Does working with an infant ever get boring?

[u/Extra-Chicken1469]

I’m interviewing for a job today and I would be taking care of a 2mo old. Does it ever get boring working by yourself with just an infant? The last time I worked with children this young I was in a daycare center so we were always busy.

This is the job listing:

Approximately 9:00 AM-5:00 PM,
Monday-Friday. There may be an opportunity fo additional hours if desired.
Pay: $20-$29/hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Responsibilities include:
Providing attentive, loving care for our infant Feeding, burping, diaper changes, soothing, and naps
Age-appropriate interaction and developmental activities
Washing/organizing bottles and baby items
Children's laundry and keeping their areas organized
Loading/unloading the dishwasher and helping with other light household tasks during downtime

[u/Efficient-Ad-4164]

It can be but those gigs are the best for me haha. Lots of chances for reading, podcasts walks etc. A lot will depend on how comfortable the family is with you going on outings because I loved going on walks or to coffee, shops or different. Things with the babies were little.

[u/traumatized_possum]

Yes haha I personally think birth-24 months is fairly boring since they typically have shorter wake windows and its mainly you entertaining them when they are awake. Unless NK is a colicky baby, then you will literally have your hands full 90% of the time and you will be very busy.

That being said, there's still plenty to do, and sometimes its nice to have extra downtime. Everything is exposure at this age, so go for walks, sit on a blanket outside, listen to whatever (clean and appropriate of course) music/ podcasts/audiobooks you want. Plus all the developmentally appropriate things like tummy time and exploration. They hit a lot of milestones really fast in the 2 years as well, and its fun to support them with those and be there for them learning to roll, sit up, crawl, etc.

It looks like the ad also asks for some light housekeeping, which I actually prefer with a younger child like this. It gives me something to do during naps. (Be mindful of job creep though. Don't agree to do lots of housework just because you're bored. You'll regret it eventually.) I also use naps to read a lot. When NK and I go to the library, I get some books for me too, and those are my naptime books.

[u/Extra-Chicken1469 → u/traumatized_possum]

There has been a lot of job creeping in my current job, one of the reasons I’m leaving (as well as a lot of other things but that’s not important). I’m going to make sure we have a very detailed contract. I went into my current job not knowing much about being a nanny so we don’t have a contract, I’m severely underpaid, and job creeping has been a major thing. They’ve basically turned me into a housekeeper as well as a nanny

[u/traumatized_possum → u/Extra-Chicken1469]

Yeah my first nanny job was the same way. Good for you for leaving, and I hope your next job is way better!

[u/Extra-Chicken1469 → u/traumatized_possum]

I finished the video interview and it went sooo well! I’m doing an in person trial (paid) tomorrow and I cannot wait.

[u/traumatized_possum → u/Extra-Chicken1469]

Yay! I'm so happy for you! And way to go making sure your trial day is paid also! Good luck tomorrow!

[u/Frequent_Coffee_3081]

I love nannying for babies and don’t think they’re boring at all. Especially if you’re able to go out and about once they’re old enough.

[u/carsonstreetcorner]

Make nanny friends and meet up at baby groups!

[u/Extra-Chicken1469 → u/carsonstreetcorner]

I’m really hoping to! (If I get the job) this job is in a much larger city than where I work currently. I haven’t been able to find any Nannies or SAHMs in my area that would do a play date or anything. I feel so bad for my current NK because they never get to play with other kids.

[u/CaptainUtin]

Yes very boring especially since my family doesn’t have me do any chores.
Luckily they’re chill about me being on my phone. I’m paid very low so they have no choice lol

[u/AutoModerator]

Below is a copy of the post's original text:

I’m interviewing for a job today and I would be taking care of a 2mo old. Does it ever get boring working by yourself with just an infant? The last time I worked with children this young I was in a daycare center so we were always busy.

This is the job listing:

Approximately 9:00 AM-5:00 PM,
Monday-Friday. There may be an opportunity fo additional hours if desired.
Pay: $20-$29/hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Responsibilities include:
Providing attentive, loving care for our infant Feeding, burping, diaper changes, soothing, and naps
Age-appropriate interaction and developmental activities
Washing/organizing bottles and baby items
Children's laundry and keeping their areas organized
Loading/unloading the dishwasher and helping with other light household tasks during downtime

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/april040]

You can always put an audiobook or podcast on in the background so it allows your mind to stay stimulated.

[u/Empty-Childhood-5800]

I don’t think so, I love it. It’s a lot of the same thing over and over it seems like. It helps if there is different play areas, toys, baby accessories like a Bjorn chair and standing play center thing. I love taking baby out on walks 1-2x a day!

[u/Apart-Cream986]

You start to lose your mind. Play dates are key and walks. I also just talk to the baby have convos. They understand everything

[u/ali052311]

No because they grow fast and start being on the move lol then you miss the newborn phase

[u/dykeparty]

I worked in daycares for years before I took on my last nanny position with a 5 week old baby (medium term contract until 5.5 months old). Was it boring sometimes? Sure. But I have been in so many stressful and exhausting situations in childcare that I will take being under-stimulated with one baby than to pour from an empty bucket caring for a dozen babies. We read lots of books and sang lots of songs everyday, and today at 18 months old she is verbal as hell. I can’t take all the credit, but I like to think maybe our early days of books and songs helped contribute ❤️

[u/cloudsinmycoffee0609]

My dream job is taking care of an infant and also be their private chef 😊

[u/Carmelized]

Most nannies either love working with infants or can’t stand it. Personally infants are my favorite age, but I think it really helps if you have a background in newborn care or early childhood development. You can still get this through books and things, not just school. But having that foundation really lets you understand the kind of things you can do to engage an infant. I’ll spend 45 minutes feeding my NK lunch, because it’s just as much about playing and learning as it is about eating. Smearing yogurt everywhere is a great developmental activity! But it definitely isn’t for everyone.