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I forgot to add that I did far more than supervise TV watching. I did school and activity pick ups/drop offs, organized play dates, took her out on adventures through the city (museums, restaurants, movies), did homework help, and tons and tons of crafts - not to mention all the cooking, daily grocery shopping, and heavy housework.
It's totally possible to communicate well, even with a language barrier, as long as both parties try hard enough.
It's totally possible to communicate well, even with a language barrier, as long as both parties try hard enough.
I was an au pair in Europe for a year. Before I arrived I spoke NONE of the language whatsoever. My DB knew English moderately well (but traveled often for work), my MB very little, and my 7 year old charge spoke no English at all. Once I arrived, I enrolled in language classes but my progress was incredibly slow :long story short, I was learning German but living in Switzerland in an area that speaks Swiss German which is a virtually unwritten language and varies greatly by village - therefore I wasn't hearing "high German" around me and once people realized I had an American accent, they simply spoke to me in English.
However, the 7 year old an I communicated fabulously! In the beginning, we had to be creative (drawing pictures, looking up words, using grand gestures and acting things out). And around three months into my stay, my charge was more fluent in English than either of her parents and often acted as an interpreter between MB/DB and I. Meanwhile, at around the same 3 month mark, I was still struggling to ask "where is the train station" in German.
Children have an incredible ability to communicate creatively and pick up on new languages.
However, the 7 year old an I communicated fabulously! In the beginning, we had to be creative (drawing pictures, looking up words, using grand gestures and acting things out). And around three months into my stay, my charge was more fluent in English than either of her parents and often acted as an interpreter between MB/DB and I. Meanwhile, at around the same 3 month mark, I was still struggling to ask "where is the train station" in German.
Children have an incredible ability to communicate creatively and pick up on new languages.
I'm not great at homework help, but i try my best. I let parents know right off the bat and it's never been too big of a problem. I have a hard time guiding kids to the right answer without just telling them what it is or describing how to solve a problem with kid language.
I don't clip their nails. I'm just too scared! I've pinched a few fingers/legs in the cars seat clasps over the years and i've cried every time. I couldn't imagine cutting their little fingers and actually drawing blood - even though pretty much every parent does this at least once.
I've never been asked to spank a child, but I would definately refuse if that ever came up.
I've never been asked to spank a child, but I would definately refuse if that ever came up.
I'm interested in getting a teething necklace (the kind for adults to wear, not the amber ones that babies wear). Have any of you tried these? Any recommendations? It looks like I have two options: a single rubbery pendant or GIANT rubber beads. I think more than one bead would be easier for my 5 month old charge to grasp and shove in her mouth. But I have an understated, simple style and am not sure I could pull off those big clunky ones. Plus, it seams like the beads in the back would pull out my hair. Anybody know of anything in between?
I tell them "that hurts my feelings because I like/love you so much. I can see you are very upset, but it isn't ok to speak to me like that. Why are you feeling so angry, sweetie?"
I'm not so good with emotions but I'm a great caretaker (it seems contradictory but it works) so if I were in that situation, I would tell MB that I'm free to watch the kid(s) whenever she needs me even if it's just so she can call her sister or take a nap. I'd offer to pick up take out for the family and ask if there are any extra chores/errands I can do for her while she's going through this hard time.
She's lucky to have you OP!
She's lucky to have you OP!
I'm in San Diego and work full time with the best family! The kids are 7, 4, 2, and 5 months. I've also been with them for around 2 months. It's both the hardest and most rewarding nanny job I've had in my decade in the business.
I'm in San Diego
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