In the U.S. I had a nanny/mother's helper since my younger child was born-- and life was good. I got a break when I needed one. Our nanny and I did tandem time on the kids and we worked as a team to make it all happen while avoiding complete chaos most of the time.
Had two great nannies, each were with us for a year. We all still keep in touch and oh how I wish either of them were in Australia!
So that being said, since our arrival here 10 months ago I have searched on and off for a nanny. Live in, live out, Australian, Brazilian, students, child care workers... the list goes on and on. Trying to find the delicate balance of someone who can be my back up when I'm here and take control when I run out is difficult. The boys are at an age where having a nanny would be a great help, but I can live without one until we find the right person.
So along my nanny trail I had this girl from the Gold Coast apply, we liked her, and went to check her references-- and after getting a outgoing voicemail message on one of the reference's mobile phone that said "Heeeey, I'm either wooorking or sleeeeping- leeeave a message"- not exactly a message I can imagine on one of my mommy friend's phone. That led me to google the references' names.
I guess if the reference is supposed to have a 4 year old child, and has a myspace page that looks like this, you may have a problem.
20 years old, single girl-- her myspace details pasted here:
| Status: | Swinger |
| Here for: | Networking, Friends |
| Orientation: | Not Sure |
| Hometown: | Eneabba, Western Australia, AUSSIE!!! |
| Body type: | 5' 8" |
| Ethnicity: | Pacific Islander |
| Religion: | Agnostic |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Smoke / Drink: | No / Yes |
| Children: | I don't want kids |
| Education: | Some college |
| Occupation: | Bar bitch/Waitress/Student |
And I even got to read her blog called: "BASIC RULES FOR DATING/HOOKING UP/GETTIN' LAID/CLUCKING"
Awesome.
And let's just say that her facebook.com page was more of the same.
Nice reference.
When I called her out on the phony reference/s via in email and her response was "Australians don't take kindly to condescending Americans. Please do not contact me again."
Ah, adventures in Nannyland.
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3 comments:
Laura,
If you'd like (not sure if you have joined us yet) please join us at Americans In Australia yahoo group @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Americans-in-Australia/
We'd love to have you! I'll read a little more of your blog as soon as I get a chance and I'm sorry you don't have any Ranch dressing. Paul Newman's isn't bad but it isn't anything like what we're used to, is it?
That story is hillarious!
Lisa
clearly I'm reading from the begining here... :)
In my experience I have found that Aussies can be some of the most laid back people and incredibly nice... until you have something negative to say. Be it about them, their country, or the differences between Oz and America, if it in any way conveys unhappiness or distaste about something Aussie they get their feathers all riled up and suddenly we are "condescending" Americans. I made a Facebook comment about the crap that renters have to go through here and about how Australia is a very inconvenient country to live in as a renter (maybe this is just Sydney, but I digress). A supposedly good friend of mine (aussie) retorted in a really offensive and rude remark that if it sucked so bad I should return to my motherland. I was appalled bc firstly I never made the comment as a personal attack, it was social commentary, and secondly the girl knows that all I want to do is go back home and I actually cannot do it bc my degree is not recognized in america and I'd have no job and a mortgage worth of student loans to repay. I just find that Aussies sure can dish it but they can't take it. Especially in regards to Americans. :)
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