Asking a Nanny to Do a One-off Task

[Anonymous]

Nanny here and I wouldn't be upset by this at all. That being said the family I work for is respectful, generous and supportive. Mom boss would absolutely do this herself if she had time but I'm happy to help if she does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. To be clear, I was not asking nanny to do this during her “break” when child sleeps. It was during an hour that I was watching the child out of the house when she would normally be working and was getting paid her hourly rate.

This should be a part of her regular duties. Cleaning out a stroller takes what, one minute? It’s not a huge ask. Just
To clarify, she’s is not on break. Not even in quotes or like you said in your OP. Unless she is free to leave your house and run an errand or go get lunch by herself since she is still on the clock and she is not getting a break. She is working.

[Anonymous]

I think keeping the stroller clean is a reasonable expectation.

[Anonymous]

I am currently looking for babysitting work, and what I see is beyond the call of duty. people are asking for light housework, making groceries, walking dogs, doing laundry and much more… it seems that parents don't know the work a child gives, and they also think that the nanny is a robot, who can't sit down for a minute even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently looking for babysitting work, and what I see is beyond the call of duty. people are asking for light housework, making groceries, walking dogs, doing laundry and much more… it seems that parents don't know the work a child gives, and they also think that the nanny is a robot, who can't sit down for a minute even.

In their minds they’re equating the nanny with a SAHM and we all know DCUM thinks those women have absolutely nothing but free time…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently looking for babysitting work, and what I see is beyond the call of duty. people are asking for light housework, making groceries, walking dogs, doing laundry and much more… it seems that parents don't know the work a child gives, and they also think that the nanny is a robot, who can't sit down for a minute even.

I just saw an ad on our local facebook group for a lady looking for an after school babysitter who will pick up the kids from school, help with homework, driving to, and from sports, prep lunches for the next day and prep dinner. All between the hours of 330 and 630. People have lost their minds. It might have included laundry too, but I don’t remember. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused. You expected her to clean out the stroller on her “break” because YOU dirtied it up and didnt have time to clean it?

This. Plus, do you pay her extra when the child doesn't nap? Will you raise her salary when he drops the nap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be clearly articulated job expectations. Make sure child does one outside activity a day. Make snack, clean dishes. Keep room and stroller neat, if messes (i.e., eating in stroller) happen on her watch.

But coming up with a task because you happen to have made a plan that covers 1 of her 8 daily hours is petty.

I kind of agree. The other day my boss kept me waiting outside of her office for about an hour while she took an unexpected call that ran long. I did not have my laptop with me so could not do any work, so I ended up playing around on my phone. I'd have been pissed as hell if she would have come up with a cleaning task for me!

[Anonymous]

Uhh, I'm a nanny and this is a normal expectation, especially if the nanny is using it.

[Anonymous]

OP, it was ridiculous the stroller was messy in the first place. My nanny would have been embarrassed if I had to ask.

And yes, if you’re out for an hour and she’s chilling, you can absolutely leave her a list of child-related chores.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here - Two things, first: nap time is not a break, unless I can leave the house max be totally on my own and not responsible for the care of your child. Second: Cleaning out the stroller regularly is absolutely the nanny’s job UNLESS a big mess happened on the weekend by the parents. Then you can vacuum your own stroller!

[Anonymous]

Part of the job, just like wiping your kid’s hands after a snack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally appropriate to remark that you’ve noticed the stroller is getting gross, and to please take care of crumbs/stains/trash on a regular basis. Also appropriate to follow up after two weeks of it’s not getting done.

Not especially appropriate to dictate exactly when this chore should be done. She may have mentally blocked out that time to go through outgrown clothes, get the high chair really clean, find a new music class, corral the library books, etc.

+1 I agree with this. A conversation at the end of a shift about keeping certain kid items cleaner is one thing. Saying "do this while I'm gone" feels micromanaging in a way that I don't think many nannies would appreciate.

That said, it's not a huge deal and I wouldn't dwell on it. Did she clean it, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a full time nanny with guaranteed hours. Our child still takes an afternoon nap, so she gets a built-in break while child sleeps. Here is my question - I took the child for a late morning excursion (1 hour) that came up unexpectedly. I asked the nanny if she would mind cleaning out the stroller with a Dustbuster while we were away. She looked at me like I was crazy to ask that. It is the stroller she uses daily and it is disgustingly covered with food crumbs in the seat and sand, etc. from the playground in the storage underneath. Was I unreasonable to ask her to clean something? The expectation has always been just to clean their playtime messes and dishes.

She is not a maid! This is a DIY job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it was ridiculous the stroller was messy in the first place. My nanny would have been embarrassed if I had to ask.

And yes, if you’re out for an hour and she’s chilling, you can absolutely leave her a list of child-related chores.

You can do this if you want vti be looking for a new nanny.