Anonymous wrote:I consider myself a good nanny and I refuse to play pretend for more than ten minutes. I just can’t.

What do you do to stop the torture?! Please share.

I consider myself a good nanny and I refuse to play pretend for more than ten minutes. I just can’t.

Anonymous wrote:I used to work for a SAHM whose three year old daughter loved pretend play. That was all she wanted to do, for hours. She was allowed to watch unlimited television/movies but mostly wanted to reenact Disney films. Whenever I got there the mother would turn to her and ask if she wanted to go to to the park, etc. and she would usually say "no!" and they would shrug and say "Haha, guess you're staying in today." - As though small children should be masters of their own destiny. I would then have to play pretend while they lounged nearby for HOURS. it was torture. never, never again.

Um, no... Being a nanny is about teaching the child manners, working on social development, slipping education into play, and encouraging the growth in f the WHOLE child. If the child only does one thing? Nope. I’ve had to sit parents down and explain that their child may want to do xyz all day, but we will develop a schedule that involves that while also including other things, that way the growth of the whole child isn’t stunted! The first few days to a week can be hard, but then the child knows what happens when, and they will accept other activities more easily. It makes a world of difference for when they go to preschool or kindergarten too!

I used to work for a SAHM whose three year old daughter loved pretend play. That was all she wanted to do, for hours. She was allowed to watch unlimited television/movies but mostly wanted to reenact Disney films. Whenever I got there the mother would turn to her and ask if she wanted to go to to the park, etc. and she would usually say "no!" and they would shrug and say "Haha, guess you're staying in today." - As though small children should be masters of their own destiny. I would then have to play pretend while they lounged nearby for HOURS. it was torture. never, never again.

I had to be a very poorly behaved doll all afternoon today! Definitely the hardest part about being a nanny.

Anonymous wrote:Can’t handle the new summer schedule, huh?
No usual downtime from morning preschool?

Stop embarrassing yourself, PP. You don’t know OP or any other nanny responding nor their charge’s schedule. My 2.5 yr old charge hasn’t started preschool and most go through the summer regardless.

Go out a get yourself a tiny life.

Can’t handle the new summer schedule, huh?
No usual downtime from morning preschool?

You all sounds like an advertisement for full day camp or day care.

I'm not a clown, I don't play these games.

Anonymous wrote:I hate pretend play, one of the worse things about the job. Nobody tells you that parts of nannying are soul destroying and boring as hell. Give me a puzzle or book activity anytime over pretending to be someone from Star Wars or Disney

Lol, “soul destroying.” I’d call drama on that but it’s so true! So happy to hear I’m not the only one.

I hate pretend play, one of the worse things about the job. Nobody tells you that parts of nannying are soul destroying and boring as hell. Give me a puzzle or book activity anytime over pretending to be someone from Star Wars or Disney

I’m just so grateful everyday that I don’t have children of my own. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to come home and take care of a kid after taking care of one all week. No thanks, I enjoy my quiet, child-free zone of a house way too much.

I also agree with the pp who said having that weekend downtime is essential to being a good nanny. To be running ragged 24/7 isn’t conducive to being the best caregiver you can be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to the park. A lot. Every day. Those kids need other kids to wear them out. maybe host playdates
I'm a mom and truly have never gotten into pretend play with the kids. That's what other kids are for. I had 4 kids- but that has different problems

Nannies have different responsibilities. As a nanny, I do host and attend play dates every day. I still need to engage my charge in her imaginary play - it is what is best for her to play and engage with another adult. This is part of what we get paid for.

No ones saying they don’t want to do it, op and other posters just need some quiet time in the weekend because it can be hard sometimes during the week.

Anonymous wrote:Go to the park. A lot. Every day. Those kids need other kids to wear them out. maybe host playdates
I'm a mom and truly have never gotten into pretend play with the kids. That's what other kids are for. I had 4 kids- but that has different problems

Nannies have different responsibilities. As a nanny, I do host and attend play dates every day. I still need to engage my charge in her imaginary play - it is what is best for her to play and engage with another adult. This is part of what we get paid for.

Go to the park. A lot. Every day. Those kids need other kids to wear them out. maybe host playdates
I'm a mom and truly have never gotten into pretend play with the kids. That's what other kids are for. I had 4 kids- but that has different problems