Nanny working when MB has day off
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Anonymous
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We are new to the nanny employment world and want to make sure that we are doing the best we can. Our nanny is wonderful and our DD loves her. Whenever I have days off (mostly federal holidays, but a few other days here and there), I usually tell the nanny that I don't need her to come in. We are going on a week vacation this week and, of course, plan to pay the nanny while we are gone. I took tomorrow off from work intentionally to run a ton of errands, pack, and otherwise get ready for the trip. I was planning on having the nanny come in, even though I am off, so that I can do all those things much faster.
What is the general "rule" about this. Should the nanny get the day off because I am not at work? Do nannies resent coming to work to find the MB or DB is there? I really value our nanny and don't want to unintentionally cause any hard feelings and so am trying to figure out what is standard expectations for things like this. It is not in our contract that she will get the day off if I have the day off, but I also never really envisioned something like this. Any advice is helpful. TIA. |
Anonymous
| Text her and tell her FYI I took Tuesday off to get some errands done before our trip, I will be in and out of the house. (And if your DD is little you could also say you will try to stay out of her way and not let DD see you.) |
Anonymous
| If it is during her normal paid working hours, then that is totally fine. Just stay out of her hair! As a nanny, I find it very difficult to do my job when a parent is there. They always mean the best, but they get in the way, mess up the schedule, and the child behaves differently. If you need to be in the house, give her the option of being out (going to the pool/park/zoo/aquarium/etc.) If she wants to stay in, just stay out of it, let her do her job, and do what you need to get done. |
Anonymous
| You hire a nanny bc you need someone to watch your child. What you do with that time is up to you. |
Anonymous
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MB here. Our nanny gets the federal holidays off.
I frequently use my vacation time to catch up on household errands, see friends I never see otherwise, etc... I try to make sure I'm not underfoot for the nanny but I have no guilt about having her work on days when I'm doing things other than in the office. As the pp said - it's up to me how I spend my time, I don't have to justify or apologize for that. Our nanny has vacation time she can use as she sees fit also. |
Anonymous
This is why you can't keep a nanny! |
Anonymous
| You should have a discussion about it now with her. You want to plan the day to be as seemless as possible for your child. |
Anonymous
People hire babysitters for just this reason: date nights, errands, appointments ... OP doesn't need to hire someone, because she already has childcare in place. |
Anonymous
This exactly. I have never resented being around on days that a parent needs to run errands and get stuff done. As long as I know a little in advance, am able to get out of the house with the kids, and the parent is conscious of the nap schedule, it works out just fine. |
Anonymous
| Good communication is everything. |
Anonymous
| The only suggestion i will add is that it will be much easier on your nanny if you're out of the house running errands while your child is napping. |
Anonymous
| Nanny here. I do not see an issue with this OP. I have days off when MB or DB stay home, but I've had a few occasions where they needed me though they were there. This exact situation has occurred with me before. MB just let me know that she will be home but running errands, packing, etc. I was till needed but there is a possibility of leaving early if MB finishes up early. I was still paid ( guaranteed hours) and that was that. I didn't have an issue with it. I've also even packed the baby's clothes and necessities instead of MB. I'm sure she will be fine with it! |
Anonymous
| The days on which I am off, I expect our nanny to show up because I am off due to sickness or I need to run errands/organizing. I am generous in giving days off, 2 week vacation 7 sick/personal days, Federal holidays etc. Previously I used to give many more days off (spring break and winter break because I am off), unfortunately I found out that they took the perk happily but didn't appreciate it one bit. I am back to a more structured days off policy but I get what you are struggling with. Also, giving your nanny days off when you are off will setup a wrong expectation, they will expect it every single time. How you manage your work when I am home is for you to figure out as professional, not my headache (although I try staying out of their hair). |
Anonymous
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I am a Nanny + wouldn't have a problem w/it if you needed me even though you didn't have to go in to work today. I have had plenty of parents who occasionally need me to watch their child while they need to get stuff done, other than clock in hours at the office.
Just an important point to make however: As tempting as it may be to do so, try your VERY best to let the Nanny do her job w/complete autonomy. Try not to interfere and micro-manage her. In doing this, everything should run smoothly. Good luck and have a nice vacation OP!~ |
Anonymous
Long time nanny here. It's your prerogative what you do during my normal working hours. You don't owe me the day off just because you are off. I really appreciate knowing ahead of time, if possible. I tend to have a rough schedule in my head of what we will do each day that week, and if a parent is going to be home, that may affect it. It's harder when I walk in to work to find out MB will be home that day. |