sick of incompetent MB

[Anonymous]

My MB is a SAHM, she does nothing all day except workout, eat and shop. She helps drive kids to activities in the evenings. She signs her children up for way too many activities just to keep them occupied and out of her hair. And when I get there she has me do things that have never been in my job description. I.e. organize clutter, do her dishes, walk dogs, mend things. I feel more like a personal slave than nanny. Every day I arrive, there is a list of things to do that have nothing to do with being a nanny or the children. What are your limits? Where have MBs overstepped? And how did you fix it/handle it?

[Anonymous]

Troll. Troll. Troll.

[Anonymous]

If you're not a troll you talk to her and tell her what your willing to do. Kids laundry kids dishes clean up after kids for messes they make while you're there.

My mb makes homemade baby food in the mornings I agreed to clean up the pots and pans she uses for their food but not the parents dishes

[Anonymous]

You do not sound like a troll to me. Not at all. I've known quite a few nannies in your position.

As a nanny, I do anything and everything that has to do with my charge - her laundry, scrub her bathroom, make her food (and clean up afterward), clean her room, clean her toys, go to the market for her food, etc. - AND NOTHING MORE. I made this clear in my interview and my MB/DB have never asked for more. I bring my own lunch so I never even use their kitchen for my own food preparation - I even bring my own water so I've never even used a glass! Of course, occasionally I will offer to pick up some milk or coffee for the parents if I'm going to the market, but not a full grocery order for them (I walk to the market with my change in her stroller - I couldn't do a full-grocery load if I wanted to).

But... I made all this clear before I was hired. You are in a different position - a far more difficult position - and have two options: have the conversation with the MB now and tell her exactly what you will and will not do OR find another job (and make it clear what your responsibilities are).

[Anonymous]

Washing mb thongs by hand has been the worst. I've shoveled snow, mowed lawns, racked leaves, washed and cleaned out cars. Personal slave is pretty much what we are

[Anonymous]

Definitely a troll.

[Anonymous]

Not as gross as washing panties by hand, but it was pretty sickening when my (former) MB referred to me as "nanny" in front of her friends and asked me to go fix her lunch. I also had different employers as a live in, that invited me to have a family dinner with them. I was asked to prepare dinner, set the table, feed the kids while they and the parents ate, and my plate sat in the kitchen getting cold, then do all the after dinner clean up myself. All unpaid because I was invited as a member of the household to have dinner with them. They were sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely a troll.

You are definitely a guilty mb, probably OP's employer.

[Anonymous]

MB here - if it's not in the job description, explain politely that you would prefer not to do it. If she insists, and you don't have a written job description, suggest that you work together to come up with one. Point out that most professional nannies only do childcare & related tasks unless otherwise agreed at hiring. Behave like a professional, and perhaps she will realise that she should be treating you like one.

When we hired our current nanny I made clear that the job involved some 'light housekeeping' as the kids are in school and it was important to us to have help around with other areas not always considered part of a nanny's job (not housecleaning for the whole family, but things like vacuuming & dusting the kids' bedrooms and taking out the garbage). It has been very difficult to get some of these things done. I have provided a checklist to make it as clear as possible (but not a list every day). Despite agreeing to these tasks, I think she (a) doesn't really notice when things are dirty and/or (b) doesn't think she should have to do them. I worry that if I ask her to vacuum the kids' rooms she will think I am asking her to 'do the cleaning' and that I am overstepping. I don't want to be that MB. But I keep plugging away over the basics or in some cases I decide not to sweat the small stuff as she is great with the kids and takes the initiative in other areas such as arts & crafts, which are ultimately more meaningful to our children.

So, it's a two-way street, and it can be really difficult to for MB and the employee talk about this stuff. But you have to, at least about the things that really bug you. And you have to be ready to put things in writing, and continue to update your agreement/job description as things change.

Or, if you really hate your job, and you're not that attached to the kids (you don't say anything about them), you can try to find a better position.

[Anonymous]

She isn't incompetent. She hired you to do the things she does not want to do. If the family can afford it, then where is the problem. You get a job. Don't like it... quit. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She isn't incompetent. She hired you to do the things she does not want to do. If the family can afford it, then where is the problem. You get a job. Don't like it... quit. Problem solved.

There is no problem with what you describe, if it were truly the case. As it were, OP was hired as a child care provider and is being asked to do things that were not in the job description. You don't advertise for an electrician, then ask him to also cook your dinner, then flippantly dismiss his frustration, remind him of your money and apparent entitlement to whatever you want, and tell him to be happy for a job, even if its not the one he wanted.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thank you so much to those who took the time to read my post and give great, helpful advice. I think you all are right, it might be time for a job change. we did discuss my responsibilities at hiring, but as time has gone on, more things get added each day that were not agreed upon. I appreciate your help! And will take everything you all said (that wasn't calling me a troll..) Into consideration!

[Anonymous]

Good luck, OP, some parents don't have a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Definitely a troll.

You are definitely a guilty mb, probably OP's employer.

Not at all, sweetie. Do a better job next time picking a fight. This attempt was pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Definitely a troll.

You are definitely a guilty mb, probably OP's employer.

Not at all, sweetie. Do a better job next time picking a fight. This attempt was pathetic.

Just stated the obvious, that's all.