"driver" for children?

[Anonymous]

Yes - this is the "needs have changed" scenario.

If you were hiring a nanny today driving your kids would be an integral part of the job right? A non-negotiable, must-have - right?

She is unwilling to do this therefore is unwilling/unable to continue to stay in the job.

I would also find her declaration approach to be quite important. This would not work for me.

My response would be to say how terribly sorry I am that she feels that way and is no longer willing or able to do the job. Tell her that you will be so sorry to let her go but you appreciate her candor. Tell her you will start the search for her replacement immediately and consider this her notice and ask her how much longer she is willing to stay with you while you look for her replacement. I would make driving the kids an ongoing requirement as long as she is with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have three also, and one more on the way. A nanny who could drive has been a priority for me since we had the first. I also have to wonder if she just finds the whole thing to be too much of a hassle, which caring for three young children is going to be with a car or not.

What I would not do in a million years is try to find a driver. You have a presumably well-compensated grown-up who already works for you, and you want to add a second person who will be so part time that he/she will probably last only a few months at a time, will be sick/late/absent on different days than your nanny, and will require another search anyway?

Take that time and search for a nanny who can drive. As you say, this situation has also limited what activities your kids can do.

OP, do you want to know what my kids are doing today? My nanny took my almost 5-year-old, three-year-old, and 1.5-year-old to the pool, where she will swim with them until swimming lessons time. Three days a week, she drives the oldest two to and from preschool, and takes the youngest one to activities. When the weather's nice, sometimes she takes them to fun parks further away, or if not, to the library or museum. Do any of these things sound like things you'd like your nanny to be able to do?

Totally. Our previous nanny was always complaining about car seats, weather, strollers, etc. It got old fast. Plus she got lazy about it and kids weren't in their car seats correctly nor safely! New nanny, no problem let's go!

BTW, how many Moms or Dads don't take their kid to their lesson or class because they don't want to expend the time putting kids in the car. Not many, and they're not paid to do so either!

[Anonymous]

This one is so easy.

Let her go.