K, the Spanish speaking, 23-year-old, child psych major, was nice. Gatito seemed to accept her right away. I mean, Mom and Dad were there, so it’s not like he was cuddling with her, but he didn’t cry when he saw her, which he does do with certain people for reasons I cannot decipher. I don’t think that she’s going to love Gatito the way L does, but I think that she’ll like him and take good care of him and be energetic and playful. She has a safe car (and we went for a test drive in it and I am comfortable with her driving), so she’ll be able to take Gatito to story time, the playground, etc. This means, among other things, that pre-preschool seems like less of an imperative. We are not without our concerns, but all in we feel pretty confident that she’s a good choice. She has accepted our offer and will start in January.
We have decided to assume that L has bad luck but is basically a good person, and to make this as amicable a parting as possible. We will tell her the truth, which is how sorry we are to have to make this decision, and we will give her one week of notice plus two weeks of severance and a small Christmas gift, invite her to keep in touch if she wishes, and hope she doesn’t go all psycho and steal the baby in that last week. Ahem.
It sounds like the right thing to do for you. I feel relieved that you’ve found someone you feel good about. I know it must be hard.
It sounds like the right thing to do for you. I feel relieved that you’ve found someone you feel good about. I know it must be hard.
Sounds like this decision feels right – I’m glad this worked (is working?) out, Cat!
Sounds like this decision feels right – I’m glad this worked (is working?) out, Cat!
Keep us posted and it’s good to meet K.
Good plan! K sounds dependable and qualified.
Sounds like a good plan. I think you’ll be amazed how much less stressed you are when you have reliable childcare.
Sounds like a good plan. I think you’ll be amazed how much less stressed you are when you have reliable childcare.
Sounds like a good plan. I think you’ll be amazed how much less stressed you are when you have reliable childcare.
This is such a good thing. All around. We like K already.
Just a side note: I didn’t think Smacky would take to E the way he did with our first nanny, G, and he didn’t. Their relationship is totally different. G was more like another mom – a nurtuter, a caregiver. E is more like his grown-up best friend. I think it has to do with the different ages they had/have him. Since Gatito is the same age Smacky was when we transitioned nannies, you might experience something similar. I know I’ve said this before but I’m so pleased that we made the switch- and I think in a little bit of time, you will be too. Good luck letting go of L.
Just remember she brought this all upon herself.
Congratulations on the change …
I switched nannies when my daughter was about 15 months, from an older/mom/grandma type to a young, energetic type. I am actually pleased with the change though it was not what I had planned — a nice, young, energetic nanny is great for a toddler, different than what an infant needs. I have high hopes that your new nanny will be great!
Yay! You must be very relieved
Yay! You must be very relieved
Yay! You must be very relieved