Oh! How Lovely! { jamieann dot net } » Blog Archive » post vacation slump

post vacation slump

June 26, 2008 | boyfriend, me me me, weight loss

Picture this.

Nanny Jamie is playing with the almost one year old in the living room. 2 year old was in his room doing his business, he normally goes off and tells me when he is ready to change.

Then, it got quiet. Too quiet. I burst into his room.

What do I see?

A two year old with both legs in one of the leg holes on his Pull Up. Poopy diaper on the floor and a big brown spot where he plopped ass down on the cream carpet.

Later we see a disheveled nanny scrubbing the carpet with everything under the kitchen sick trying to get shit off the carpet.

That was only part of my day.

Yesterday was rough.

After a week of magic, fairy dust and no worries, I was back home. Back to reality.

Nannying is burning me out, the 12 hour days running around after kids who aren’t even mine. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kids to death. They are my babies, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know, how a kid acts with their parents and how they act with a sitter or nanny are on opposite ends of the behavior spectrum. The kids have more good days than not so good days. I really can’t complain, I get paid very well for what I do and I am practically part of the family. It’s just wearing me down.

I have money issues like no tomorrow. BlogHer is coming up, tuition, gas, and now vet bills. Turns out this dog my cousin gave me, doesn’t have any shots and must be neutered. All that is coming out of my pocket. I feel like I’m drowning and will never catch up.

My parents are officially divorced now, it happened last month. Unfortunately, they are both still living here so it’s like nothing has changed. House repairs, big and small, must be done before the house can be sold. I’m betting we will be stuck in this shitty situation until at the very least fall, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were here longer.

Meaningless little stuff that on a normal day wouldn’t bother me, yesterday had me absolutely reeling. I came home, the internet was being a bitch and it just pushed me over the edge. Everything bubbled up and over and I was done. Tears were officially flowing and I let it all out.

I sent boyfriend a text that I was going to bed at about 9:30 because I just needed the day to be over. He knows me too well and called. He talked and calmed me. He reminded me that yeah, things might suck now but I do have a lot to be happy for.

And I am.

Right then I was just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. It finally all caught up with me and came out.

I’m happy I have someone to bring me back down and remind me of these things when needed.

I love him.

56 Comments so far
Leave a comment

Post vacation slumps are no joke. And what is it with everything always happening at once?

Argh!

Vacation hangover is the worst. Sucks.

That’s a lot you have going on! Take good care of yourself and go easy.

i’m so sorry to hear how difficult your day was and – gah – i feel so sad knowing that you’re dealing with some really emotionally draining stuff right now. i’m so glad you have someone that can make you feel safe and better though. you’re in my thoughts, honeypie.

as much as i am amused by poop stories, good to know your bf is there to help you take the blow.

buck up, kiddo – from the bottom, one can only go up.

I feel like that some days too. Your boyfriend sounds soo sweet though. I wish I had a boyfriend like him. I was just wondering, how did you go about getting a nanny job? I am like desperate for a job right now, so i might look into nanying.

DUDE. Babygirl had a similar incident over Christmas, cept she picked up the poo. And flung it. Babies should not fling poo.

I’m glad you have someone to remind you it’s all going to be okay. And it is. Sounds like you’re doing a good job seeing the positive, and I admire you for that. Just keep truckin. You rock.

Those days are the worst. I freak out about money too, but I find that setting up a certain amount to save for things (or savings account) each week is the best way to feel better financially. I wouldnt have paid off my credit card bill (almost!) without that.

Hope things get better!

I’m sorry to hear all this! I too go through slumps and they suck – but the good thing is you eventually get out of them.

You should consider contacting the local SPCA to do the neutering. It’s significantly cheaper than the vet and they do it a lot – so they’re experienced. I don’t know how Chicago’s SPCA is, but worth checking out.

Re-entry into real life after vacation always blows. Sorry it was a rough one…glad boyfriend was able to help a bit.

I love him too.

I mean, he must be nice if you like him, right?

hang in there! post-vacation stinks for a few days…but soon everything will level off. sending you happy thoughts!

Ugh..I’m sorry everything seems so craptastic right now. The bf is right though – you have so much to look forward to. Plus you have like quadrillion bloggers who are here at all times of day and night to cheer you up.

You can always tell a good boyfriend by whether or not he knows something’s up- sounds like you’ve got a keeper! Hugs to you, lady.

Yes, definitely a keeper.

Sorry about the poop, figuratively and literally speaking. I can relate to scrubbing shit out of the carpet (dogs get diarrhea too, did you know?)

I hope you can find some post-vacation peace in Chicago.

Look on the bright side: You still got your man. Where I come from, that doesn’t just count for something, that counts for a lot.

http://awaitingtenure.wordpress.com/

Bless him. Men can be lovely sometimes.

Do NOT, whatever you do, feed toddlers dried cranberries (craisins, whatever you call them).

Cranberry diaper explosions are NOT fun to clean.

Um, that’s just weird that your parents are divorced, but both still around. I don’t get that.

I do get the long, tortuous days as a nanny. That’s how I spent my whole summer last year, and I didn’t even get a trip to Disney out of it.

I’m sorry that everything is piling up like this. I’m glad, however, that you have someone who’ll let you take it out on him Sounds like a lifesaver. A cherry one (because they’re the best).

My parents lived together up until about a month before their divorce was finalized. It was the worst summer of my life (yet somehow one of the best too because my friends after 8th grade? were awesome.)

Sucks about everything and feeling overwhelmed but your lucky to have a great boyfriend who understands you and listens to you and can calm you…its amazing what a difference that makes.

if you ever need to vent about the family stuff? I’ve been there and done that and know how stressful it is..so drop me an email or im <3

My parents lived together up until about a month before their divorce was finalized. It was the worst summer of my life (yet somehow one of the best too because my friends after 8th grade? were awesome.)

Sucks about everything and feeling overwhelmed but your lucky to have a great boyfriend who understands you and listens to you and can calm you…its amazing what a difference that makes.

if you ever need to vent about the family stuff? I’ve been there and done that and know how stressful it is..so drop me an email or im if you ever need to vent <3

gah that first one was missing part of it. sorry to double comment

Ahh, that totally sucks. I hope everything turns out okay.

It sounds like you had a really rough day! I know how draining it is to be a nanny. I used to work for a family with three boys, all under the age of 8. That was a nightmare. So, yeah. I understand your pain. And the family drama? That too. Why does it seem like all families fall apart? I really wish everyone could just get along. At least your boyfriend was able to make you feel a little better and calm you down a bit. Sometimes boys are so great.

Aww. I’m sorry about all the shittiness. That’s just…shitty.

But how amazing that you have a sweet boyfriend to calm you down. Count those blessings.

I just got back from vacation too, and it sucks…BAD! I can understand how you feel, and it’s always nice to have a boyfriend who understands. Mine just thinks I’m crazy!

I’m sorry about everything happening at once- that sucks that you have so much going on right now.
I’m glad you have the boy to be there & help ease the stress when you need it, and remember, you’ve got all of us, too =)

It is crazy how life always throws you a really, really bad day to welcome you back from vacation. Why can’t we just ease back into real life?

I admire you for nannying full time. I babysit and the kids about drive me crazy and that’s just for a few hours. People have told me these kids are abnormally bad though so I guess that contributes (I never bit the babysitter when I was kid, that’s all I have to say). Anyway, I hope things start to get a bit less stressful. I’m glad your boyfriend was helpful and able to help

wow. and I’m exhausted. “helpful and able to help” gah. whoops!

awe. i love that your boyfriend noticed what was up and made it better. totally cute.

sorry about the poop stuff, it really really really sucks when it happens with a kid you didn’t give birth to. I send you momma hugs since they are extra comforting!

Try a stain remover called Capture. A friend of mine spilled red wine alllll over my carpet. She got out this stuff which is a powder and a spray and then a scrub brush to scrub it all up. No remains of the wine! You have to get the stain early, but it might help

And hopefully the vacation slump goes away soon. I hate how things pile up while we’re off.

Oh! That is a lot to handle! I can see how you needed to blow off some steam. I had a good cry on Saturday — a bunch of stupid things building up — and I felt like it cleaned the slate for me this week. I hope things get better soon. And I hope you feel better. Your boyfriend sounds like a keeper.

Smile because these are the times that love is the best- the worst times.

Work burnout, money worries, AND post vacation blues? That sucks. I totally feel you, especially on the first two at the moment. Sometimes it’s so hard to see the good in life, and you just need to either cry, or re-read some favorite kid/teen books. Or both. With ice cream. OH! IN A BED TENT! That’ll make you feel better! And now you know where I’ll be this weekend….

Oh, and about the puppy surgery? They recover in NO time at all (Tonks actually JUMPED in the car immediately after her surgery, and minutes after the vet told me to keep her still for a week or so. Ha ha ha. Tonks is hardly still for an hour at a time…while she sleeps).

That’s really great that you boyfriend is there for you and can help make a bad day a bit better. That always helps. OMG cleaning up poop from a cream carpet, I would die. You’re a good nanny.

jamie!!!! this is an amazing revelation, you wrote this beautifully. the ending made me smile.

now as for the other beginning annoyances, not to much fun.

it will get better, cliche i know.

Isn’t it nice to have someone around who brings you back to the good things? Sometimes, you just need a good cry to feel better too!

sorry to hear your day sucked-sounds like you have a wonderful, caring bf, and that is the best part. We all have days like that, it is getting thru them that is the hard part, one day you will look back and laugh about that poopy diaper incident-even though it was not funny at the moment. about the vet bills, do you have a local program where they help to spay and neuter your pets? You might want to look into that, this one has state by state listing and while has to do with mostly cats, I think dogs can be included in some as well
http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

my dad just got his dog neutered and the local shelter gave him a $50 voucher, and he did not get his dog at the shelter. check locally and good luck!

What a drag! Glad you had that help to get through the end of the day. I know exactly what you mean about tight times financially… I’m moving this weekend and I’m still not quite sure how I’m going to manage to pay for it all. Especially since I’ve got the added pressure of fall tuition coming up, and all the rest of the crazy adult stuff that sometimes I could just do without. All the best!

Oh wow, lady, I have so much respect for you! I could never be a nanny, kids make me nervous. I’d be afraid I’d lose one, or it would break itself or something. Icee pops make everything better, Icee pops.

See…us Men can be good for something!

Sorry to hear…about, well, everything…but especially the poop.

Hope today is better for you.

i hate post vacation slumps! you just want to go back on vacation and get out of your real life for longer.

hopefully yours will end soon!

Ugh… I hope tomorrow is a better day!

There needs to be a transition. Something that gets you ready for the real world again after a magical holiday. Maybe i’ll invent it.

AHHH! I had no idea that you were coming tonight! I am SO EXCITED to finally meet you!!!

I’m sorry about the post vacation slump and everything that’s stressing you out and making everything seem relatively impossible. Things always decide to go south at the most unexpected times. I’m glad you have such a wonderful boyfriend to be there for you!

Sorry bout the post-vacay slump and some of the stresses your dealing with. It’ll get better. With such a caring boyfriend, and friends it has to. Keep your chin up sunshine

I called the Sox and told them that they needed to win today which would aid in raising your spirits.

aw i’m sorry you had such a rough day….but happy for you that you have someone so supportive in your life.

san francisco is in a couple weeks!!!

When it rains, it definitely pours. And it always happens at the least-expected, most inconvenient times.

I hope today was better.

i seriously have a vacation hangover too. i still want to be in philly.

but i’m glad you’ve got such a great bf to help you get through it all. and we’re here too jamie

It is amazing how much can sneak up on you like that. It is like it never even occurs to you how stressful your life is until you are near the tipping point.

I might venture to say that cleaning up shit on the carpet has got to almost trump vacation hangovers.

But, parental divorces are never, ever any fun…I went through that a while back and you would think that adults would at least pretend to be mature about it. Yeah, not so.

Hope your days are getting better.

[...] so I guess I could tell you about the time the 2 1/2 year old shit on the floor. Or maybe the time the 10 month old took her first steps in front of me so I told her parents and [...]

Those days are the worst. I freak out about money too, but I find that setting up a certain amount to save for things (or savings account) each week is the best way to feel better financially. I wouldnt have paid off my credit card bill (almost!) without that.

Hope things get better!

RSS feed for comments on this post.

TrackBack URI

Leave a comment

All content, unless otherwise noted, © 2008 Oh! How Lovely! { jamieann dot net }
Blog design by Splendid Sparrow

free hit counters