I dislike my weekend charge

[Anonymous]

I have been with my weekend charge for a year and, unlike my former and weekday charges, I don't really like him. He is a brat and only being with him on weekends is not enough time to change his behavior. His parents and weekday nanny give him whatever he wants whenever he wants. I try to be the best possible nanny I can but it is getting harder and harder as he is getting older. I know he loves me and am told he asks for me every day during the week but I don't feel the connection -- most likely because of his crying, whining and tantrums at every little thing He is a bright child and can be fun when it is just he and I alone but that is rare as his parents are generally always in the house (they are very wealthy and the house is enormous but it still changes the child's behavior when they are within screaming distance as opposed to out of the house). The child also has two sets of grandparents who always seem to be visiting and they also give him whatever he wants and encourage chaos (getting him all worked up and over-excited).

I truly need this job for a few more months. Please, any suggestions on how I can reframe the situation and make it through the next couple of months being happy and good to him would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Grin and bear it until such time as you can quit.

[Anonymous]

We can't love all of them. Do your best until you can quit. The charges we, as nannies, truly love and feel a devotion to are far fewer than employers ever realize.

PS he does sound like a brat.

[Anonymous]

His parents don't pay much attention to him despite being home all the time. He's getting what he can from them -- stuff, rather than love. He's a pain in the ass because of it. but I mostly feel sorry for him.

[Anonymous]

Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

No. We can't even go for a walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His parents don't pay much attention to him despite being home all the time. He's getting what he can from them -- stuff, rather than love. He's a pain in the ass because of it. but I mostly feel sorry for him.

OP here and actually the parents are very loving and attentive. There is nothing to feel sorry for.

[Anonymous]

I came to the conclusion with a similar situation that I couldn't care more than the parents did. If they wanted a brat so be it. I stopped insisting the kid pick up his toys or stop throwing food. The parents always undermined me anyway so there wasn't any point in even trying and, as all nannies know, it is easier to clean up for the kid than get the kid to do it. Just go with the flow, OP. Don't care and don't care that you don't care.

[Anonymous]

OP again and thank you, everyone, for responding. Here it is Thursday and I am already dreading the weekend. I hate that I need this job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

No. We can't even go for a walk.

How old is he?
Why would you take a job like this?
I dont understand people who want their kids in the house all the time. I do feel sorry for him, hes getting a raw deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

No. We can't even go for a walk.

How old is he?
Why would you take a job like this?
I dont understand people who want their kids in the house all the time. I do feel sorry for him, hes getting a raw deal.

He is two and they live on an estate. We play outside but can't leave the property for security reasons. I loved the job when he was a baby but now he is such a brat when his parents are around that it is hard to deal with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

No. We can't even go for a walk.

How old is he?
Why would you take a job like this?
I dont understand people who want their kids in the house all the time. I do feel sorry for him, hes getting a raw deal.

He is two and they live on an estate. We play outside but can't leave the property for security reasons. I loved the job when he was a baby but now he is such a brat when his parents are around that it is hard to deal with him.

I was the the PP that asked, Thats sad, 2 is usually such a fun age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would his parents let you take him on outings outside the house?

No. We can't even go for a walk.

How old is he?
Why would you take a job like this?
I dont understand people who want their kids in the house all the time. I do feel sorry for him, hes getting a raw deal.

He is two and they live on an estate. We play outside but can't leave the property for security reasons. I loved the job when he was a baby but now he is such a brat when his parents are around that it is hard to deal with him.

I was the the PP that asked, Thats sad, 2 is usually such a fun age.

I know! I wish there were a way I could enjoy the job more and be a better nanny/teacher to the child. It is just so hard.

[Anonymous]

I had one job where I disliked the child - she was only 1.5 and it shocked me that I had such a strong dislike for her but I liked the mother. I have another job where I loved the child so much but generally disliked the parents. The latter was harder for me.

If the money is what is motivating you than keep the thought of the check in your mind. There is nothing at all wrong with working as a nanny solely for the money.

[Anonymous]

Nothing you can do to change a brat. If you dislike the kid, decide if the money's worth it to you. If it is, grin and bear it. Nothing else you can do. Everyone's jobs suck for one reason or another.