Active vs Passive Nannies

[Anonymous]

Nannies - are you active in determining what your charges play with, what they do for activities, etc or do you let them guide you? If it's the latter, how would you feel if an MB asked you to develop some more structured activities for a toddler? Our nanny follows our kid around as he goes from car to train to kitchen, etc, but we'd like her to try to do some more structured arts and crafts, some music time, and maybe even some yoga (I saw another nanny on here mention Zoo Yoga) or something else active. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I think that would be a great idea. I wouldn't phrase it as "can you do more...". I would say "hey, I found this awesome class for DC, would you mind if I signed you guys up?". Or ask her if she's heard of any classes or activities around and tell her you wouldn't mind if she signed up.

[Anonymous]

It's one of the ways you can tell if she's a professional, in which case she'd take initiative. Sometimes you get someone who needs lots of help with that.

[Anonymous]

I'm more active, but I would be fine with MB suggesting activities like you mentioned. As long as you didn't hand me a schedule breaking our day into half-hour increments. I like a little wiggle room in schedules so we can take advantage of nice weather, for example.

[Anonymous]

I'm a little bit of both. I generally plan one or two activities but I leave room for the kids to do what they enjoy or what excites them at the moment. Depending on the age of the child planned activities are often short lived. As far as taking charges to Kindermusik or Gymboree or even a yoga class. I love having activities like that to go to.
I think parents have hired me because I will plan activities but I always explain that I believe there should be a balance in free time and structured time.

[Anonymous]

Let your toddler be a CHILD. He'll have a structured day when he's in school.