I told you that we have interviewed some interesting people for the nanny/babysitter job with us. Well, we’ve received even more interesting applications. Here is one cover letter. No, we did not schedule an interview with this person, but I’m tempted to write her back — I want to know what her love of Egypt has to do with being a nanny! Who knows, she may be a Mary Poppins in the rough.
| Dear family, My name is —— I’m 19y.o, I live inVancouver, WA, and I need a big change in my life, and moving away to help take care of your baby girl would be a wonderful change. I currently live with my mom, step-dad, and my half-brother, — minutes away from eccentric Portland, OR. I love to play guitar, learn about ancient history, read, bake, listen to music and be outside, sitting around the house all day is not for me. Currently I am employed at an independently owned video game store called ——-, unfortunately they only need me on an as-need basis and they haven’t “as-need”ed me since I applied in February. One of my dreams and goals is to teach English to children in Japan, and to travel the world. I have been asking for a passport since I was 15 and have yet to get one, but I now have the funds to apply for one. I have been interested in Japan since I was very, very young, and am currently teaching myself the language, and the culture. Other goal of my is to live in Gold Coast, Australia, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Cairo, Egypt, for I have a deep love of Ancient Egypt. I believe a Live-in situation would be best for me, as finding an outside job and housing would be difficult in this economy. I do not curse, drink, smoke or party, so you don’t need to worry about me bringing strange people to your home. Any additional information you may have would be lovely, and thank you very much for taking your time to read my application. Sincerely ——— |
For the past few weeks, we’ve been interviewing nannies and babysitters. Neither of us have any family here in Los Angeles nor friends close by for watching Max while we work, so we’ve been using on-line services. Yeah, sort of like Match.com for babies.
You would not believe the interesting parade of people we’ve had in our home. If you were sitting on a park bench in our front yard, you definitely would have had your fill of ‘people watching’.
Spending the day making small talk and trying to suss out everyone’s character within 20 minute meetings is exhausting. Plus we’re trying to fit in these interviews around Max’s feedings and nap times.
We’ve thankfully met some really great people. And a few we’ve already hired for a day here and there. But we’ve also met some crazies. Not crazy as in ‘dangerous, lock them up crazy’, but crazy enough where you are concerned about what will go on while you’re gone. “What do you mean by ‘you forgot to feed him and he watched ‘Sex in the City’?'”
We met a few ‘actresses’ (imagine that!) who were looking to earn some extra cash by babysitting. Interestingly, a few came dressed like they were going out for an audition or headed to the club. Not country club. Night club. Really? It’s a job interview. A nanny/babysitter interview! Why are you dressed in a mini-skirt, stilleto heels and a cleavage revealing blouse? Hmm… You know, I don’t care that you have bad taste in clothing, but I am concerned about your lack of common sense.
There’s nothing better than the sound of a busy house. And stray toys in the hallway are a sure sign that someone was having a good time just moments before.
The domestic goddess in me loves lounging around the house with everyone busy doing their own thing. Stella laying in the sun, Pixie running around with pink bunny, Joe on his computer, Max napping in his swing…
I rarely have any me time anymore, but yesterday I got away for a whole two hours to run errands and quickly hit the gym. After a work out, I love sitting in the steam room for some quiet relaxation (hopefully in solitude).
Instead, I got a little chatter box sitting next to me. She says “Did you hear the news about the American soldiers being killed?” Why is this woman talking to me? And why about THAT? Now? Here in the steam room of quiet relaxation? First, I wanted to say, “That’s hardly news – who doesn’t already know about that? And, why oh why, would you bring that up here, now, with me?” But I didn’t. Instead I said, “Oh yes, very sad.”
What I REALLY should have said was, “Look. Lady. You seem very nice, but I have a fourteen week old baby at home and this 15 minute stop in the steam room is my tiny little time away from the world, things, responsiblities, stress, including HORRIBLE NEWS STORIES. So take your little chit chat and shove it up take it out on the street. Please. And thank you.”
OK. No, Max doesn’t walk yet at only 14 weeks of age. But he does like to march it out and work his legs, so we were just being silly.
