Sick kids

[Anonymous]

Does your nanny family gives you a heads up when one of their kids is sick? I know it's inevitable and things happen, but I showed up to work this morning and shortly after the 2 year old threw up all over the couch. Dad said "Again?" And I said, "Oh, is he sick?" Yeah, third time this morning apparently. A little warning would have been nice, but I'm not sure how to approach the issue. They were also giving him milk and a smoothie - which he promptly vomited back up. At least give his belly a chance to recover. Now I'm freaking out that I'm going to catch it.

[Anonymous]

Working with sick kids is part of the job. They still needed childcare today, so I'm not sure how a warning would make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes. Depends on the family.

A head's up is nice.

I don't think it's worth bringing it up to them unless you have a uniquely fragile immune system.

Coming into work with a surprise sick kid is part of the job.


Just wash your hands frequently. Turn your head when little one coughs or sneezes.

When you get home tonight immediately change your clothes and shower, and take an emergen-C or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Working with sick kids is part of the job. They still needed childcare today, so I'm not sure how a warning would make a difference.

It might be part of your job but this is not universal. Even if it is, a little warning is nice so that nanny can know to pack an extra change of clothes or that they may need to adjust their plans for the day. A quick "Johnny has vomited a few times this morning, just letting you know" text is not that difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Working with sick kids is part of the job. They still needed childcare today, so I'm not sure how a warning would make a difference.

It might be part of your job but this is not universal. Even if it is, a little warning is nice so that nanny can know to pack an extra change of clothes or that they may need to adjust their plans for the day. A quick "Johnny has vomited a few times this morning, just letting you know" text is not that difficult.

I agree. My MBs have always sent me a quick text or email letting me know. It allows me to adjust our plans for the day. I can cancel playdates, cancel reservations at Gymboree classes, etc. it's just common courtesy. Of course we will be working. It can be awful to walk into a house expecting a normal day only to find a vomiting, miserable child.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate a heads up, but don't often get one. Its mostly just so I have a chance to get in the mental state of dealing with a sick kid all day. I also may need to cancel a play date or activity, bring a change of clothes, or even change my evening plans. My best friend has a newborn and I don't want to bring anything around her or her kid.

[Anonymous]

Wow!

The last 3 PPS must be very young nannies or new to the nanny world.

Kids get sick it happens.

It's not always possible to get a text off in the morning.

If a kid being sick throws you off your game that much that you need time in the morning to prepare for it perhaps you should not be a nanny.

Cancelling a playdate takes no time at all. Same goes for hanging out with your friend and her newborn

What nanny doesn't bring spare clothes with them?

Yes a text is nice, but it is hardly an egregious offence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow!

The last 3 PPS must be very young nannies or new to the nanny world.

Kids get sick it happens.

It's not always possible to get a text off in the morning.

If a kid being sick throws you off your game that much that you need time in the morning to prepare for it perhaps you should not be a nanny.

Cancelling a playdate takes no time at all. Same goes for hanging out with your friend and her newborn

What nanny doesn't bring spare clothes with them?

Yes a text is nice, but it is hardly an egregious offence.

I'm one of the 3 PPs you're referring to. You're quite a ways off. I've been doing this for well over 10 years.
I can handle any situation you throw at me, warning or not.
Yes, you can cancel a playdate in no time, but it's always better to give the other party as much notice as possible so they can adjust their plans.
It's not an egregious offense, but the people I choose to work for are thoughtful and taking 5 seconds to send me a text is just them extending the same courtesy and respect I offer them.
Perhaps you should rethink your position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow!

The last 3 PPS must be very young nannies or new to the nanny world.

Kids get sick it happens.

It's not always possible to get a text off in the morning.

If a kid being sick throws you off your game that much that you need time in the morning to prepare for it perhaps you should not be a nanny.

Cancelling a playdate takes no time at all. Same goes for hanging out with your friend and her newborn

What nanny doesn't bring spare clothes with them?

Yes a text is nice, but it is hardly an egregious offence.

I'm one of the 3 PPs you're referring to. You're quite a ways off. I've been doing this for well over 10 years.
I can handle any situation you throw at me, warning or not.
Yes, you can cancel a playdate in no time, but it's always better to give the other party as much notice as possible so they can adjust their plans.
It's not an egregious offense, but the people I choose to work for are thoughtful and taking 5 seconds to send me a text is just them extending the same courtesy and respect I offer them.
Perhaps you should rethink your position.

One of the aforementioned PPs as well and close to 10 years of experience here. Perhaps it's the experienced nannies who expect their bosses to extend them basic courtesies and the newer nannies who are comfortable taking whatever is thrown at them.
Regardless, we all have our phones withing an arms reach most of the time. It's just as easy to text a sick kid heads up as it is to cancel a play date or plans. Why do employers get to be the ones excused here?

[Anonymous]

I usually get a text in the morning if something changes. Kids sick, parents working from home or anything like that.
That way I can adjust my plans and what I bring for the day. I'll also know if we can go outside or if I should pick up a coffee before I come to work.
I didn't ask to get a heads up but I appreciate the text.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow!

The last 3 PPS must be very young nannies or new to the nanny world.

Kids get sick it happens.

It's not always possible to get a text off in the morning.

If a kid being sick throws you off your game that much that you need time in the morning to prepare for it perhaps you should not be a nanny.

Cancelling a playdate takes no time at all. Same goes for hanging out with your friend and her newborn

What nanny doesn't bring spare clothes with them?

Yes a text is nice, but it is hardly an egregious offence.

I'm one of the 3 PPs you're referring to. You're quite a ways off. I've been doing this for well over 10 years.
I can handle any situation you throw at me, warning or not.
Yes, you can cancel a playdate in no time, but it's always better to give the other party as much notice as possible so they can adjust their plans.
It's not an egregious offense, but the people I choose to work for are thoughtful and taking 5 seconds to send me a text is just them extending the same courtesy and respect I offer them.
Perhaps you should rethink your position.

One of the aforementioned PPs as well and close to 10 years of experience here. Perhaps it's the experienced nannies who expect their bosses to extend them basic courtesies and the newer nannies who are comfortable taking whatever is thrown at them.
Regardless, we all have our phones withing an arms reach most of the time. It's just as easy to text a sick kid heads up as it is to cancel a play date or plans. Why do employers get to be the ones excused here?

The last PP that you referenced, with 8 years of experience myself. I said a heads up is appreciated and I said why. I never said anything about egregious offense, or that I can't deal. For many of our activities, we have to be out the door soon after everyone arrives, so a heads up allows me to cancel activities and play dates with the same notice that I appreciate. Common courtesy. It really isn't hard.

[Anonymous]

$10 dollars says the last responses are from the OP who didn't like that she was told it's not the end of the world she didn't get a text telling her that her charge was sick..

Forgive me if I understand having a kid puking multiple times in the morning might trump me texting the nanny so she

can cancel her coffee time in the morning.

That's really what it's about isn't?

You are miffed because you actually will have to work today instead of sitting on your rear gossiping with your nanny friends and sipping on your pumpkin spice latte.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$10 dollars says the last responses are from the OP who didn't like that she was told it's not the end of the world she didn't get a text telling her that her charge was sick..

Forgive me if I understand having a kid puking multiple times in the morning might trump me texting the nanny so she

can cancel her coffee time in the morning.

That's really what it's about isn't?

You are miffed because you actually will have to work today instead of sitting on your rear gossiping with your nanny friends and sipping on your pumpkin spice latte.

Huh whaaa?

[Anonymous]

I think there is a troll here. Several of the posts have the exact same odd, broken lines as though the same person is typing from a device multiple times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$10 dollars says the last responses are from the OP who didn't like that she was told it's not the end of the world she didn't get a text telling her that her charge was sick..

Forgive me if I understand having a kid puking multiple times in the morning might trump me texting the nanny so she

can cancel her coffee time in the morning.

That's really what it's about isn't?

You are miffed because you actually will have to work today instead of sitting on your rear gossiping with your nanny friends and sipping on your pumpkin spice latte.

You're crazy. I usually try to get my morning coffee before going to work. Bus schedules and traffic don't always leave enough time so I pick one up on our way to the playground/library/wherever we might go. If the kid is sick or something changed and we can't go outside, I make sure I get coffee beforehand. My boss knows I often stop for a coffee and doesn't mind. It takes all of 5 minutes, it's on the way to the playground and requires no sitting whatsoever.