Nanny falling asleep on the couch with baby.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been trying to find feedback on this and most people seem to be divided on this issue.

But today I found our nanny napping on the couch with our baby on her chest. I’ve asked her in the past to be putting him down for all naps. She told me today he wouldn’t nap by himself when I woke her. I was a little startled. Especially because of the risk of him rolling off her and falling into the floor. I’m bothered because I’m not paying her to sleep on the job and have asked her to do light, baby related tasks while he’s napping.

This is kind of the second strike for us, as I’ve had to talk to her about too much screen time on the job with the TV on and cellphone usage.

Just wondering if this would be a fireable offense for other families and wanting input from other nannies as well. Do you let your nanny take naps on the job? Other nannies, have you napped while on the job?

I’m a former nanny myself and never did personally.

[Anonymous]

I am an adult career nanny. If I were the employer of your nanny, I would find a better fit. It’s not really about whether or not this one action can be justified as a fireable offense, it’s whether or not you feel 100% secure and confident in this nanny, which you don’t. Stop dawdling and find a new nanny. Give your current nanny a proper notice or severance. Make sure that you are willing to pay market rate for a top notch nanny, if that’s what you want. Absolutely zero tv unless there is something very serious on the news.

[Anonymous]

Back when I only had one, and she napped twice a day, sometimes our nanny would nap during her second (afternoon) nap. But that was AFTER the baby was safely put down and the baby-related chores were done (or while the dryer was going).

I'd fire your nanny.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. Not acceptable in any way. It’s dangerous.

I would support you in letting her go.

[Anonymous]

I used to nap with the kids in their room, when the kids were in the crib or bed. I worked 60-70 hours a week and I was TIRED. I needed that nap! When the kids were 3 and still napping, we’d nap together in the bed and it’s some of our fondest memories. The parents did not care and I’ve been with the family for 10 years. I would never nap with a baby on my chest as it’s not safe and also sets up bad sleeping habits.

[Anonymous]

The TV being on while the baby is awake would be more of an issue for me. The nap would depend how often it happened. If its a one off or rarity I wouldnt fire for it. If its an ongoing problem when you have told her not to, I would.

I used to nap about once a month with the kids. But I went in the guest room and they kids were in their own beds.

[Anonymous]

She’s a terrible nanny! No TV and absolutely no falling asleep while holding the baby!

Signed, a nanny

[Anonymous]

Sure, sometimes I would take a nap on the couch for a few minutes while my charge was asleep in her crib - never, ever while holding her! All nannies should get a break when their charges are napping to eat lunch, check their phones, nap - whatever - for at least 20 minutes after four or five hours. In my state that is the law. But never to fall asleep while holding a baby.

And I have never in my career had the TV on when working. And, when my charges are awake, I only use my phone to take pictures of them.

[Anonymous]

I didn't do this with my own kids even in total newborn sleep deprivation hell, and I would not be ok with the nanny doing this. I don't care if my nanny snoozes while the kids sleep, but HOLDING a baby? Nope. To me that is a reason to dismiss.

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny & I usually will take a little power nap when my charge is sleeping.

I make sure either I am right beside them or very close to the baby monitor.
I have told the parents about my naps + so far no one has taken issue w/it.
As a Mom Boss, I wouldn’t mind as well since I wouldn’t want a tired Nanny caring for my child.

However your Nanny was absolutely careless and dare I say....
Negligent??!
You are right - - the baby could have rolled off her and fallen on the floor.

Just that she risked his safety in my opinion is a firing offense.
Napping itself (when done right) is really not an issue.
I don’t believe in trying to stretch my dollar, assigning chores to my Nanny.

No laundry duties.
Just make sure the toys are all picked up when she leaves and that any dishes used during her shift are washed.

[Anonymous]

On her chest?!

The biggest issue to me is that rather than trying several things, she defaulted to baby sleeping on her, the. Fell asleep holding them. I’ve held a baby long enough for them to fall asleep (while slowly trying to break the habit), but the child was put down ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely no way. It’s unsafe and the baby can get stuck between the nanny and the couch and suffocate. It only takes a few minutes.

[Anonymous]

This is so interesting!
I’m a mom and I work three days a week. On my days home with the kids, I ALWAYS nap while they are napping. I also, in the newborn stage, would nap with my son on my chest.
It would not bother me if my nanny did this, as well. I even told her to crawl into the guest bed if she needs some shut eye!
That being said, it seems like you need someone more hyper who won’t do that. I hope you can find a better fit and she can find someone who appreciates her as well.

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny.

I would never do that as the baby could fall.
I would have fired her on the spot.
I never do power naps when I work but if the hours are long and I was the mom, I 'd let my nanny do a power nap.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here- the only issue I have is the child sleeping on her chest and the screentime. Otherwise, what she does on her break is her business. As a career nanny, I always tell families that doing chores while the children sleep should be optional for me if they want me to work for them. The family I currently work for doesn't care as long as the kids are okay, and I have finished everything we agreed on by the end of the day. Occasionally, I cannot finish and I explain why and make a plan to do it another time.

My reason being that there is no perfect guarantee that the child will sleep long enough for housework to be complete AND for me to take care of myself(food, uninterrupted bathroom break, enjoying the silence, inportant phone calls, etc.) On a daily basis. The child can easily wake up early and there goes her break before she finishes her "chores".

Before you fire your nanny, I suggest you sit down with her and go over ALL of your expectations and cover as many hypothetical situations as you can. Be openminded and really listen to what she has to say about her needs as well. You may find that there is an easy fix or compromise.

Most parents do housework while their children are awake, and rest when it is quiet. If that is a dealbreaker for you, then arrange a time daily where she will be undisturbed and someone else will take care of the child's needs while she does what she has to do. If she sleeps while the baby sleeps, then it does not matter as long as she does not sleep through the crying.