Do families usually allow nanny to do personal shopping on paid time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny runs errands if she needs to. I don't have any problem with it. She asked the first time and I told her to do whatev
er she needs to. PP is right that is goes a long way toward goodwill. She has been with us for years now and will often text me when they are out to ask if I need anything while they are out running errands. This is not at all part of her job description. It's a nice thing she does.

Perfect example of a mutually respectful team approach to the work of caregiving. Kudos to the above poster. Others should learn from her.

I agree with this. Our nanny runs errands from time to time if she needs to. She used to ask me but I've since told her she doesn't need to ask because it's always fine with me. With that said though if she hadn't asked in the beginning I'd be annoyed that she just assumed it was ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watch twins who are currently 17 months old. I started when they were 8 weeks and from day 1, MB told me to feel free to take them on personal errands as she wanted them to get out of the house and be able to do things like that. When they were that little, I didn't do many errands with them as they were still unpredictable but once they hit the 6 month mark, we started taking trips to Target or CVS, etc. Now that they are older and don't like being confined as much, we don't do many errands but I still will make a Target trip occasionally or swing by the bank if we are out, etc.

I had pretty much the exact same experience with twins as well. It worked out for everyone; we got to get out of the house (especially on rainy/cold days), see new things, learn life skills like patience and good social behavior and I was able to pick up some essentials without being stuck in the rush hour traffic I would have been had I gone after work. And as another PP mentioned, I always texted MB while we were out to see if she needed anything as well. Win/Win/Win situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watch twins who are currently 17 months old. I started when they were 8 weeks and from day 1, MB told me to feel free to take them on personal errands as she wanted them to get out of the house and be able to do things like that. When they were that little, I didn't do many errands with them as they were still unpredictable but once they hit the 6 month mark, we started taking trips to Target or CVS, etc. Now that they are older and don't like being confined as much, we don't do many errands but I still will make a Target trip occasionally or swing by the bank if we are out, etc.

I wouldn't like the idea of having my kids at CVS where people often come sick to purchase their medications.

Same thing with Target - dirty and dusty place.

I hire nanny to take care of the babies not to run personal errands.

I prefer them to be in a park or zoo, instead of CVS..

[Anonymous]

The more hours per week Nanny has your child, the more likely that she just has to get certain things done.

[Anonymous]

I do a lot of errands for my nanny family and my boss doesn't mind if I do personal errands too. My charges are preschool age and they love being out and about. I don't do things like clothes shopping or things that take more than an hour, but if I'm at Target buying things for their family I don't think there's anything wrong with picking up what I need as well. But again, my boss is OK with this. She likes them to have exposure to a lot of different things and learn how to behave appropriately in public. If you're not comfortable with it then you should say that. I also think this is a good thing to be discussed during the interview process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For $16-18/hr, you need to understand that your helper will do what she wants. That's why it's so much better to hire a true professional who will cost $25-35/hr. Most people on DCUM can't afford that.

This is so ridiculous. There are good and bad nannies at every pay level. I don't understand why every thread turns into a money thing.

-A nanny who is paid mid-range

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For $16-18/hr, you need to understand that your helper will do what she wants. That's why it's so much better to hire a true professional who will cost $25-35/hr. Most people on DCUM can't afford that.

This is so ridiculous. There are good and bad nannies at every pay level. I don't understand why every thread turns into a money thing.

-A nanny who is paid mid-range

Any aspirations to move past your midrange? Ever? It doesn't sound like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For $16-18/hr, you need to understand that your helper will do what she wants. That's why it's so much better to hire a true professional who will cost $25-35/hr. Most people on DCUM can't afford that.

This is so ridiculous. There are good and bad nannies at every pay level. I don't understand why every thread turns into a money thing.

-A nanny who is paid mid-range

Any aspirations to move past your midrange? Ever? It doesn't sound like it.

Go get some sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watch twins who are currently 17 months old. I started when they were 8 weeks and from day 1, MB told me to feel free to take them on personal errands as she wanted them to get out of the house and be able to do things like that. When they were that little, I didn't do many errands with them as they were still unpredictable but once they hit the 6 month mark, we started taking trips to Target or CVS, etc. Now that they are older and don't like being confined as much, we don't do many errands but I still will make a Target trip occasionally or swing by the bank if we are out, etc.

I wouldn't like the idea of having my kids at CVS where people often come sick to purchase their medications.

Same thing with Target - dirty and dusty place.

I hire nanny to take care of the babies not to run personal errands.

I prefer them to be in a park or zoo, instead of CVS..

That's great, PP.

How many people do you know take their kids to the zoo every single day? Does a ten minute stop at CVS preclude continuing on their way to the park after naps? We have to be realistic and logical when we talk about this. Is it healthy for a nanny to sit and stare at a sleeping infant for several hours a day or is it okay if she straps on the wrap and walks to the post office to pay some bills? Do you want your toddler to have 100% of your nanny's attention for 10-12 hours a day? If so, are you prepared to offer your undivided attention all day Sat and Sun (because that is what your SS will expect)?

Of course a true newborn does not need to be out and about exposed to germs, but there are a lot of months between 4mo and mobile for most kids, and they have to fill the time somehow. How many rounds of Little Bunny Foo Foo do you want your nanny to sing in a day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watch twins who are currently 17 months old. I started when they were 8 weeks and from day 1, MB told me to feel free to take them on personal errands as she wanted them to get out of the house and be able to do things like that. When they were that little, I didn't do many errands with them as they were still unpredictable but once they hit the 6 month mark, we started taking trips to Target or CVS, etc. Now that they are older and don't like being confined as much, we don't do many errands but I still will make a Target trip occasionally or swing by the bank if we are out, etc.

I wouldn't like the idea of having my kids at CVS where people often come sick to purchase their medications.

Same thing with Target - dirty and dusty place.

I hire nanny to take care of the babies not to run personal errands.

I prefer them to be in a park or zoo, instead of CVS..

Talk about a dirty, dusty, germ place. Ew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watch twins who are currently 17 months old. I started when they were 8 weeks and from day 1, MB told me to feel free to take them on personal errands as she wanted them to get out of the house and be able to do things like that. When they were that little, I didn't do many errands with them as they were still unpredictable but once they hit the 6 month mark, we started taking trips to Target or CVS, etc. Now that they are older and don't like being confined as much, we don't do many errands but I still will make a Target trip occasionally or swing by the bank if we are out, etc.

I wouldn't like the idea of having my kids at CVS where people often come sick to purchase their medications.

Same thing with Target - dirty and dusty place.

I hire nanny to take care of the babies not to run personal errands.

I prefer them to be in a park or zoo, instead of CVS..

That's great, PP.

How many people do you know take their kids to the zoo every single day? Does a ten minute stop at CVS preclude continuing on their way to the park after naps? We have to be realistic and logical when we talk about this. Is it healthy for a nanny to sit and stare at a sleeping infant for several hours a day or is it okay if she straps on the wrap and walks to the post office to pay some bills? Do you want your toddler to have 100% of your nanny's attention for 10-12 hours a day? If so, are you prepared to offer your undivided attention all day Sat and Sun (because that is what your SS will expect)?

Of course a true newborn does not need to be out and about exposed to germs, but there are a lot of months between 4mo and mobile for most kids, and they have to fill the time somehow. How many rounds of Little Bunny Foo Foo do you want your nanny to sing in a day?

It doesn't have to be the zoo every day. It was just an example. They can go to the park, library, playground, swimming pool. But NOT CVS. Especially to run nanny'e personal errands.

Nanny doesn't have to sit and stare. There is always something to do around children. She can fold the baby's laundry, clean the toys, etc.

I don't hire nanny for 10 or 12h ... So I don't know what you mean.

And yes for 8 h she is in the house I expect her to give 100% attention. Otherwise accidents happen.

And she really doesn't have to sing the whole day. There are hundreds of interesting fun activities. But I am not going to pay for running nanny's personal errands.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot to be said for children (at least, age 3 and above) simply accompanying adults as they go through the various errands of the day... they learn to be patient, develop poise while learning to interact appropriately with the general public, develop self-confidence while becoming acclimated to all different kinds of retail environments, help find products being shopped for, help read the labels to compare ingredients and cost, safely navigate crosswalks and parking lots, self-entertain to avoid boredom as a car passenger, cultivate listening skills in order to enjoy listening to various entertainment while on the road, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot to be said for children (at least, age 3 and above) simply accompanying adults as they go through the various errands of the day... they learn to be patient, develop poise while learning to interact appropriately with the general public, develop self-confidence while becoming acclimated to all different kinds of retail environments, help find products being shopped for, help read the labels to compare ingredients and cost, safely navigate crosswalks and parking lots, self-entertain to avoid boredom as a car passenger, cultivate listening skills in order to enjoy listening to various entertainment while on the road, etc.

There is a huge difference between running errands for family and running nanny's errands.

If it's for family - that's ok.

Nanny's private staff is not something I am willing to pay for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot to be said for children (at least, age 3 and above) simply accompanying adults as they go through the various errands of the day... they learn to be patient, develop poise while learning to interact appropriately with the general public, develop self-confidence while becoming acclimated to all different kinds of retail environments, help find products being shopped for, help read the labels to compare ingredients and cost, safely navigate crosswalks and parking lots, self-entertain to avoid boredom as a car passenger, cultivate listening skills in order to enjoy listening to various entertainment while on the road, etc.

There is a huge difference between running errands for family and running nanny's errands.

If it's for family - that's ok.

Nanny's private staff is not something I am willing to pay for.

So really it has nothing to do with your children or what is best for them. It's your contempt for your nanny and not wanting her to feel entitled to anything, least of all stopping by the bank or post office.

Though none of you MB's ever do ANYTHING on your company's time...all these DCUM posts must be on your days off.

It must be fun to be so self-righteous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot to be said for children (at least, age 3 and above) simply accompanying adults as they go through the various errands of the day... they learn to be patient, develop poise while learning to interact appropriately with the general public, develop self-confidence while becoming acclimated to all different kinds of retail environments, help find products being shopped for, help read the labels to compare ingredients and cost, safely navigate crosswalks and parking lots, self-entertain to avoid boredom as a car passenger, cultivate listening skills in order to enjoy listening to various entertainment while on the road, etc.

There is a huge difference between running errands for family and running nanny's errands.

If it's for family - that's ok.

Nanny's private staff is not something I am willing to pay for.

So really it has nothing to do with your children or what is best for them. It's your contempt for your nanny and not wanting her to feel entitled to anything, least of all stopping by the bank or post office.

Though none of you MB's ever do ANYTHING on your company's time...all these DCUM posts must be on your days off.

It must be fun to be so self-righteous.

You had me until the bolded part. Why do so many people on DCUM do that? Stop lumping all MBs together. I know you don't like it if an MB says something negative about "all you nannies." I'm an MB who posted earlier that I had no problem with our nanny running errands with the kids. You aren't helping your cause by making all MBs out to be bad.