Cell phone use - what is acceptable?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am interested in hearing from parents and nannies about what a "normal use" of cell phone would be during working hours. I obviously use my cell phone during my work hours to make calls and text but I try to keep it to a minimum. So I understand that a "no cellphone use ever" is a flawed and unfair policy. However, I have a no-cellphone policy for myself and my husband when we're playing with the kids or having family meals. What would be fair guidelines to give our nanny?

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and I generally limit phone calls to nap time unless its urgent. I will send a text here and there throughout the day, but that requires much less of my time or attention than a phone call. I have 2 toddler charges so I have to keep my eyes on them.

[Anonymous]

If you hire a mature trustworthy person, you ought not get lost in such meneusha(sp?).

[Anonymous]

Thanks 15:23, that sounds like a very reasonable use.

15:28: I am looking for clear guidelines so that nanny and us would be on the same page.

[Anonymous]

Minutia

[Anonymous]

Minutiae. Don't use words you can't spell.

[Anonymous]

No using the cell phone when the kids are awake unless it's calling or texting us.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and I only use my phone for personal calls/texts on my lunch break when my charge is asleep - and even them I keep it to need only calls. My friends and family all know better than to call me during the day unless it is an emergency - and no one has ever had an emergency.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and since my charges are babies I text whenever I need too. It doesn't bother them. As they get older I will avoid making calls while they can see me (so basically while they eat, sleep, or play outside.) When I'm actively engaged with them I won't use my phone, unless it's an emergency.

[Anonymous]

One thing to bare in mind is that whatever policy you set will not be complied with 100%. It's just human. So, set the bar at what you think the ideal is, accept that exceptions will happen, and that if the person you hired is doing an excellent job, she won't allow her phone use to reduce the quality of care she's providing.

Here's our rule, which appears to be followed 90% of the time, and I'm good with that: personal phone use should be limited to nap times. Phone use for communicating about the children is acceptable as needed & appropriate - to call us if something comes up, call the ped if the kid is sick and you can't get ahold of us, to arrange the logistics of a play date, etc. But general perusing of the internet, email, Skyping with family should wait til nap time. No phone use of any kind while driving.

[Anonymous]

No cell phone use at all aside from nap time (which is when the nanny takes her break). The only time our nanny uses her phone when DS is awake is when DH or I call her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No cell phone use at all aside from nap time (which is when the nanny takes her break). The only time our nanny uses her phone when DS is awake is when DH or I call her.

What if there is an emergency?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No cell phone use at all aside from nap time (which is when the nanny takes her break). The only time our nanny uses her phone when DS is awake is when DH or I call her.

What if there is an emergency?

An emergency in which nanny needs to call for help? Of course she will use her phone for that.

An emergency with one of nanny's family members or friends? Nanny's husband has the number if he ever needs to reach her - but in three years he has never needed to reach her or has ever called her.

[Anonymous]

I don't allow the nanny to use cell phones at all, emergency or not (because to a nanny anything can be an emergency to call her friends, even "omg I forgot to tell Charlotte to pick up a burrito for me this evening!"). If there was a true emergency she is allowed to use the home phone to call 911. I check the statement monthly to see if she has made any calls (since we don't use the home phone almost ever.)

If she was out and about she could ask a bystander to use their phone to dial 911.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't allow the nanny to use cell phones at all, emergency or not (because to a nanny anything can be an emergency to call her friends, even "omg I forgot to tell Charlotte to pick up a burrito for me this evening!"). If there was a true emergency she is allowed to use the home phone to call 911. I check the statement monthly to see if she has made any calls (since we don't use the home phone almost ever.)

If she was out and about she could ask a bystander to use their phone to dial 911.

Obviously, you don't have much trust or respect for your nanny, but yet you entrust her with your children. I'll never understand this mentality.
I'm 49 years old. My bosses entrust their children, house management, computers, money to me. I'm certainly happy that they trust me in correctly using my phone when appropriate. I kind of need one, to keep everything running. Hard to get window washer quotes otherwise.
Of course, once wee ones are here, phone is only for photos or parent communication.