Nanny with Cabin Fever

[Anonymous]

Would everyone feel the same if the nanny has been working in a shorter timeframe than OP and the baby was younger? My baby is almost 6 months and my nanny started less than 8 weeks ago. I still haven't let my nanny venture beyond a couple blocks around the house for short distance walks. Am I crazy??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would everyone feel the same if the nanny has been working in a shorter timeframe than OP and the baby was younger? My baby is almost 6 months and my nanny started less than 8 weeks ago. I still haven't let my nanny venture beyond a couple blocks around the house for short distance walks. Am I crazy??

I don't know exactly what either you or the OP are worried about. Most childhood accidents (and caregiver abuse for that matter) happen in the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would everyone feel the same if the nanny has been working in a shorter timeframe than OP and the baby was younger? My baby is almost 6 months and my nanny started less than 8 weeks ago. I still haven't let my nanny venture beyond a couple blocks around the house for short distance walks. Am I crazy??

Yes, you are crazy. Mostly, however, you are hampering your child's development. All humans need natural light and air - granted it has been freezing lately but a good hour, hour and a half walk in decent weather (about 50 degrees) would do your baby good. Your baby should be experiencing the noises and people around him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would everyone feel the same if the nanny has been working in a shorter timeframe than OP and the baby was younger? My baby is almost 6 months and my nanny started less than 8 weeks ago. I still haven't let my nanny venture beyond a couple blocks around the house for short distance walks. Am I crazy??

Yes, you are crazy. Mostly, however, you are hampering your child's development. All humans need natural light and air - granted it has been freezing lately but a good hour, hour and a half walk in decent weather (about 50 degrees) would do your baby good. Your baby should be experiencing the noises and people around him.

According to you I'm not crazy...it's been below freezing most days. I'm just not ready for her to take him to local classes, activities, or storytimes. I still think he gets over stimulated.

[Anonymous]

I'm a responsible middle aged nanny and would go bananas if I couldn't go anywhere day in, day out. It's one of the things I ask about in interviews. If the family lives close to walkable activities such as the library, a couple of coffee shops, a nice neighborhood that has sidewalks and trees and a nearby park then I'm OK with that. But to never get out at all, never be able to grab lunch if I forgot mine, never be able to see or interact w/ a human who speaks in full sentences, never get fresh air and a little exercise, would be an absolute deal breaker and I'd leave the same day if I walked in and found out I couldn't leave the house (barring a sick or injured kid.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would everyone feel the same if the nanny has been working in a shorter timeframe than OP and the baby was younger? My baby is almost 6 months and my nanny started less than 8 weeks ago. I still haven't let my nanny venture beyond a couple blocks around the house for short distance walks. Am I crazy??

Yes, you are crazy. Mostly, however, you are hampering your child's development. All humans need natural light and air - granted it has been freezing lately but a good hour, hour and a half walk in decent weather (about 50 degrees) would do your baby good. Your baby should be experiencing the noises and people around him.

According to you I'm not crazy...it's been below freezing most days. I'm just not ready for her to take him to local classes, activities, or storytimes. I still think he gets over stimulated.

Not the PP but unless there is something developmentally wrong with your baby, he cannot get overstimulated. Human infants are programmed to accept the stimulation around them and either block it out or let it in. You should let your nanny take your baby to storytime and local activities - it would be good for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is unrealistic to expect our nanny to spend most of the winter in the house with our 9 month old son? We aren't comfortable with her driving or using the metro yet. We are new to having a nanny--she has been with us for 3 months. I'm worried that she might quite over the this arrangement.

You need to separate the issue of getting out of the house from the issue of driving.

#1. Should she leave the house? Yes. Your baby needs fresh air. I come from a country where's it's much colder and it's an article of religion that all children must get out for fresh air for at least a couple of hours a day. DC doesn't get cold enough to prohibit daily walking, and most healthy babies, if bundled up properly, sleep WONDERFULLY after walking in the fresh cold air.

So, what outings does a healthy 9-month old need? Number 1, walks, either around the neighborhood, or in the park if one is nearby. Maybe grocery stores. At this age, the babies are stimulated by things they see and sounds they hear. As long as your nanny talks to your baby constantly and narrates what she sees, your baby will be fine.

#2. Driving to scheduled outings, music classes, library times etc. With the exception of swim classes if you want, the 9-month old does not NEED playdates, storytimes or classes. Whatever they do there can be easily replicated at home by an active and intelligent nanny. So if that's what she wants to drive to, and you don't want her to, then I would stick to your position.

#3. If the nanny needs to get out to get her lunch or to run an errand with your permission, then there is absolutely no harm with your baby accompanying her.

What do you have around your house in walking distance?

[Anonymous]

I'd agree that at nine months outings are for the nanny, not your baby. If your nanny talks and interacts with your baby, they will be happy and develop just fine. I thinks walks are a great chance to get fresh air.

Because of the winter weather I will not allow my nanny to drive around with our baby. The roads in my area are icy and hilly. I use to work as a paramedic and I've seen about 100 too many grusome and fatal accidents involving bad weather conditions...even with clean driving records. I've also seen too many accidents where the car seat or baby were not strapped in properly and resulted in serious injury to the baby.

If your current nanny is not ok with no driving, then I'm sure you'll be able to find one who is. We did.