Can I ask our nanny to do non-related baby stuff?

[Anonymous]

We are interviewing candidates for a full-time position with a 3-month-old. We are offering a competitive wage and benefits package. We want a very experienced and qualified nanny. We would like the nanny to handle housekeeping for the baby but curious if we can ask her to do more like run errands ( in the neighborhood) and occasionally grocery shop? We aren't asking for anything extensive.

[Anonymous]

Hum no. A baby requires a lots of attention and a structured schedule to a T, asking a nanny to handle miscellaneous stuff is asking for trouble. Must be your first child but you will learn soon.

[Anonymous]

No. A baby demands a lot of attention, if you are hiring someone for the child and his/her needs. That is all they need to be there for.

[Anonymous]

You can. I don't think it's a big deal. How much are you offering and what are the benefits? Many families think they offer a competitive package but most are below the market rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hum no. A baby requires a lots of attention and a structured schedule to a T, asking a nanny to handle miscellaneous stuff is asking for trouble. Must be your first child but you will learn soon.

Babies do not require a structured schedule to a T. You sound like an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I do weekly grocery runs for nanny family. I also runerrands such as dry cleaning or picking up presents for their friends kids. I also cook for the family occasionally. I work with two-year-old twins and have been with them since they were born. It is certainly possible to find someone who is willing to do these types of things, but you may have to pay a little bit more and be upfront about the fact that you would like someone who can take on a little bit of a household manager role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I do weekly grocery runs for nanny family. I also runerrands such as dry cleaning or picking up presents for their friends kids. I also cook for the family occasionally. I work with two-year-old twins and have been with them since they were born. It is certainly possible to find someone who is willing to do these types of things, but you may have to pay a little bit more and be upfront about the fact that you would like someone who can take on a little bit of a household manager role.

Op here. We have a housekeeper and will not ask her to do things weekly. We may ask her to drop things in the mailbox, run and pick up extra diapers if the shipment hasn't arrived, and pick up things at the store or the farmers market when the baby starts eating solids.

[Anonymous]

OP you are not asking items out of line. One of the fun things I did with a baby I nannied for was grocery shopping, you can make it really fun for them. Be sure to have a detailed job decription about what you are expecting then a contract when hiring.

[Anonymous]

Prob tougher to do out of house errands until the kid is 12 mos old-- then going to shops can be educational and fun.

The first 6 mos there are 3 naps so lots to do in the house during the 3-5 hours of downtime.

[Anonymous]

I'm an experienced nanny and would have no problem with this. I do have a problem with families that don't let me leave the house or have strict limits on where we can go. There' are nannies out there who would be happy to run a few errands and make your life easier (and nice for them so they get a little change of scenery or can get a coffee while they're out.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I do weekly grocery runs for nanny family. I also runerrands such as dry cleaning or picking up presents for their friends kids. I also cook for the family occasionally. I work with two-year-old twins and have been with them since they were born. It is certainly possible to find someone who is willing to do these types of things, but you may have to pay a little bit more and be upfront about the fact that you would like someone who can take on a little bit of a household manager role.

Op here. We have a housekeeper and will not ask her to do things weekly. We may ask her to drop things in the mailbox, run and pick up extra diapers if the shipment hasn't arrived, and pick up things at the store or the farmers market when the baby starts eating solids.

This is totally reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Ask her and if she agrees make sure it is in her contract. I am a nanny and do all ordering for my charge and sometimes for the house (paper towel, cleaning supplies). When I go shopping for my charges food, I always ask what I can pick up for the parents. I make muffins, hard boiled eggs, etc. for my charge and always make enough for the parents.

I am careful about job creep but I am also not a dick.

[Anonymous]

What rate do you get paid for an infant?

[Anonymous]

Why not, she is your employee. If she wants a job she needs to be flexible.

[Anonymous]

You can always ask, then see what type of responses you receive back.

However in my personal opinion, if I wanted my infant to have the best childcare possible, I would prefer the Nanny to spend her days focused solely on him.