I really love my job as a nanny. It’s flexible, I make great money, the kids are adorable…most of the time. Sometimes I want to rip my hair out if I have to hear the Wonder Pets theme song one more time, but when the little guy pretends to hurt himself, just so he can say, “Kiss it, Jamie”, I can’t help but smile. Of course, I smother the kids with hugs and kisses all the time, but when you’re 2 1/2 and can squeeze in an extra one by a little faking, you do it. There really is nothing better than turning the keys and hearing a rush of footsteps to greet me at the door. 7:30AM? I am not a morning person, but when I’m greeted with hugs and shouts about what we are going to do today, I don’t mind it at all. I work 11 hour days at least twice a week, it’s tiring. Definitely. But when mom and dad get home and the little guy can show them he can count to 10 in Spanish now because of me, it’s pretty awesome. All in all, I couldn’t ask for a better gig. I’ll be sad once I have to get a “real” job - if I ever graduate, that is. They are like a second family to me.
Downsides of the job? Sickness. Kids are magnets for germs. Seriously. All germs within a mile radius gets sucked into the kids. I feel like I’m always coming down with a cold or something. This time? The flu. The kids were on the very last bits of the flu when I worked on Thursday, but I figured I’d be okay since it was on it’s way out. Friday, I was fine. Saturday, not so much.
Of course, it happens when I have plans. That’s how it always goes. I dragged myself to puppy class thinking I’d be okay. I spent the whole pretty much slumped over in a chair or making trips across the store the restroom. I’m so grateful boyfriend went and handled Edie all class. I couldn’t drive home so I handed Will the keys. The drive home was full of tears for me because I am kind of a baby when I get sick. You know the feeling of having to throw up but you just can’t? Yeah, that’s makes me whiny and shed a few tears.
Unfortunately, my amazing plans with Jenn had to be canceled. I’m so irritated about that. We will get to Minnie’s, Jenn. Sooner, not later! Promise!
I’m finally starting to feel a little better. My stomach still feels like there is a weight in it. Hopefully tomorrow I will be at 100%
Stupid flu.
32 Responses for "germ magnet"
aw. hopefully you’re up and at ‘em after some rest!
I worked as a nanny last summer for two boys. The kids were great, but it was interesting, seeing as it wasn’t a “real” nanny job (the mother had been taking some time off, blah blah blah, she was there all of the time, but not doing anything). Anyway… I know what you mean about the Wonder Pets, Wow Wow Wubzy (wubzy wubzy wow wow), and every oher cartoon on Noggin’.
Sorry you’re sick though… hope you feel better soon! :)
*hugs*
I hope you start feeling better soon! I am a baby whenever I get sick, too. It’s no fun, especially the flu. :/ You’re lucky to have someone to help you out and (hopefully) take care of you, too!
I work with kids too, so I feel your pain. One time, the mom said to me “Gosh, we’re all sick here. I hope you don’t get sick too!” I’d been feeling fine up until that point, but sure enough, that night I was down for the count.
My favorite is when the kids cough on you because it’s funny, and then laugh when you tell them that’s not nice. So not cool.
Feel better soon!!! :)
I was a nanny once and I LOVED it. Seriously, I’d still be doing it but the family moved far away I never found another family (I didn’t really look that hard either) So I got another job. Enjoy it while you can! Those kids will always remember you
Feel better! I used to be a camp counselor and although there weren’t many hugs and kisses involved, there was lot of sniffling germ magnets. I was always sick! Get better.
My mother works at a nursery school and I have two nieces and 1 nephew under the age of 4, I feel your pain. They are always giving me something. Hope you are up and at ‘em soon.
Feel better soon, and have a good week.
omgggg. i used to teach preschool and that was the STORY OF MY LIFE. i had pink eye more times than i care to remember and lysol was my best friend. ahhh, the good old days! hope you feel better soon! xoxox
Yuck, I thought flu season was over! Feel better soon!
Dude. The whole ‘working with kids makes you sick’ idea? Yeah. I get this. I GET THIS. This is why I hand sanitizer the way some people drink beer.
Feel better soon love!
Ugh. When I did my work with kids, I got strepthroat without fail every single year.
Oh, and I cut my thumb. Love me please?
No worries my dear, I’m glad you are feeling better :)
vitamin c!!!!!
My mom’s a preschool teacher. She’s pretty immune to the stuff she encounters, but if I visit her class? Sick for a week.
Aw. Try running a children’s day camp. SO MANY GERMS.
hope you feel better soon!
Feel better!
Aww! I hope you feel better soon. I know how you feel. My mom taught pre school for 5 years, and she came down with a terrible cold every four months, like clockwork.
Airborne! Vitamin C! Echinacea! Zinc! Try taking these the next time the kids are even slightly sick, just in case, cause it totally sucks to be sick on your own time when you have plans!!
Hope you feel better soon!! xoxox
Hope you are feeling better today! It really sucks to be sick, and I can’t stand to throw up at all, much less feel like throwing up. I’m such a baby too when I’m sick…I call my mom!
I hate nausea more than ANYTHING. Feel better!!!
Poor thing. Hope you’re better soon!
Ugh! I hate being sick. I’m a baby about it too! :)
When I was in college I was a nanny during the summers. It was great. I loved the engery those kids had and it kept me young.
I have no idea how you do it. I’d have freaked out a long time ago.
I’m horrible with sickness. I turn into such a baby it’s not even funny. I do admire your ability to handle children, though. I swear, I’d go nuts.
I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. I bet those 11-hour days have something to do with it, too. Remember to get rest! Personal lives and work don’t leave a whole lot of time for that, but sleep and healthy eating are the best ways to stay clear of illness. Hope you’re doing better soon!!
being a nanny was the best job i ever had. I love that little boy.
even after years of school and money spent and a terminal degree, some days i just want to quit it all and go back to my “first baby”
i miss it so much.
I’m glad that your nanny experience is so much more positive than mine. Mine was the worst of my life. I had a panic attack from the stress.
Ugh–I lived with three first-year elementary school teachers my first year in NYC and the four of us got EVERYTHING. Hope you feel better soon.
I hope you’re feeling better by now!
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