schedule for the nanny: suggestions

Our three children are taken care of by a nanny. She's very tender with them, and takes care of the basics well (feedings, diaper changes), but I'm afraid she doesn't know what to do with them to stimulate them. Plus, she's so busy with the babies that I feel my toddler is a little bit left on her own. I feel quite bad about it. I have tried to suggest a few activities for the nanny to entertain the three of them. But I think it would help her if she had a written schedule to help pace the day. Does any of you have any suggestion for a schedule? Not something totally rigid, but at least some types of activities at specific moments.

For information, my boys nurse every 3 hours (starting from around 7:30 am), and sleep or are awake in between but are pretty easy. My daughter does not nap and is pretty difficult if not kept busy (she was thrilling when she was in daycare center but we can not afford to pay for it anymore).

Thanks for any suggestion.

 

Are you there with her? What is your day like when she has the day off? Maybe jot down what your routine is on the days that she's not there for her to reference. Honestly, though, I think in these early months, any schedule can go out the window pretty quickly. I would be more apt to say something like "During the babies nap, DD would like to do ___or this ____________today. ". I'm sure the nanny is trying to balance it all. Also, if you could show her how you do something (like put the babies on the floor and sit wit DD and all read a story "together", might give the nanny a better idea of how she can do somethings with all of them.

 

QUOTE(Mel G @ May 20 2008, 02:14 AM) [snapback]782401[/snapback]
Are you there with her? What is your day like when she has the day off? Maybe jot down what your routine is on the days that she's not there for her to reference. Honestly, though, I think in these early months, any schedule can go out the window pretty quickly. I would be more apt to say something like "During the babies nap, DD would like to do ___or this ____________today. ". I'm sure the nanny is trying to balance it all. Also, if you could show her how you do something (like put the babies on the floor and sit wit DD and all read a story "together", might give the nanny a better idea of how she can do somethings with all of them.


I think these are great suggestions as well. Maybe also get a copy of "The Toddler Busy Book" for ideas.

My nanny was not keeping my two year old twins stimulated enough (and I just have the two), so we did start daycare 3 days/week and the nanny is here just 2 days now. I gave her suggestions and books to reference, but she didn't really take any of them, unfortunately. But now that she's here just 2 days, she's much better at her job. I think it is hard all day, every day (I say this as I salute the SAHM's out there).

 

I had / have a similar situation ... my oldest was 2 1/2 when the twins are born. Luckily she was in school 2 full days but I even find it very hard to entertain 3 kids. It's all right now (the twins are almost 18 months old) but they still have very different needs. I am sure you're nanny is trying and it's great to give her a few suggestions, but personally I have experienced how hard this is ... and on some days it's not even doable. Especially with babies who can't do much, my oldest was often bored but there was very little I could do ... no matter how hard I tried. Life of a SAHM ... it's the same for a nanny who's with the kids all day. It's not easy!

That's why I loved her preschool and occassionally one of my friends would pick her up for a play date or I had people she could play with come to our house while the mom and I chatted (and she would help me with the babies if necessary).

 

Can the nanny take them on walks? I do this with my newborn and twins a lot. They love getting out. We also play in the backyard a lot. Maybe she could put the babies in a stroller while she plays with the toddler. I have found since my new little guy was born, I am not able to read, play games iwth the twins as often as I would like. And it is doubly hard with two newborns.

 

Thank you all for your comments!

I like the idea of telling the nanny, "during the babies nap, DD would like to do this today".
I do try to find the time to show the nanny how to entertain the three of them, but mornings and evenings are so hectic!
I will check the "busy toddler" book.
They can't go out to the park, because my DD does not listen and it would be too dangerous, she would just run away and what would the nanny do with the twins in the stroller ? But she can definitely take them in the back yard now that the weather is nice and warm.

BTW, I really think it's more difficult for a SAHM than for a nanny, because the only objective of the day for the nanny is to take care of the children, while the SAHM also has to run errands, and try to get millions of other things done. DH and I are working full time, Monday to Friday, so we definitely have to deal with that on week-ends. We try to balance activities, and most of the time, we end up doing things for the kids and nothing of our errands! But this being said, I'm not trying to minimize the work the nanny is doing, I know that it is difficult to deal with twin infants + a toddler anyway.

 

QUOTE(marylane @ May 21 2008, 01:32 AM) [snapback]784484[/snapback]
BTW, I really think it's more difficult for a SAHM than for a nanny, because the only objective of the day for the nanny is to take care of the children, while the SAHM also has to run errands, and try to get millions of other things done. DH and I are working full time, Monday to Friday, so we definitely have to deal with that on week-ends. We try to balance activities, and most of the time, we end up doing things for the kids and nothing of our errands! But this being said, I'm not trying to minimize the work the nanny is doing, I know that it is difficult to deal with twin infants + a toddler anyway.


I second the "during the twins nap, dd would like to ____" because it would give the nanny guidence. I also like to always have playdoh, paints, and other craft supplies on hand, as well as outdoor activities (bubbles, water play, chalk).

As for the juggles of a SAHM, I found it easier then being a nanny. When I was a nanny we were stuck at home or within walking distance and my entire job was to entertain the children. As a SAHM, I can kill a few hours by taking the boys grocery shopping and along on my errands. I can take them to the mall to play on the Kids Center and run up and down an end wing. I can't imagine being stuck at home and not being about to take the kids out of the house.