Nanny doesn't like to go outside

[Anonymous]

This is BS. Winter in DC doesn't really get cold enough to stay indoors. Dressed properly, kids can be outside for at least an hour, as long as they keep moving, and moving is usually not a problem with a 5-year old and an 8-year old.

OP, I don't know what else to tell you. Might your nanny be under the impression that what she likes counts? What do you mean she says "I don't like to go outside"? Who cares what she likes? What if she doesn't like to read? Or give them lunches? Why is she allowed to have preferences on such a basic element of nanny care? I understand if a nanny says, I don't like doing crafts with scissors, I prefer paints, but going outside? Her preferences simply don't matter here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is BS. Winter in DC doesn't really get cold enough to stay indoors. Dressed properly, kids can be outside for at least an hour, as long as they keep moving, and moving is usually not a problem with a 5-year old and an 8-year old.

OP, I don't know what else to tell you. Might your nanny be under the impression that what she likes counts? What do you mean she says "I don't like to go outside"? Who cares what she likes? What if she doesn't like to read? Or give them lunches? Why is she allowed to have preferences on such a basic element of nanny care? I understand if a nanny says, I don't like doing crafts with scissors, I prefer paints, but going outside? Her preferences simply don't matter here.

That's just not true. A nanny has every right to her preferences. However this nanny is going about it wrong. If she doesn't like to go outside, she shouldn't work for a family that has made it abundantly clear that outside time is important to them. There re nannies banging their heads against the wall working for parents that won't let them leave the house. Its all about fit, and nannies and parents alike need to be honest about their needs from the beginning. OP needs a new nanny that fits her family, and this nanny needs to work with young infants and parents who are less concerned with time outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is BS. Winter in DC doesn't really get cold enough to stay indoors. Dressed properly, kids can be outside for at least an hour, as long as they keep moving, and moving is usually not a problem with a 5-year old and an 8-year old.

OP, I don't know what else to tell you. Might your nanny be under the impression that what she likes counts? What do you mean she says "I don't like to go outside"? Who cares what she likes? What if she doesn't like to read? Or give them lunches? Why is she allowed to have preferences on such a basic element of nanny care? I understand if a nanny says, I don't like doing crafts with scissors, I prefer paints, but going outside? Her preferences simply don't matter here.

That's just not true. A nanny has every right to her preferences. However this nanny is going about it wrong. If she doesn't like to go outside, she shouldn't work for a family that has made it abundantly clear that outside time is important to them. There re nannies banging their heads against the wall working for parents that won't let them leave the house. Its all about fit, and nannies and parents alike need to be honest about their needs from the beginning. OP needs a new nanny that fits her family, and this nanny needs to work with young infants and parents who are less concerned with time outside.

I suppose you are right and there are families for whom outside time is not important, I just never met any..but yes, in theory, you are correct.

I guess what I meant to say is that when an MB tells the nanny to take the kids outside, it's unacceptable for the nanny to say "no, because I don't like to go outside" and behave as though it's a valid reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me it depends on the age of the children and how cold it is. The last snow storm we got in nova I did not take the kids outside as I believe it was in the low 20's maybe teens. During cold and flu season not a good idea to have a 1 yr old outside in that for too long. Frostbite is real.

Um...frostbite has nothing to do with colds and flus.

A one-year-old who has proper outdoor gear (wool socks, waterproof, insulated boots, waterproof mittens, warm hat, snow pants and good-quality parka) should be able to play outside for short periods (>30 minutes) in even sub-zero temps, provided they are with an adult who knows how to play safely in the snow (monitor closely, stay hydrated, and KEEP MOVING)! This is why the "I'll watch them but not participate" attitude doesn't work here. Avoiding frostbite requires that you keep moving and keep warm blood circulating. If you take a kid out and just stand there, they will likely just stand there as well and will quickly want to head indoors. If you take them out and go sledding, play tag, make snow angels and otherwise inspire them to run and be active, then they will be able to play outside (and be safe and warm) for much loger periods.

No frostbite doesn't. I was just mentioning it. Schools don't let children outside if its below 32 or above 100. With a 1 yr old I think that's a good range. The child I take care of does not have wool socks or snow boots or gloves that stay on.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny, this is one of the few times I have to side with the MB. Going outside with children is important for their health and development - which is what the job of nanny is all about. Interacting with the kids is also part of the job - either inside or outside. I'd try to explain the importance of fresh air and sunlight to your nanny and set an amount of time the children MUST be outside in good weather.

I've got to say, I have never heard of this problem before -- every nanny I know (myself included) needs to get the kids out of the house for their own sanity!

[Anonymous]

In the hot weather I prefer to take kids outdoors in the early morning and late afternoon.to avoid the hottest part of the day

[Anonymous]

I have noticed this too. We had a guy babysitter who loved being outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like going outside when the weather sucks either. But when it's nice I'm out all day.

This is me too. I hate the heat and think it’s ridiculous to ask the nanny to go out every day during the summer if it’s over 80 degrees unless they’ve got a pool. Staying in ONE or two days when it’s brutally hot isn’t the end of the world.

I don’t mind the winter as much as we can bundle up and then come back in shortly.

Many of these parents love to order their nannies around under the guise of their “expectations” while sitting in the office all day pretending to work. They spend more time worrying about what you’re NOT doing than parenting. Same with the chore off school dropoffs and pick ups if they’re “working from home.”

Must be nice to have the nanny do all the hard work while you hide all day.
And paying for it doesn’t absolve you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me it depends on the age of the children and how cold it is. The last snow storm we got in nova I did not take the kids outside as I believe it was in the low 20's maybe teens. During cold and flu season not a good idea to have a 1 yr old outside in that for too long. Frostbite is real.

Um...frostbite has nothing to do with colds and flus.

A one-year-old who has proper outdoor gear (wool socks, waterproof, insulated boots, waterproof mittens, warm hat, snow pants and good-quality parka) should be able to play outside for short periods (>30 minutes) in even sub-zero temps, provided they are with an adult who knows how to play safely in the snow (monitor closely, stay hydrated, and KEEP MOVING)! This is why the "I'll watch them but not participate" attitude doesn't work here. Avoiding frostbite requires that you keep moving and keep warm blood circulating. If you take a kid out and just stand there, they will likely just stand there as well and will quickly want to head indoors. If you take them out and go sledding, play tag, make snow angels and otherwise inspire them to run and be active, then they will be able to play outside (and be safe and warm) for much loger periods.

No frostbite doesn't. I was just mentioning it. Schools don't let children outside if its below 32 or above 100. With a 1 yr old I think that's a good range. The child I take care of does not have wool socks or snow boots or gloves that stay on.

Children in Montana go outside when it’s below 32, even Michigan does. And sooooo many places go outside when it’s over 100…