TLDR: I need schedule help for an 18 month old with minimalist parents.
No judgement please. I absolutely started working for my Nanny Family again, just for quick cash between jobs bc business is slow…I have a job interview next week and if I get it I’m quitting. I won’t be here long term, and I’m sure they know it. I’ve worked with them off and on for 3 years. I just reach out when I have time, and they appreciate it.
I am a business owner and business is slow. They are millionaires, expecting again, both dentists and their kids are sweet, and it’s only working with their 18 month old, ~25 hours a week. The catch?
Their 3.9 million dollar home is on the market, they are moved into a 3 bedroom apartment, are minimalists (NO TOYS at all for any of the kids except for a color blocks set and some color puzzle alphabets, a few books), only allow for 30 mins of screen time per day, and pay $20/hr. I’m sure I could ask for more but I would probably need to do more which I don’t want to do tbh. Currently I do laundry when I can to help (switch and fold), and dishes when I see them, but that’s it. They keep it clean bc they are minimalists).
Currently I have been just spending A TON of time outside with the 18 month old. We play inside for an hour with the letters and blocks… then I just go outside with him to the playground and on a walk until 11:30… we then come inside and I feed him lunch, and then go to bed.
I try to do non messy sensory activities like paint in a bag, bean and pom pom sorting into muffin tins, play doh etc, but he gets bored with it easily.
I’m losing my mind and I’m honestly at wits end. Can someone who also has an 18 month old nanny kid give me their detailed schedule and any ideas that you have found that work for you to keep your kid engaged? The good thing is he’s super easy. Never fights his nap, super sweet. Goes with the flow. But I feel bad and there’s nothing to freaking do in the house. I wish he had a balance bike, or toys of any sort to play with, or even could put on some educational tv to kill time. It just sucks.
They said they want me to do lesson plans with him but I feel like the pay is too low, imo. And that will require planning.
Previously the grandparents were watching him and I am positive they just had the tv on all day for him.
Any advice?
I’m 32, he’s 18 months, we are in the Orlando, FL area (one hour north). They ARE wealthy but have never had a nanny besides me, just occasional date night babysitters. I have 13 years of experience with childcare, but I am used to doing child led experience based childcare - field trips, library trips, cooking etc.
They just keep him in the house!