WWYD (nannies, nanny employers advice please!)

[ohnoshedittant]

I'm concerned that DC2 (Boy, 4.5) is dyspraxic. He exhibits a number of the 'less severe' symptoms that are common to dyspraxia, but doesn't have any major problems.

His parents are great, but they are the sort of parents who don't worry unduly about things and like to avoid doctors trips etc. unless absolutely necessary. I have spoken to dad about some of DC2's difficulties i.e. he falls over ALL the time etc and mentioned dyspraxia, but nothing has been done and neither MB or DB have mentioned it again.

I'm going to be having a sit-down chat with MB soon (an annual review type thing). Should I mention it again? If I do, how should I phrase it?

Why not 'drip feed' your concerns to parents!! I've had to do that with one of my mindees and the penny finally dropped. It's sooo difficult because we aren't allowed to diagnose, but we spend so much time with the children - often more than parents do - that really we should be better trained to voice our concerns.

Maybe print off some info about the condition so you know what the 'symptoms' are?

If you want to chat, please contact me - been there, got the t-shirt

I think that i would steer clear of focusing on the diagnosis being Dyspraxia and put emphasis on the daily behaviour you are noticing that concerns you.

If you don't already, I would start keeping a daily nanny diary with regular notes of when things happen (like falling over etc) as well as general daily notes. Leave the diary with the family so that they can glance over it in their own time. (All of our nannies keep nanny diaries which parents like allot). Along with the nanny diary, i would also ?drip feed? your concerns to the parents like underpaidandoverworked suggested.

When you sit down to have your review - you can air your concerns. Hopefully the nanny diary will already have planted a seed of concern in their minds.

Good luck
Sally x

Thanks for your advice. I think 'drip feeding' is prob a good idea. The only problem may be them putting it together, as the symptoms can seem unrelated e.g. the falling over and poor handwiting/drawing.

I do keep a daily diary, although I don't put in every time he falls over, as it can be literally 10 times a day. He's covered in bruises, grazes etc so I'm sure they know!

I think printing out some info, or getting a lefalet or something could be an idea...maybe they'll take the hint.