I work at an office as a secretary but at the same time I babysit. My boss' wife had a baby five months ago but none of them can take care of it since the company just started and they are out a lot doing marketing.
Now my problem is, I have so many things to do and the baby just does not want to be put down. And when I hold him in front of me when I'm on my desk, he gets so fussy. Even after I just changed his diaper, fed him, and burped him, he's still very demanding of my attention. I plan to work at this office for a while and I really don't want him to get used to being spoiled. I want him to learn to play alone in his crib and not always wanting to be with me.
It's unbelievably stressful. And I have to do this five days a week. Sometimes I don't know what else to do that I just leave him in his crib and let him cry until he's tired.
What can I do so he can learn to stop screaming and stop being fussy?
2007-03-12 06:18:25 · 15 answers · asked by Honesty 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
This is a HUGE problem. First of all if your employers need you to be babysitting, that is ALL you have time for. Perhaps they don't know the massive amount of responsibility of a five month old, but that's probably because they don't spend anytime with him. You just have to decide if you are charitable enough to tak eon the load fully and adpat to the baby's need, or telling them they need to find someone else. Either way, it paints a pretty ugly picture, so If I were you I would not wait to reslove this dilemma. What a shame. A quick fix? I haul my baby around in a Baby Bjorn when I am too busy. This keeps my hands free and she feels snuggled. Keep pushing the Pacifier. Once they get hooked, thay love it. Also teething could be an issue. Look into the effects of it, and see how the parents feel about Tylenol. Don't open up any opportunity to hurt, or neglect the baby though. Not taking a business call in order to calm the baby is much safer and more responsible than suffering the guilt of a crib death or suffocation, or hyperventilation, or other effects of that nature.
Good luck!
2007-03-12 06:28:31 · answer #1 · answered by kikumatsu 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A five month old bay cannot even sit up long enough to occupy themselves. Unfortunately, you are in a bad situation, because babies need and require a lot of attention and if you are trying to be a secretary and a babysitter then you may be taking on too much. That's why babies become fussy, they need attention.
I would absolutely discuss this with the parents, it is not your fault and it is unfair to you and that baby if the proper attention cannot be provided for him.
I can't imagine it is the only secretarial job out their. Let them hire a secretary and get a sitter or daycare for that baby!
2007-03-12 14:24:32 · answer #2 · answered by qpook 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try something besides a crib. Ask for a bouncy seat or a swing that you could place him in. Make sure he is in a spot where he can see you and knows he is not alone. In the crib a mirror sometimes helps so the baby can see his reflection. Also it is ok for a baby to cry sometimes. If you know he is taken care of (pants, fed, burped, etc.) it is ok to let him cry at times. Babys cry to express themselves just like we talk it is not always a bad thing!
2007-03-12 14:05:27 · answer #3 · answered by Oh me oh my...♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their is no such thing as ,, Neither of them -AKA the parents can't take care of it.(nothing is more important than the well being of helpless baby and your mental health is important too! I believe you need to be painfully honest about this. You have the right to tell them you need to be payed for two job titles. They are saving boo- coo bucks by the sweat of your brow@!#! Find out about worker's compensation in this situation. If you have worked long enough that means part of your reported income gets contributed in state funds that when a deplorable situation like this comes up and they say something like Well why don't you quit if you think you can't handle this - or an unfair response of saying they won't pay you for the two job titles. I would quit - you must within one week go to the unemployment office and file for unemployment benefits. I did this once when my employer was having me work different job titles when I was under one work classification. You need to work for a more public ,legitimate organization. Don't be a door-mat! I feel sorry for the liitle one and you.I hope and pray they get adequate day-care for the baby. Be as non- confontational as possible. Please let us know how you are and what you decide at your convenience for a change!
2007-03-12 23:21:50 · answer #4 · answered by gemstone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not do two jobs at the same time. A 5 month old baby is not old enough to entertain himself. Shame on your boss and his wife for making you babysit and still be the secretary. You are being used and they obviously don't care about the baby. Why did they get pregnant and start a business at the same time. My advise... be a babysitter and let the secretary work slide. The baby is more important.
2007-03-12 13:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by lily 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That baby needs to be at home in his own environment. Poor kid. AND poor you. That is too much for you to be taking on. Honestly- do they both need to be out marketing? I think they are taking advantage of the situation. In the meantime- try a jumperoo. My son loved his from about 5 months old. You can tell your boss that an office is NOT the nurturing environment for an infant. He should be at home getting some TLC and learning/play. He should also be in his crib to nap! He is old enough to know his surroundings! Also- offices have flourecent lights- how hard would it be to nap with florecent friggin' lighting above you?
2007-03-12 14:28:00 · answer #6 · answered by trouperstar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby is bored, or tired, its sad to see a baby being treated like its an animal ( not you, the parents). babies need 100% attention. Get the baby on a routine, even if you have to take 30 minutes out of your time everyday to do so. My suggestion is, tell the so called parents to buy a swing to help, they are excellent cause they can be entertained and some also lay back so they can nap, some have toys attchched to them. It sounds like the baby is bored.
You need to ask for a raise if your expected to do 2 jobs!
Excellent answer Lily!!!!!
2007-03-12 13:52:58 · answer #7 · answered by Tammy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baby's want attention and they need their mothers love...Not fair ur stuck with her baby when she should be the one taking care of him/her...but anyway, try music or singing to the baby...try dangling some colorful figures or things the baby can play with, a teether, a ball, etc. Imagine if u were the baby, he's not an animal...he's doing the normal thing that baby's do. Put him in ur position and think...if I were a baby, what would I want???...if u got a moses for him to sit in, let him watch u work. Baby's love faces, colors, toys, music and moving objects.
2007-03-12 13:30:00 · answer #8 · answered by marhaba_hi 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well can help you in this area sort of! I dont have any children of my own yet my fiance and I are going to wait but you could try many things by giving him certain toys to play with. one thing that keeps my baby cousin happy is one of those baby matts that has all those diffrent toys on it. babys have a tendency to want attention only because they need to self center so leaving them alone sometimes will make them fall asleep. also try soft music that is soothing to you as well the baby. sometimes music will settle a baby because it is a diffrent voice other than the parents.
2007-03-12 14:32:43 · answer #9 · answered by Spicy Cowgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you getting paid to be a secretary AS WELL AS a nanny? I think you should approach them about this immediately. You should receive a secretary salary AND a nanny salary. If you suggest this and they are not willing to provide payment for both services your problem may be solved, they will choose either a secretary OR a nanny. Good Luck
2007-03-12 13:37:19 · answer #10 · answered by proud2btysmom 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋