not good enough to entertain your 1-year-old

Wasn't having luck with many summer job offers as a college student, since even those are "competitive" today. So I answered a want ad for a lady who was looking for a babysitter/entertainer (basically a nanny) for her 1-year-old for 3 weeks while she and the hubby did some all-day program (I forget what).

Despite this being their first child, somehow they were already living in the richest neighborhood in town. I spoke to her on the phone; she heard that I had babysitting experience and was a psych major who'd taken child development, so she set up the interview.

So during the interview, she starts going into my whole intellectual background. What languages do you speak? I said Spanish and Arabic, since I'd studied both. She said, wow, what's the point of that? You don't speak Latin or French or anything? Why not?

Then we talked about music. I said I played the flute and the piano and liked to sing a little bit. She asked if I had any sort of professional experience with those or any sort of credentialed degree. No, but I'd been playing those instruments for 10 years and had gotten into a competitive youth orchestra. Not good enough.

She then wanted to know why, if I was a psych major, I wasn't "child development certified" yet. Um, because I'm a junior, and that isn't a requirement for the major?

I didn't give her attitude of course--those are just my editorial comments for the JobSchmob. But she was a piece of work.

She had me meet her baby, who was just learning to walk. The baby was babbling somethign or other, and the woman was appalled that I couldn't understand exactly what the kid meant by "ba ba ba boo." What do they teach in those child-development courses today??!

And of course, the fact that I hadn't done kids' birthday parties as a professional clown or anything like that, nixed the rest of my "entertainer" credentials.

At the end, the woman scoffed that she MIGHT be in contact, but "I have 10 other people to interview after you, so heh, it's not likely. But thanks. Nice to meet you."

So much for a "childminder" who knows how to change a diaper, give a bottle, read to a kid, and sing them to sleep. Even that is a "corporate competitive" job these days!

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Jujubees (05/31/2007) Sorry you had to go through this BS w/ the woman, but before you even dream of doing "nanny" work, you should read the Nanny Diaries. It will blow your mind how people treat their kids and their staff. claudiakishi (05/31/2007) Read it--after the fact, haha! This woman was definitely a Mrs. X. SouthernProgrammer (05/31/2007) It sounds as if you have a good head on your shoulders. I don't think ANYONE would be good enough for that womans child and I pity whoever gets the job! She is obviously looking for someone to raise her child PERFECTLY and woe until them if the child does something perfectly normal for a one year old such as throwing a tantrum! I think you were lucky NOT to get the job. avid reader (05/31/2007) I'm not usually this harsh but this time, I'm moved: WHAT A BIOTCH! I bet you are so glad you did't get the job. She would't made your life hell. Reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada too. When I was a teenager I had a similar interview but that was just to babysit for one night - 4 hours! I used to refer to the lady as the Spider Woman because she looked like a spider and was ready to pounce on you the minute you let your guard down. She was a single parent with two daugthers. I still think of those poor daughters and wonder how they turned out. Thanks for sharing the story. I am very glad (for you) that you didn't get the job! claudiakishi (05/31/2007) Yeah and just for 3 WEEKS--this wasn't even a long-term nanny situation. God forbid the kid not get "professional entertainment" for that long! SouthernProgrammer (05/31/2007) > The baby was babbling somethign or other, and the woman was appalled that I couldn't understand exactly what the kid meant by "ba ba ba boo." > I think the kid was saying "My mom is a nut! Get me out of here!" SouthernProgrammer (06/01/2007) > The baby was babbling somethign or other, and the woman was appalled that I couldn't understand exactly what the kid meant by "ba ba ba boo." > Then again, maybe the kid was saying "My Mom listens to Howard Stern" Hmmmm (06/02/2007) Intriguing such a young woman writes as eloquently as you. Is this a true story or made up to keep this board going? sheila (06/02/2007) I vote definately not made up. I've been there too. Avid, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've had a few of those myself. I had one doozy in my years of babysitting that made me ACT OUT in front of her what I would do in certain situations for example a fire, someone trying to break into the house, etc. Looking back, it was probably constructive you know? Because it was then ingrained in my head and pre-acted out? But then again, it was kind over the top too. I am not a parent so I guess I can't speak for the level of desire to protect their children they feel. Entertainment on the other hand is very different ballpark so in this case I would have to say to Ms. Richy Rich "GET A CLUE!". p.s. SouthernProgrammer...what does Howard Stern have to do with this one? I don't listen (but I know all about him) and just didn't get it. SouthernProgrammer (06/02/2007) Shiela - Howard Stern has been known to utter 'Ba Ba Ba Booey' upon occaision. I also don't listen to him much, I think he is highly intelligent but I don't care for his 'entertainment'. sheila (06/02/2007) OHHHHHHHH!! Duh! I see where you were going now. Actually (afraid to admit I know this) but I do know Ba Ba Booey is a an actual person on the show. Like his producer or something. claudiakishi (06/04/2007) Thanks for the compliment on my writing, but the fact that I write like an adult makes my story less credible? I did say I was a college student (21 at the time). If it helps any, it's been a couple years since it happened and I'm just sharing it now. What were you expecting from someone my age, exactly? Poor grammar? AOL kiddiespeak? HaveADamnNiceDay (06/07/2007) Have a look around, sweetie. There are some stories posted here that would make you cry--the grammar, vocabulary and punctuation are so bad. I'm actually glad you posted here! You do write well! I hope we get to read more of your stories and comments! Fedup-TimeOut (05/23/2008) She was extremely lucky she wasn't hired by that person. POST A COMMENT »