NANNY
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Knows Best Teen nannies connect with children on a different level
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SOPHOMORE Hannah Mallen practices reading a children’s book to a doll. » marygalvin
» ruthstark
She came back three days later and he was gone. A short funeral followed. After everything they had gone through to bring him home. Convincing Mrs. Jones and then the visit to the store, all for just three days. The albino frog was put into the ground to rest in peace. The purchasing of this pet filled an afternoon for senior Emily Cray while she was taking care of Abby and Spencer Jones. Their days were never the same, one day it was a trip to the pet store; other days were spent lounging pool-side. “It definitely taught me patience, and kind of how to respond to situations you aren’t normally put in. Like when you would ask them to do something and they would say “No!” I’d have to respond patiently to that,” Cray said. While nannying is a tax-free way to earn money for high school girls, it can be trying and frustrating at times. Working out fights between siblings and deciding whether to go to the park or play Shoots and Ladders can lead to melt downs that
nannies are forced to deal with. If there was ever reprimanding to do while on the job, senior Tayler Philips would be made to feel like the bad guy. Sometimes she was reminded that she was no longer six-year-old Mack’s best friend. Compromises and lots of patience helped to smooth the situation over and put Phillips and Mack in each other’s good graces. “I would just try to remember that they are four and it’s not that big of a deal. Sometimes you just have to let them cool down,” said Philips. While days spent playing board games, doing puzzles, and making PB&J sandwiches seems like a breeze, the skills learnt and the bonds formed with kids are the ones that will carry through life. “I was watching TV the other day and there was this show with a new mom who knows nothing about kids, doesn’t know how to change a diaper or anything,” Phililps said. “She thought she was going to break her baby. I could never imagine ever being like that after spending
so much time around kids.” Cray agrees. “I love their freedom and their unbiased opinions on everything,” Cray said. “Little kids are always honest and just say what is on their mind.” Four days a week junior Chelsea Olson was forced to be active with Jett and Luke, the two brothers she was a nanny for. Pants wetting. Dress up. Graham crackers and peanut butter. There was no challenge she was not up for...most of the time. “I would build forts with them, make cookies with them and play their imaginary Pirates of the Caribbean game,” said Olson. Sometimes Olson would be exhausted from all the activities she did with the kids, but she always watched over them. “There were days when I would be like, ‘I’m so tired’ but I was always forced to be really active,” said Olson. “You are responsible for these kids’ safety, you also have to let them know you care.”
CRAFTS TO DO WITH THE KIDS: Sock Puppets a long tube sock 2 Pick out a pair of eyes, 3 Take construction parer Make a stage and 1 Find 4 ENJOY you puppet! and put a wooden and glue to inside of yarn for hair, and any
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skewer where you want the mouth.
other facial attributes. And glue on.
mouth to make tongue and lip.
TOP 10 DESTINATIONS TO TAKE KIDS TO: 1. Build -a-Bear 2. Loose Park (The Rose Garden) 3. Plaza Fountains and Library 4. Science City 5. Ceramic Cafe 6. Incred-A-bowl 7.The Pool 8. G-Rated Movies 9. Deanna Rose Petting Zoo 10. Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Climbing Wall
TOP 10 PLACES TO TAKE KIDS TO LUNCH: 1. Crayola Cafe 2. Fritz’s 3. Papa Keno’s 4. Rainforest Cafe 5. Winstead’s
6. Picnic in the Park 7. Minskey’s 8. Planet Sub 9. 810 Zone 10. Jalapenos