What is wrong with new parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see why you think your base pay includes hours of downtime and you should be paid extra to not sit on a couch. Parents set rates based on the market, affordability, and financial planning. We had no problem finding great candidates that didn't object to light housekeeping and had done it in previous jobs.

Parents and nannies need to be upfront on what is being required and what is being accepted. However, the job needs do change. Nannies know very well that some tasks go away and others will replace those tasks. Nannies also know how much kids nap which many first time parents don't realize.

I've actually never had time to sit on their couch. The job changes as the child grows - e.g I am not making baby food now but I will happily do so. I am not running around in the park after my change now but will happily do so. My current change sleeps for one and a half hours in his crib during the day - his morning and late afternoon nap are both taken during walks in his stroller (my employers live in an apartment - the baby would get no fresh air if I didn't take him for walks). I have more than enough to do during the hour and a half he is sleeping. AND over 64% of all SIDS cases happen in custodial care - I check my baby-charge every few minutes.

If you have found good nannies who will clean your house you are short-changing your child. Again, would you want your child's teacher in preschool to be preoccupied doing other things?

LOL. Isn't it amazing that so many parents manage to keep their babies alive during naps while also washing dishes, doing laundry, preparing meals, and--gasp--occasionally vacuuming! Babies in the care of their parents are really getting shortchanged.

Nannies are NOT substitute mothers! And yes, if you employ a nanny as a housekeeper your child is getting short-changed without doubt or exception. And you if, as a SAHM, are using your child's daytime, waking hours to vacuum, you are short-changing your child as well. Everyone knows the first five years are the most important - the first nine months create 75% of all brain synapses in a baby. A mother does not have only 8 to 10 hours to complete household chores and usually has a partner there to help her - a nanny doesn't. If you are a working mother, use on day on the weekend to ONLY tend to your child and their housekeeping tasks, (bottles, all baby laundry, making baby food, setting play dates, cleaning their rooms and bathrooms, disinfecting toys, etc) for the hours you employ your nanny with NO help from your husband or older children and see how much free time you have. Not only will you learn something - your child will have a great day.

[Anonymous]

This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

So the values my nanny and I teach my child, including to take responsibility around the house, to multitask successfully, and to be engaged by the things around him are going to serve as an impediment to going to college? You're a troll, right? You are definitely an entertaining one though! But either way, you are right - I know what's best for my kids. Most parents do. Thanks for acknowledging that! And FWIW - our nanny neither makes our bed nor does our laundry but thanks for reading!

[Anonymous]

When I do things like laundry or straightening up, the children help. Are they the best at folding laundry, no, but they are learning how to one day do these things for themselves. They can also help load and unload a dishwasher and help do little chores around the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

Did you go to college? Because clearly you have no idea what it takes to be "college-material." You've also clearly never read any child development books because then you would know the benefits to doing household chores while talking to your infant about what you are doing (just like PP said her nanny does). What about children with a SAHP who spends the day doing household chores with their children? Do you think none of those children go to college and go on to be successful?

If a parent posted that they hired someone (not a nanny) to do all those chores including the children's laundry, make beds, clear their rooms etc you'd be the first person to post that parents should be teaching their children those things, not outsourcing them, because the children will grow up entitled never knowing how to do anything for themselves. So it's ok for the parents to show children how to do laundry but not the nanny (who by the way WANTS to do those things). It's fine if, as a nanny, you don't want to do those things but don't pretend it's bad for the children if you do. You just don't want to.

[Anonymous]

My mom stayed home with my siblings and me until the youngest was around five. She did household work (both indoor and outdoor) for most of the day, but engaged with is while doing it. She had an almost half acre (or full acre?) organic garden, canned our food, made complicated meals, kept the house spotless, and, after my parents purchased a hardware store, brought us there with her while she worked part time. She most certainly did not get help from my dad with anything domestic, ever, and the expectation was that domestic tasks were conducted during the "workday".

Despite this tragic neglect at my mother's feet, I grew up to be an excellent student, great college, top law school, highly prestigious jobs, now working in what many would describe as a dream job. Oh, and I know how to take care of my home, make my own meals, and wash my own laundry.

Just imagine how differently my life would have turned out if only my mother had stuck to child-related tasks while caring for me. If only she'd done more reading on hold development, sanitized my toys a bit more often, and researched child friendly events or opportunities. Maybe I'd have been able to make something of myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

Did you go to college? Because clearly you have no idea what it takes to be "college-material." You've also clearly never read any child development books because then you would know the benefits to doing household chores while talking to your infant about what you are doing (just like PP said her nanny does). What about children with a SAHP who spends the day doing household chores with their children? Do you think none of those children go to college and go on to be successful?

If a parent posted that they hired someone (not a nanny) to do all those chores including the children's laundry, make beds, clear their rooms etc you'd be the first person to post that parents should be teaching their children those things, not outsourcing them, because the children will grow up entitled never knowing how to do anything for themselves. So it's ok for the parents to show children how to do laundry but not the nanny (who by the way WANTS to do those things). It's fine if, as a nanny, you don't want to do those things but don't pretend it's bad for the children if you do. You just don't want to.

Yes, Dear, I have a masters in Early Childhood Education. What about you? And as smart as my infant charges are, they don't learn anything from watching me do the lazy parent's laundry. Every single nanny posting and I have clearly written that they feel that the charge's laundry, cooking, cleaning and upkeep is the nanny's responsibility.

You really need to stop trying to justify having your nanny made your bed and do your laundry - I'm embarrassed for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

Did you go to college? Because clearly you have no idea what it takes to be "college-material." You've also clearly never read any child development books because then you would know the benefits to doing household chores while talking to your infant about what you are doing (just like PP said her nanny does). What about children with a SAHP who spends the day doing household chores with their children? Do you think none of those children go to college and go on to be successful?

If a parent posted that they hired someone (not a nanny) to do all those chores including the children's laundry, make beds, clear their rooms etc you'd be the first person to post that parents should be teaching their children those things, not outsourcing them, because the children will grow up entitled never knowing how to do anything for themselves. So it's ok for the parents to show children how to do laundry but not the nanny (who by the way WANTS to do those things). It's fine if, as a nanny, you don't want to do those things but don't pretend it's bad for the children if you do. You just don't want to.

Yes, Dear, I have a masters in Early Childhood Education. What about you? And as smart as my infant charges are, they don't learn anything from watching me do the lazy parent's laundry. Every single nanny posting and I have clearly written that they feel that the charge's laundry, cooking, cleaning and upkeep is the nanny's responsibility.

You really need to stop trying to justify having your nanny made your bed and do your laundry - I'm embarrassed for you.

Out of genuine curiosity, how is it meaningfully different to a child whose laundry you are doing? Doing laundry is doing laundry ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Yes, I am absolutely asserting that a nanny forced to do housekeeping tasks shortchanges the child. Was that not clear the first three times I wrote it? However, I'm sure you know what is best for your children - hey, not every child grows up to be "college-material". I hear with global warming that the need for air conditioner repair people will be great. Why not look back on your child's most formative years and be proud of the fact that you never had to make your own bed or wash your own stained underpants?!

Did you go to college? Because clearly you have no idea what it takes to be "college-material." You've also clearly never read any child development books because then you would know the benefits to doing household chores while talking to your infant about what you are doing (just like PP said her nanny does). What about children with a SAHP who spends the day doing household chores with their children? Do you think none of those children go to college and go on to be successful?

If a parent posted that they hired someone (not a nanny) to do all those chores including the children's laundry, make beds, clear their rooms etc you'd be the first person to post that parents should be teaching their children those things, not outsourcing them, because the children will grow up entitled never knowing how to do anything for themselves. So it's ok for the parents to show children how to do laundry but not the nanny (who by the way WANTS to do those things). It's fine if, as a nanny, you don't want to do those things but don't pretend it's bad for the children if you do. You just don't want to.

Yes, Dear, I have a masters in Early Childhood Education. What about you? And as smart as my infant charges are, they don't learn anything from watching me do the lazy parent's laundry. Every single nanny posting and I have clearly written that they feel that the charge's laundry, cooking, cleaning and upkeep is the nanny's responsibility.

You really need to stop trying to justify having your nanny made your bed and do your laundry - I'm embarrassed for you.

You really need to stop justifying being lazy with your supposed Masters in Early Childhood Education, I'm embarrassed for you. How sad and bitter it must make you to have spent time and money on a degree that gets you the same job as someone with a GED.

[Anonymous]

This thread has gotten hilarious! Are you seriously suggesting that doing any non-child related household tasks shortchanges the child? Do you really think it makes a difference to a baby whether you are washing his bottle or his mother's coffee mug? This has to be a troll post, right? A random developmental psych class in college is not a substitute for actual experience with children ...

What household tasks a nanny provides are really between her and her employers. This isn't a one size fits all and there is no "industry standard" here. Most kids nap for 1.5-3 hours a day (in multiple naps or one long one) and when they no longer do that, they are typically in preschool so most nannies have some down time in their day to help out. And IRL every nanny we interviewed volunteered the various household tasks she had previously performed so obviously not all nannies share the views of the nannies on this thread.

Better than using downtime though, our nanny does a number of non-child related things for us including loading and unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and buying groceries, but I have noticed that she tends to do almost all her household tasks (child related or not) with DC in tow, making them into a fun and engaging game for him. When he was a baby, she'd sit him somewhere safe and talk to him the entire time, narrating what she was doing and holding things up for him to see. When he got old enough to "help" he'd do that too (even though helping sometimes meant sitting in the laundry basket handing armfuls of clothes to her) and now at 2.5, he always wants to rinse off plates after meals or help me unload the dishwasher or "fold" the laundry. We've never asked her to make our bed but I can only imagine that she's find some way of making that into a fun game for DC as well. I think it does make things go slower but it is teaching DC important skills for life as well as keeping him engaged, entertained, and out of trouble. I think the only thing our nanny does while he's napping is vacuum and it takes about ten minutes so she still has plenty of time for a nice long break. Everyone wins and we will do whatever we can to keep her for years!

FWIW - our nanny has repeatedly told us that she considers household tasks like vacuuming and grocery shopping to be "child related" because they benefit the entire family, including the kids, and because they enable us - after a long day of work - to give DC the thing kids really need the most to thrive developmentally - time with his parents.

Finally, a voice of reason. Excellent post.

[Anonymous]

A child shouldn't see the parents vacuum?

[Anonymous]

I note there has been no response to a PP's good question of how it is meaningfully different for a child to watch the nanny do kids laundry versus adults. That's a bit telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I note there has been no response to a PP's good question of how it is meaningfully different for a child to watch the nanny do kids laundry versus adults. That's a bit telling.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I note there has been no response to a PP's good question of how it is meaningfully different for a child to watch the nanny do kids laundry versus adults. That's a bit telling.

+1.

Right. Just like there were no meaningful responses to a few nanny responses in which we illustrated specific ways we spend our time, and how incredibly entitled and unreasonable it is to hold against a childcare provider the fact that she only wants to engage in child care. How dare she not want to make your bed or do your laundry! Perhaps you should demand it of your plumber or your contractor.