The Nanny

Since my tummy’s getting bigger each day and running after my toddler especially when he is playing isn’t an easy job anymore, my hubby and I thought it would be best to get a nanny.  The idea that there would be someone to help me catch Arvid whenever he wants to jump off the stairs or carry him from the bathroom to the living room after his bath further encouraged us.  And so started the nanny-hunting-experience.

Of course we didn’t think of finding a female counterpart of Inspector Gadget who has every tool and tactic in hand as the need arises. We simply wanted someone who has a healthy mind, body and spirit. Was that too much to ask for?

For some peace of mind, we resorted to a referral process of finding a “yaya” (nanny). If someone we know has personal attachment to the applicant, then perhaps there is a good chance we could get what we wanted. Proximity is another thing we considered. The nearer her residence is, the better. Who wants someone like Nanny McPhee who literally appeared from nowhere and disappeared afterward?

Then came the interview. The nanny applicant came with my cousin’s wife. She’s wearing a brown blouse and a pair of faded blue pants. Wearing a ponytail, she looked groomed enough for an interview. Like an employer to her applicant, I tried to sound as professional as possible during the question-and-answer portion.  I asked the essentials – personal details and job experiences. And here’s what I got:

Age: 18 years old (as a first child, she helped in taking care of her younger siblings)
Sex: Female (looks female to me)
Education: High school graduate (favorite subject – Math)
Job experiences: A nanny to a 5-year old who needs be fed, bathed, looked after for
Good points: Doesn’t use a cellphone during work hours; Can do house chores ;

Willing to be trained; Has an ambition to go to college   

(Sounds good enough for a start, don’t you think?)

THEN CAME THE ON-THE-JOB PROOF OF THE NANNY’S BACKGROUND AND CAPABILITIES:

Age: 18 years old  

(wakes up when woken up;

enjoys playing with my 6-old nephew;

plays with Arvid’s baby toys)

Sex: Female  

(asks for names of pretty teenagers she sees at our church; likes men’s clothes)

Education: High school graduate, favorite subject Math

(day 2:  7 x 6  = 36;  day 3: 7 x 6 = 40?; day 5: 7 x 6 = 43)

 Good points: Doesn’t use a cellphone during work hours; Can do house chores

(work hour lasts for 5-10 minutes; sits down in the living room to send SMS after a work is done)

Willing to be trained

(has to be told what she has to do all the time )

After a few days of observation, there was no doubt we found, not a nanny to my toddler, but a playmate to my six-year-old nephew.  Add this to the nanny’s inability to run after Arvid whenever he’s jumping off the sofa or the stairs and presto, the nanny-hunting failed!

On top of these, we’re sad to let the nanny go as she didn’t want to leave us anymore. I guess she liked living with us (who wouldn’t want to be in her place?) But in life, there are times when we have to let go of someone because he or she is not the one for us. Well, I’m only talking about the nanny!

Wish us good luck for another nanny-hunting job ahead!