Nanny doesn't like to go outside
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Anonymous
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I've asked my nanny several times to make sure my kids get outside time as much as possible.
She dislikes it and will often skip it or take them outside for 20 mins. Or she'll take them outside but sit in a chair while they play. During snow days this is more annoying. The last time we got snow, they didn't get to play outside all day. She kept them inside playing games or other stuff and didn't take them outside at all. I asked her about it and she said they didn't want to go outside. I asked if she "offered" and she said no. She complains to them that she is cold and doesn't like the snow. I'm out of ideas to emphasize that this is important to me... |
Anonymous
| This isn't going to change. You need to find a new nanny. |
Anonymous
| I don't like going outside when the weather sucks either. But when it's nice I'm out all day. |
Anonymous
same here. I hate hot weather and excessively cold weather. If you wanted me to take your kids out in the snow, is do it but I wouldn't be out there playing IN the snow... That's for kids. I'd supervise them and occasionally step in to help. |
Anonymous
| I don't take the kids out in the winter except to indoor activities that we drive to. I will bring snow inside for the sensory table or find different indoor play places but I hate hate hate the winter and snow. Any other season you will find us outside all day everyday but winter is a no-no for me. There are a ton of art projects and games I would rather do than go outside in the cold. Lucky for me I have employers who feel the same and also pay for a lot of classes, museum memberships, and art supplies so we don't need to go outside. |
Anonymous
| I also don't love being out in the cold, that being said, they're you're kids and you're paying her check, so if you want them outside, she should be taking them outside. If she's not willing to do it, then you have every right to find a nanny who will. This is not an unreasonable expectation. |
Anonymous
| For me it depends on the age of the children and how cold it is. The last snow storm we got in nova I did not take the kids outside as I believe it was in the low 20's maybe teens. During cold and flu season not a good idea to have a 1 yr old outside in that for too long. Frostbite is real. |
Anonymous
| Unacceptable. Next! |
Anonymous
Um...frostbite has nothing to do with colds and flus. A one-year-old who has proper outdoor gear (wool socks, waterproof, insulated boots, waterproof mittens, warm hat, snow pants and good-quality parka) should be able to play outside for short periods (>30 minutes) in even sub-zero temps, provided they are with an adult who knows how to play safely in the snow (monitor closely, stay hydrated, and KEEP MOVING)! This is why the "I'll watch them but not participate" attitude doesn't work here. Avoiding frostbite requires that you keep moving and keep warm blood circulating. If you take a kid out and just stand there, they will likely just stand there as well and will quickly want to head indoors. If you take them out and go sledding, play tag, make snow angels and otherwise inspire them to run and be active, then they will be able to play outside (and be safe and warm) for much loger periods. |
Anonymous
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OP here.
They are 5 and 8. They like building snowmen and going sledding. They have proper clothes. She does not. I have even given her MY boots and gloves so she can't complain... She takes them out and then like 10 mins later (of watching them), she said she was cold and made them come in. This has happened multiple times. I know because I worked from one home one time and other times, my 8yr told me. I give her a list of places and things to do outside. Plenty of shady playgrounds. We have a blow-up waterslide and live in a very shady area. I have a pool membership and she took them maybe 2-3 times all summer... |
Anonymous
Winter time I understand not wanting to be outside as long she plans other activities and takes them to indoor activities. But summer time there is no excuse. It's time to replace her with a younger more active nanny. |
Anonymous
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I'm a nanny for two boys and while we rarely go outside in the cold we are out for a majority, if not the entire, day when it's warm outside. Even in the winter/late fall I make sure to go to an indoor play place 2-3 times a week to make sure they are burning off energy and staying active.
Absolutely no excuses when it's nice outside |
Anonymous
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I gave her a two PAGE list of all the possible activities to do with kids. Constantly ignores it...
I know I need to change. She is young. |
Anonymous
So she won't go outside in the winter or the summer? This is bad news and you need a new nanny. Frankly, it doesn't matter whether the nanny hates the cold or the heat. We all have parts of our jobs we don't like but have to do. Outdoor play is healthy and essential and any nanny that won't take your kids out after you have expressly mention it as a job requirement needs a new line of work. |
Anonymous
Unless there is something "wrong" with you as an employer (difficult/ short hours, lots of housework, low pay, no benefits, etc.), then there is no need to compromise to the point where you have a nanny who isn't willing to engage in a basic function of her job! I LOVE taking my charges on "adventures" (sledding and walks in the winter, hikes and playgrounds and swimming in the summer, and museums and monuments and other outings year round. You have made your expectations clear, and she is NOT willing to meet them. At the end of the day, it comes down to this: what kind of childhood do you want your kids to have? |