Kids at the park

[Imissthe00s]

This is somewhat lighthearted but at the same time argh!😂

Ive had 3 hours sleep. Brought 2 kids the park (I’m a nanny), small park with lots of play equipment. I filled water bottles, brought snacks.

All I asked is that they go play and just give me some time to chill as no actual break so have to fit in time to breath and eat when I can (very small enclosed park, I can see them wherever they are). They are over every 2 minutes. Constant shouting to get them up on the see saw that’s over a metre off the ground. No, there are about 7 other things they can manage on their own. Ask if they want to leave then. No, they want to stay. I send them over to the hill to roll down. They go over and just stare. It’s like they have no bloody concept of independent play and using their imagination.

The days out they have with their parents are paid activity places (soft play, theme parks, constant buying the tat around attractions) but my approach is letting kids use their imaginations outdoors.

Of course I play with them and have done since 8am this morning but AIBU to wonder what happened to kids being able to have fun just running around the park?! Argh I just want 20 minutes peace! Can anyone relate? 😂

You definitely are t being unreasonable. It’s important that kids are able to play by themselves/with each other for a period of time. I hate that there are some children who have to be constantly entertained. And you deserve a break!

You are not being unreasonable about kids being able to entertain themselves however you are being paid to look after them so it's not their fault you haven't had enough sleep

Take them home and play doctors.
They are the doctors and need to look after you - the patient.
Your medical issue is you are in a coma 😂

Oh I wish but they have a WFH parent who has spent the better part of the morning interfering so I got them out ASAP!

yabu (sorry!) sometimes an adult has to lead play- I remember my mum running down hills with us and pushing us on the swing! Sorry op you need to suck it up!!

How old are they?

But as a paid nanny, surely it is your job to play with them ?

Sometimes being the key word! I led play for 5 hours this morning and will carry on doing so for another 4/5 hours when we get home. I just wanted 20 minutes!

Why are you showing up to work with kids on three hours sleep? It's hardly their fault you're too under par to do your job...

Do you think if they were able to play independently their wfh parent will be paying you to mind them? A lot of us would love to take 20 min in the middle of a work shift but you can't ...🤣

I’m sorry what? Jobs have breaks. This one does not because there isn’t anyone else o cover me. I wasn’t even asking if I’m unreasonable to expect a break. I’m actually still working by watching them. I just wanted space while they played in the park independently for 20 minutes out of a 10 hour day 😂

Some miserable people on this site. I expect the negative replies all play with their kids every waking moment and don’t ever want to have a drink or some lunch while they watch tv or play on their own. Quite happy to admit I don’t want to work 10 hours without a small amount of time to myself. I’m not a martyr.

So, you ask for opinions and then if we don't agree with you then it must be because we are miserable? 🤣 I think you look for another job that is more suitable if you are not happy with your current one.

So, you're in the wrong job 🤷🏻‍♀️

This is hilarious. You’re the nanny! It’s like a waitress coming on here and saying ‘all these people are constantly asking me for drinks and food and I never have a minutes peace!’

Millions of people will be working through their breaks today in various professions, sometimes we are all busy and never stop. And millions of us couldn’t cope on just three hours sleep. Yes it’s irritating, my children would be the same, but it’s exactly what you’re being paid for.

I have to admit I'm so glad my daughter was very happy in her own company when she was little. Give her a patch of grass and she'd be off cantering around pretending to be a pony making up her own dressage routines. She could entertain herself for hours, all I had to do was sit and golf clap every now and again to show I approved of her extended trot.

Is this your first day? It's like you have never been around kids before. Maybe this isn't the job for you op.

Are you all saying you are working for 8+ hours and not allowed a break?

I think even domestic employees should be covered by the 20 mins per 6 hours rule, so that's def one to flag with your employer

The WFH parent should be giving you a full break!

I don't think you are being unreasonable. Kids do love to pester though.

Ffor what it's worth, I don't think the parents are doing their kids any favours if they say yes to every item of tat, and always take them on paid days out.

For the ones saying I’m in the wrong job and if it’s my first day, if you’re confused by my lightheartedness of saying I don’t want kids swinging off me and shouting me for just 20 minutes then I’m questioning if you even have kids. Because anyone who cares for or has kids would understand that and if you don’t agree then I think you’re being deliberately obtuse.

Ive spent all the time since my last post doing baking, pool time, art and cooking for the kids. They had my full attention and weve had a lovely time. I’m not buying it that anyone thinks it’s crazy to want 20 minutes to themselves in a 10 hour work day 😂

I was always really conscious that our nannies didn’t really get a break once the kids were too old to nap. I was always totally fine with them sticking TV on so that they could at least eat lunch in relative peace. I get a lunch break in my job so it always felt unfair that the person I was paying couldn’t have time off too.

Totally get your irritation, OP. Just because you’re being paid doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to express frustration. Again, isn’t that what most working people do?? I know there are many elements of my job that piss me off, particularly when I’m tired!

I'm a SAHP to three OP, I feel your pain. Please go and love you life for 10 minutes without touching me. Thank you.

I have kids and I understand needing a break but if you are being paid to look after them as a nanny you can't expect a break at the park when you are the only one in charge of them, seems to me you need to sort out some sort of break system with your employer, the parents. You said one is wfh so you need to discuss it with them.

I’m still watching them in the park. I just don’t want kids on top of me for a short amount of time.

Surely you don’t all have your kids attached to you every second of the day 😂

I have kids. But I'm not a paid nanny; you are.

You work with them for a full day, then you go home. I'm baffled that you're trying to compare the two.

Depends how old they are, mine are 9 and 13 and even though they are not on top of me all day like they were when they were 5 and 1, they still badger me all day about this and that. Have you asked your employer for a break during the day? Surely doing a 10 hour day you are entitled to one. And more than 20 mins.