Days like these...

Test my patience and make me wonder whether or not I am really cut out for this, whether I want to pursue it as a career or not.

The girls weren't listening to me all day. We went to the library first to sign up for the summer reading program and get some books. They were being loud and not acting the way I expect them to act in public. I should have taken them straight home after that, but I wanted to not give up on them and myself and give it another chance.

I had to take them to the grocery store with me, something I usually am able to do alone, without stress. We didn't even need that many things, yet I spent as much time as I would doing a full shopping trip alone. They weren't paying attention to where I was going and would fall behind, and I had to lecture them on the importance of not being snatched up and sold into slavery in Asia. They would touch EVERYTHING, at one point sending a few unknown vegetables onto the floor. Some kind of gourd, I think. This was right after I got done telling the other one to stop touching the produce, and when you do stop touching it, don't throw it into the bin, because other people don't want to have to buy bruised avocados because of you.

When I got home I started making dinner, cut myself just a little bit (nbd) and served it to ungrateful children. Twin #1 has been on this negative, nay-saying trip lately where everything isn't good enough for her extremely refined taste. What do you want? I don't know. Do you want this? No. This? No. This? No! Well what do you want?! I don't know. Well, sorry, you're getting this. TheMom wants me to stop giving them choices. I need to remember that.

Then after I was done at 6:45, I had a discussion with TheMom about time I'm taking off in the upcoming months. I asked to be off 15 minutes early one night, but I didn't ask with tact. It wasn't the right time to ask, and I should have known that. She reprimanded me. I cried.

I haven't been very tactful at all lately, in many of my relationships. I feel like my brain is in screw-up mode, where I want to ruin everything good and try to convince myself that it was the right thing. Well, I'm not going to let my stupid brain win this time. I got a book at the library today called "This is How: Help for the Self" written by Augustus Burroughs. I haven't read anything by him before, but this looks like it might be good for me to read right now. I'm feeling kind of lost, disconnected, and resentful (for no good reason). I need to fix my attitude. I'm going to make some lists tonight.

After I ran (doing Couch to 5K, and I'm restarting from week 3), I felt better. I think exercise is going to be something I will lean on more and more the better I get at it. It has so many benefits, and one of my main health goals is to be in optimum shape for when I actually have a baby myself, which isn't going to happen anytime soon, but it's good to be prepared. Being a nanny is a very active job, and there's nothing worse than having to care for children when you're drowsy and fat.

This was a bit of a rant, but this is partly what this blog is for: dealing with the realities of this very unique job. Its what I'm best at and can make the most money doing; I can't let myself get discouraged and off track. If I stick with things, good things happen, and if I give them up, all I have is regret.

Discussing dinner

D: "I have a great idea... cereal sandwiches!"
Me: "How's that gonna work, cereal will fall out the sides."
D: "We can seal up the edges so they stick together."
Me: "With what, glue?"
D: "With CREAM CHEESE!"

I use Allrecipes.com for many of my meal ideas. It has been my favorite recipe website for a few years now. My favorite feature is the recipe search by ingredient, where you can specify the ingredients you have, as well as ingredients you don't have. For example, if you wanted to make brownies but didn't have butter, you can search for brownies with oil or applesauce but without butter.

By the way, I made this recipe for Best Brownies a few weeks ago. Do not make these, they are horrible. And by horrible, I mean that you want to eat the whole tray in one sitting and then feel incredibly guilty afterward. I've warned you.

Babysitting bag which would also be good for the pool this summer.

The Sun's Awake

I took this video sometime back in 2005, a few months after my oldest brother got married. This is my niece Malaki, who was about two at the time and is now 9 years old. She was one of the first kids I babysat for on a regular basis. Sean and his wife had two more daughters, Finley and Elliot, who I helped take care of since they were infants. I've always loved this video of Malaki, and it reminds me of a simpler time.

Jim KB on Supernannies

Source

Jim KB is a really funny, talented webcomic artist who frequently posts to Reddit.  This is one of my favorites of his.

CPR Classes

Unfortunately, I have not yet taken a CPR Class. I know how important it is to be CPR-certified, and I will have a much better chance of finding a higher-paid position if I am. I don't want anything to hold me back from the best opportunities out there, so I have no excuse not to take a class. I want to take one as soon as possible this summer before I start my new job.

Here is some information on a class at the Kennedy Health Systems hospital, which isn't too far from where I live. I think this one is about $40. I'd rather have a free one, but a paid one would probably be more thorough and more likely to be held in just a few hours.

There is an infant and child CPR class through Lourdes Health Systems that is only $35. I might have to work that night, though.

Here is a free CPR Class at the Cooper Community Health Education Center in Voorhees.

Also at the same location, there is an "Baby 101" infant care class, but it is $25 per couple. I'm sure I could go alone, but I wonder if it would be half off. That would also be helpful to brush up on, since I haven't taken care of a baby since my nieces were little.

I also found an online CPR and First Aid course, as well as "Illustrated CPR in 3 Steps", which obviously isn't as good as an in-person demonstration, but still good resources.

My name is Mallory Rhodes. I am a 24 year old American girl with over 10 years of experience as a babysitter, nanny and an au pair. I am looking for a long-term, live-in nanny position, preferably with a family with small children.

I am currently an au pair for a family with 7 year-old twin girls in Cherry Hill, NJ. My duties include keeping children on schedule throughout the day, helping with homework, doing light housework including the children's laundry, preparing 3 meals a day, and transporting the children to and from activities.

I believe in working closely with the parents, matching their parenting style, and having frequent meetings to discuss any problems. I am much more experienced and professional than a younger girl looking for this position. I will devote myself to the well-being of your children and contribute towards a harmonious household.

I am originally from Delaware but have lived in many places, including being an au pair in the Netherlands for 8 months, being a nanny for three families at the beach in Delaware, and living in West Virginia for my undergrad studies. I am accustomed to adjusting to new places and I look forward to new experiences. I have experience with both boys and girls of many different ages. I am passionate about reading, and hope to earn my Master's in Library Science to become a Children's Librarian in the future.

I have committed to staying with my current family until September 2012. After that, I am looking for a higher paid position, from $15-20 an hour, 40-45 hours a week. I am looking for a live-in position that allows me some free time on the weekends. Ideally, I would like to find a family with very small children that I would be able to stay with for a year or longer.

This blog will chronicle my job search for a new nanny position starting in the fall of 2012. In the past, I used aupair-world.net to find families, but I am currently applying to families through care.com. I have also submitted applications to several agencies in New York and Philadelphia. Right now I have been contacted by a few families, but have not yet started the preliminary arrangements for starting a new position.

I am looking forward to using this blog in order to keep a record of my job search, outline my qualifications, bookmark resources, and comment on my goals and aspirations that I plan for in the future.

If you are a family looking for a nanny, a nanny looking for advice, or you simply would like to know more about me, you can email me at mrhodes8@gmail.com.

Warm Regards, Mallory

P.S. I named the blog "Yes, Nanny!" for several reasons, but mainly as an homage to Muppet Babies.