How far is too far?

[Anonymous]

How far do you ask your nanny (with child in stroller) to walk on a daily basis? This, of course, is when the weather is warm and it is all city sidewalk-walking.

Is asking a nanny to walk a mile or two to a class for DS (and then obviously a mile or to home) too far?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely.

If she wants to do it on her own, that is one thing.

But to make it mandatory as part of her job is a bit too much in my opinion because according to your posting, we are talking about a whole four miles round trip.

Why can't you just let her drive to the class? Plus it would be safer for both her and the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

If she wants to do it on her own, that is one thing.

But to make it mandatory as part of her job is a bit too much in my opinion because according to your posting, we are talking about a whole four miles round trip.

Why can't you just let her drive to the class? Plus it would be safer for both her and the child.

Maybe OPs nanny is a little heavy and the fresh air and exercise is a benefit to both nanny and DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

If she wants to do it on her own, that is one thing.

But to make it mandatory as part of her job is a bit too much in my opinion because according to your posting, we are talking about a whole four miles round trip.

Why can't you just let her drive to the class? Plus it would be safer for both her and the child.

How in the world is driving safer than walking on a sidewalk?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

If she wants to do it on her own, that is one thing.

But to make it mandatory as part of her job is a bit too much in my opinion because according to your posting, we are talking about a whole four miles round trip.

Why can't you just let her drive to the class? Plus it would be safer for both her and the child.

Maybe OPs nanny is a little heavy and the fresh air and exercise is a benefit to both nanny and DC?

OP here: No, our nanny isn't heavy at all and seems to be in reasonably shape physically. I would do the walk and so would DH - we were just wondering if this is something we could ask a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

If she wants to do it on her own, that is one thing.

But to make it mandatory as part of her job is a bit too much in my opinion because according to your posting, we are talking about a whole four miles round trip.

Why can't you just let her drive to the class? Plus it would be safer for both her and the child.

How in the world is driving safer than walking on a sidewalk?

Exactly

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny and I don't drive. I walk with my charge all the time when the weather is nice. I am not comfortable driving with kids and walking has always worked for me and the families.

[Anonymous]

When you nanny in a city, walking is usually the only option. I've had many jobs where a music class or baby gym class was a 20-25 minute walk there and 20-25 minute walk back. If the weather is nice, nanny has a stroller or infant carrier- I see no problem with asking the nanny if she would walk a mile or so.

On a beautiful day, it would take 10-15 minutes to walk if nanny is in good shape physically. I would speak to the nanny before signing your child up for anything though because she should have the ability to give her input- in case this is something she has no interest in doing.

I've never met a nanny who didn't enjoy taking their charges out in nice weather for strolls. Whether to the park, to an appointment, or something weekly like story time.

[Anonymous]

Yes, asking a nanny to walk two miles to a class and then two miles home on top of her already physical and active, 10 hour a day job is too much, IMO.

[Anonymous]

OP, when you made extraordinary requests, you pay extraordinary wages. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, asking a nanny to walk two miles to a class and then two miles home on top of her already physical and active, 10 hour a day job is too much, IMO.

+1 One mile each way is no big deal - a four mile round trip is pushing it for anyone especially someone with an already physically taxing job like a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you nanny in a city, walking is usually the only option. I've had many jobs where a music class or baby gym class was a 20-25 minute walk there and 20-25 minute walk back. If the weather is nice, nanny has a stroller or infant carrier- I see no problem with asking the nanny if she would walk a mile or so.

On a beautiful day, it would take 10-15 minutes to walk if nanny is in good shape physically. I would speak to the nanny before signing your child up for anything though because she should have the ability to give her input- in case this is something she has no interest in doing.

I've never met a nanny who didn't enjoy taking their charges out in nice weather for strolls. Whether to the park, to an appointment, or something weekly like story time.

For a two mile walk that is an 8 minute mile!!! I can't run an 8 minute mile and I run marathons!!! An aerobic walk if sixteen minutes per mile.

[Anonymous]

The answer is to talk about it with the nanny. There are plenty of nannies who would be thrilled to have a nice long walk built into their day (I would) because it's hard to find time to work out when you work long hours.

But there are many reasons nanny might object: job is already physically demanding, she may have concerns about timing given that it is 30-45 minutes of sitting still each way for DC, etc.

My biggest concern wouldn't be the length of walk, butthe fact that it is for a scheduled event. That would mean that if I was fighting through a cold, or it was raining, or it was blisteringly hot that I would still feel obligated to go, because you'd already paid for the class. I would check in and see whether the organization has a generous makeup class policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer is to talk about it with the nanny. There are plenty of nannies who would be thrilled to have a nice long walk built into their day (I would) because it's hard to find time to work out when you work long hours.

But there are many reasons nanny might object: job is already physically demanding, she may have concerns about timing given that it is 30-45 minutes of sitting still each way for DC, etc.

My biggest concern wouldn't be the length of walk, butthe fact that it is for a scheduled event. That would mean that if I was fighting through a cold, or it was raining, or it was blisteringly hot that I would still feel obligated to go, because you'd already paid for the class. I would check in and see whether the organization has a generous makeup class policy.

+1 This.

[Anonymous]

I live in LA and routinely walk to places that MB and DB have to drive to! And I am 25 years older than they are.

I love walking and my employers know it - I could walk to New York and back. But as PP mentioned, my only concern in how long my charge can sit in the stroller.

Ask your nanny and respect her answer.