15mo with nanny... how to schedule the day?

[Anonymous]

Kids don't need 1:1 interaction all the time. While in the stroller, your child is taking in lots about the sights, sounds and smells around them. It is also good them for them to have some quiet time and to not be entertained all the time. Fresh air is good for kids.

I also think a nanny who gets some adult contact and conversation during the day is a better nanny than someone who only ever interacts with a young child. It isn't healthy.

I have no issue at all with what the nanny is doing other than if she really is wearing headphones while crossing streets, that is a safety issue.

The idea of milking an employee for everything you can get from them and giving them nothing they need to do their job well is how sweat shops are run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the other posters. One hour in the stroller is not “great” especially with 0 interaction (even for a parent it would be hard to engage with the kid looking away from you). And honestly a 15mo can’t do so much at a playground that it justifies that long of a trip. You should find other nannies in your neighborhood and set up play dates inside. Presumably you and other parents have cameras. And you and DH should spend extensive time outside with DC yourself.

The non-engagement is the issue not the stroller time IMO. As a nanny, I point out trees, colors, buses, doggies, etc. to my charge while we walk to the park.

I also think it’s horribly dangerous to wear earphones while walking - for nannies and parents. When you’re pushing a stroller, the stroller and baby enter an intersection first. The caregiver has to be aware.

No matter when I’m wearing headphones, I only wear one on low volume; not always dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the other posters. One hour in the stroller is not “great” especially with 0 interaction (even for a parent it would be hard to engage with the kid looking away from you). And honestly a 15mo can’t do so much at a playground that it justifies that long of a trip. You should find other nannies in your neighborhood and set up play dates inside. Presumably you and other parents have cameras. And you and DH should spend extensive time outside with DC yourself.

The non-engagement is the issue not the stroller time IMO. As a nanny, I point out trees, colors, buses, doggies, etc. to my charge while we walk to the park.

I also think it’s horribly dangerous to wear earphones while walking - for nannies and parents. When you’re pushing a stroller, the stroller and baby enter an intersection first. The caregiver has to be aware.

No matter when I’m wearing headphones, I only wear one on low volume; not always dangerous.

It’s not smart, PP. You should be in the moment with a child especially outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What else is within walking distance of your house? I would be bored being at home with a toddler all day 5 days a week too. I tend to go out in the morning then after nap i do things in the house or yard. She probably wants some adult stimulation during the day.

OP here. There's another playground 10 minutes away but it's attached to an elementary school and meant for older kids. She doesn't have a driver's license (or car) which is why she can't take them anywhere else like library etc.
It makes sense she wants some adult stimulation but that's the nanny job! interface with kids! no??

How do you know that she wants to socialize with other nannies? You don't! I predict she won't be with you very long as you have already judged her by one post on an anonymous chat room!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a nanny and disagree that the OP’s nanny is necessarily only walking to parks with the toddler to meet her friends. I’ve always taken my charges out for long walks and visits to the park from six-months on. And I stay engaged with my charge’s the entire time. It’s important for babies and toddlers to get out of the house! My current charge is just 12 months and knows his colors because I point them out on cars, trucks, signs, etc. We walk past a dog park and he’s thrilled to watch the dogs run around (and has been saying “doggie” since he was 10 months. He learned to crawl watching other babies crawl and does the sign language sign for “friend” when he sees another child. (So cute!)

+1. I’ve surprised our nanny at the park, story times, and play spaces and she is pushing DS on the swings and sitting in sand with him, reading and engaged and on the floor playing with him and usually a few other crawlers.

Don’t assume your nanny is taking your toddler places for her own sake. DS has benefitted so much from their outings.

So you spy on her? Why do you entrust your child to someone you feel compelled to spy on?

[Anonymous]

I think constant 1-1 engagement is a ridiculous expectation. I think time outside is great. Headphones need not be dangerous. Glad I don’t work for you but good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a nanny and disagree that the OP’s nanny is necessarily only walking to parks with the toddler to meet her friends. I’ve always taken my charges out for long walks and visits to the park from six-months on. And I stay engaged with my charge’s the entire time. It’s important for babies and toddlers to get out of the house! My current charge is just 12 months and knows his colors because I point them out on cars, trucks, signs, etc. We walk past a dog park and he’s thrilled to watch the dogs run around (and has been saying “doggie” since he was 10 months. He learned to crawl watching other babies crawl and does the sign language sign for “friend” when he sees another child. (So cute!)

+1. I’ve surprised our nanny at the park, story times, and play spaces and she is pushing DS on the swings and sitting in sand with him, reading and engaged and on the floor playing with him and usually a few other crawlers.

Don’t assume your nanny is taking your toddler places for her own sake. DS has benefitted so much from their outings.

So you spy on her? Why do you entrust your child to someone you feel compelled to spy on?

Wow. Where did you jump to PP doesn’t trust her nanny? Don’t you ever surprise people when you’re in the neighborhood or have some free time - especially your children?

Honest to God, some of you women have some deep psychological issues to work out.

The PP was complimentary about her nanny. And you still found reason to crap on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think constant 1-1 engagement is a ridiculous expectation. I think time outside is great. Headphones need not be dangerous. Glad I don’t work for you but good luck.

Who said “constant engagement”? Time outside is great and talking to your charge when walking is educational and fun. Or even just pushing your charge and being in the moment.

And yes, headphones are dangerous when walking on city sidewalks and crossing streets. There is no question about that. You don’t want to stop listening to your headphones and are making up excuses - because you know it isn’t in anyone’s best interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think constant 1-1 engagement is a ridiculous expectation. I think time outside is great. Headphones need not be dangerous. Glad I don’t work for you but good luck.

Who said “constant engagement”? Time outside is great and talking to your charge when walking is educational and fun. Or even just pushing your charge and being in the moment.

And yes, headphones are dangerous when walking on city sidewalks and crossing streets. There is no question about that. You don’t want to stop listening to your headphones and are making up excuses - because you know it isn’t in anyone’s best interest.

I’m not the nanny, I’m a DP. In the moment...wth? It’s great to chat while walking, but it’s not required to constantly chat. I can just imagine a baby thinking- for the life of god, will you shit up for a second and let me relax and look at what i want? And you do not need to be ‘in the moment’ to take care of kids well. This is ridiculous, it’s not some sort of zen experience. As for headphones, it depends on volume. I don’t even get the idea they are in the city since it takes so long to get to the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think constant 1-1 engagement is a ridiculous expectation. I think time outside is great. Headphones need not be dangerous. Glad I don’t work for you but good luck.

Who said “constant engagement”? Time outside is great and talking to your charge when walking is educational and fun. Or even just pushing your charge and being in the moment.

And yes, headphones are dangerous when walking on city sidewalks and crossing streets. There is no question about that. You don’t want to stop listening to your headphones and are making up excuses - because you know it isn’t in anyone’s best interest.

I’m not the nanny, I’m a DP. In the moment...wth? It’s great to chat while walking, but it’s not required to constantly chat. I can just imagine a baby thinking- for the life of god, will you shit up for a second and let me relax and look at what i want? And you do not need to be ‘in the moment’ to take care of kids well. This is ridiculous, it’s not some sort of zen experience. As for headphones, it depends on volume. I don’t even get the idea they are in the city since it takes so long to get to the park.

I disagree with you, PP. I think walking is a great time to share the experience with your charge or certainly your own child. And I’ve seen too many near-miss accidents and one bad accident from a mother or nanny stepping into the street while wearing earbuds. The stroller is hit first.