Gut feeling about new nanny

[Anonymous]

Our new nanny started a few weeks ago and DH and I just have a feeling that we made a mistake. Our 4 yo DD has been acting out a bit and it doesn't seem like the new nanny can handle her plus our 3 month old. Not to mention she doesn't seem to know how to handle breastmilk, doesn't clean up after the kids - leaving bottles in the sink and lunch dishes out, etc. Has anyone else ever had a gut feeling that they hired the wrong nanny? Did you start over? Was it for the best?

[Anonymous]

Where did you find her? Why did you pick her over the others?

[Anonymous]

Found her on care.com. We liked her during the interview and trial play date.

[Anonymous]

Go with your gut!

[Anonymous]

What did her refs say?

[Anonymous]

After all the years of nannies I've had, I would part ways. If it was one, easily corrected thing, like cleaning up the bottles and lunch dishes, I'd say to sit down, explain expectations, and give her a chance to solve the problem.

But if you feel like you're going to have to teach her how to manage a 4-year-old and an infant simultaneously, that's too much to fix.

My answer changes if your new baby has colic, or is otherwise difficult to put down for even a few minutes.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the responses. I do feel like I'm having to teach her how to manage both kids. I was still home this morning when she asked me to hold the baby so she could help DD in the bathroom. DD generally does just fine on her own in the bathroom and if she did need help, you can put the baby down! Not looking forward to starting the search again but think that's where we're headed.

[Anonymous]

MB here ... GEEZ people! I cannot disagree more! TALK TO HER first. Give her a chance. When I first had my DD, I could barely manage cleaning the bottles.

[Anonymous]

If she seems to have a good heart and is trying, I would stay with it for a while. It takes time to get in the swing of things.

If she doesn't know how to handle breast milk, then she is probably not very experienced. The not cleaning up after herself and the kids tells me again that she is probably inexperienced. And probably young and is used to her mom cleaning up after her and has no idea that by accepting a nanny position she just signed on for grownup responsibilities.

If she has a positive attitude, that will still be there in six months, and by then you will have her trained.

I am a nanny in my 50's who has raised two kids of my own. I am so grateful that the families I have worked for have been patient with me while I took a few months to get my groove going with each new family.

[Anonymous]

Even though caring for a four-year old + a three-month old can be quite hectic, there is no excuse for bottles & dishes to be left out.

She sounds like an inefficient and lazy Nanny.

If your gut doesn't feel right about this person, then by all means listen to it.

You have every right to let her go for shoddy job performance.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I see nothing wrong w/her asking you to hold the baby while she helps your four-year old in the bathroom.

Sure when you are not home, she can lay the baby on a mat or blanket.
But you were THERE!
So I would have done the same exact thing too.
By doing this, it doesn't prove she cannot handle two children at the same time!

[Anonymous]

Do your KIDS like her? Remember they are the most important. Take a breath. It's new. Talk to her about these issues. TELL her that it is vitally important dishes are clean.