Nanny is Bored

[Anonymous]

Our nanny expressed to me that she is bored when the kids are in school. She will run errands (dry cleaning, groceries), do meal prep, and laundry, but by the end of the week, she is done with those things and has nothing to do. She already has organized the kids toys/clothing, etc. While there are certainly lots of things that I need to do around the house (like cleaning out the garage, planting bulbs, ironing), there aren't additional items that are appropriately within the job description. (And even if I extended the job description, I'm certainly not going to ask her to clean out the garage, nor would she want to do so). I've suggested bringing a book, ipad, etc., but she does not want to do so; our nanny is an awesome, active woman who does not like to be idle.

What do other people do in this situation? I cannot cut back on the hours, because I will lose her and because there are enough sick days, vacations, etc. when I still want/need help full-time.

Suggestions? I'm not sure what I'm seeking suggestions about - whether it's additional items that she might do around the house to help, how to keep her happy; I'm open at this point.

[Anonymous]

Why would she even mention that to you??? If I had a position with kids in school and completed everything in my job description, I would honestly read, watch a show, take a walk, etc.....enjoy the extra time.

[Anonymous]

Ask her what she'd like to do.

[Anonymous]

I'd ask her as well. Personally, I wouldn't mind yard work because I enjoy it (but I would have offered by now.) You can tell her there are always other things you need done and if she wants more households related tasks to let you know and you can offer other things and leave it to her discretion as to whether she does them. But I would never ever tell a boss I'm bored! I always want my boss to think I'm value added, not that they're wasting their money!

[Anonymous]

Can you offer to pay for a class she can take during that time? Something childcare related, and maybe online? Or she could volunteer - that way she could still be available for the kids if they come home sick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would she even mention that to you??? If I had a position with kids in school and completed everything in my job description, I would honestly read, watch a show, take a walk, etc.....enjoy the extra time.

+1. Weird.

You can offer the extra duties for more pay, she can always decline if she's not interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask her what she'd like to do.

Or is OP trolling with such nonsense?

[Anonymous]

You could cut back her hours but with the understanding that you need her full time if anything happens. Say she comes in at 7:30 and kids are done school at 3... How bout she come in at 10? If Johnny is home sick she understands she might be getting a 7 am wake up call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask her what she'd like to do.

Or is OP trolling with such nonsense?

Well, some people like to work and feel useful. My older family members would hate to watch a movie at work.

OP, maybe she can cook extra and freeze for the times when she's off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could cut back her hours but with the understanding that you need her full time if anything happens. Say she comes in at 7:30 and kids are done school at 3... How bout she come in at 10? If Johnny is home sick she understands she might be getting a 7 am wake up call.

so you're saying reduce her hours and dock pay? i'm sure the nanny would just love that!

[Anonymous]

What would she do if she wasn't working? Exercise? Run errands? Shop? Those are all things she can do during that time if she finished everything she needs to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could cut back her hours but with the understanding that you need her full time if anything happens. Say she comes in at 7:30 and kids are done school at 3... How bout she come in at 10? If Johnny is home sick she understands she might be getting a 7 am wake up call.

so you're saying reduce her hours and dock pay? i'm sure the nanny would just love that!

Then she should have kept her mouth shut. I mean, really, who the hell complains to their boss about being bored at work? She should be thanking her lucky stars she's not overworked and stressed, and come up with her own creative ways to spend her down time.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you mind if she leaves the house to do personal things during after her work is done? You can tell her if she gets her list of work done, she's free until the kids come home. She can go to the gym, do her shopping, whatever. But remind her she's still on call if you need her for the full hours she gets paid for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could cut back her hours but with the understanding that you need her full time if anything happens. Say she comes in at 7:30 and kids are done school at 3... How bout she come in at 10? If Johnny is home sick she understands she might be getting a 7 am wake up call.

so you're saying reduce her hours and dock pay? i'm sure the nanny would just love that!

Then she should have kept her mouth shut. I mean, really, who the hell complains to their boss about being bored at work? She should be thanking her lucky stars she's not overworked and stressed, and come up with her own creative ways to spend her down time.

I think OP made up her story.

[Anonymous]

Would she be interested in taking a cooking class?