Summer Road Trip_2012_NannyBrigade

Wednesday, June 20th My niece is a Nanny; her charge is a incredibly cute, precocious little boy who just turned two. My last day in the city, the kids had to return to their respective jobs so I spent the day with the 'Nanny Brigade' of urban Chicago. Mind you, I haven't spent the day with small children in a very long time and I forgot how exhausting, not to mention challenging, keeping toddlers engaged can be. To the parents credit, one of the 'rules' for most of these kids is 'no TV.' Being a reading teacher in high school and I can tell you - first hand - the detrimental effects of TV on children (and computers\computer games). My children grew up with limited TV and to this day, I do not have TV at home. So each morning, the Mommy leaves the Nanny a detailed 'agenda' for the two-year-old. My niece is a college educated, elementary ed teacher trained Nanny....the parents are very lucky to have her, she is wonderful with kids and she is young enough to keep pace with a 2 year old and his daily 'agenda!' We start by visiting the home of another couple who's Nanny is in charge of an 18 month old...we plop the little charges in the urban strollers and set off at a brisk pace for the nearest Starbuck's (yes!) before converging on the free storytime at a local gallery (the 'gallery' had a lot going on:art displays, classes, childrens books\toys, family therapy, massage therapy, a very wholistic place). Inside Starbuck's we encountered another Nanny (they all know each other in this particular Chicago neighborhood)....and I couldn't help but notice these Nanny's are gorgeous....and drive BMW's. I'm thinking a Nanny job in urban Chicago is a good thing. As we leave Starbucks, I see Nanny's pushing strollers from every direction, all converging on the art gallery for storytime, its unbelievable, must be 30 or more Nannys (ok,some might be Mommys....you can tell the difference because of the resemblence). We park the strollers and the Nannys grab available chairs, or cushions and position their charges in a semi circle in front of a bookcase...they've obviously done this before. at the appointed time, 'Miss Deborah' bounces to the forefront of the little ones and introduces herself to the group; she is as perky as you would expect a family therapist/storyteller to toddlers would be....referring to herself in the 3rd person and using 'we' alot with a huge, animated smile. After each story, which Miss Deborah delivers with appropriate drama and theatrics, we sing a song ....and I was relieved to realize that I still know the words to most of the songs Miss Deborah chose. This went on for about an hour - during this time I couldn'nt help but think Miss Deborah had a dark side - why else would she wear a short dress and five inch platform heels to read to children on a Monday morning?? Kinky....but fun. After storytime, we trucked on back to the other Nanny's house for 'swim time.' A great plan since Chicago is in the middle of a heat wave.....the Nanny's fill the little pool, pull out snacks and drinks for everyone, then we assemble in the opulent backyard (a luxury in urban Chicago, so its indicative of this familys wealth), an actual Mom joined us with her toddler and infant for the swim. Wore those babies out!! A healthy lunch (did you know there are these Cheerio-like puffs that are made of kale, collard greens and yogurt???? Yum) and my Niece and I headed back to Will's house for naptime...this is the time Nannys get to turn on the TV and watch contraband programs like 'Peoples Court,' and 'Teen Mom,' and update their status' on Facebook. Next activity is the neighborhood park where they have the little fountains that spray...kids love that!! Lots of activity, including a domestic dispute....after and hour we have to leave (this time I'm disappointed) because of Will's schedule (he has to be fed his dinner before the parents come home so his meal is not interrupted...) and Will is reluctant to leave the spraying fountains as well...alas we return to the townhouse and Will entertains me with his collection of musical intruments (hes really very good, kids got rhythm)while the Nanny logs the days activities and bowl movements into the log on the kitchen counter....I cant help but think of what these young parents are missing. Don't get me wrong, their kids want for nothing....except attentive parents who are present during their formative years. I am an advocate for stay at home Moms (or Dads)...I know from personal experience that a reduction in lifestyle can equal the cost of childcare and a full time parent vs a full time Nanny. But, no one asked me:-) I have a nice dinner with the kids, pack, and head downtown to Union Station for my big adventure on the train.....blog me later for that experience.