Is this is asking too much?

[Anonymous]

I'm taking my kids on vacation, traveling just me and the kids (DH is out of town). It's a week-long trip, but includes a weekend and holiday, so the trip falls over 4 days that our nanny would normally be working. Both travel days fall on days that our nanny would typically be working.

I need to get the kids (ages 1 and 4) and myself to the airport. I could drive and pay for parking, which would cost about $200. Every other option is is a logistics nightmare, since it's just me with both kids.

I was thinking about asking our nanny to drive me and the kids to the airport, and then pick us up from our return trip. One would be in the middle of the day, one in the early evening. Our nanny would need to drive to my house to get our car and us, then drive to the airport to drop us off, then back to our house to take the car back, then back to her own house. I'm estimating it would take about 2 hours round trip.

One on hand, I feel like the nanny is getting the rest of the day off and she'd normally be working a full day, so asking for two hours of work (even if it's tedious) is fair. Otoh, I worry it's a crappy thing to do, since generally when we're on vacation, she gets the day off. Plus, "driving family to airport" generally isn't in her job description, although it's obviously the kid part that makes it difficult (I'd just cab or maybe metro if it was me alone). Just wondering what other people think.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you're paying her for that time you're away, I think it is fine. I would certainly do this as a favor for my MB!

Just make sure you ask in such a way it's clear that if she can't do it that's ok (if she knows about your upcoming trip she may have made plans already). Also you could offer to cover the gas she'll use getting to and from your house for these trips as a goodwill gesture.

[nannydebsays]

Pay her for her time over and above her vacation pay? Maybe decide what it's worth to you to avoid having to pay $200 in parking - what amount is more acceptable to you, and give that to the nanny.

It's not a crazy request.

[Anonymous]

Some nannies are ok driving to the airport, some aren't. Why not ask her?

[Anonymous]

I'd do this for my employers assuming I lived reasonably close by and/or was getting paid for the day anyway. Go ahead and ask.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny who is not ok driving to airports or other busy areas that I don't know well. Has she driven to the airport before?

[Anonymous]

Assuming nanny is getting paid for the time you're away (and that it's not coming out of her vacation time) I think this is a fine request. If she agrees, you might get her a nice gift while you're away as a thank you.

[Anonymous]

The request sounds reasonable. Our nanny used to drive us to the airport. No problem.

[Anonymous]

What did she say, OP?

[Anonymous]

I used to do this all the time for one family, I'd even get there early to help get the kids ready while the parent's loaded the car/took care of last minute business. As long as she is being paid over your vacation, this is totally reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Does she have to drive you or pick you up on a weekend or holiday? If not, then it's fine. Otherwise you are unreasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she have to drive you or pick you up on a weekend or holiday? If not, then it's fine. Otherwise you are unreasonable.

She already said the travel days were days the nanny would normally work.

[Anonymous]

I would gladly help as well , provided it was a work day and not one of my PTO days. And I agree with a PP that I would likely offer to do more (last time my NF left town, I got totheir house early and got the kids ready and fed the kids breakfast while the parents did last-minute packing and walked the dog, then drove them to the airport and dropped the dogs at the kennel. Then, when they got back, I went to the grocery store and cooked before picking them up so they could come home to a dinner ready to eat and a full fridge, and I worked for an hour playing with the kids so that MB/DB could unpack and get laundry started. You know your nanny best. Is she helpful?

[Anonymous]

I've done this on two occasions. DB was on vacation and MB had to took my charge to see him and his family ( happens to work on occasion where his family is located). MB had so much stuff and a taxi wouldn't be safe or ideal. I offered and she accepted. I was already expected to work both days so I didn't see it as an issue. I still got paid for the rest of the day and she paid me gas money to and from. Seriously you won't know until you ask. She may be unaware you are in this predicament. It doesn't hurt to ask.

[Anonymous]

It's not too much to ask as long as she is being paid the days you are gone.

Some nannies would not be comfortable driving to the airports though as they can be confusing and chaotic so keep in mind she may turn down the request not to be difficult but because she doesn't feel comfortable/safe.