Nanny car issues-what would you do?

[Anonymous]

our nanny had her car break down this week, apparently her transmission blew while she was on the highway and she almost had an accident. Luckily she was ok, had the car towed and got a rental car, which was crucial because she picks up our child from school. This is not the first time she has had car issues and her car is very old. She opted to get the transmission fixed instead of getting a new car because her husband did not think they can afford a new car. I am sympathetic to her position but am frankly worried about our child and his safety in that car, not to mention that we are going to have Another baby in a few weeks, who she will have to also drive after I return to work. I understand that what she does with her car is between her and her husband, but I did casually mention that it might be worth considering a newer used car because she is clearly spending a lot getting this car fixed. She seemed annoyed by my suggestion so I dropped it, but the fact of the matter is that I am worried about her transporting my children in such an unreliable car. Any suggestions for what to do? FYI, she knows driving is a requirement for this job. Would love some suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Your solution isn't pretty, but it is simple. You either buy a car or get another nanny. Sorry for your troubles.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I guess I wonder whether most people would actually consider a new nanny over something like this. My son loves her and we don't have complaints other than this, except for some minor ones because nobody is perfect. And no, we cannot afford to buy a car for her. Is it worth having a conversation with her about my concerns or is that overstepping bounds?

[Anonymous]

Sure, talk with her. But if you, the employer, can't afford another car, how could she possibly afford one??

[Anonymous]

I would find it rude if my employers told me to buy a new car instead of fixing it. Ever think you don't pay her enough to afford a new car? Maybe they don't have the credit?

Basically, like the pp said you deal with it, fire her and hope to find someone with a car up to your standards or provide her with a work car to use only with the kids. I hope you at least provide her for gas and mileage for the use of her car.

I'm a nanny so I would like to know your concerns but more for a security reason. I would like to have time to find a job or is if I could fix the problem.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We do provide gas and mileage for her car as well as occasionally help her out with repairs for the car. We pay her exceptionally well and give her a lot of perks like days off. I don't know a whole lot of people that buy a car expressly for their nanny's use, at least not middle class people like us. I am also not insisting she buy a car as I know that's overstepping bounds- but for example I wonder whether she could contemplate switching cars with her husband or some other arrangement that might work out better. FYI she herself has admitted she needs a new car but I think her husband is the one holding her back...so wondering whether it warrants a conversation. I don't think I need to suppress my concerns about my child's safety!

[Anonymous]

Exceptionally well for a nanny of a middle class family like yourself is still barely lower middle class, especially if she has a mortgage or other loans. So I would say that mentioning affording a new car is overstepping.
I would definitely tell her your concerns about safety and that you need a nanny with a reliable safe car for your children. If its a work requirement and you will fire her over this than you should say something. Give her a chance to find a solution but don't tell her what to do. If she wants the job she will find a way, if not, well than the dirty work is already done and you con focus on finding a replacement.

Just don't go around assuming you know their finiancial situation or how they run there household. For all you know the husband keeps a tight budget for certain reasons or his car is crappier or necessary for his job.

[Anonymous]

I don't think its reasonable to ask her to by a car for your use. If she needs it for your family, then you provide a reasonable car for her. You can sell it when she's done. Or, offer to increase her income $200-300 a month to make it more affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess I wonder whether most people would actually consider a new nanny over something like this. My son loves her and we don't have complaints other than this, except for some minor ones because nobody is perfect. And no, we cannot afford to buy a car for her. Is it worth having a conversation with her about my concerns or is that overstepping bounds?

If I had a nanny and thd only problem was a car, I'd be on my way to Car Max.

[Anonymous]

Why not let her use your car during the day

[Anonymous]

I drive a pretty old crappy car. I used MB's car during the day - she would normally take public transit to work, but on days she didn't, I would just drop her off and pick her up.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I will talk to her about our concerns but no I do not expect her to buy a car justfor use for our kids. My question was more about whether its appropriate to even bring up the conversation. For what it's worth I am also concerned about her reliability as well as safety with getting to and from work as she commutes from far away. It has caused some problems with causing her to have to take some days off for repairs etc which we have understood and been sympathetic to, but my overall impression is that her transportation situation is causing a lot of issues not just for us but for her too.

[Anonymous]

Oh and also her driving one of our cars is not an option since we both unfortunately also can't take public transport to work. And also that wouldn't solve the issue of her getting to work.

[Anonymous]

I think it's really weird that she's opting to fix the transmission over buying a new (used) car. From what I know, transmissions are usually a few thousand dollars to fix. I can't imagine putting that kind of money into a used piece of junk when it could be a sizable down payment on a used car in better shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's really weird that she's opting to fix the transmission over buying a new (used) car. From what I know, transmissions are usually a few thousand dollars to fix. I can't imagine putting that kind of money into a used piece of junk when it could be a sizable down payment on a used car in better shape.

OP here. That's precisely the conversation I was wondering whether it is appropriate to have, because she is spending a lot of money on this car when it continues to give her issues, causing problems for everyone. I just didn't want to start bringing up things that might not be appropriate for an e,player to bring up, e en though I would think the safety issue is relevant.