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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Penny on September 4, 2003, at 8:50:57
I just got an email from the mother of the kids I used to nanny. The little girl is now 5, almost 6, and the little boy will be 4 in December. I started taking care of the girl when she was 16 months old, and then when the baby was 2.5 months I started doing a weekly thing, then moved in with the family when he was about 10 months old. So hard to believe how big they've gotten - little miss just started kindergarten this year.
Anyway, I'm going to visit them this weekend - I miss those kids so darn bad - and the mom just emailed me a request. Before I left, I made them an audio tape of me singing bedtime songs to them. That was our 'thing' - I would put them to bed a few times a week and would sing them all these little songs my grandmother taught me when I was little. Well, apparently they've worn the tape out, so the mom emailed to ask if I could make them a new one. Said she didn't know how they were going to get to sleep without it...
Awwww...I just love little ones.
Funny thing - they look like they could be mine...red hair and all...
P
Posted by Dinah on September 4, 2003, at 9:23:31
In reply to feelin' loved..., posted by Penny on September 4, 2003, at 8:50:57
Awww, that's sweet. It sounds like they really cared a lot about you. I'm glad you're getting to visit them.
Isn't that a warm cozy feeling?
Posted by Penny on September 4, 2003, at 9:40:08
In reply to Re: feelin' loved... » Penny, posted by Dinah on September 4, 2003, at 9:23:31
It is. I really miss seeing my munchkins.(actually, I call the little girl my 'munchkin' and the little boy my 'doodlebug' - he said to me one time just before was three: "Are I your doodlebug? And C is your munchkin?" It was so sweet.)
They are just the loving-est, most affectionate little kids. And the baby, since I've been caring for him since he was 2.5 months old, has a really special place in my heart.
But it's hard, too, going to visit, because they get really upset when I leave. Which, in turn, makes me upset.
I really wish I could see them more often. But I'll be heading back in October for C's birthday.
P
Posted by chicklet on September 4, 2003, at 16:53:28
In reply to Re: feelin' loved... » Dinah, posted by Penny on September 4, 2003, at 9:40:08
Penny, you've successfully given me an owwie. I am exactly the same. I work with babies too (before I had to stop working) and clearly just need a daily fix. No wonder I chose this profession. I have all of my therapy toys packed away in the basement and it just gives me this- well it almost hurts I miss it (them) so much. I called mine munchkins too. It's so hard, when you've seen them grow up, to say goodbye, isn't it? I mean, it's bittersweet. You know you've made a difference in their (and their family's) lives. And vice versa. It's so hard to separate! I stop treating my wee ones once they turn 3 but I've had plenty that I've worked with since they were 1 and 1/2. i miss it so much. 'Miss' is a completely inadequate word for it.
I don't think I read your post closely enough- how often do you get to see them? I sometimes wonder if I should visit- whether it makes it harder. I guess it's nice every once in a while. One little wee one that I worked with at my old job in Massachusetts is turning 6! One of my buddies up there ran into his mother at a meeting and she asked about me...said I was a "miracle worker" (ok that's a little much, but aww shucks) and what a difference I made in their lives. Wow. It's such a powerful emotion. So Thomas's mom gave my friend her email and she's going to send me a pic of him. Wow I miss that job. I think I better git me a kid pretty soon.
The audio tape idea is ingeneous. what a touching story...sounds as if you hold a very special place in their hearts.
Feels good, doesn't it?
Do you work with kids now?
Karen
Posted by fallsfall on September 4, 2003, at 20:42:10
In reply to feelin' loved..., posted by Penny on September 4, 2003, at 8:50:57
You are loved!!!!! Isn't that wonderful.
Keep a picture of them handy, so when you are feeling really down you see why you are here.
They love you as much as you love them.
Posted by Penny on September 5, 2003, at 8:22:31
In reply to I'm feelin' it » Penny, posted by chicklet on September 4, 2003, at 16:53:28
What do (did) you do with kids?
I don't work with children anymore - worked in a daycare with infants and toddlers one summer while I was in college, and then worked as a nanny while living in Charlotte, and I've volunteered with kids along the way, but now I just do my boring ol' desk job - which is why I'm changing careers - though I don't know that I'll go into child therapy or anything.
Am still babysitting, though, right now for the son of the woman I replaced at work. She left to stay home with her baby. He's about a year and a half old and just sweet as can be. It does me good to get a baby-fix every now and again.
It is really hard visiting my munchkins and I sometimes wonder if it would be better for them if I didn't. They just get so sad when I leave, especially little man. Last time he wanted me to hold him and then when I absolutely had to leave, he wouldn't let go. When his mom pulled him (literally) away from me, he cried. That was very upsetting. :-(
At the same time, I just miss them so much...
P
Posted by Chicklet on September 5, 2003, at 11:53:08
In reply to Re: I'm feelin' it, posted by Penny on September 5, 2003, at 8:22:31
I'm a speech pathologist. i work (I'm gonna use present tense here- I'll start again someday...maybe PT from my home) with the birth to 3 population. Kids with Autism, Down Syndrome, developmental delays, preemies, and of course the garden variety 'late talkers' and articulation pwoblemths. I say garden variety but actually those are my favorites. I'm much more into language- the understanding and expression part- than thpeech pwoducthun.
It's frustrating isn't it- that right now you can't do what you were really meant to do? How are you feeling-ya think you'd be able to make a career shift at this point? Sounds like you're a natural. And we need more caring and smart people working with our precious ones. I've done therapy with kids while they are in daycare and am completely fed up with the system here. The Ed system too for that matter. but the aides in almost ALL daycare centers are unfamiliar with child development, behavioral techniques...everything. I totally understand when both parents HAVE to work or when there is a single parent that has no other choice but to use daycare. Or a nanny. But I've had sooo many kids that just plain old haven't had enough stimulation at home and are exposed to a different language at daycare. And that is often the ONLY reason they're delayed. This govt won't pay child care workers (geez, just the people that spend 8 hours a day with our most precious ones) enough money for them to have any incentive to stay, Or to care. It's a freaking travesty and will continue until we really push for education and higher wages for these people. If we could get Dubya out of office that would be a start. Oops- I didn't anticipate that soapbox.
>get a baby-fix every now and again.
I know way too well what you mean>When his mom pulled him (literally) away from me, he cried.
Aww...don't think of it as hard for them, though...it's probably harder for you. little ones are so resilient- moreso than we are. It's a special treat for you to visit and remain a part of their lives if even in a small capacity. They'll remember you when they grow...don't you have a babysitter that you still remember and have such warm happy memories of? I have tons of them. And teachers too.
>That was very upsetting. :-(
I know...> At the same time, I just miss them so much...
They miss you too dear.
K
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