What was I suppose to do? (laundry and boundaries)

[Anonymous]

As part of my responsibility in my current position I do NC laundry twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). I've been with NF for about 3 months and haven't had any big problems.

I went to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer and I saw that the dryer was full of MB/DB clothes. I decided to fold them and put them on top of the dryer. I finished the load of the children's clothes/sheets and finished the day.

I got a text tonight form MB asking me why I folded their clothes. I said they were in the dryer and I had to move them out to make room for NK stuff.

She replied, "Well, ok. Just kind of weird you would fold our underwear."

What the hell was I suppose to do? Throw all of their clean clothes in a pile to wrinkle? I didn't want to fold your clothes, but I thought that was the professional thing to do. I've done parents laundry from time to time in the past. I get that some people are more sensitive about their 'personable' but why leave the clothes in the dryer when you know I am to do laundry on Tuesdays?

Should I have left them in the dryer? Thrown them in the bedroom? What is she trying to say? It's not like I was jumping for joy at the chance to fold their clothes.

[Anonymous]

That is really weird. I would just leave them in the dryer.
That is a really strange response. Whenever I do that, my MB (along with other normal people) thanks me profusely.
Sorry OP.

[Anonymous]

I would have done the same as you.

In the future though since this MB seems to be sensitive about it, I'd just take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a laundry basket. Then after you are finished with the kids laundry, return the clothes to the dryer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have done the same as you.

In the future though since this MB seems to be sensitive about it, I'd just take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a laundry basket. Then after you are finished with the kids laundry, return the clothes to the dryer.

You'd think nanny would be able to figure this out. But this is the correct response OP. Just because the dryer has some clothes in it doesn't mean you HAVE to fold them to move on with your day.

[Anonymous]

I second that is a weird response. Sometimes my employer's ( now and previously) forgot they left something in the dryer. Of course I am not going to throw them in their room or on the floor. I view folding their clothes as the most professional and I have never had MB or DB say anything but
" thank you" or something else to show appreciation. I understand some people are sensitive but it's not like you have never seen panties or boxer shorts in your life.

I would ask MB next time you see her how you should handle their laundry if that situation were to occur again. I wash clothes on set days as well. I feel if MB doesn't feel comfortable with you folding her laundry then she should be more mindful to empty her clothes out when she knows you will be doing your charges laundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have done the same as you.

In the future though since this MB seems to be sensitive about it, I'd just take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a laundry basket. Then after you are finished with the kids laundry, return the clothes to the dryer.

You'd think nanny would be able to figure this out. But this is the correct response OP. Just because the dryer has some clothes in it doesn't mean you HAVE to fold them to move on with your day.

Oh, well.

You know us nannies. We aren't the "sharpest crayon in the box."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have done the same as you.

In the future though since this MB seems to be sensitive about it, I'd just take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a laundry basket. Then after you are finished with the kids laundry, return the clothes to the dryer.

You'd think nanny would be able to figure this out. But this is the correct response OP. Just because the dryer has some clothes in it doesn't mean you HAVE to fold them to move on with your day.

I didn't feel like I 'had' to do anything. It just felt like the natural thing to do. You see laundry in dryer, you fold it. Putting them back in was obviously an option, I suppose that's what I will do next time.

I'd probably still have to touch their clothes in order to get them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have done the same as you.

In the future though since this MB seems to be sensitive about it, I'd just take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into a laundry basket. Then after you are finished with the kids laundry, return the clothes to the dryer.

You'd think nanny would be able to figure this out. But this is the correct response OP. Just because the dryer has some clothes in it doesn't mean you HAVE to fold them to move on with your day.

I didn't feel like I 'had' to do anything. It just felt like the natural thing to do. You see laundry in dryer, you fold it. Putting them back in was obviously an option, I suppose that's what I will do next time.

I'd probably still have to touch their clothes in order to get them out.

If you are worried about it then ask them, "I just want to make sure for next time, if the dryer is full, would you rather I skipped washing Larla's clothes or would it be ok to move your items to a basket?"

[Anonymous]

You did the right thing and I would have done the EXACT same thing you did.

In fact, I think what you did went above and beyond your duties since folding their laundry isn't even part of your job.

Geez...How about a text saying, "Sorry I left my clothes in the dryer today, I appreciate you folding them for me, you know you didn't have to do that which was very generous of you! I appreciate having such a helpful nanny like you around. I am so lucky!"

That's what a normal and grateful employer would and should do.

[Anonymous]

Your employer sounds like a jerk, to say the least. She owes you an apology.

[Anonymous]

I would have done the exact same thing. I've seen strangers fold other people's laundry in our building's laundry room rather than just dump them out of the dryer.

Your MB should not have left her laundry in the dryer knowing it was the day you do the kids laundry if she is so freaky about her underwear.

[Anonymous]

My previous NF had a really hard time keeping up with laundry (it wasn't one of my job responsibilities), but I'd often fold mounds of laundry while the kids slept. They were never anything but appreciative of my help. My current MB kindly made it clear that my only responsibility was DC's clothes and that she didn't want me to have to fold their underwear, so if anything was ever mixed it or in the way, just to put it on the laundry table. Your MB sounds like a miserable boss.

[nannydebsays]

My response would be, "I am sorry if my folding your laundry upset you. How would you like me to handle the situation in the future?" And be sure to get specific directives, and confirm what that means for your charge's laundry, i.e., "So to be sure I understand, you want me to leave your clothes alone, even if it means I then cannot wash DC's clothes?" or whatever.

[Anonymous]

SUCH a weird response. Even if she's sensitive about her underwear, the better thing to do would have been to say, "Oh! I'm so sorry I forgot our clothes were in there. If it ever happens again, just throw them in a basket/leave them there and don't wash the kids' clothes/whatever she would prefer you to do."

However, as a MB, I just hired a mother's helper a few hours a week in part because the laundry was never getting folded (among other things). I do not understand her attitude at all! I would have been so happy and grateful.

[Anonymous]

I would clarify what she would prefer you do next time. Dump them in a basket or not do dc's laundry. Those are the only reasonable responses I see. It seems ridiculous to put them back in the dryer but iftthat's what they prefer so be it.