Every once in a while I get uncomfortable with how much our nanny...

[Anonymous]

As someone who works in your home, such an intimate + personal setting, it is only by default that she will know so much about your family.

If this truly makes you uncomfortable, you can always look at other childcare options available.

[Anonymous]

Nannies actually know more than you ever dreamed, OP.

[Anonymous]

What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

I have no interest in my employers and I still know more than they think. It has nothing to do with being trustworthy -- it has to do with being sighted! You'd have to be an idiot not to pick up on personal aspects of their lives when you are in their home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

I have no interest in my employers and I still know more than they think. It has nothing to do with being trustworthy -- it has to do with being sighted! You'd have to be an idiot not to pick up on personal aspects of their lives when you are in their home.

Such as what? That they like almond milk? That mom uses shampoo with flower extract?! I don't know what you could accidentally stumble upon without being a snoop. Do you know their ss#? Have you read their tax statements? Do you accidentally browse through their emails? Do you open person letters from their mail, accidentally of course?

[Anonymous]

OP has written over 2/3s of the responses in this thread.
And all of them purporting to be a nanny "who knows more than you think!" ooooooooooooooooo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... knows about our private lives. She is an amazing nanny and a lovely woman who keeps her personal life to herself. Having worked for us for nearly two years, she knows a lot about our private lives and it feels weird at times not to mention very one-sided. I wasn't raised with a nanny or any kind of in-home help so I have no idea if my feelings are common or even valid.

This post, if it is even real, makes no sense unless the nanny is a live-in or snooping all about.

I am not a live in and I am not the least bit interested in "snooping". And I know a shocking amount about my employers. I know what the wear to bed and what their relationships are with their parents. I know how hard they are trying to have another baby (and who is at fault) and that DB silently seethes when MB loses her glasses, wallet, keys. I know that MB rules the house and she better watch how she talks to DB or she is going to lose him one day. I know how MB is always trying to win her mother's approval.

I know because I am in their home 50 hours a week and I have eyes and ears.

My employers know very little about me and have never even been inside my house.

Eyes and ears what? You are all home together a good portion of those 50 hours? Or everyone likes to chat and fill you in on life?

Well, sounds like you just know it all then. Begs the question, what are you going to do about it? nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP has written over 2/3s of the responses in this thread.
And all of them purporting to be a nanny "who knows more than you think!" ooooooooooooooooo.

??? I wrote one of the "nanny knows" posts myself and I am not the OP. I just think that being around anyone so long in their comfortable home setting leads to the gaining of knowledge -- plus MBs talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP has written over 2/3s of the responses in this thread.
And all of them purporting to be a nanny "who knows more than you think!" ooooooooooooooooo.

No, sorry, you are wrong. I am the OP and this is my only follow up post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... knows about our private lives. She is an amazing nanny and a lovely woman who keeps her personal life to herself. Having worked for us for nearly two years, she knows a lot about our private lives and it feels weird at times not to mention very one-sided. I wasn't raised with a nanny or any kind of in-home help so I have no idea if my feelings are common or even valid.

You have no idea how much I envy you, OP. I wish to God our nanny kept her private life to herself!!! I wouldn't care about the imbalance of personal information. I just want her to shut up about her own life (and feelings) and pay attention to my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... knows about our private lives. She is an amazing nanny and a lovely woman who keeps her personal life to herself. Having worked for us for nearly two years, she knows a lot about our private lives and it feels weird at times not to mention very one-sided. I wasn't raised with a nanny or any kind of in-home help so I have no idea if my feelings are common or even valid.

You have no idea how much I envy you, OP. I wish to God our nanny kept her private life to herself!!! I wouldn't care about the imbalance of personal information. I just want her to shut up about her own life (and feelings) and pay attention to my child.

Ugh - me too!!! I have to devote as much time to hearing my nanny's travails when I walk in the door as I do to my toddler's desire for attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

I have no interest in my employers and I still know more than they think. It has nothing to do with being trustworthy -- it has to do with being sighted! You'd have to be an idiot not to pick up on personal aspects of their lives when you are in their home.

Such as what? That they like almond milk? That mom uses shampoo with flower extract?! I don't know what you could accidentally stumble upon without being a snoop. Do you know their ss#? Have you read their tax statements? Do you accidentally browse through their emails? Do you open person letters from their mail, accidentally of course?

You don't have to be a snoop to happen upon things. I'm not a snoop at all and know more than I really want to about my employers.

Just a couple examples-

I've opened up the computer that I've been given the password to and total access to use for work stuff and there is my DB's email account with an email that he just left open in the browser.

I've walked into the office to get something off the printer and saw a copy of their tax return

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

I have no interest in my employers and I still know more than they think. It has nothing to do with being trustworthy -- it has to do with being sighted! You'd have to be an idiot not to pick up on personal aspects of their lives when you are in their home.

Such as what? That they like almond milk? That mom uses shampoo with flower extract?! I don't know what you could accidentally stumble upon without being a snoop. Do you know their ss#? Have you read their tax statements? Do you accidentally browse through their emails? Do you open person letters from their mail, accidentally of course?

You don't have to be a snoop to happen upon things. I'm not a snoop at all and know more than I really want to about my employers.

Just a couple examples-

I've opened up the computer that I've been given the password to and total access to use for work stuff and there is my DB's email account with an email that he just left open in the browser.

I've walked into the office to get something off the printer and saw a copy of their tax return

Unless the message left open had size 60 font in bold "SORRY ABOUT YOUR HIV" then you would still have to sit there and actively read the message. That is snooping hun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think she knows? I have worked with my family for a long time and don't think I know them all that intimately. I never go in their room, I don't snoop through their medicine cabinets, etc. Maybe you should just hire a more trustworthy nanny?

I have no interest in my employers and I still know more than they think. It has nothing to do with being trustworthy -- it has to do with being sighted! You'd have to be an idiot not to pick up on personal aspects of their lives when you are in their home.

Such as what? That they like almond milk? That mom uses shampoo with flower extract?! I don't know what you could accidentally stumble upon without being a snoop. Do you know their ss#? Have you read their tax statements? Do you accidentally browse through their emails? Do you open person letters from their mail, accidentally of course?

You don't have to be a snoop to happen upon things. I'm not a snoop at all and know more than I really want to about my employers.

Just a couple examples-

I've opened up the computer that I've been given the password to and total access to use for work stuff and there is my DB's email account with an email that he just left open in the browser.

I've walked into the office to get something off the printer and saw a copy of their tax return

There is a difference between "seeing" a tax return on the desk and "reading" their tax return. Once you figure that out you will be golden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me too, OP. I kind of try to not think about it, beyond keeping all our financial stuff in our office, keeping the drawers in our desk locked, not gossiping in front of the nanny, etc. I keep the house a somewhat professional place for the nanny to be.

I am sure she appreciates it! The truth is that we don't WANT to be in your business; it just comes with the territory. Discretion helps us feel relaxed and comfortable at work. Good job, MB!

+1

There is nothing more awkward than a MB who confides in us. It's nice to feel trusted, but puts us in a very weird position.

+1000. I'm now in that situation. I get all the blow-by-blow details of her and husband arguing while they are separating and divorcing. I'm like the resident therapist, though I certainly don't get paid what a therapist does!

And good for you MB. I actually prefer the office/desk to be locked, and even their bedroom. It does feel more professional, and then I'm more comfortable at work, just as the pp said.