Continuity mistake: When Sylvia comes in and wakes Fran, she puts her hands on her Hips when she says "grow old with dignity", and when the shot changes her hands are at her sides.
Continuity mistake: When Maxwell shakes Fran awake the first time (in her dream), his hands are on her shoulders. When the shot changes his hands are suddenly on her legs.
Continuity mistake: When Fran is trying on her shoes in the shoe shop, her legs are crossed. Then in the next shot they are instantly uncrossed and she stands up.
Answer: Mr. Sheffield needed someone to manage the kids, not necessarily babysit them. Brighton was a Bart Simpson type, Maggie was shy and awkward and Gracie had personality issues.