Monday - Entry #2

So my second entry in one day, how rare is that? Ha ha.  But I thought I would vent out my frustrations about Stephanie (my step-daughter for those of you new to my journal).

As some of you may know, Stephanie has been working for us as a nanny/housekeeper since moving to Phoenix from Oklahoma City almost two years ago.  Well, as of late, Stephanie has been less than reliable and often argumentative.  Last week I found out that while running errands, Stephanie did not put my 6 year old son, Caleb, in a car seat.  Her excuse was that we took away "her" carseat and gave it to the "new sitter", which is not true.  Yes we took the carseat and said it needed to stay here and she didn't need to keep it her car as we needed it (Stephanie's boyfriend has a 10 year old son hardly in need of a booster seat).  So she was really mad and said that Lindsi (new sitter) had the carseat.  Well that wasn't true.  The carseat was in the garage and she knew that because she had been out there multiple times before leaving on errands because she was putting up Christmas decorations.  And, if she couldn't find a carseat, or one truly wasn't available to her, then she should have called me or not gone all together.  But Stephanie chose to take out her anger on us hiring a new part time sitter on her little brother.  How horrible is that to put your little brother's life in danger over a petty jealousy?  Well at any rate, I fired Stephanie.  I did, however, give her the option to work her last shift or not, but they were not to leave the house at all.  Stephanie accepted.

So Stephanie shows up late to babysit because of the ice on the road (i thought it was a lame excuse at first until I drove in it - see earlier entry posted this morning).  Then the minute she walks in the door (and excuse me if this offends anyone) Stephanie said (and I quote), "It smells like ass in here."  What?!  What kind of comment is that?  She's darn lucky I was already on my way to work. David was here and griped her out. She said "well it does stink".  It didn't stink.  It was dinner cooking.  Whatever.  Then I get a phone call at 7:40 from Steph saying "Can you call Lindsi to come over because I can't stay here anymore."  "Why not?"  "Because I just can't".  Long pause by me biting my tongue.  "Steph, I gave you every opportunity to back out of tonight and you took every opportunity to say you wanted to work this shift.  So what exactly is the problem?"  "The situation changed."  "Fine, I'll call you back."

First I called Lindsi and left a message.  Second I called and talked to Hannah on her phone to make sure it would be alright with her to stay the rest of the night by herself with Caleb, get him up and ready for school, and I would get off early and take him to school.  Hannah said fine.  So third, I called Stephanie "You can go right now"  "Okay, thanks".  That was it.  Lindsi did call back and came over about 9:30.  David was actually still there as he didn't have to be at work until 11pm, but he was sleeping.  He called me on his way into work and said "Why is Lindsi here?  What happened to Stephanie?"  I'm like "heck if I know, why don't you call her?"  So he did but she wouldn't answer her phone last night or today at all.  I've sent her an email but so far no response.  Geez.

 

I was really proud of Hannah because she did exactly the right thing last night.  Stephanie came to Hannah and asked for Lindsi's phone number.  Hannah said she didn't have it and why did Stephanie want to her to call Lindsi.  So Stephanie said "I can't stay here anymore.  Can you find the phone and call your Mom and ask her to call Lindsi?"  Hannah said she just looked at Stephanie and got up and found the phone.  When she did find the phone Hannah said she just handed it to Stephanie and said "Here's the phone.  If you want to leave, then you have to be the one to call Mom."  Whoo hoo Hannah!  Way to go!  Perfect way to handle that situation!  She made Stephanie accountable for her own actions.

 

Well I hope you guys had a less dramatic night. ;)

 

De

 

Tags: carseat, sitter, you're fired!