Nanny unexpectedly giving music lessons

[Anonymous]

Okay, so our nanny decided unilaterally that she would give music lessons to our oldest once a week. She did float the idea by us several months ago, but we never agreed on a time or a rate, it was kind of a maybe.... Well, she has decided to do it during her work hours, but I have 3 kids. My youngest usually naps through this, but my other one is awake and not being watched (they are on a different floor as she states that this child is too noisy to do music lessons around). I do think I should pay her for them, but I'm also flabbergasted that I am paying her extra during her work hours when one child (sometimes 2) is generally left unattended.

How much do I pay for this? I find it so confusing. She just approached me last week and said, btw, I'm giving lessons every Thursday from 4:30 to 5. But her shift doesn't end till 5. I know she wants money, because, well, she likes money (as does everyone), but again, no idea how much to pay her.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids?

What kind of music lessons?

What do you mean she’s not watching the other kid?

[Anonymous]

The kids are 9, 4, 1. 1 yo is asleep or alone. 4 yo is left alone. Usually DH and I are working from home (wrapping up work at that time, so not a huge safety issue, but we’re rushing to get dinner started, etc).
Piano lessons.

[Anonymous]

Uh, have a conversation with your paid employee in which you let her know that you aren't comfortable with this arrangement and didn't agree to it, and if you want music lessons, then come up with an arrangement that is fair and that works with your schedule and fulfills your childcare needs.

How much you pay her depends on instrument, age of child, her background and experience, etc. Obviously we can't answer that question but you are handling this in the weirdest possible way. Talk to her, not us.

[Anonymous]

OP here! Thank you! I think this is weird too! I’m comparing it to one of our old nannies who wanted to give my kids swim lessons, but I couldn’t figure out how she was going to do it with the age ranges of my kids given she planned to do this during the work day.

I’ll bring it up with the nanny. I think she’s just trying to creatively find ways to make money and told my daughter this without fully planning it with us. I honestly don’t mind her teaching the kids, but the timing is so bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you! I think this is weird too! I’m comparing it to one of our old nannies who wanted to give my kids swim lessons, but I couldn’t figure out how she was going to do it with the age ranges of my kids given she planned to do this during the work day.

I’ll bring it up with the nanny. I think she’s just trying to creatively find ways to make money and told my daughter this without fully planning it with us. I honestly don’t mind her teaching the kids, but the timing is so bad.

Just say that. "We are interested in the lessons and Larla seems excited bu this timing doesn't work because we can't have Larlo on his own in the middle of the day while we're working. Can we discuss other options? Also, let's sort out payment in advance so we're all on the same page." She should welcome this conversation, because if you aren't willing to pay her what she wants (assuming this really is just about wanting to make more money), she'll likely drop the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Does your dd like them?

[Anonymous]

I would encourage the piano lessons and try to make it work. Very valuable. Saves hassle too.

[Anonymous]

Is she even really qualified to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage the piano lessons and try to make it work. Very valuable. Saves hassle too.

I don’t think a nanny leaving a toddler and/or a preschooler unattended saves hassle. Seems to me it’s creating hassle.

[Anonymous]

If it’s during her current workday, then I would not pay her extra. She is free to occupy the kids in any way she likes during her paid hours. She should be watching the 4 year old during this time as well, but it’s fine to agree that that child can watch an iPad with headphones in the room with the piano during that time since the piano lessons are efficacious.

If she wants extra money, it would need to be after her normal working hours and the pay would be commensurate with her previous experience as a piano teacher. She would not need to watch other children during this extra time.

[Anonymous]

piano lesson starts at 5. you take care of the 4 yr old. you pay her the going rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kids are 9, 4, 1. 1 yo is asleep or alone. 4 yo is left alone. Usually DH and I are working from home (wrapping up work at that time, so not a huge safety issue, but we’re rushing to get dinner started, etc).
Piano lessons.

Is the 4 year old “left alone” or playing on another room? By 4 the experience of playing by themselves is an important one, probably more important than piano.

If she’s actually leaning the building that’s different.

[Anonymous]

If she is doing this during the time she is working as a nanny, I wouldn’t pay her extra. If she wants to earn more money giving 1 child music lessons, and you are good with it, arrange for her to stay an extra 30 minutes ne day a week and pay her for that.

[Anonymous]

I would remind her that supervision and care of all the children come before the piano lessons.