MBs who are expected to work from home on snow days...

[Anonymous]

... What do you do for child care?

DH and I are both expected to work from home or take PTO on snow days. For me, even if I say "I take PTO", emails could be flying every minute, many from my boss and my peers (all men without child care issues), and I feel like I'm always at disadvantage compared to them, and that people have to wait for me (oh, yes, Betsy has little kids! Yeah, I remember her being pregnant. Let me just remind this to the other 20 people on this call that had no trouble finding the time to work today. I guess we just can't accomplish anything because Betsy is not here... One more time,people, she does have little kids).. If I ask the nanny to come in (I can even drive her in my car), she'll be all upset that she had to work and shows her attitude... So if there is too much snow we give her a paid day off... We normally kind of winging it with me getting up like at 5 am, doing work until kids get up, and taking half a day of PTO, and then DH takes the opposite half (and hopefully clears the driveway while at it). Still, I can't pay attention to kids enough due to phone calls/email. Basically, it is becoming total chaos, with neither work getting done nor kids being happy. And by the way, the work ain't going away just because it snowed, and deadlines don't move.

I have asked around, but none of the neighbors are interested in babysitting... Tomorrow will be a similar day.

So, I'm curious, how do other people solve similar problems?

[Anonymous]

Have your lazy nanny come in. I work for lawyers who don't get federal holidays off or snow days. Guess what? That means I don't. If your nanny doesn't want to work snow days, she should have taken a job with employers who will accept that. You hired her for a reason and she shouldn't be able to pick and choose what days she works depending on weather.

You have a job to do and you should expect your nanny there. I would talk with her and let her know that you need her. Giving attitude is very immature and unprofessional. If she refuses to come in, I wouldn't pay her.

You need to sit her down and talk this out. Either find back-up for those days or replace her. Unless its 5ft of snow, its unacceptable to miss work because of a little snow.

[Anonymous]

And 3.6 inches it is for Maryland and NW DC.
Both my husband and I will need to get to the office or work from home and get deliverables in.

The snow is fluff. Shall speak with nanny at 7am and see how her 20 minute drive looks (on main roads). Usually she can make it in, even coming at 11am is helpful for getting work done today before a trip tomorrow.

Also never have had Fed days off.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you have back up care?
Of course your nanny is a little annoyed.
When parents are home it makes your job that much more difficult.
I remember being pissed last time the snow came because both parents went on and on about how dangerous it was for THEM, but not me.
Oh and it's not just the snow in this area people can't drive, the roads aren't always plowed well. I live 18 minutes from work. On January 6th is took me 2 hours to get to work! And my car got hit. Second year in a row headed to work. Lesson learned.
So it's not about being lazy.

[Anonymous]

This snow isn't that bad. It amazes me how people like pp react to a couple of inches.

[Anonymous]

Never include snow days in your initial contract. If there is a way for your nanny to get to work she should be there. I say this as a nanny.

Every family has their own individual needs which any good nanny adjusts to. My employers are a orthopedic surgeon and a surgical nurse - I had to work with a broken toe one day as both had surgeries scheduled that they could not postpone. I lived.

[Anonymous]

There are nannies who will come in regardless. I am just waking up in NF's guest room because DB is a doctor and has to be at work and MB has to WAH today. I slept over to ensure that I would not have to drive in this weather. That said, I am young and single and childless AND I am paid well for my flexibility. Different nannies have different strengths and weaknesses.

If you aren't comfortable switching nannies, could you check if any teenagers in the neighborhood want to make extra money on snow days by playing with your kids?

[Anonymous]

What? Your toe was broken yet you still went to work?
But you were supposed to care about their livelihood, but they don't give a shit about your health? What?
It's too early for this fuckery.

[Anonymous]

I have the flu right now and I'm working. Tv will be on most of the day however.

[Anonymous]

Ask your nanny to come in for a half day, or to come in late. My employers do that. Which I think is a reasonable compromise co side ring they are comfy in their pj's all day.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps turn on the news to hear about all the crashes this morning?

Good that the school busses stayed off the roads today. Last big snow this year, I saw a school bus crash.

Try using your brain, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... What do you do for child care?

DH and I are both expected to work from home or take PTO on snow days. For me, even if I say "I take PTO", emails could be flying every minute, many from my boss and my peers (all men without child care issues), and I feel like I'm always at disadvantage compared to them, and that people have to wait for me (oh, yes, Betsy has little kids! Yeah, I remember her being pregnant. Let me just remind this to the other 20 people on this call that had no trouble finding the time to work today. I guess we just can't accomplish anything because Betsy is not here... One more time,people, she does have little kids).. If I ask the nanny to come in (I can even drive her in my car), she'll be all upset that she had to work and shows her attitude... So if there is too much snow we give her a paid day off... We normally kind of winging it with me getting up like at 5 am, doing work until kids get up, and taking half a day of PTO, and then DH takes the opposite half (and hopefully clears the driveway while at it). Still, I can't pay attention to kids enough due to phone calls/email. Basically, it is becoming total chaos, with neither work getting done nor kids being happy. And by the way, the work ain't going away just because it snowed, and deadlines don't move.

I have asked around, but none of the neighbors are interested in babysitting... Tomorrow will be a similar day.

So, I'm curious, how do other people solve similar problems?

I have live in childcare. Simple.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and I rarely get snow days off. My DB and MB both usually work from home when there is weather but why should that bother me? I usually come in later than normal to give the roads time to clear but I go in to work. My bosses are working, I'm working. why is this such a crazy concept?

and yes, on days where there is actually severe weather I'll stay home. but more often than not, DC freaks out about 1-2". certainly driveable.

[nannydebsays]

Anonymous wrote:... What do you do for child care?

DH and I are both expected to work from home or take PTO on snow days. For me, even if I say "I take PTO", emails could be flying every minute, many from my boss and my peers (all men without child care issues), and I feel like I'm always at disadvantage compared to them, and that people have to wait for me (oh, yes, Betsy has little kids! Yeah, I remember her being pregnant. Let me just remind this to the other 20 people on this call that had no trouble finding the time to work today. I guess we just can't accomplish anything because Betsy is not here... One more time,people, she does have little kids).. If I ask the nanny to come in (I can even drive her in my car), she'll be all upset that she had to work and shows her attitude... So if there is too much snow we give her a paid day off... We normally kind of winging it with me getting up like at 5 am, doing work until kids get up, and taking half a day of PTO, and then DH takes the opposite half (and hopefully clears the driveway while at it). Still, I can't pay attention to kids enough due to phone calls/email. Basically, it is becoming total chaos, with neither work getting done nor kids being happy. And by the way, the work ain't going away just because it snowed, and deadlines don't move.

I have asked around, but none of the neighbors are interested in babysitting... Tomorrow will be a similar day.

So, I'm curious, how do other people solve similar problems?

I have to say, if your nanny gives you grief because you come and get her so she can work when it snows, you may need to investigate other options for care. I always offer to work as long as my bosses pick me up - I can't drive in snow and my car can't handle it in any case. With sufficient notice, I would be willing to stay overnight if a storm was expected.

[Anonymous]

If you're talking about a few inches of snow than she's being ridiculous for not coming in. If you're in Boston like I am than I understand her hesitation, we have 7feet of snow and the roads are horrible because there is no place to put it. Even our Public transportation was shut down multiple times and is still running on extreme delays days after the storms. We also having parking bans.

It blows my mind when people complain about a little bit of snow and cry over possible ice. If you live in an area where it snows than you should learn to drive in it. And if your employers offer to pick you up than be grateful because in other industries you'd either waste PTO or get fired. A security guard for our local hospital walked 5miles in blizzard conditions to get to work. You know he makes less then most nannies.