Is it standard to leave nanny with planned activities and prepped meals for the kids?

[Anonymous]

We have loads and loads of art supplies, puzzles, games, plus a backyard with a playhouse and we are walking distance to a playground, library, coffee shop, etc. I also always have on hand easy prep kids meals (Mac and cheese, bread and deli meat, carrots, cucumbers, fruit, cheese, chicken nuggets…)

I informed our nanny of all this but, a few months in, she seems to want way more direction - like, to be told what to give for lunch and what actually to do each day. Isn’t that typically part of a nanny’s job? I don’t want to have to plot out all those details, especially when frankly we already have a lot of options.

We’ve also offered to leave her a car when she wants, she just has to give us slight notice so I can Uber to work instead of drive.

Nanny is paid 30/hour, mostly has one kid except for a few hours in the afternoon when she has my two older kids as well.

[Anonymous]

No. Our nanny makes all the plans, schedules and daytime meal planning. She even has organized a playgroup for DD and takes charge of that. She’s bright and mature.

You have a timid and insecure nanny. If your kid likes her and she’s reliable and prompt. Just take an hour and make a schedule for her. You didn’t get a self starter but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have loads and loads of art supplies, puzzles, games, plus a backyard with a playhouse and we are walking distance to a playground, library, coffee shop, etc. I also always have on hand easy prep kids meals (Mac and cheese, bread and deli meat, carrots, cucumbers, fruit, cheese, chicken nuggets…)

I informed our nanny of all this but, a few months in, she seems to want way more direction - like, to be told what to give for lunch and what actually to do each day. Isn’t that typically part of a nanny’s job? I don’t want to have to plot out all those details, especially when frankly we already have a lot of options.

We’ve also offered to leave her a car when she wants, she just has to give us slight notice so I can Uber to work instead of drive.

Nanny is paid 30/hour, mostly has one kid except for a few hours in the afternoon when she has my two older kids as well.

Wow. No, that's not normal.

I cook, actually cook, not just microwave.

I not only plan out our schedule, I track the $5 toddler/preschool nature center classes, the free museum events aimed at homeschoolers and little kids, etc. We go anywhere we want, whether that's Clemijontri or the science center.

[Anonymous]

No not normal at all nor good for your child.

Is your nanny foreign? How’s her English?

[Anonymous]

Not normal at all

[Anonymous]

No. Tell her you want her to take the initiative to plan healthy lunches and snacks, put items on a grocery list if they're running low, and you want her to plan activities each day.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s normal but I think if you otherwise like her you can make it work. Write down a few meal ideas for her, maybe come up with a loose schedule with her for a month so she gets an idea of what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Tell her you want her to take the initiative to plan healthy lunches and snacks, put items on a grocery list if they're running low, and you want her to plan activities each day.

21.42 again. I would say that OP needs to define healthy, but otherwise, this.

[Anonymous]

I’d look for a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

In the big scheme of things, I would say this isn’t a dealbreaker or a good reason to find another Nanny.

She sounds like she just needs a little direction…or maybe more.

The next time that she asks you what to give your child for lunch - simply respond that you trust her judgment/choice.
Remind her there are many options in the refrigerator & simply leave it at that.

You can also take a similar approach regarding daytime activities + outings.
If she asks you what she can do that day w/your child, simply suggest if she needs some craft ideas there are specific websites that are good for this.
You may have to suggest a few.

She may also ask you for help in where she can take your child during the day.
How well does she know the area?
If not too well > you may have to suggest a few places that are kid-friendly.

Bottom line:
Leave more of the decision-making to her and tell her that you trust her good judgment.

This could help build not only her confidence, but creativity as well.

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

No OP, this is not standard. And for $30/hr your nanny should be providing significant enrichment activities, planned itineraries, have a background in childhood development or college degree or at least 15 years of experience with stellar references.

You are way over-paying for what you're receiving.