The part-time nanny we hired is a university student, we really liked her. She took the job and said she intended to stay with us through the summer and her last year of university. We thought perfect, by then Baby MPB will be over a year old and we may consider a more structured day-care.
Well, she spontaneously decided to spend her summer overseas. (I don’t believe the spontaneity of this – most university student’s, at least not the ones I know, can just pick up and leave the country for a summer. I suspect she knew this the entire time but didn’t say anything so that she could get the job). So she is leaving for four months.
She offered to set us up with her friend for the summer with her returning once school starts. We met her friend and she just doesn’t feel right. And, I’m not prepared to look for someone for just 4 months, so we’ve told her we cannot guarantee her job when she gets back, but she is welcome to contact us when she returns and we can talk. (Honestly, if we have a new reliable nanny she wont be getting her job back).
So, we placed another ad on line. 20 responses in 24 hours. We were optimistic. 8 looked good enough to contact. 3 responded.
- 1 showed up for an interview but was afraid of our dog, so she wont work. (As an aside, why apply to a job that says must be good with 90lbs dog if you are afraid of dogs?).
- 1 did not show for her interview, so she’s out. (I just don’t get this).
- 1 rescheduled on us multiple times. We decided to still meet with her because we were feeling desperate. But when we finally met her we had her in and out of our house in 15 minutes as she was never going to work for us.
So, we have a problem.
Our current nanny gave us 2 weeks notice. We have one week left to find someone.
I am already getting nervous about the idea of having no help. We only have help 2 days a week and we are both working full time hours. Those 2 days keep us sane. I’m honestly afraid to do all of this without our 2 days of support. I’m not superwomen!
So, I see two options. Hire the friend on a trial basis or keep looking. Honestly, my gut reaction to the friend wasn’t ideal. And I cannot ignore that. So, I think I’d rather our lives turn crazy for a few weeks while we have no help then hire someone that doesn’t feel right. So, for now, we will keep searching and keep hoping this unexpected blip on the radar passes quickly.
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I know our upcoming visit with Mr. MPB’s family will invoke anxiety for me. These visits always do, so I’m kind of used to it no. But, this visit will be our first with Baby MPB, so I’m sure my anxiety will be insane.
So, we have strategies to help control my anxiety and hopefully nip it in the bud before it becomes unbearable.
- No-one but Mr. MPB and I will feed Baby MPB. As Baby MPB is formula fed everyone seems to think they an feed him. Truth be told, feeding him is a massive challenge at the best of times. He sucks in so much air that it’s become a bit of an art form to get him to eat without causing him pain. So, no-one but us will feed him.
- Baby MPB will only eat fully pre-made formula. The 100% fully sterile formula, which is also the most expensive. We no-longer feed him this stuff at home, but I know my kitchen and I know everything is clean. We will be staying in a house that will have lots of people staying there and there will be a big party with lots of people using the kitchen and the fridge. So, I don’t want to even deal with formula prep and storage. I also don’t want to rely on others to clean things to my standards and I honestly just don’t want others “helping.” So, pre-made formula it is.
- I’m going to start running again while we are there (hopefully). This will give me an hour a day just for me and allow me to clear my head.
- We are visiting my out-of-town family member while we are there. No-one else is invited as I want to enjoy a special visit with her.
- The meet and greet party is being held in the evening. We suggested this isn’t a good idea since Baby MPB goes to bed at 7pm. We were told “he can just stay up late one night”. Nope, not going to happen. We are his parents and what we say is final. Ultimately, keeping Baby MPB up late is not in his best interests, especially while traveling and staying outside of our comfort zone. Quite frankly, his well being is all that matters and so does my peace of mind. So, he will be missing the majority of his party and I am okay with that. (As an aside, Mr. MPB tells me there will be blue cupcakes).
- We have a rental car. We will not be relying on family to drive us anywhere or to lend us their car. There will be no waiting should I need to escape, even just for a few minutes.
- Mr. MPB and I will make a point to talk every day without anyone else. If we cannot get time alone, then we will text. We have learned that its important check in and make sure neither of us are loosing our minds and if someone is how the other an help.
- I have a few food allergies which are usually ignored when we visit. I am not taking any chances on eating something that will make me sick. Also, regardless of any food allergies I don’t function well when I’m hungry. So, I will have granola bars with me at all times. A well fed MPB is a happy MPB.
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My Perfect Breakdown 