Nanny driving situation - not sure what to do

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Hired nanny during the pandemic and she is amazing and wonderful. During height of things and before vaccinations, we were strict about staying in the neighborhood and she did not need to drive our kids anywhere. We started this school year this way - nanny did not drive kids and would walk oldest to school and take younger two to park in our neighborhood. Then she started walking to farther playgrounds and all around. She asked if she could have car seats to drive oldest to school on some days (bad weather) or take younger to parks that are still near by but a long walk. We said sure. But honestly my preference is that she doesn't, but I get wanting some variety.

Here is my question - when we ask her to drive somewhere - like when she came with us on a trip - we pay gas and mileage. If I were signing the younger one up for gymnastics and she needed to drive them - of COURSE we would pay. But, if this is nanny choice to drive somewhere, is the prevailing norm to pay? I am happy to have them stay in walking distance, so should I pay if she decides to take them somewhere?

We try to be good employers but are at the margins with how much we can pay for nanny. She has not asked for payment for these trips, but I want to see what others think.

[Anonymous]

She probably driving home or running errands with a quick 5 minutes trip to the park in between. I would just ask her to take kids to whatever is walkable and skip her driving anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course, you should pay her mileage for any place she takes the kids. If you can’t afford it, tell her not to go. The cost should never come out of her pocket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, of course, you should pay her mileage for any place she takes the kids. If you can’t afford it, tell her not to go. The cost should never come out of her pocket.

+1. You should be reimbursing her for gas used during her hours driving your kids around. Put limits on how far/often she takes them to places other than activities as you wish.

[Anonymous]

It can get boring for your Nanny to visit the same parks constantly, she is probably looking to visit different parks for a change of scenery.

I would offer her IRS mileage reimbursement per mile.
I can understand her not wanting to walk outside in bad weather, etc.

[Anonymous]

If she wants to drive it's because of her wish; no bcs she need to do it or you are requiring her to do. So I think there's not need she drives, is you say you live in a nice neighborhood where it's easy to walk there. She must be lucky that others nannies where there's not anything around; but driving. Also this never came with the position when you hired. Even though you would day Yes to her; probably later no now, she will be asking for reimbursement, since she will be driving everyday. And if you can't afford it, you would feel bad telling don't give her anything even if she doesn't ask now. Just take it easy and tell her that you are more comfortable and will feel better if she keeps doing all activities by walking distance. Because it always have worked great and she doesn't need to drive.

[Anonymous]

I would tell her no driving unless you've specifically authorized it. I would understand the driving to school on bad weather days and pay for that at the IRS reimbursement rate, but otherwise you're opening yourself up to a world of trouble.

I agree with the PP that says she's probably running errands - why wouldn't you just go to a familiar playground? The most important thing is you're not comfortable with it, and you're also unable to afford it.

[Anonymous]

You need to relax the reigns a bit. If she's going to the same park every single day that's boring. She wants to go places FOR YOUR CHILD. To stimulate them. You pay. Don't be so cheap.

[Anonymous]

You should pay. You should try spending the week with your kids and not leaving the neighbor or taking them anywhere in the car. And I’m not being snarky. It’s nice for everyone to do something different now and again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should pay. You should try spending the week with your kids and not leaving the neighbor or taking them anywhere in the car. And I’m not being snarky. It’s nice for everyone to do something different now and again.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you can’t afford more and aren’t comfortable with her driving more, let her know that it’s only for when there’s bad weather for school runs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

Hired nanny during the pandemic and she is amazing and wonderful. During height of things and before vaccinations, we were strict about staying in the neighborhood and she did not need to drive our kids anywhere. We started this school year this way - nanny did not drive kids and would walk oldest to school and take younger two to park in our neighborhood. Then she started walking to farther playgrounds and all around. She asked if she could have car seats to drive oldest to school on some days (bad weather) or take younger to parks that are still near by but a long walk. We said sure. But honestly my preference is that she doesn't, but I get wanting some variety.

Here is my question - when we ask her to drive somewhere - like when she came with us on a trip - we pay gas and mileage. If I were signing the younger one up for gymnastics and she needed to drive them - of COURSE we would pay. But, if this is nanny choice to drive somewhere, is the prevailing norm to pay? I am happy to have them stay in walking distance, so should I pay if she decides to take them somewhere?

We try to be good employers but are at the margins with how much we can pay for nanny. She has not asked for payment for these trips, but I want to see what others think.

I think she is going to start looking for a new job. You are ridiculous. Your kids get the benefit of these trips and you, the parent, pays! A nanny or babysitter should never pay for anything for your child's entertainment. What is wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

I'll be the voice of dissent. As a nanny, I appreciated be able to drive kids somewhere to break up the monotony of the day and never expected to be reimbursed for mileage-I just can't imagine keeping track of mileage for the extra 16 cents.

Offer a gas stipend per week. If she doesn't want to use her own car for trips that SHE want's to take, then she doesn't have to.

[Anonymous]

You pay mileage anytime she is driving during working hours. If she is seeking variety in the day then NK are also probably needing some variety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent. As a nanny, I appreciated be able to drive kids somewhere to break up the monotony of the day and never expected to be reimbursed for mileage-I just can't imagine keeping track of mileage for the extra 16 cents.

Offer a gas stipend per week. If she doesn't want to use her own car for trips that SHE want's to take, then she doesn't have to.

What are you talking about, extra $0.16? Mileage is currently 58.5 cents per mile. This covers gas and wear and tear on her vehicle. I honestly can't believe a nanny is suggesting doing otherwise. This is standard in the industry.