Cell phone use - what is acceptable?

[Anonymous]

They constantly want the nanny to play and interact with the children. Then wonder why they're so tired the two days they have to watch their kids, that they can't wait for nanny to arrive on a Monday morning, so they can get a break. I think that a nanny should do her job and not have bosses try to get every single minute of her monies worth because if you want your child constantly entertained, how are we suppose to teach them to occupy themselves and entertain themselves.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny of school-age kids, and my rule of thumb is that I only use my phone in the same room as the kids if I'm communicating with my MBor my husband, or if the kids and I are using it to find a song/google a question they had etc. And I usually mention to the kids that that's what I'm doing, so they know they're not being ignored so I can play Candy Crush or whatever. Given all the running around the house I do during the course of a day, I never have a problem responding to text messages or emails while I'm getting the kids a snack, switching the laundry, or otherwise not directly interacting with my charges. I sometimes get frustrated when I meet up with a friend and instead of being present and catching up they're scrolling their twitter feed, and I try not to do that to people in general, not just kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They constantly want the nanny to play and interact with the children. Then wonder why they're so tired the two days they have to watch their kids, that they can't wait for nanny to arrive on a Monday morning, so they can get a break. I think that a nanny should do her job and not have bosses try to get every single minute of her monies worth because if you want your child constantly entertained, how are we suppose to teach them to occupy themselves and entertain themselves.

Such nonsense. When you aren't interacting with the kids you should still be watching them or doing another child-related chore. Yours is such a ridiculous excuse to be on your phone when you are working.

Too many silly little girls out there pretending to be nannies. Work means work. You text, call and chat on your own time - like everyone else in the working world.

[Anonymous]

Shockingly everyone I know in "the real working world" make personal calls, send texts, respond to personal emails, online shop, extend their coffee breaks, have a martini at lunch, and so much more. Staring at the children while they play is weird. Do I want my nanny engrossed in her phone? No, of course not, but responsible adults can adequately supervise children while reading a magazine or the news.

[nannydebsays]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They constantly want the nanny to play and interact with the children. Then wonder why they're so tired the two days they have to watch their kids, that they can't wait for nanny to arrive on a Monday morning, so they can get a break. I think that a nanny should do her job and not have bosses try to get every single minute of her monies worth because if you want your child constantly entertained, how are we suppose to teach them to occupy themselves and entertain themselves.

Such nonsense. When you aren't interacting with the kids you should still be watching them or doing another child-related chore. Yours is such a ridiculous excuse to be on your phone when you are working.

Too many silly little girls out there pretending to be nannies. Work means work. You text, call and chat on your own time - like everyone else in the working world.

Sadly, "my own time" is before 7 am and after 7 pm. Odd how many calls to businesses can NOT be made then, so I do it during work hours. No complaints yet, likely because I keep the calls as short as possible, and don't shut myself away from the kids when on the phone.

[Anonymous]

Omg!!! How silly are some of you. You want to tell me I can't supervise my charges and speak to my husband for 1 minute?
But I can prepare a meal, do laundry, tidy up around them, change baby's diaper, put the toddler on the potty, etc
All while I have to supervise and sometimes entertain them.
Please give me a break. I raised 4 children, and it isn't hard to multi-task. Mb's expect things done when they get home or do you use the excuse of " but I was watching the kids and playing with them". I will not let anyone cut me off from the outside world. When my charges are sick I call or text my bosses. Twice the kids fevers were very high and they came home so they could make the pediatricians office before it closes at 5. So what makes it okay for them to have jobs that allow such benefits and have them deny me the same.
I will not allow anyone to tell me I cannot speak to my family any time during my work day. It is up to me to decide if I'm too busy that I would call back during the kids nap or if it's something important that I need to handle right away.
The most that can happen is I would be fired by an awful boss who me denies me access to my family. Would that bother me? Nope because my family comes first.

[Anonymous]

"Staring at the children while they play is weird." And "responsible adults can adequately supervise children while reading a magazine or the news."

It completely depends on the age of the child. A child prone to put things in their mouth (chocking hazard!) or quickly climb onto high furniture they could fall from (another safety hazard) DOES need to be watched AT.ALL.TIMES.

I do agree it also depends on whether the family expects the nanny to accomplish other chores around the house. This is why we ask the nanny not to do any chores other than our child's dishes and put away the toys used during the day. That is it. No vacuuming, no making dinner. Eyes on our child at all time. Well, actually, interacting with our child at all times, given the age of our child. I'm sure that will change as some safety hazards no longer apply. If we wanted our child to be left to their own devices (which we don't), we'd put our child in day care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg!!! How silly are some of you. You want to tell me I can't supervise my charges and speak to my husband for 1 minute?
But I can prepare a meal, do laundry, tidy up around them, change baby's diaper, put the toddler on the potty, etc
All while I have to supervise and sometimes entertain them.
Please give me a break. I raised 4 children, and it isn't hard to multi-task. Mb's expect things done when they get home or do you use the excuse of " but I was watching the kids and playing with them". I will not let anyone cut me off from the outside world. When my charges are sick I call or text my bosses. Twice the kids fevers were very high and they came home so they could make the pediatricians office before it closes at 5. So what makes it okay for them to have jobs that allow such benefits and have them deny me the same.
I will not allow anyone to tell me I cannot speak to my family any time during my work day. It is up to me to decide if I'm too busy that I would call back during the kids nap or if it's something important that I need to handle right away.
The most that can happen is I would be fired by an awful boss who me denies me access to my family. Would that bother me? Nope because my family comes first.

No, Dear, you are the silly one. I raised four children and am the nanny to two toddlers and NEVER ONCE had to call home or deal with any personal business while the child was awake. NEVER.

Some of you truly are such silly little girls. When I was a teacher we never used our phones during school hours - believe it or not - it is possible. Being a nanny is no different.

[Anonymous]

You cannot compare teaching hours to our 11-12 hour days. You sound very mature, so I don't think you view cell phones like some of us do, which means it's not an alien portable landline but a mini computer..(sorry no insult intended) It keeps us connected whether we use it at nap time or commuting to and from work.
I'm not silly but I need contact with my family during my long work day. Also not very often but I had to deal with teachers or nurses from my 2 youngest schools. I'm sorry but I don't think those things can wait until both of my charges are napping or until I get home at 8. While my husband and I decided he will be responsible for all emergencies, that doesn't exclude me from my mom role or an equal in taking care of my family.
I know you're looking for kudos but I'm really concerned about your disconnect with your own family.
I'm not a huge talker, I'm not on social media but I will never allow anyone to tell me I cannot speak to my family on the job.

[Anonymous]

In my contract with the family I nanny for it states that, I can use my cell phone for limited texting (texts here and there) but no phone calls unless the little one is asleep so I can keep all my attention on her. She is a toddler so it is more of go with the flow. I'm always beside her. At that age the child will definitely let you know if you don't pay attention to them fully. I usually text about 2-3 times max an hour because my attention is on her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my contract with the family I nanny for it states that, I can use my cell phone for limited texting (texts here and there) but no phone calls unless the little one is asleep so I can keep all my attention on her. She is a toddler so it is more of go with the flow. I'm always beside her. At that age the child will definitely let you know if you don't pay attention to them fully. I usually text about 2-3 times max an hour because my attention is on her.

You must be able to have eyes in two places. This is precisely the reason that my contract states texts are not allowed, but reasonable phone calls are permissible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot compare teaching hours to our 11-12 hour days. You sound very mature, so I don't think you view cell phones like some of us do, which means it's not an alien portable landline but a mini computer..(sorry no insult intended) It keeps us connected whether we use it at nap time or commuting to and from work.
I'm not silly but I need contact with my family during my long work day. Also not very often but I had to deal with teachers or nurses from my 2 youngest schools. I'm sorry but I don't think those things can wait until both of my charges are napping or until I get home at 8. While my husband and I decided he will be responsible for all emergencies, that doesn't exclude me from my mom role or an equal in taking care of my family.
I know you're looking for kudos but I'm really concerned about your disconnect with your own family.
I'm not a huge talker, I'm not on social media but I will never allow anyone to tell me I cannot speak to my family on the job.

The very way you put this "we don't view cell phones the way you do" shows it's a choice, not a necessity. How did people get through their days before cell phones? Do you think people were disconnected from their families back then? Did family connections not exist before cell phones were invented? I don't begrudge you your desire to talk to your family, but you are pretending that it's a necessity. It's not. It's a choice. A choice that you prefer. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an excellent nanny. I use my phone the same way most parents use theirs--to send and receive texts/emails that are necessary or important, to take pics, to look things up...I don't force myself to never look at it, because I am a human being. Amazing how many hyper controlling moms on here.

I am a nanny and carry a flip-phone when I am working that only my employers have the number to. Obviously I receive no other texts or calls but from the parents when I am with their child. It is not difficult at all! You are working - so work! If I need to make appointments during working hours, I use my break time when the children are napping. When I nanny for children who are too old to nap, I take a few seconds when they are actively engaged in something IN THE HOUSE and take the few seconds necessary to make my call. If I need to look something up, I use the house computer (again - in the home and not outdoors or in public when I should have my eyes on the children at all times).

Am I hyper controlling of myself?! LOL No, Sweetie, I am simply a grown-up and a professional.

Only your employers have the number to the phone you carry all day? Do you not have any family that may need to get in touch with you in an emergency?

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the nanny and how good she is and how responsible she is.

Up until now, our nannies have either put away their phone in the beginning of the day and never looked at it or looked at it very minimally (Basically, I never saw them do it although I know they do because sometimes they'd tell me things like "my husband's car broke down today.")

I never thought I'd be ok with a nanny using their phone more than that but we have a new nanny and she's super awesome and energetic and super present all the time. She makes home cooked meals, talks to kids a lot, plays with them, reads to them a lot, keeps the house clean. And in between all that, she is glued to her phone. I think she researches a lot of things for the job during the day. Anyway, I think we'd have a hard time finding someone better so I'm OK with her being on the phone the amount of time she is.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny employer, I would have a hard time not using my phone for personal business during the day. There are always minor family things to check in on, appointments to make, etc. I don't let it interfere with my work and would expect the same from a nanny. Anyone I trust my children with can certainly be expected to make good choices about phone use.