Vampires and Umpires

Photo courtesy of Paige Cody (Unsplash)

One of the things I love about children is that, regardless of their age, you never quite know what they're going to say or do 100% of the time. This can be a double-edged sword somewhat, because they can say or do something at the worst possible moment, making you die with embarrassment, or something so out of the blue, so innocently funny that you die laughing. Once you have picked yourself up off the floor and composed yourself, you then resume whatever it was you were doing but, for good or for bad, I'll bet you will never forget that moment.

I for one can recall many an occasion when children said things to me that made me cringe or laugh; if I had written them all down I would have filled a book by now. One such occasion was when I was asked to be the vampire in a game of football! Grinning widely, holding in a fit of laughter, I told the young child he had probably meant to say umpire, not vampire. I then explained the difference between the two, and that cricket had umpires, football had referees. Happily taking this explanation in his stride, the football game then commenced with me as referee…not vampire!

Sometimes their comment or behaviour is not quite so innocent and funny, and they have to be reminded of their manners and the social etiquette that is expected of them. Most of the time this guidance is well met with casual acceptance, and perhaps the curious question of why. Other times there is a full-on meltdown of tears or rage for any number of reasons (I've been privy to the lot!). 

Either way, the life of a nanny is anything but quiet and predictable.

Oh the joys of being a nanny!