Kids that age do NOT need to constantly be in the company of adults. No reason for that whatsoever. They should be able to entertain themselves.

I would hate to be confined to one room or the basement all day too.

Maybe they can sit and play games with you occasionally? Sit and entertain themselves while you're doing your other duties? No reason why you can't have a conversation with them while you're working (or, have them help).

+100 Some people prefer to be in the company of others and other people enjoy alone time. Kids are no different. My kids don't like to be alone. They are very extroverted, the more the merrier types. I am able to get things done but not by sending them off to another room. If I am cooking, doing dishes or cleaning the kitchen they can do an art project at the breakfast table. I don't need single minded concentration to fold the laundry. I can do it where they are playing or they can be in the room I am doing it and we can have a conversation.

The key to getting kids to help and start doing chores is to do it with them in the beginning. If its always you do this and I'll go somewhere else to do something else it isn't going to work.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah having them help with anything is a joke. They scream if they are asked to help with any chore related duties. They also are not allowed to watch movies while I'm here due to the strict TV time limits MB places on them. I don't expect them to be in the basement all day, but for a while at least, so I can keep them out of my way while I am doing my other stuff.

In that case: "so and so you have a choice. You can work on your homework at the kitchen table, play in the playroom for an hour, or help me with the chores".

If they scream: "there is no reason to scream. You can politely say no thank you. Now which choice are you going to choose?"

You can be stern with them and set boundaries. That's a part of your job.

Yeah having them help with anything is a joke. They scream if they are asked to help with any chore related duties. They also are not allowed to watch movies while I'm here due to the strict TV time limits MB places on them. I don't expect them to be in the basement all day, but for a while at least, so I can keep them out of my way while I am doing my other stuff.

I would hate to be confined to one room or the basement all day too.

Maybe they can sit and play games with you occasionally? Sit and entertain themselves while you're doing your other duties? No reason why you can't have a conversation with them while you're working (or, have them help).

Anonymous wrote:They have an ass load of toys and video games and room to run free downstairs in the basement and playroom areas and yet they always insist on being upstairs in the living room in the no-play area. Their dad says it's cause that's where the adults usually are. Um, okay...when I was a kid I didn't want to hang out with the adults. I'm constantly sending them downstairs on their off school times so they won't destroy the house. I also have house cleaning and laundry to do, so I need them out of my hair at times. I can't be with them at all times, but they are old enough to not need that. It's so ridiculous! Why have we trained kids to not be independent and to be able to entertain themselves these days? Whatever happened to that?!

Maybe they just want human interaction? What's wrong with that? Maybe MB/DB don't give them a lot of attention. Play with them, watch a movie.

Parents think the nanny should be the entertainment center. Not.

They have an ass load of toys and video games and room to run free downstairs in the basement and playroom areas and yet they always insist on being upstairs in the living room in the no-play area. Their dad says it's cause that's where the adults usually are. Um, okay...when I was a kid I didn't want to hang out with the adults. I'm constantly sending them downstairs on their off school times so they won't destroy the house. I also have house cleaning and laundry to do, so I need them out of my hair at times. I can't be with them at all times, but they are old enough to not need that. It's so ridiculous! Why have we trained kids to not be independent and to be able to entertain themselves these days? Whatever happened to that?!