Nanny car issues-what would you do?
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Anonymous
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You are justified in your concerns for the safety of your child (soon-to-be children). If she is having regular car issues that potentially affect not only her reliability but safe driving (by her own admission her latest car issue almost resulted in an accident) it's time to address your concerns.
You mentioned she knew upfront that driving was one of her job responsibilities. Is is safe to assume that keeping her vehicle in safe, working condition safe was also a job requirement? If her vehicle no longer meets your definition of safe and reliable you are within your right to have a conversation with her. Your children's safety comes first, and if her vehicle impacts their safety it is appropriate for you to bring it up. I imagine it's difficult to entertain the idea of needing to find a new nanny when your only complaint is your current nanny's vehicle. However her vehicle is a major component of her employment. Would you be open to having her vehicle inspected by a mutually agreed upon mechanic who could give an assessment about the vehicle's condition and reliability? I realize it's difficult to find issues that don't exist yet, but overall condition can be determined. I feel it's very appropriate to sit down with her and address your concerns. You can still be sympathetic and understanding about the fact that she and her husband have a budget they need to stick to, but ultimately their budget is their concern while your children's safety is your concern (although it should be hers as well). I don't think you can make suggestions about what she should do (it's already backfired once), but ask if she has any ideas about how to address the safety concerns about her vehicle and your need to ensure that your children are riding in a safe and reliable vehicle. It may come down to you needing to tell her that due to your requirement that your children be transported in a safe, reliable vehicle you will have to begin looking into other childcare options. Good luck. I realize that you're in a tough position. |
Anonymous
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She probably can't afford it... Do you think she wants to drive around a crappy car???
If she's a good nanny and you see her sticking around long term...ask her what you could do to help her get into a more reliable car. Are you in a position to do that? Could you pay her 200 more a month and have her cover a few date nights? Also considering she is driving your kids around...could you lend or give her some money for a down payment? |
Anonymous
10:11 again. The cost of a transmission (from my rough googling efforts) is $2000-3500. If the nanny can afford that, she can definitely afford to put a sizable donation down on a gently used car. OP, I think it's worth sitting down and having a talk about your concerns regarding the safety of her car. She has to have reliable transportation. If you think it will help, maybe look up information on used car dealerships in the area. She might not realize what is out there. Beyond her safety, you have to think about your kids and their safety. Safety is more important than hurt feelings. |
Anonymous
| Maybe her DH is an auto mechanic or knows one who will do the job at cost. It's one thing to pay for the repair a.d quite anothet to have car payments if they can't afford them. It is beyond presumptous for OP to tell her nanny she must get a new or newer car. You are a real ass, OP. |
Anonymous
OP has acknowledged that it is not her place to suggest or insist that her nanny buy a new car. That is not what she is trying to do. The OP does have a right to ensure her children's safety, and that means that making sure any vehicle they are transported in is safe and reliable. When the OP brings up her concerns with her nanny she can see what the nanny offers up as a solution. If the nanny has no solution regarding her unsafe and unrealiable vehicle the OP will then have to decide between allowing her child (soon to be children) to ride in a care she is not comfortable with in terms of safety or finding a new nanny with a more reliable and safe vehicle. OP already said providing a car for the nanny is not feasible. It's a crappy situation. No one likes having to tell their nanny that they have to choose between providing a more reliable vehicle or losing their job. However it might come down to that...in more diplomatic terms of course. If a new car is not within the nanny's budget no one is going to fault her for that, but unfortunately the safety of a child comes first. The reliability of the nanny's car is also an issue b/c I don't know many nanny families who can provide unlimited flexibility regarding scheduling for car issues. It sounds like due to the unfortunate car issues this nanny is no longer able to meet the conditions of her employment. When nannies can no longer meet the requirements of their job it's time to part ways unless a new solution can be found. |
Anonymous
| I don't think it's my job as a nanny to provide a vehicle...you should be glad she is willing to use her own car! |
Anonymous
Why should OP be glad? The nanny knew before accepting the position that she would need to use her car and OP would reimburse for gas and mileage. I have the same set up with my employers. |
Anonymous
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Sorry, OP, but it is very inappropriate for you to weigh in on your nanny's car and its condition.
While driving may be a requirement of her job, you aren't providing her a vehicle, and, as such, you are accepting her vehicle, no matter its condition (unless you have specifications in your contract around her car's condition). You are accepting her car as is, as you are accepting her, when you hire her. The only way you can dictate the specifics of the vehicle is if you provide it yourself. Otherwise, you are stuck and your nanny can drive whatever is best for her. |
Anonymous
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I don't know many nannies who drive their own cars..I wouldn't want to..mileage or not
I'm just saying that most nannies I know wouldn't use their vehicles..and if she is doing everything else right...then MB needs to either accept her car and deal with it breaking down or buy or lease a nanny car. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks to those that weighed in. My nanny ended up calling today about some logistical issues and ended up getting into the car situation and how long it will take for repairs etc. She told me she was exasperated with continuing to spend money on her car and she really wished she could get a new one. She also expressed her concern about the safety of the car and asked me what I thought. We enjoy a close relationship so I am glad she wanted my opinion. I told her that we felt bad as well that she had to continue going through issues with her car and asked if we could help in any way, letting her know We were also concerned for her and our daughter and were happy to try to think of a solution together. She was happy that we could talk about it and we planned to talk further on Tuesday when she is next scheduled to work. Hopefully we can figure something out together...
Thanks again to those posters with constructive comments. |
Anonymous
| Thank you, OP, for the happy update. It's so great when open and honest communication kicks in. Kudos to you. |
Anonymous
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OP,
It sounds like you have a wonderful, respectful relationship with your nanny. It also sounds like she has concerns that are similar to yours. I hope everyone is able to generate some ideas over the next couple of days that will lead to a productful discussion next time you talk. |
Anonymous
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We bought a third car. There were several issues, but the primary one was that the nanny did not want two carseats permanently installed in her car taking up her entire backseat, and we were not happy with how well she installed them each time she took them out.
We decided between two choices: letting her drive my car, and getting a cheapo small used car for me to use, or buying a minivan -- much more expensive, but the safest, biggest option. When we decided to have a third baby, we opted for the minivan. You can reiterate that she has to have reliable transportation for work, and if her car is not acceptable to carry your kids in anymore, then you need to tell her that is going to be the reason you fire her. You can't make her buy a new car. |
Anonymous
OP also knew that the nanny had an old and not necessarily reliable car and this is the first time she has been concerned with sagety. With a new transmission, the care will be safer won't it? OP is full of it and shd has, undoubtedly, found a much cheaper nanny and is throwing this out as a trial excusr to get rid of her. I am not a nanny but I would not use my car to cart around children. Í |
Anonymous
| Then you need to supply her with a car during work time hours. |