Ok or over step?

[Anonymous]

We hired our nanny in the early pandemic. Our sick policy was to inform and quarantine until negative results. When we had a sniffle, we would text nanny, have her stay home until we got a negative and then have her return. Now with home tests, we just text her one of the kids is sick, COVID negative on home test and is she ok watching the other two. One parent usually stays home when a kid is sick to watch, do medication, and monitor symptoms.

This week is crazy for both parents. Sunday 8 year old had fever. Husband stayed home Monday. Tuesday fever gone but deep cough. We left her stay home. Husband asked our nanny if she was ok keeping eye on older (who was watching videos holed up in room) and he would go in to office.

Is that ok? Do most employers ask something like this?

Now, 3 year old is sick and we both have "unmissable" things at work. I have an interview for a new job and he has a meeting with senior leadership.

Are we huge a-holes for asking the nanny to keep an eye on a sick kid? Is that too much?

[Anonymous]

DH and I don't stay home when our kids are sick. They're just sleeping all day or watching tv. We write out when the kids need to eat and take medication and the nanny is fine.

[Anonymous]

One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

I’m a nanny and I don’t care for sick children. We handle illness like a daycare or school would. I’m off work with pay until the child is well and I return.

[Anonymous]

In general, yes, many nannies (including ours) are comfortable watching sick kids. While what you describe was the norm in 2020 and even early 2021, once all the adults were vaccinated, most people loosened up a bit, including us, and many (most?) nannies are back to watching mildly sick kids.

But the time to discuss this (sick policies) was probably when you were writing the contract. What does your contract say about sick days? That trumps all.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and I mostly work . We keep open communication. I would only not come in if the children are really sick. Today I am caring for the 5yr old with a fever who is usually in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

I’m a nanny and I don’t care for sick children. We handle illness like a daycare or school would. I’m off work with pay until the child is well and I return.

absurd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

I’m a nanny and I don’t care for sick children. We handle illness like a daycare or school would. I’m off work with pay until the child is well and I return.

That greatly reduces your value to your employer, if you can't watch their kids every time there is a minor illness among them. Most have jobs, meetings, clients, patients and could not accommodate this.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks you all. Non COVID sick policy is that we communicate and make decision together. Just needed a gut check that I wasn't asking for something unreasonable.

[Anonymous]

Non-Covid? Of course the nanny cares for sick kids. I have always taken care of my charges when they were sick and still do. I understand the Covid scare but even if my charges tested positive, I’d probably still volunteer to work as I was most likely already exposed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

I’m a nanny and I don’t care for sick children. We handle illness like a daycare or school would. I’m off work with pay until the child is well and I return.

You’re ridiculous and not a nanny. You’re an unreliable babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the biggest benefits of having a nanny is that you don't have to miss work for a sick kid (like you would with daycare). The nanny should absolutely be able to watch them while sick and follow med instructions.

I’m a nanny and I don’t care for sick children. We handle illness like a daycare or school would. I’m off work with pay until the child is well and I return.

You’re ridiculous and not a nanny. You’re an unreliable babysitter.

The various families I’ve worked for seem to think differently. I let this known upfront. Sniffles, slight cold is ok anything that’s contagious I’m home with pay and will continue to be as long as I’m employed.

[Anonymous]

What will you do next week when you make the nanny sick? She needs to stay away.

[Anonymous]

I take care of my charges, sick or well. The tradeoff is that they cover all medical bills (after insurance) if/when their children infect me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What will you do next week when you make the nanny sick? She needs to stay away.

IF she gets sick with more than a cold, you deal with it. But the big word is IF. Most of us don’t get what the kids have since we have better immunity. Since my oldest charge started morning preschool, both kids have had six colds since September. I haven’t gotten one of them.