Nine months (a human gestation) in the life of a New York nanny, who is making her way through graduate school. Although fiction, and by two authors, the reader will be amazed at how they were able to integrate their experiences into one thoroughly sick family.

One can only hope to the powers that be that no child ever goes through all the head-games played out here. And one would also hope that, in real life, bosses such as these would never have any long-term help; that their employees would have the sense to leave. Unfortunately, there are people who are just that desperate for work. And the off-the-books salary system just asks for abuse.

I’ve heard a few complaints about this book I’d like to address:
1) “The nanny didn’t really seem ‘in it’ for the kid”
The fact that she gave up so much of her time (I believe she starts out at 15 hours per week, and at some point goes up to 60 hours during her school breaks) to give this child a proper amount and quality of attention, and the giving of a nickname (two, really, when shortened to his initial) shows an increasing bond between the two. She took her charge to her grandmother’s for a decent Christmas celebration. She stayed up all night with his croup bout. Now, that’s dedication beyond a “paycheck” job.

2) “The nanny was just in it to be the next Mrs. X.”
Oh, PLEASE. What little she saw of Mr. X., the treatment she received from him, not to mention her disgust at walking in while “Chicago” was being done on his desk. I think not.

Now, to bring it back to what I got from this book. There were some very touching slice-of-life moments. I was frustrated by Nanny’s spine issues (not HAVING one), but could empathize with being in that position at that age. This book wasn’t relevant to my life now, but it sure makes me appreciate the people I nannied for.

Spatula, indeed.

At least she got a puppy and a boyfriend out of it.

[originally posted to Bookcrossing, 3/21/03]

Overall this was entertaining. But it was just very frustrating for me, I hate to see someone let them self be a doormat. Nan really should have stood up for herself at least in the end. The message she errased from the nanny cam wasn’t even good enough.

This was an OK book, mostly fluff. The first half or so was very entertaining (although I thought parts were somewhat confusing), but it seemed to get bogged down in the final 90 pages or so, and I found myself, seeing what was coming, wishing it would just happen already.

A good beach-type read.

This book.. well.. lets see, seeing as I’m an au pair myself it was interesting to read. It made me laugh when i saw similarities. The situation is obviously way different especially cause I’m a live in. But the ending.. grrr.. I was bawling. I’m too sensitive maybe but like all I could hear was little Grayer calling out for Nanny. Not that that makes it a bad book. Its obviously what the author wanted. I wish my kids loved me that much. The big kinda inspired me to be a different kinda au pair.. and that was a long winded pointless entry! lol

This is worth reading if you are at all interesting in nannying or children in general. Otherwise, it’s just a good fluff read.

Completed February 2005

8/10 It was fun to read and while I was an au-pair also had some awful moments but nothing like what Nanny encounters in this tale.

Somehow I did not find this as funny as everyone said it would be. In fact, I found it rather sad. Not sure how I felt about the ending, either.

Really enjoyed this take on the NYC nannies and what they have to put up with!

A quick fun read, but by the end I was thorougly sick of just about all the main adult characters, including the narrator. The fact that it’s got some basis in reality is definitely the best aspect of the book.