Do I need to have a talk about being wasteful with my nanny? RSS feed

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:1.5 bottles a day? That's wasteful? That's not even as much as she needs to drink a day. If you're really that concerned with her excessive water drinking buy her a reusable water bottle and a Brita pitcher.


OP said that they drink filtered water at home already, maybe one of the built-in ones at the kitchen sink (those are the best and filter everything you can imagine, you really can't drink water any cleaner than from those). The nanny just doesn't use it.

I take a few old water bottles and fill them with that type of filtered water then put them in the fridge. I like my water really cold, or else I don't drink as much of it, and I like to have it be in a bottle with lid that I don't have to worry about spilling and can take with me at any time (and recycle if I don't want to carrying it around anymore when empty). Try offering that as a solution. Label a few bottles with her name so no one else touches them (which is the concern with having an already opened bottle, you don't want others to share them). If you have some empty ones that can be used to replace ones in circulation, then she can have a few to use daily, take out with and recycle, or replace once banged up. I would use some soda bottles or anything of a thicker plastic actually, for durability since water ones are usually really thin and don't last long when reusing.
Anonymous
PP here, didn't read through all the replies before posting, so I just noticed you said you have a Brita in the fridge. That means cold water already, but if she is afraid of drinking up all the water that is in it during the day so it is not cold in the evening when you get home, I would try taking a night to fill up bottles for the fridge from the pitcher then refill the pitcher again, so that there is cold water in there for you and bottles for her. If that is not the reason she is not using it, she is just lazy and rude and you should fire her. Actually, I agree with others that say it just seems like she is not a good match and you should look for someone new that will do the shopping you would like, that does conserve more and so on. You will be much happier and your budget won't be messed with as much.
Anonymous
Oh my goodness I feel bad I am also a wasteful nanny.I flush the toilet every time I urinate,use paper towels often,used too much hand soap etc.I am so naughty!!
Anonymous
Wastefulness irritates me too, but i am not sure that it is something that can be remediated. It is worth trying, but I think it is likely that you two are not a good match.

You could try something like: "I am still working on how to manage the household with a nanny in the mix, and learning as I go. One of the issues I've noticed is that I buy supplies, and you use them, and sometimes things get confused, because I don't clearly communicate the purpose of various items. So, for example, Brita water is for everyday and bottled water is for emergencies. And, craft supplies are meant to be for a month of projects with special items like googly eyes and stickers being used a little at a time. Do you have any suggestions for how we can improve our communication?"

Maybe with you taking responsibility for "not communicating" she will make an effort and not get too defensive. Good luck!
Anonymous
It sounds to me like she doesn't really like this job, and is doing what she wants, kind of like in her parents' house.

In fact, that's exactly what this sounds like to me: a mindless teenager who really doesn't get that $10 every week is $500/year, etc. She doesn't spend her own money at home, and she doesn't have any background in budgeting or "making do." She's treating you just like her parents.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Wastefulness irritates me too, but i am not sure that it is something that can be remediated. It is worth trying, but I think it is likely that you two are not a good match.

You could try something like: "I am still working on how to manage the household with a nanny in the mix, and learning as I go. One of the issues I've noticed is that I buy supplies, and you use them, and sometimes things get confused, because I don't clearly communicate the purpose of various items. So, for example, Brita water is for everyday and bottled water is for emergencies. And, craft supplies are meant to be for a month of projects with special items like googly eyes and stickers being used a little at a time. Do you have any suggestions for how we can improve our communication?"

Maybe with you taking responsibility for "not communicating" she will make an effort and not get too defensive. Good luck!

+1
Anonymous
My feeling is this, OP. If you really liked this nanny, her drinking the water and using the play supplies would not be a big deal. I don't think you like her -- which is fine, I'm not judging that. The point is, when I don't like someone, I know that every little thing they do grates on my nerves. When I do like someone, I'm much more willing to either let the little things slide or find a way to work things out. So I would let her go.
Anonymous
You probably haven't even TALKED TO HER and sit here online and bash her for acting like a "princess"

she cares FOR YOUR CHILD. have some respect.

i drink SO much water, and often use bottles. just say "hey please use the fridge water so i can save these bottles, thanks!". or put them out of sight.

she used stickers...............ok.

as for the grocery shopping, i'd think a nanny wants to be out of the house but whatever. unless that's something she AGREED TO prior to being hired, you cannot be mad at her for not doing it.

moms DO hire nannies/sitters so they DONT HAVE TO BRING THEIR KID on errand trips. sooooo.... relax.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:PP here, didn't read through all the replies before posting, so I just noticed you said you have a Brita in the fridge. That means cold water already, but if she is afraid of drinking up all the water that is in it during the day so it is not cold in the evening when you get home, I would try taking a night to fill up bottles for the fridge from the pitcher then refill the pitcher again, so that there is cold water in there for you and bottles for her. If that is not the reason she is not using it, she is just lazy and rude and you should fire her. Actually, I agree with others that say it just seems like she is not a good match and you should look for someone new that will do the shopping you would like, that does conserve more and so on. You will be much happier and your budget won't be messed with as much.



I think it has to do with alot more then just the water.. The nanny will help herself on her employers expense.. with everything, not just water..

OP, please update .. I hope you kicked that unappreciating nanny out. If she cant go grocery shopping but can sit on her fat tush and drink all the water that you lug in, then she needs to go.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You probably haven't even TALKED TO HER and sit here online and bash her for acting like a "princess"

she cares FOR YOUR CHILD. have some respect.

i drink SO much water, and often use bottles. just say "hey please use the fridge water so i can save these bottles, thanks!". or put them out of sight.

she used stickers...............ok.

as for the grocery shopping, i'd think a nanny wants to be out of the house but whatever. unless that's something she AGREED TO prior to being hired, you cannot be mad at her for not doing it.

moms DO hire nannies/sitters so they DONT HAVE TO BRING THEIR KID on errand trips. sooooo.... relax.


Reread OP's question instead of being condecending.. She wasn't even ranting about the grocery shopping. She was just saying that nanny doesn't do it. And most parents hire nannies so they can go to work or sit on their a** .. OP hired a nanny and is still lugging in the groceries yet nanny thinks its ok so guzzle them all down while using all the stickers? She's a entitled slob. OP has every right to be annoyed/upset.
Anonymous
Are you serious? It's WATER!!! She's your employee who's taking care of YOUR children because you can't. This makes me sick. Would you tell her she's using too much toilet paper when she takes a dump? No!

A nanny's job is not to do your errands for you. They are there to watch your children and keep them safe.

Do you offer her benefits? Like vacation time or health insurance? If not then why are you complaining about WATER! It's not like they're dipping into your change jar.

You can't fire the poor girl because she drinks too much water.
Anonymous
People call me the paper towel queen.
One MB specifically told me she wanted an OCD person just like me.
Anonymous
I am a nanny, have been a long time. I am thoughtful and mildly thrifty. I notice how my nanny family does things and do things like they do. It sounds like she isn't that considerate and isn't doing what I do. It also sounds like she has a little attitude about things, but some of it may be her immaturity and just not being very sensitive. But it also sounds like you are pretty firm in your ideas/values and things will bother you more than some other people. No offense. Fwiw, I can be like that too. I wonder then if it just isn't a match. You sound like two different types of people. I would still give her the chance by nicely but clearly having a meeting and discussing certain "rules", like what water to use. However, know that to her you will sound petty. But if it is the only way you will be happy, then try it.
Anonymous
Why all of the nastiness here? How quickly people leap to judge and call this nanny entitled and spoiled. She drank some bottled water, get over it. If these are precious emergency supplies, store them in a designated place. If not, it is totally reasonable for her to think that she can drink water while she is at work, bottled, brita, or otherwise. I make no assumptions about my employers wealth but would be really insulted if they were making assumptions about my work ethic or maturity based on the way that I consume items. Grow up, all of you, and stop being so catty.
Anonymous
OP, rather than wasting your time talking to your nanny about her wastefulness, go straight to the source of your problem. Consult a reputable proctologist who is an expert in removing large items from hot house flower sensitive anuses. During the recovery period, stay the fuck home with your kid. After the recovery period, stay the fuck home with your kid. It is bad enough that you've inflicted yourself on your husband. Don't do it anymore to innocent strangers.
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