OP here-- the event was yesterday. After I thought through the logistics of getting the nanny home right as the event was starting -- that seemed to be more effort than it was worth, so I decided to just take the kids. Plus, I didn't want her to have to stress about it when she was leaving to go on a trip that night.

The kids behaved spectacularly during the set-up (including helping me push a cart full of boxes from the car to the event).

The PP who said I worded my subject incorrectly was right. I wanted help with the kids for 1-2 hours while I WORKED prior to the start of the event. I'm not sure how that makes me "out of touch" with my kids -- that's laughable.

But at any rate, we had a blast! Things like this are so much easier now that my oldest is almost 5.

Anonymous wrote:This is fine.

You’re not actually bringing the nanny to the picnic (that would be weird!) You’re having the nanny care for your kids while you work (event preparations for a work event is WORK.)

The nanny would be doing what she does everyday- caring for your kids while you WORK.

+1

Anonymous wrote:I’d bring a grandparent before nanny,

Bringing a nanny will look bad to your colleagues.

Bringing a grandparent will look family oriented.

Make sure the grandparent is hobbling though. It's much more impressive to have a hobbling grandpa!

If you are just attending the event, I say no nanny. But it sounds like you have to attend to some logistical things before the event, so I think you need the nanny to come. My kids are the same age and I take them to the zoo alone just fine, but I am not trying to coordinate with vendors or directing caterers. My 4 yr old can sit in one place for 20 min, but my 2.5yr old cannot be unattended. It’s too easy for him to wander off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bring a grandparent before nanny,

Bringing a nanny will look bad to your colleagues.

Bringing a grandparent will look family oriented.

Aren't you precious. Not everyone has a grandparent around to bring.

The "bring a grandparent" poster doesn't have a job. I bet $50.

People! I'm not the person that posted the grandparents thing but it is a joke referring to the other thread.
Sheesh.

Anonymous wrote:If I were you I'd just bring my old grandparents to keep an eye on the little ones.

I see what you did there.

I’m not going to read through all the ridiculousness of the responses, so I’m not sure if OP has decided. I am a career nanny and absolutely attend events like this with my bosses, no question! One gone to larger events, such as the one described, as well as house parties where they would like to bring the kids, but not be overwhelmed by logistics. That’s one of the positive aspects of having a nanny!

Additionally, I am appalled by the number of nannies on this site that hold so much contempt for parents. These women should seriously find another profession!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d bring a grandparent before nanny,

Bringing a nanny will look bad to your colleagues.

Bringing a grandparent will look family oriented.

Aren't you precious. Not everyone has a grandparent around to bring.

The "bring a grandparent" poster doesn't have a job. I bet $50.

Anonymous wrote:I’d bring a grandparent before nanny,

Bringing a nanny will look bad to your colleagues.

Bringing a grandparent will look family oriented.

Aren't you precious. Not everyone has a grandparent around to bring.

I’d bring a grandparent before nanny,

Bringing a nanny will look bad to your colleagues.

Bringing a grandparent will look family oriented.

It’s fine! People do it all the time. It makes the outing more enjoyable and relaxing for everyone.

Nanny here. I was AT my boss’ work picnic at national zoo last year, but he was a single dad, running the event and had 2yo twins, so a different situation in those respects.

I would arrive at 9:45 (because arriving at 10 means parking is a crapshoot) and park by the kids farm. Have nanny watch the kids there in the play area while you set up the event then bring the kids to meet you at 11. Do your work thing, then take the kids over to the carousel and head home.

Agreed, I'd have the nanny bring them whenever other people's kids arrive and leave when they do. Or, bring just one kid (idk if this is possible).


To the people who say bring a grandparent instead - that's so precious for you.


To the people who say don't have help, do it all yourself - suck it.


OP, It sounds like you're in a leadership position. When I was working in an intense office as a young adult, all I ever saw was parents of young kids in constant stress and agony trying to balance their work and family who never admitted that it was an issue to try to stay competitive with me and others. Please prioritize the message you are sending to the women below you and do not try to hide the work. Have the nanny come BECAUSE YOU NEED HER so you can both parent and work. Nobody benefits from people trying to "make it look easy."

Having just been at the zoo at 9 a.m. with two kids, no way would I have them there that early for a work picnic that starts 2 hours later. I’d start with that as your baseline and go from there on what care you’ll need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should have the nanny stay at home with the kids and then bring the kids to you at 11am.

I think so, too.

Op your schedule looks like a recipe for disaster at the picnic.

This. Have the nanny drop them off at 11am or have her show up a bit early and do the zoo with them herself from 10-11. Starting at 9 and then expecting them to still be in good form for the picnic is not going to work in your favor at all. (You’ll be wishing the nanny was still available to get them out of there so they stop melting down in front of your colleagues!)

There's a nice airconditioned library not too far from the zoo. If the issue is transportation (I'm guessing from the fact that nanny is ubering back), then I'd drop kids and nanny there, and have them arrive to the zoo at the last minute.

Unless it turns out not to be a hot day.