Case study

Katie has come close to leaving her current job with three-year-old Martha. Never before has she felt, 'I can't stand this child!' It seems that nothing is ever right for Martha. She constantly complains, 'Do I really have to do this?' and 'My other nanny was so much nicer than you!' Katie finally talks the situation over in confidence with her partner at home. As Katie talks, she realises that much of what Martha is saying, she feels herself as an adult. Martha's mother has become anxious that her daughter has a 'full and worthwhile day' and has given Katie a highly structured programme. As the new nanny, Katie has felt obliged to follow instructions, although much of what Martha's mother wants is too demanding for a three-year-old. Neither Katie nor Martha are having much relaxed fun together. Katie realises that she has dealt with her own frustration by seeing Martha as a miserable, complaining child. In fact, they are both equally fed up with the intellectual rat race that Martha's mother has imposed. Katie knows that it would be inappropriate professionally to complain to Martha about her mother. So, the next day when Martha starts, Katie says, 'Your mummy is very keen that you learn your numbers and letters. I'm going to have a chat with her tonight and tell her some more interesting ways for you and me to do all this.' For today, Katie explains that they are going for a 'counting walk' in the neighbourhood.