By the time I get to the top, I am drenched in sweat, dying of thirst and very very dizzy.
I have A/C in my car so I would be willing to drive him places where we can be much cooler, but she has told me time and time again, no driving allowed.

And like I stated, there are no cool zones for us to walk to.
I'm starting to dread going into work knowing I will be sweating, dizzy and miserable a good part of the day.

They have strong A/C in their house, I would much prefer to stay home inside, but she's the boss. Any ideas??

[Anonymous]

Do they have any outdoor space? Bubbles, paint with water on the sidewalk, sidewalk chalk, small water table
Is there a bus near?

[Anonymous]

Talk to her about this. She may not be putting all the pieces together. I think you can safely ask her that you stay indoors when the temp is 90+ or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Does the mom work from home? If not just stay home!! Play in the yard. I'm a nanny in LA and it's so hot right now, my employers would never ask me to walk up a hill. Thats insane!!

[Anonymous]

Another Southern California Nanny and I HATE this heat!!!! I walk everywhere as well but live/work on the west side where it is not as hot.

I never take my charge out in the stroller when it is over 90 degrees. Regardless of what my MB requests or asks. It simply is not good for the child to be out (stuck in a stroller) when it is that hot.

[Anonymous]

Can you go to the park in the morning when it isn't so hot yet? That way you fulfill her requirement to get out of the house at least once per day, but you aren't out in the worst heat.

[Anonymous]

OP Here:

Thx for all the kind & helpful responses!

They do not have any outdoor grassy areas (yet) since the house is brand new, but they do have outdoor decks however those decks are not child-proofed so my employers do not allow their child to play out there, even while supervised. I understand this.

I start work at around 7 or 8ish AM, however by the time I prepare, feed + clean up breakfast, dress and bathe him we usually don't make it out before nine at the very least.

As anyone in Southern CA knows, our heat waves start early in the morning. We rarely have morning cloud cover if any.

This weather should be cooling down soon, I just hope CA got the memo that October is here soon and that means hopefully cooler Autumn weather.