How to ask?
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Anonymous
| We love our nanny and she takes great care of our two kids. We try to give her whatever she needs to entertain them and herself during the day since I appreciate how tough it can be to fill all the hours. Toward that end, we made a totally kid-proofed playroom in the basement with lots of toys and activities and comfy seating. It's a nice space, with lots of light, fully finished, and a bathroom. Lately I've noticed that she never goes down there, when I come home at the end of the day, everything is exactly the same and sometimes if I'm in and out during the day, I see them playing upstairs. We do have a few toys, etc. upstairs, but not very much. Please don't flame me for asking, it's an honest question - is there any normal way I could ask her about it without seeming like I'm trying to dictate where the kids play? As long as they're happy and she's happy, it's all good. I guess I'm just curious if there's something she doesn't like down there since we tried to make it nice for everyone. |
Anonymous
| I hate basements even nicely finished ones. they don't get enough natural sunlight and are so closed off from the rest of the house. You feel trapped and isolated. If I had to do something in the kitchen then I would have to stop the children from playing and bring them upstairs. Basement playrooms always seemed like a silly idea for young children. |
Anonymous
| OP here - thanks, that's helpful. Is there anything that could make it more appealing (other than not being in the basement?) |
Anonymous
| I've never been big on basement play rooms either. Some are nicer than others. Is your basement the kind with exposed beams? Of so maybe hang a swing or two from the beams. Stock a few snacks down there maybe? Really it sounds like you've done a good job so all you can so is say hey baby, we set up a nice play area for the kids downstairs. I've noticed it doesn't get used...is there something we do to make it more enticing? Out just say flat out that you'd prefer they spend more tine down there. Is it coke? Is it stocked with diapers? I guess is be looking at treasons she might have to go upstairs and go from there. |
Anonymous
| Pp here...also having access to music down there will help to.at least it would for me. |
Anonymous
| The only reason I wouldn't spend much time down there is having to bring the kids up and down with me to fetch things. A diaper changing station, some snacks (mini fridge?), and bottles/formula would help. Are the stairs blocked by a gate? That would make me more comfortable leaving the kids when using the bathroom or running upstairs really quick. Do you guys communicate on the phone or by texting throughout the day? There may not be cell service in the basement which always makes me slightly uneasy if I feel like MB is trying to get ahold of me. |
Anonymous
| There is likely a reason that she doesn't like to go down there. It could be that she prefers the natural light on the main level when she is inside all day in the winter with the children. Maybe she likes to cook or do something that requires keeping a close eye on the kids in the living room. Maybe it is a hassle to carry small children and supplies down there and to bring everyone upstairs for diaper changes, etc. You can ask her but should probably not pressure her to use the basement if she doesn't feel comfortable. |
Anonymous
| Put a TV down there? I'd be kinda creeped out and want background noise |
Anonymous
|
Is their cell service down there?
There's only so many hours a kid will play with toys without getting bored or want a change of pace. Maybe they're down their for a little. |
Anonymous
|
OMG.
It seems that only nannies with basement-phobia are posting. Id love a dedicated play area for my charge. Easy to keep clean and good for winter playdates. To answer your question... just ask her. If she has a problem then that's a red flag for future problems. |
Anonymous
| I stop taking my charges to the basement playroom in the winter because it is freezing down there. I'm less likely to want to play with them if I'm shivering but that's just me. |
Anonymous
There's this amazing invention called Fleece. Try it. 
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Anonymous
| I would LOVE a designated area to play with my charge. I wouldn't have to worry about him touching things that are not toddler friendly like the television and things on the bookshelf. I would ask your nanny if there's a reason why they don't play down there often. It could be no cell service, or she may not want to carry the children up and down the stairs (depending on their ages). For me, I have to walk up a flight up stairs everytime to change the babies diaper and its dangerous because the stairs are wood and the family is a shoe-free house. I'm always nervous I will slip and fall one day. Anyways, just ask her. An open line of communication is important for a successful nanny/family relationship. |
Anonymous
Why is it inherently a "red flag" if the nanny prefers not to play downstairs? Most families I know have toys in more than one room of the house. If ALL the toys are in the basement and she's playing elsewhere, then it's strange, but I find it more likely that she's just playing with the toys in the bedroom (close to bathroom, diapers, and bed) or the toys in the living room (close to the kitchen) rather than a room that has more toys, but no access to anything else she needs to do during the day (fold laundry, cook, tidy kitchen, make baby's bed, put away clothes, make bottles, etc., etc.) As for me? If the kids are young, heading away from all the productive areas of the house just seems like a bit of a trek with little ones. If they are still on two naps a day especially! If I am going to go do something, I would much prefer it be outdoors, even in the cold. I'd rather bundle everyone up (practicing our self-care skills by helping to dress themselves), run around outside or take a walk (exposure to nature, gross motor exploration, vitamin D) then undress in the same amount of time it might take my charge to just dump toys out and then try to pick them up (which we can do upstairs with a more manageable quantity of toys). I also prefer to leave "easy" activities like playing in the basement out of our rotation, so that they are exciting and new when charges do that with MB/DB. If we rarely play down there, MB/DB have an easy, built-in activity, and I know they need low-key fun more than I do! |
Anonymous
+1 I would also love a dedicated play area. I don't know where all this hate for basement playrooms is coming from. |