Me and The Boys - The Babysitting Nurse

Excerpts from the Book "Me and the Boys," that I never did write. Lets call this excerpt "The Babysitting Nurse."

I had just become a new single dad having custody of three boys aged 1, 5 and 6.

At the time, 1988, I was building a successful career in information technology with my second job as systems manager at the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre. Having to raise three boys on my own was going to be a challenge.

My parents were a great help watching the children when they could, but I had to get a babysitter. The job would be seeing the two older boys off to school and watching the youngest one. This would be done during the day while I was at work.

I took an advertisement out stating the position and its responsibilities, as well as the fact I preferred someone who would babysit in my house. It was a six bedroom house in Yarker with a good yard.

There was a number of respondents but one really stood out.

She was a nurse that was working part time. She was getting married soon and wanted to experience watching children. Her references checked out so I hired her.

Things were working out great. She would arrive early, make the boys breakfast, look after the youngest and walk the older two to the bus stop, making sure they got o , and would be there when they were dropped off after school. When I got home she would even have supper ready for when I got home. I couldn't ask for anything more.

One day when I got home she talked to me about a concern she had. The two older boys had climbed up on top of the garage and they would laugh at her and would not come down when she told them to. She was concerned they would fall off and break something. I explained to her boys will be boys, but I would talk to them.

I came home on a Wednesday and she told me that she could not do it anymore. It wasn't what she thought it would be and that she was giving me two weeks notice. I told her that I understood and was sorry to see her go.

I was in my office at work the following Friday. I got a page to come to the front reception desk. When I got there i saw something I will never forget.

There at the front reception was the babysitter holding the youngest, with the two older boys standing by her with devilish grins The babysitters hair was messy and tasselled and the youngest was pulling on it.

When I approached she said "I can't do it, " and handed me the youngest boy and immediately left. For some reason it was all I could do to not break out laughing. I took the rest of the day off and took the boys home.

My search for a babysitter was on again.

I often wonder if she ever got married? If she ever had children? I hope she did because she was a wonderful person and probably would have made a wonderful mother to her children.

I did not mention her name to protect her identity. Okay... I didn't mention her name because I don't remember it. But, I will always will remember her and wish her well.