Crazy things parents want....

[Anonymous]

Current ad on DCUM Nanny Wanted:

"Flexibility in schedule and ability to adjust hours as needed."

Translation:
Parent to Nanny at 9:30pm on a Friday evening:
"I know you thought we'd be home by 7pm, but something came up."

Do they really think a nanny should have no other commitments/responsibilities?
Really? What planet do these parents come from?
Can someone please explain this nonsense? Thank you.

I'd love for the parent who wrote that to respond, but not holding my breath for that.

[Anonymous]

I used to work for a family that needed a flexible nanny and was not all like what you describe. I was always given 24 hrs notice if my hours were going to be changed. There were many times I said I couldn't do it and suffered no repercussions. But, they also paid a premium for the other 90% of the Times I did do a schedule change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to work for a family that needed a flexible nanny and was not all like what you describe. I was always given 24 hrs notice if my hours were going to be changed. There were many times I said I couldn't do it and suffered no repercussions. But, they also paid a premium for the other 90% of the Times I did do a schedule change

Sounds ok if they pay you for it.

I should have entitled this thread:

"Crazy things parents want for FREE"

[Anonymous]

pay $10 dollar but they want you to clean the toilet, walk the dog, clean all the rooms, vacuum, dusting, cooking, homework, driving, errands, care for two or three kids at one time, water the plants, clean the toys, laundry, folding etc etc

[Anonymous]

As long as they offer a good salary, I think this is okay to a certain degree.

At least they are being honest and upfront about their needs. Some families won't even offer full disclosure until after hire.

This would work for someone who doesn't have her own children to watch. Perhaps a college student or retired person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to work for a family that needed a flexible nanny and was not all like what you describe. I was always given 24 hrs notice if my hours were going to be changed. There were many times I said I couldn't do it and suffered no repercussions. But, they also paid a premium for the other 90% of the Times I did do a schedule change

Sounds ok if they pay you for it.

I should have entitled this thread:

"Crazy things parents want for FREE"

Oh. Did you leave out pertinent info regarding the pay they were offering? Or are you just making yourself look stupid with assumptions and generalizations.

[Anonymous]

So that's just an ad. Have you spoken with them?

Perhaps they would quite clear about what they need or want, or what the parameters would be, when they start interviewing.

At least they're giving you a heads up about schedule changes. Then you can discuss that clearly in an interview and work out a working agreement that is clear.

[Anonymous]

If you want someone to be available for hours that span well beyond their regular schedule you should expect to either pay for reserving that time or recognize that it is not reserved. I get what you're saying completely OP. So many families turn to nanny care because they need flexibility that daycare doesn't offer. They then get sticker shock when they see how much it costs and they try to cut corners. They advertise for a 40 hour schedule and say they need flexibility, then they think they can show up whenever and it's okay. 24 hour nannies are expensive. Nannies with constant availability are expensive. Live-in nannies are NOT 24 hour, constantly available nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want someone to be available for hours that span well beyond their regular schedule you should expect to either pay for reserving that time or recognize that it is not reserved. I get what you're saying completely OP. So many families turn to nanny care because they need flexibility that daycare doesn't offer. They then get sticker shock when they see how much it costs and they try to cut corners. They advertise for a 40 hour schedule and say they need flexibility, then they think they can show up whenever and it's okay. 24 hour nannies are expensive. Nannies with constant availability are expensive. Live-in nannies are NOT 24 hour, constantly available nannies.

Exactly. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I had a friend who truly needed that level of flexibility.

The answer was two nannies. One 40 hour a week professional nanny and one evening nanny they paid to be on call every week day evening.

The agreement was the nanny - who was really a high school girl - would show up at my friend's house by 6pm every day. She would then stay until the parents came home usually no later than 9:30 pm. If the parents showed up before 6 or anytime after, they sent the nanny home but they still paid her for the hours she would have worked and she still had to show up at 6 even if the parents were home or they planned to arrive shortly thereafter. (not sure why this was - maybe just for sake of continuity?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current ad on DCUM Nanny Wanted:

"Flexibility in schedule and ability to adjust hours as needed."

Translation:
Parent to Nanny at 9:30pm on a Friday evening:
"I know you thought we'd be home by 7pm, but something came up."

Do they really think a nanny should have no other commitments/responsibilities?
Really? What planet do these parents come from?
Can someone please explain this nonsense? Thank you.

I'd love for the parent who wrote that to respond, but not holding my breath for that.

To me, that line translates to: "we want you to be available at any time we need you, but are not guaranteeing any specific hours, or even guaranteeing that you will get a certain amount of total hours each week."

I'd be more worried about the lost wages for not guaranteeing hours than last minute calls about being three hours late (although coming from a family who advertised a position with that line I wouldn't be surprised if they screwed the nanny both ways).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend who truly needed that level of flexibility.

The answer was two nannies. One 40 hour a week professional nanny and one evening nanny they paid to be on call every week day evening.

The agreement was the nanny - who was really a high school girl - would show up at my friend's house by 6pm every day. She would then stay until the parents came home usually no later than 9:30 pm. If the parents showed up before 6 or anytime after, they sent the nanny home but they still paid her for the hours she would have worked and she still had to show up at 6 even if the parents were home or they planned to arrive shortly thereafter. (not sure why this was - maybe just for sake of continuity?)

Wow, so the parents literally never saw their kids.