Wednesday, March 29, 2006

No Work Today!

My new nanny job is wonderful and aweful all at the same time. I really enjoy the family but I think my decision was tainted by my want of being friends with them. The dad has a horrible temper and we have already started to bump heads. He is great on a social level but I don't think I can work for him.

This situation is very different and I can hardly even call myself a nanny but they need that type of person in their houshold. The youngest child has addition needs that keep them very busy. This draws attention away from their older child's needs. They do a prety good job at keeping a sane household but rules have not been established to help from there being a CONSTANT need for cleaning.

One of the parents is almost always home. That doesn't bother me but it has caused some trouble between all of us as to who is in charge. If the mom was home all the time things would be great. After the first major incident with the dad, my anxiety levels have gone through the roof. I started worring about having to go to work on Wednesday before I had gotten to my first job on Monday morning. By worrying, I mean, horrible butterfly and nausea feeling in my stomach.

I talked to the dad last night and I think, "What's the big deal?" It's not that bad, I like him, he's a good guy. But for some reason, I feel disrespected and almost put down by him.

So to change gears, let's discuss the "title" of this entry. No Work Toay! Oh boy, I needed a day off so I am very greatful. But this gives me even more reason to think tha perhaps this may not work out. I had to call the family this morning to say I had a cold. I'm glad I did call because it's a really serious matter trying to keep the baby healthy. Anytime he gets sick, the damage to his lungs is irreversable. I didn't really understand how seious they were about the germs. My first family I worked for was insane about germs but I still had to go to work.

So I have a cold today. It's really not that bad. I feel kind of yucky but nothing that would keep me from work or school or even going out to play. It's the type of cold we have all had a million times and you just keep going. Not for me. That means no work.

Now, while I NEED a break from work to get school work done, I also NEED to go to work to get paid so I can pay for my bills and my way too expensive car! It will be interesting to see how this will all work out. My guess is that I DON'T get paid. If that is the case, I really need to look at finding another job. I get sick a lot. That's just the fact of the matter. I work with children and we go out and expose ourselves to germs all the time. We wash our hands and try and stay healthy but there is only so much you can do.

So there are really two differnt issues here as to why this may not work out. With the money being a secondary concern, I am not the kind of person to stick with a job that make me UNhappy. I tried that and I only made it four months. I was miserable and my entire life changed. I did things I swore I would never do. I don't ever want to have to go back to that unhappy place again.

I think the hardest part is that there isn't someone right behind me waiting to take my job. It takes a special person to be the right match to the right family and it takes time to find that person.

In my case, it takes time to find the right family. I'm lucky because I do work for the right family and I love them SO much. It's just a shame I can't work for them all the time. But the first big issue is how and what do I say to the newest family to indicate it's not working out for me. I don't want to make them mad or unhappy. I just don't want to get even more attached to thir kids when I don't think it's going to work out.

Monday, March 13, 2006

"A Picture Says A Thousand Words"

I really don't have time to blog right now but don't forget that there are pictures on flickr.com that I update a lot more frequently. There has been a lot of stuff going on and there are pictures to tell you about it for now. You can check them out at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aesopsfables

Monday, March 06, 2006

Dedication to Julie

I have to keep reminding myself why I started this blog. I started it so friends and family could read about our crazy adventures. Now that we aren't on the road this has become more of a personal journal as it probably was always destin to become. It's just hard when I want to write about things going on in my life and I have to stop and think about who my audience is and then I don't feel like writing anymore. I am tired of sensoring myself. Not like the things I have to say are that horrible but I do have to try hard not to offend anyone. Then I think, if my parents are reading this, than anyone can read it. I feel like my life is somewhat of an open book. I don't like to keep secrets, although I am perfectly capable of keeping them, despite what some of you may think. Ok, so that is just a reminder!

My dear friend Julie just moved away to Oklahoma City. I am a little bit sad but we have been long distant friends for just about as long as we have known each other so we will be ok! Anyway, her last words to me before she moved were, "Update your blog." So Julie, this one is for you (well not the content of what I am going to write, just the actual act of logging in and starting to write!)

Financially, things have been very tight for us. It's not nearly as bad as it was a year ago when we had NO jobs and NO money. James was unemployed for a short time and I could have continued supporting us on my income the excitement of Lawrence caught up to us. We quickly blew through our savings and finacial aid and now we are figuring out how to oay our bills. We had a GREAT time but now it is catching up with us. Not to mention the gas of commuting and the horrible gas mileage of the car we have taken on to help out our friends.

The point of all this is simply to say that I have decided to take a second job. James has been wonderful through all this, he truely has taken on the role as "wife" in the stereotypical sense. He also has found two jobs but they pay worse than any job he has ever had but it's still work. It has to be hard for him to work 40 hours a week and still only make about 1/2 of what I do only working two days a week. Regardless, he is having a good time doing what he is doing and we have even gained a wonderful cat because of it.

I had been looking for a second job off and on for a while. After my degree is finished, I am not just going to run off and get a "real" job. I just don't understand how people can live their life going to work every day and hating their job. I LOVE my job. Yes I would like to have more money but it's worth so much more to be helping change people's lives. And not necessarily just the childrens' lives but the parents' as well.

While we are on the topic, let's discuss the difference between a nanny and a babysitter. Many, many people use the word interchangably. I can understand why but in my mind they are very different. A babysitter is someone from 11 and up who makes sure that a child is safe until the parents can return. This can be a grandparent, neighbor, student, ect. A nanny is someone, usually college age and older that assists the family in nourishing the mental and physical development of their child(ren). I could go on and on about it but for now I will keep it short.

I have interviewed for many positions but have decided on another wonderful family close to the first family and my in-laws. Of course that means more commuting but they are wonderful, wonderful people. I am so excited to spend time with them and their children.

So for those of you who only get to keep up with me through my blog, please know that I love you all and want to see you all. Going to school and working full time is going to be a lot of fun for me but also challenging at the same time. Thank you for all of your love and support and I hope you will continue to support me through this decision! You are all welcome to come visit me in Lawrence. James works alot now so Saturdays will be our one day together for a while. For family in Olathe, Tuesdays are always good for a lunch date with Sammi(18 months) and I!

XOXO to everyone!