Writing no phone use into a nanny contract

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what a pot was stirred! It’s scary how addicted some of you are to your phones. It’s unhealthy and this thread proved it.

+ 1. And why parents choose daycare. Daycare workers aren’t allowed on their phones and they earn minimum wage.

This and other reasons why we choose preschool as soon as possible. At least somebody was watching.

I see the conveniences of having a nanny. The kids can sleep in. The parent doesn't have to get them ready for school, or take them, or worry about a sick day. However, a high paid babysitter isn't in the best interest of the child. Many good preschools not only socialize the children, but give them a head start on academics. A lot of research proves they have a higher success rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are talking about the nanny. But what about the poor kid? Can you imagine the type of damage the OP will inflict on this poor child over the years. I’m not a nanny. I’m a mom of five adult kids. OP, unless you get serious mental health treatment, your poor kid is screwed.

Not nearly as much damage as a phone addicted nanny who should be providing the child with stimulating interactions during the earliest and most critical years of brain development.

OP, I think you need to flex it a little for emergencies, but otherwise, I think no phone is a good policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's neglect and illegal if the nanny is on the phone while watching children.

Lol. Sure. Some posters will never learn that the definition of "illegal" is not "something I don't like or agree with".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so dumb. No nanny should work for you.

X1000

[Anonymous]

Not nearly as much damage as a phone addicted nanny who should be providing the child with stimulating interactions during the earliest and most critical years of brain development.

It's always the moms who don't take care of their own children who are convinced every waking minute of a toddler should be filled with 'stimulating interactions' and love phrases like 'critical years of brain development.'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We want to make it clear upfront that we will not accept any phone use when out baby is awake. We plan to put it in our ad and mention it during interviews. As suggested here, we plan to give our new nanny a new Apple Watch for emergencies. We are sure of our decision so no need to debate.

My question is how to include no phone use in a contract? Just state agreed to expectations or under cause for dismissal? Or after the ad, the interview and our reminding nanny, is it necessary to put into the contract at all?

Can she call 911 if your kid is dying?

Nannies, be aware! Crazy lady, control freak...

[Anonymous]

Will you be texting her during the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny of 15 years here. I use my phone for:

-Music to dance to
-Recipes
-Weather
-Craft instructions
-Arranging playdates
-Keeping parents updated

I had a job that said NO phone use in my contract and happily respected it. One day, the mom came FLYING in the door SCREAMING at me because there had been a family emergency and she had been trying to reach me all morning. She needed the kids packed so she could leave town with them immediately and my phone was away in my purse per my contract.

In another position, a child choked. She was having pretzels like she had been eating for years, but she laughed and snorted one that got lodged in her throat. She was making absolutely no noise and her lips were turning blue. I will never ever forget the look of shear panic on her face. I was so incredibly thankful that my phone was in my back pocket and I was able to dial 911 quickly while doing the Heimlich. I absolutely did not have spare seconds to go search for my phone.

Yeah right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put it in the contract.
I think you will have trouble finding someone. I think our contract said something like limited personal use or reasonable or something but not while driving. We fired someone for texting while driving and at least did not have to pay unemployment because the judge agreed that was gross misconduct. I think a lot of people will push back at “no” use because what if their doctor calls? Their mom calls with an emergency? They need to let their spouse know you are running late so they will be home late?
What about when the kid is older and doesn’t nap?
We’ve had 3 nannies, and I don’t think any of them would agree to this.
Just think through what you want the contract to actually say.

I agree with this. We have a “limited phone use” part of our contract, and it’s been no problem at all. We don’t mind the occasional phone checking. What we didn’t want was someone sitting on their phone all day long as the baby wanders (which I frequently see our our local parks— sometimes to the point where I’m legitimately concerned the kid is going to wander into the street).

We made that clear in the interviews, in the contract, and during the trial week and had no issue finding candidates and ultimately a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm with you. We've always hired older nannies for this very reason. I cannot handle young kids always on their phones never paying attention to or engaged with kids. I used to see it all the time with nannies at parks and playgrounds. Parents never have a clue and always told me how great their nannies were. Yup.

My advice is to hire an older nanny who may not be as addicted to social media/apps all day (or whose greatest concern is going out at night and meeting people). We hired a nanny at age 55 and she's been with us 10 years. Never had any phone/technology/missed work issues. We count ourselves lucky.

Yeah I stayed home for two years and was shocked at the number of nannies on their phones/totally disengaged with kids. And I don’t mean like they checked their phone once or twice or made a call or two. Watching kids can be so boring. I mean just literally sitting for the entire time on the phone, occasionally glancing up to make sure the toddler hadn’t escaped or something.

[Anonymous]

I am in the staffing and recruiting industry so from a purely hiring perspective, put it in the contract. You are limiting your pool of qualified applicants, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We want to make it clear upfront that we will not accept any phone use when out baby is awake. We plan to put it in our ad and mention it during interviews. As suggested here, we plan to give our new nanny a new Apple Watch for emergencies. We are sure of our decision so no need to debate.

My question is how to include no phone use in a contract? Just state agreed to expectations or under cause for dismissal? Or after the ad, the interview and our reminding nanny, is it necessary to put into the contract at all?

Can she call 911 if your kid is dying?

Nannies, be aware! Crazy lady, control freak...

Well, if the nanny waits until AFTER the kid is unconscious it should be okay. Remember it’s only cause for dismissal while the baby is awake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

Yessss to this. My ex nanny constantly Skyped her family abroad and her friends. Told me she was giving my then 5 month old social hour. Very inappropriate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

Yessss to this. My ex nanny constantly Skyped her family abroad and her friends. Told me she was giving my then 5 month old social hour. Very inappropriate

What should she have been doing with your 5 month old instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

Yessss to this. My ex nanny constantly Skyped her family abroad and her friends. Told me she was giving my then 5 month old social hour. Very inappropriate

What should she have been doing with your 5 month old instead?

Def not skyping her relatives.
Plenty of ways to engage a 5 month old. I'm off 3 days a week and managed it just fine without the TV on and constantly scrolling on my phone.
Not for everyone but I pretty much filled her day with age appropriate activities. Reading, fine gross motor, cognitive. There is a lot if you bother to research.
And don't bother coming at me for wanting to engage with my child and yes I'm able to do this the whole day.