Nanny role as kids transition to school

[Anonymous]

My niece and nephew, both in elementary school, have activities every day after school. Their nanny has been with them since the oldest was born - 12 years ago. It has provided amazing stability for the kids and great cover for my brother and his wife. The nanny is available for all sick days and holidays but generally starts at 12 noon and does all grocery shopping for everyone, errands and house management. Then she picks up the kids and gets them to their lessons and practices. She makes them dinner and leaves at 7 when my brother and SIL are home. She also makes up the hours lost during the week by being with the kids for date night and other weekend night functions.

This is what I hope for our nanny in the distant future (just have a two year old now and hope to have one or two more children). I very much want our nanny to stay in our lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should she have to do anything else? You need her for the times pre School is closed, sick and vacation
You pay her for being available exclusively for you not for extra work.

If you don't need her during hours child is in school then she is free to take another job. You can see the problem this presents as then she will not be available when your child is not in school.

16 hours a week is too much down time to be paid fulltime for, so yes, she should take on more duties for the normal weeks when the kids are in school. Sick days and snow days and breaks are a different story and the employer should be cognizant of that and have different expectations on those days. If you do not have a maid/housekeeper or cleaning service, this may, by mutual agreement include household tasks. A nanny who started with no household tasks may balk at a change in that direction. If that's the case, there may no longer be a match between the family's needs and the the nanny. Then you would need to transition to a new nanny, if not now, certainly when all 3 kids are in school full-time. Some families choose after school care at this point, but if you can afford in home care, it's still better for the children.

Stability of caregiver is also better for the children.

You can keep saying this, but presuming the parents are a constant presence, and the children are out of the house most of the day, it's pretty easy to transition away from a daily nanny. Full time employment doesn't have to end by the nanny disappearing in a puff of smoke, never to be seen again.

[Anonymous]

Why would you have a nanny grocery shop when you could get groceries delivered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you have a nanny grocery shop when you could get groceries delivered?

If I'm already paying someone and she has time, it's generally cheaper, they do a better job of picking produce and figuring out substitutions, and there are no items/brands that aren't available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you have a nanny grocery shop when you could get groceries delivered?

Far better to choose your won produce and look for sales and specials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you have a nanny grocery shop when you could get groceries delivered?

If I'm already paying someone and she has time, it's generally cheaper, they do a better job of picking produce and figuring out substitutions, and there are no items/brands that aren't available.

Nanny here. I like grocery shopping. I prefer to plan meals by keeping staples in the fridge and freezer, and I pull out things as they need to be used, or if kids ask for something specific or I think they need more if something. I can easily decide that parsnips are on sale, so I’ll fire go the carrots which aren’t on sale. I also have a zillion recipes in my head that my employers and a shopping service can’t access...

[Anonymous]

I give you permission to give your nanny notice and hire a part-time babysitter or invite an Au Pair to live in your house.

Not being a snark.... really. I'm letting you know that your nanny is an employee and you can let her go anytime. Give her notice and a end bonus if you like.

Your needs have changed. Your kids will survive.