Texting Nannies

[Anonymous]

I have told my nanny that I will fire her on the spot if I ever catch her texting again. I have told her in NO uncertain terms that it is 100% unacceptable in my book to text or talk on her phone while she is working for me. I have asked her not to, told her not to, and finally have given her two absolute warnings that she will be fired on the spot if I see her texting or talking on her phone again. She has over an hour to herself when the kids are napping to respond to any personal messages that cannot wait until she is home and she has all day Friday off to make any doctors or dentist appointments that she needs. And no, she is not texting or talking to me nor is she setting up play-dates for two eleven-month-old babies.

She is paid $25 an hour with generous benefits for 40 hours a week and no housework - and yes, I do get to say NO TEXTING OR TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE YOU ARE WORKING.

Honestly, I fricking HATE seeing nannies texting constantly in the park, in the spray park, even while they are pushing a stroller down the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

You people make me laugh. Seriously, who gives a fuck of moms, dads, grandparents, or navies are texting. It's story time - a toddler sound be capable of sitting and paying attention to a story and if you have to sit on to of your kid for that to happen then maybe you need to encourage some discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I don't think it's realistic to ask an adult to go all day without even looking at their phone. Some previous posters say it's okay during break, but that makes no sense because every nanny I know doesn't get breaks. I do use my phone some during work hours. Usually during nap when I hang out in the Little's room to make sure they actually sleep and I periodically check my phone during the day or if I hear it go off. My MB has never said anything to me about it but she knows I only accept calls in emergencies and I maybe get 5 texts during most days. I think like most things that it's fine in moderation.

That's just ridiculous, in addition to it not being a sentence. Of course people can and should go a whole day without looking at a phone.

[Anonymous]

It goes both ways. When I used to watch the kids practice
Soccer so many moms were so busy gossiping I refused to sit close
to them. Once a child got hurt the mom looked foolish when
She couldn't figure out what happened to her.

[Anonymous]

If you're just sitting at story time how do you know they are the nannies? I'm sure there are moms texting too.

[Anonymous]

I used to be a nanny and wouldn't have accepted a job that allowed me ZERO texting/talking on the phone. While taking care of two babies and then toddlers, the last thing I wanted to do was talk on the phone, so I would take quick calls only if they were important, and if I was in a position to do so at that moment.

Texting/emailing, I did more frequently, but never to the point of abuse or neglecting my charges. If a nanny is doing her job, she is too busy to be texting non-stop, anyway, so even if you tell your nanny she can't text, I would assume she's not going to suddenly turn into a great, hands-on nanny.

[nannydebsays]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree that no nanny should text when on the clock. I mean, since all the parents present are either texting or simply ignoring their kids, all nannies need to be standing ready to not only care for their charges but also to be the unpaid, unacknowledged caregivers for all the children present...oh. Wait. Is that expectation maybe just slightly stupid and unrealistic?

I have never texted when I was working so the expectation is absolutely not unrealistic. And by definition, not doing something unnecessary when working cannot be "stupid".

Although it may be hard for you to understand - not all of us are addicted to our cell phones.

Darn. The sarcasm went whooshing over your head. To be clear, I was making fun of the expectations from parents that nanny NEVER EVER EVER touch their phone even though the parents present at the zoo/playground/fill-in-the-blank are too involved in their phones to even watch their kids. If parents can ignore their children on a continuous basis, to the point of not knowing how their kid got hurt, why can't a nanny take 30 seconds to respond to an urgent text or call? Is the reason for that "Nannies must stand ready..."? If so, maybe the parents need to start paying a tiny bit of attention to their own kids.

And FWIW, I occasionally glance at my phone, but I certainly don't do what the nanny in OP's post did. There is such a thing as a happy medium for both paid childcare workers and for parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the big deal OP? I prefer nanny to back off and text to show DCs that there are other things going on in life besides them. Most people can text quickly and keep it moving. If you are at the park, you don't have to be constantly engaging my kid... text if you want.

Oh, brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the children are toddlers, the nannies should absolutely NOT be texting when they are on outings with their charges. Young children need close supervision and if I heard my toddler got up during story time and wandered off in the library while my nanny was texting, I would consider that a fireable offense.

Nannies should also never be texting or checking their phones when at the park, zoo, or anywhere where kids could wander off or be taken.

That said, at home, especially during nap time or meals, I don't have a problem with a nanny texting or checking email.

Do you honestly think the woman caring for your children on a daily basis are is incompetent that they are unable to look at a phone and pay attention to their charge at the same time? How fast do you think your kid is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And these texting nannies expect to make $20 an hour with all benefits. Truly ridiculous.

Everyone posting on this site is one of these entitled babysitters demanding all the rights, protections, and benefits that come along with a REAL job, but then also want to be able to take off whenever they want and take all the benefits that come with nannying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And these texting nannies expect to make $20 an hour with all benefits. Truly ridiculous.

Everyone posting on this site is one of these entitled babysitters demanding all the rights, protections, and benefits that come along with a REAL job, but then also want to be able to take off whenever they want and take all the benefits that come with nannying.

People with REAL jobs are allowed to text at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And these texting nannies expect to make $20 an hour with all benefits. Truly ridiculous.

Everyone posting on this site is one of these entitled babysitters demanding all the rights, protections, and benefits that come along with a REAL job, but then also want to be able to take off whenever they want and take all the benefits that come with nannying.

I'm not a nanny, but are you implying that being a nanny is a fake job? That makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And these texting nannies expect to make $20 an hour with all benefits. Truly ridiculous.

Everyone posting on this site is one of these entitled babysitters demanding all the rights, protections, and benefits that come along with a REAL job, but then also want to be able to take off whenever they want and take all the benefits that come with nannying.

People with REAL jobs are allowed to text at work.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

My boss texts me probably between 50-100 times a day. He doesn't work so he gets bored easily and sends me jokes and we chit chat back and forth when I'm out with the kids. Sometimes I'm self conscience about it as I have gotten rude looks when I'm texting a lot or talking on the phone to him. But I just remind myself he is my boss these woman don't matter to me that are judging me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the big deal OP? I prefer nanny to back off and text to show DCs that there are other things going on in life besides them. Most people can text quickly and keep it moving. If you are at the park, you don't have to be constantly engaging my kid... text if you want.

Why are you even posting your reply?! All are talking about constantly texting. "Text quickly"? Yes, they text quickly but the whole time they are at the park.
I can' t believe somebody hired them.