“Okay, but have you told them specifically why food pranks are a big no and what could go wrong? I’m asking because I did speak to them about that after, and they were a bit surprised by what I said. They asked lots of questions and we had a good conversation about it. I explained that sometimes people have allergies or things they can’t tolerate, and it could make them sick or upset if they ate it. So, unless you know the person well, and know they will find it funny, pranks shouldn’t be done with food.”
Eliza tilted her head as she swallowed a bite of her sandwich.
“No, I hadn’t explained it that way. I understand your point, but I did say no pranks. That should be enough.”
Rowyn took a breath and hummed lightly. It was her first night, she reminded herself, and she needed more time to figure out all of the dynamics at play before jumping into deeper conversations.
“What’s that look?” Eliza asked.
Crap.
She should’ve reminded her face of the fact that it wasn’t time for those conversations.
“It’s nothing. I’m still getting my bearings with everything, so—”
“No, you have thoughts. I can see it on your face. I work best with people who say what they mean, Rowyn, so I don’t have to guess. I need to know I can trust you to tell me important things when I’m leaving my children with you all day.”
Rowyn had been right about Eliza preferring directness, and it was something she appreciated. Trying to guess what people meant rather than being able to rely on what they said wasexhausting.
“Okay, fair enough. But I need to say something first. I’m here to take care of your kids. You are the parent, and I will always respect that and follow your lead on things. But usually, the agency sends me in because something isn’t working, and a family needs more…support. That support often comes in the way of guidance as well as the usual nanny duties. If you’re asking me to be direct and straight up, I can do that. It’s my preferred way to work. But you are not always going to like what I have to say, and your ego isn’t going to appreciate me questioning your methods. I can promise you that anything I do say or do will always be with the children’s best interests at heart, so I know we will have that in common. All that said, do you still want to hear what I have to say?”
Eliza appeared unfazed by the rambling, but Rowyn waited as she processed the information.
“I’m sure myegowill manage just fine. Go ahead,” Eliza said.
Her face looked open, but there was a definite mask in place. Rowyn sighed at the shift from only moments before. There was no backtracking, though, and it wasn’t her style.
“As you pointed out, the kids are eight. Expecting them to never do a prank again because you said so is unrealistic. It’s developmentally appropriate for them to push boundaries and test things out.”
Eliza opened her mouth to speak, but Rowyn held up a hand. She was grateful that Eliza stopped. This was the point where parents told her that they knew all of that already. Where most would refuse to listen to the rest or tune out. She didn’t blame them—it was a natural response when someone felt like they were being spoken down to. Although that was never Rowyn’s intention, there was only a limited number of ways to get these things across, and it was her job to make sure she did.
“I know I’m probably saying things you already know. Ialso know that as a parent, even with a vast amount of logical knowledge of this stuff, it can be difficult to turn that into practical day to day things. That’s where I come in. Keep in mind that I’m not judging you, even if it sounds that way. I’m observing and giving my opinion, based on my experience, as I’m sure you do in your job daily. Does that make sense?”
Thankfully, Eliza hadn’t tuned her out yet, so Rowyn was grateful for that.
“Yes. My job requires giving my opinion often, and people being unhappy about it. It’s harder to put that into context when it’s about my kids, but I am trying. Please, continue.”
Rowyn was pleasantly surprised that Eliza hadn’t told her she had heard enough. This woman was clearly not used to being on the receiving end of advice or opinions, at least not anytime recently.
“In my experience, adjusting your expectations and setting clear and understandable limits will get you where you want quicker. Explaining why food pranks are unsafe is more likely to stop them from doing those. If they do it again, then they are doing it with that knowledge, and it’s a bigger conversation to tackle. I’ve explained to them that pranks are only funny when everyone enjoys them, even the person being pranked. We’ve agreed to look up some funny, harmless pranks tomorrow that they can try out. If that doesn’t work, we can revisit the no prank rule, but since banning them hasn’t worked yet, I’d like to give this a try. Are you okay with that?”
Eliza’s face screamed no, but Rowyn waited as she slipped the mask back into place. She appreciated the consideration that Eliza was giving her words, even if it was obvious she didn’t enjoy her rules being modified or challenged. This was round one of what was likely to be many changes Rowyn would need to suggest going forward, so it was important that it started off well.
“Fine. But if I find any form of reptile or insect in my bed, real or fake, you’re fired on the spot.”
Eliza spoke the words with such seriousness that Rowyn should have been concerned. However, Eliza’s eyes held a hint of amusement that Rowyn guessed would be imperceptible to anyone who hadn’t studied those eyes intimately.
“So…spiders are okay?” Rowyn said as she hopped off the stool to clear away their plates.
“What part of no insects wasn’t clear?” Eliza grumbled.
“Ah, but spiders aren’t insects. I can already tell that your kids are too smart for you to leave loopholes, Elle.”
Eliza stopped suddenly, and Rowyn replayed her words.
“Sorry, Eliza. Does anyone actually call you Elle?”
“Just you,” Eliza said.
