Nanny careless with our belongings

[Anonymous]

Our nanny takes very good care of our 19 month old DS, and he adores her. Our biggest issue with her is that she is careless with our belongings. For example: She broke our trash can but didn't tell us until we asked her. Today, she spilled something in the fridge and either didn't notice or didn't care, but I had to clean out the fridge when I got home (after she was gone). She has trouble opening the stroller (city mini gt - not difficult), despite being shown several times, and bangs it around. She's been with us just about 3 months, and we haven't had a full time nanny before -- is this what normally goes on? Do we just need to get used to having someone else in our home who does things differently?

[Anonymous]

No one will ever be perfect enough in every way. You pick what's most important for your child. After all, he's the one who isn't choosing a new caregiver for himself. You are.

[Anonymous]

No. My nanny has been with us over two years, broke a glass once, and left a note apologizing and asking where to pick up another one like it.

[Anonymous]

No this is not the norm.

She needs to respect your personal property as well as your child.

The fact that she didn't tell you about breaking the trash cans and that you had to clean up the mess in the fridge is troublesome to hear.

And after just three mos.?

I would give her a warning now to please be more careful with your things or you will have to discuss other options.

Hopefully she will get the hint and pay more attention and change her ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No this is not the norm.

She needs to respect your personal property as well as your child.

The fact that she didn't tell you about breaking the trash cans and that you had to clean up the mess in the fridge is troublesome to hear.

And after just three mos.?

I would give her a warning now to please be more careful with your things or you will have to discuss other options.

Hopefully she will get the hint and pay more attention and change her ways.

+1. Accidents happen and I wouldn't hold a nanny responsible for breaking a couple of things but not telling you and spilling things and leaving it for you is not ok. It's entirely possible she is just careless and didn't notice what she spilled but it still warrants speaking with her and asking her to please be more careful and at the very least she needs to clean up her own messes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one will ever be perfect enough in every way. You pick what's most important for your child. After all, he's the one who isn't choosing a new caregiver for himself. You are.

There are plenty of nannies who are excellent with children AND won't leave a mess while breaking everything in your house.

[Anonymous]

No, this is not what normally goes on. Sit down and talk to her about it. Just say, hey, it isn't a big deal, but if you break something, please let us know and if you spill something, please clean up after yourself. If she can't handle that, then it is time for you to find someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, this is not what normally goes on. Sit down and talk to her about it. Just say, hey, it isn't a big deal, but if you break something, please let us know and if you spill something, please clean up after yourself. If she can't handle that, then it is time for you to find someone else.

Yes - this. Accidents happen, but you want to be told about them - not discover broken items or spilled messes to clean up.