Sitter Lady takes over.
May 23, 2006Despite my low-key expectations for Henry and his new sitter, they went right out for an adventure. This was good for me, because I haven’t been able to do nearly enough fretting lately. So as soon as they were gone I got to work!
I had rather thought they would stay inside, although a little voice in me was shrieking ARE YOU NUTS SEND THEM TO THE PLAYGROUND. Because if they were here? Henry would be in my office every few minutes, updating me on whatever events were transpiring downstairs.
But anyway it turned out it wasn’t up to me. Sitter Lady showed up, looked around, and announced, “I like to be out and about. So we’re off to the playground!”
Shouldn’t you ask my permission or something? I thought but did not say, because I was already intimidated by her.
“Okay, sure,” I said.
“And Charlie will come!” she announced to no one in particular, as the dog heard his name and proceeded to throw his body toward the ceiling.
“You’re taking the dog? You’re sure you can handle that?” I asked meekly, thinking oh god that dog’s going to pull her all over the place and Henry will leap into the street while she’s trying to rein him in and WHY CAN’T I SAY THESE THINGS OUT LOUD.
Before I could stop her, she had Charlie’s leash in her hands, which is Charlie’s cue to lose his shit. He whinnied and mooed and made every kind of sound you wouldn’t think a dog could make, all while skittering around S.L (that’s Sitter Lady) and flogging her with his tail while she put on Henry’s shoes.
Henry, meanwhile, had decided that S.L. was probably his new mother and that was okay with him. From their first meeting, he knew that S.L. knows nothing about Star Wars, poor thing. Before she showed up he told me this. “I’ll be her teacher,” he said. “She needs to learn about the Force.”
So while she tied his shoes and expounded on the many delights and health-giving properties of fresh air, and I stood over them practicing my fretting techniques, Henry placed one guy after the next in front of her, stating their names and personalities. “This is Greedo. He’s a bad guy. This is Han Solo. He’s good and he shoots Greedo but it’s okay because Greedo is bad.” And so on.
And all at once they were out the door. “YOU’RE SURE YOU CAN HANDLE THEM?” I called out as they bounded down the street, Henry holding S.L.’s hand, S.L. holding the leash that held the blur that was Charlie in her other hand. S.L gave me an amused little wave, a wave that distinctly said, Lady, do you know how many kids I watch? You think your little dog is going to be a problem for me?
Still, I fretted, and then finally I snuck over to the playground, just to make sure she hadn’t sold him or anything. There they all were: Henry running around, S.L. keeping an eagle eye on him, Charlie lazing in the afternoon sun. There was no reason for me to be there. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Reader Comments (57)
Just think of your spying adventure as your makeshift WebCam - I couldn't have survived my son's first day of daycare without being able to check in on him either.
Love your blog - good luck with S.L!
(glad things are well : )
Happy you found someone trustworthy. And working from home - WHoohooo! Congratulations.
You might enjoy this: http://capacious.typepad.com/capacious/2006/03/star_bores.html
For me I didn't have a really hard time with leaving our oldest with our sitter, since she's an old family friend. She actually babysat my husband when he was a young trouble maker. I did "go out for some air" when my 4 year old daughter went for her first visit with a new friend just recently. That was a biggie for me. This is the first friend she's picked for herself. All other playdates have either been with family or our friend's kids.
Congrats on the job and the house! You'll get acclimated soon and the fretting will diminish.
"...but its ok because Greedo is bad." I also love the Star Wars educator!
It's good for you too. You've been relieved of babysitting your babysitter.
Our occasional babysitter watches my son for a few hours a week, and only takes him out when I strongly encourage it. Our dog would be out of the question. It's hard to be totally comfortable, I know. I'm just fantasizing about the day when I find someone who can be a replacement me with my kid.
OMG. I thought my dog was the only one that made noises that bizaar. He kind of meows, and definitely whinnies when it's walkie or bath time. If he had more than a miserable stump for a tail he would whip the snot out of anyone within striking distance. When my son was younger I would occasionally get the brilliant idea to take him (on his tricycle) and the dog out for a walk. Inevitably I would end up stomping home, leash wrapped around my legs, carrying the tricycle, grim-faced and headachy. Now that Garrett and the dog have aged and calmed we can manage to get around the block without me throwing a tantrum.
I totally get you, girl.
That's exactly what I do. So there.
If SL can also throw a load of laundry in and a chicken in the crock pot, you may just start calling her mommy too. ;)