MBs who are expected to work from home on snow days...

[Anonymous]

This morning there was only a few inches of snow and my car skidded across 3 lanes on 495...
Thank God I didn't hit anyone.

[Anonymous]

... What do you do for child care?

DH and I are both expected to work from home or take PTO on snow days. For me, even if I say "I take PTO", emails could be flying every minute, many from my boss and my peers (all men without child care issues), and I feel like I'm always at disadvantage compared to them, and that people have to wait for me (oh, yes, Betsy has little kids! Yeah, I remember her being pregnant. Let me just remind this to the other 20 people on this call that had no trouble finding the time to work today. I guess we just can't accomplish anything because Betsy is not here... One more time,people, she does have little kids).. If I ask the nanny to come in (I can even drive her in my car), she'll be all upset that she had to work and shows her attitude... So if there is too much snow we give her a paid day off... We normally kind of winging it with me getting up like at 5 am, doing work until kids get up, and taking half a day of PTO, and then DH takes the opposite half (and hopefully clears the driveway while at it). Still, I can't pay attention to kids enough due to phone calls/email. Basically, it is becoming total chaos, with neither work getting done nor kids being happy. And by the way, the work ain't going away just because it snowed, and deadlines don't move.

I have asked around, but none of the neighbors are interested in babysitting... Tomorrow will be a similar day.

So, I'm curious, how do other people solve similar problems?


I have to say, if your nanny gives you grief because you come and get her so she can work when it snows, you may need to investigate other options for care. I always offer to work as long as my bosses pick me up - I can't drive in snow and my car can't handle it in any case. With sufficient notice, I would be willing to stay overnight if a storm was expected.

This. Exactly.

In the DC area, we don't get the kind of snow that paralyzes the region. Many, many people got to work today. Maybe they went in late to give the roads a chance to clear, but they went in. Things still need to get done. Another thing that some nannies don't seem to understand is that even when MBs and DBs work at home, most workplaces require childcare during WAH days. I have zero sympathy for a nanny who throws attitude because they feel their "routine" is thrown off because the parents are home. Too bad. I think OP is more than generous in offering to pick up her nanny and the fact that the only reason she didn't have necessary childcare was because of her nanny's bad attitude is a good reason to replace that bad nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're talking about a few inches of snow than she's being ridiculous for not coming in. If you're in Boston like I am than I understand her hesitation, we have 7feet of snow and the roads are horrible because there is no place to put it. Even our Public transportation was shut down multiple times and is still running on extreme delays days after the storms. We also having parking bans.

It blows my mind when people complain about a little bit of snow and cry over possible ice. If you live in an area where it snows than you should learn to drive in it. And if your employers offer to pick you up than be grateful because in other industries you'd either waste PTO or get fired. A security guard for our local hospital walked 5miles in blizzard conditions to get to work. You know he makes less then most nannies.

We aren't in Boston and it was not very much. By 10 AM the roads were clear enough to drive and most had been plowed (in less you are on a very small side street).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're talking about a few inches of snow than she's being ridiculous for not coming in. If you're in Boston like I am than I understand her hesitation, we have 7feet of snow and the roads are horrible because there is no place to put it. Even our Public transportation was shut down multiple times and is still running on extreme delays days after the storms. We also having parking bans.

It blows my mind when people complain about a little bit of snow and cry over possible ice. If you live in an area where it snows than you should learn to drive in it. And if your employers offer to pick you up than be grateful because in other industries you'd either waste PTO or get fired. A security guard for our local hospital walked 5miles in blizzard conditions to get to work. You know he makes less then most nannies.

"than" and "then" are 2 different words with 2 different meanings.. not interchangeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're talking about a few inches of snow than she's being ridiculous for not coming in. If you're in Boston like I am than I understand her hesitation, we have 7feet of snow and the roads are horrible because there is no place to put it. Even our Public transportation was shut down multiple times and is still running on extreme delays days after the storms. We also having parking bans.

It blows my mind when people complain about a little bit of snow and cry over possible ice. If you live in an area where it snows than you should learn to drive in it. And if your employers offer to pick you up than be grateful because in other industries you'd either waste PTO or get fired. A security guard for our local hospital walked 5miles in blizzard conditions to get to work. You know he makes less then most nannies.

We aren't in Boston and it was not very much. By 10 AM the roads were clear enough to drive and most had been plowed (in less you are on a very small side street).

It was nearly 10 am when I slid across 495. I was leaving Va entering Md from the toll road.

[Anonymous]

Is it out of the question to pay overtime for working on a snowday? I wonder if this would improve your nanny's attitude about it?

[Anonymous]

I'm the nanny bitching about my car sliding.
The nanny shouldn't have needed the whole day off. If her employers were actually working and needed her she should have offered to come in late or around noon. If they offered to come get her she absolutely should have been there.

[Anonymous]

I mean this in the nicest way possible. My advice to you is to stop apologizing to people and own your decisions. Choose whether you want to have your nanny come in and work or you want to take the day off.
If you are taking the day off, then take the day off. Don't call into meetings and answer emails. People will find a way to manage. What would they do if you got into an accident and were in the hospital all day? Your co-workers are being ridiculous for guilt-tripping you. You are not so important that no one can do any work if you aren't there one day. Also, play your cards a little closer to your chest. If people are judgmental about you being a mother, they don't need to know that the reason you can't come in is to be with your kids.

If you want to work, then have your nanny come in. Don't apologize to her for asking her to come into work on a day that you are paying her and she is scheduled to come in, particularly if you are providing her transportation.

[Anonymous]

Simply offer to pick-up the nanny if there's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simply offer to pick-up the nanny if there's a problem.

She did, and the nanny was annoyed.

[Anonymous]

I could have come in yesterday but know that having both parents at home is a nightmare. I can't d my work without multiple interferences. They say they are working but spend the whole day coming into the play room and making the kids flip out each time they leave out. Not to mention scrutinizing the way I change a diaper or was a dish. Not worth showing up for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it out of the question to pay overtime for working on a snowday? I wonder if this would improve your nanny's attitude about it?

Why? It's a job, not elementary school. When you're a kid, you get snow days to play (and lots of vacation at holiday time). When you're an adult, it just doesn't work that way.

[Anonymous]

I have it in my contract that a snow day is defined as a day when the federal government is shutdown. If my employers expect me to travel into work, they will take their asses into work as well. If they can't do that, then we're both taking a snow day. I do not play the "my time/safety/comfort is more important than yours" games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have it in my contract that a snow day is defined as a day when the federal government is shutdown. If my employers expect me to travel into work, they will take their asses into work as well. If they can't do that, then we're both taking a snow day. I do not play the "my time/safety/comfort is more important than yours" games.

No wonder you are on DCUM instead of being employed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it out of the question to pay overtime for working on a snowday? I wonder if this would improve your nanny's attitude about it?

Why? It's a job, not elementary school. When you're a kid, you get snow days to play (and lots of vacation at holiday time). When you're an adult, it just doesn't work that way.

You're so wrong and you know it. Better compensated employees are always better motivated than low wage workers. Unless of course you're a charity worker.