Anonymous wrote:I don't see how she has any spare time, considering everything she's already doing.

Anonymous wrote:Just get a housekeeper if you want the help to stay in constant motion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she tell you she's bored?

I'm not paying her to sit around on her ass all day for that rare time I need her to watch my son when he's sick. All I'm asking for is ideas of things to make her do to justify paying her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, talk to her.

I know a nanny who's been with the same family for over 12 years; both children are now in middle or high-school. She does the basic housekeeping and food prep and is then invited to lounge by the pool, watch tv, etc. Now, that isn't standard, but it is the reason she's stayed so long. She wants to nanny, not garden, so if they didn't need her to do household management she'd just switch to a family with younger kids. Your nanny might have something in mind she'd enjoy doing to help out but you'll have to ask her. Please don't try to compile a list of chores for her, sit down, have a discussion about your needs and her preferences, take some time reflect, then chat again to go over what you'd like her days to look like.

This is about your needs, not hers. Figure out what you need the person in her position to do now that your kids are getting older, write up a new job description, tell her you love her and would like her to stay if she is interested. If she's not, you've outgrown each other and it's time for you both to move on. But no, she doesn't get to select her duties. This is a job, not a country club.

Yes, this is a job but OP also wants the stability of her nanny for her children. She needs the nanny to do pick up and drop off as well as be available for holidays, vacation days as well as sick days at a moment's notice. This is a nanny job - and you cannot ask your nanny to wash your car or mow your lawn just because she has a few hours free.

Exactly. As a nanny, I will not morph into a housekeeper any more than my doctor will morph into my chauffeur.

You might not, but many do. We have 4 children. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 5. She's been with us for 16 years and has always done an amazing job keeping the house organized and as the kids have gotten older has done more housekeeping duties. We have plans to keep her employed for another 10 years. And yes, she is a high end nanny. She does no heavy cleaning, we have other people who do that.

Just my guess, but most nannies would not walk away from her kind of set up. We're a 7 figure family and could nor have accomplished what we have without her and she's rewarded.

If you started her at a fair DC wage then she is making at LEAST $36/hr right now, and in another 10 years you will be paying her $46 an hour? You are the definition of a chump! If I was your nanny I would stay too, with a clueless MB like you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, talk to her.

I know a nanny who's been with the same family for over 12 years; both children are now in middle or high-school. She does the basic housekeeping and food prep and is then invited to lounge by the pool, watch tv, etc. Now, that isn't standard, but it is the reason she's stayed so long. She wants to nanny, not garden, so if they didn't need her to do household management she'd just switch to a family with younger kids. Your nanny might have something in mind she'd enjoy doing to help out but you'll have to ask her. Please don't try to compile a list of chores for her, sit down, have a discussion about your needs and her preferences, take some time reflect, then chat again to go over what you'd like her days to look like.

This is about your needs, not hers. Figure out what you need the person in her position to do now that your kids are getting older, write up a new job description, tell her you love her and would like her to stay if she is interested. If she's not, you've outgrown each other and it's time for you both to move on. But no, she doesn't get to select her duties. This is a job, not a country club.

Yes, this is a job but OP also wants the stability of her nanny for her children. She needs the nanny to do pick up and drop off as well as be available for holidays, vacation days as well as sick days at a moment's notice. This is a nanny job - and you cannot ask your nanny to wash your car or mow your lawn just because she has a few hours free.

Exactly. As a nanny, I will not morph into a housekeeper any more than my doctor will morph into my chauffeur.

You might not, but many do. We have 4 children. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 5. She's been with us for 16 years and has always done an amazing job keeping the house organized and as the kids have gotten older has done more housekeeping duties. We have plans to keep her employed for another 10 years. And yes, she is a high end nanny. She does no heavy cleaning, we have other people who do that.

Just my guess, but most nannies would not walk away from her kind of set up. We're a 7 figure family and could nor have accomplished what we have without her and she's rewarded.

If you started her at a fair DC wage then she is making at LEAST $36/hr right now, and in another 10 years you will be paying her $46 an hour? You are the definition of a chump! If I was your nanny I would stay too, with a clueless MB like you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, talk to her.

I know a nanny who's been with the same family for over 12 years; both children are now in middle or high-school. She does the basic housekeeping and food prep and is then invited to lounge by the pool, watch tv, etc. Now, that isn't standard, but it is the reason she's stayed so long. She wants to nanny, not garden, so if they didn't need her to do household management she'd just switch to a family with younger kids. Your nanny might have something in mind she'd enjoy doing to help out but you'll have to ask her. Please don't try to compile a list of chores for her, sit down, have a discussion about your needs and her preferences, take some time reflect, then chat again to go over what you'd like her days to look like.

This is about your needs, not hers. Figure out what you need the person in her position to do now that your kids are getting older, write up a new job description, tell her you love her and would like her to stay if she is interested. If she's not, you've outgrown each other and it's time for you both to move on. But no, she doesn't get to select her duties. This is a job, not a country club.

Yes, this is a job but OP also wants the stability of her nanny for her children. She needs the nanny to do pick up and drop off as well as be available for holidays, vacation days as well as sick days at a moment's notice. This is a nanny job - and you cannot ask your nanny to wash your car or mow your lawn just because she has a few hours free.

Exactly. As a nanny, I will not morph into a housekeeper any more than my doctor will morph into my chauffeur.

You might not, but many do. We have 4 children. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 5. She's been with us for 16 years and has always done an amazing job keeping the house organized and as the kids have gotten older has done more housekeeping duties. We have plans to keep her employed for another 10 years. And yes, she is a high end nanny. She does no heavy cleaning, we have other people who do that.

Just my guess, but most nannies would not walk away from her kind of set up. We're a 7 figure family and could nor have accomplished what we have without her and she's rewarded.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she tell you she's bored?

I'm not paying her to sit around on her ass all day for that rare time I need her to watch my son when he's sick. All I'm asking for is ideas of things to make her do to justify paying her.

nannydebsays wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she tell you she's bored?

I'm not paying her to sit around on her ass all day for that rare time I need her to watch my son when he's sick. All I'm asking for is ideas of things to make her do to justify paying her.

So your child never has school holidays or summer break time? Because THAT is what you are paying her for - to be available to either drop everything and come to care for a sick child, or to work full day(s) when your kid(s) have no school.

If you are concerned about money, consider this: You decide to only pay her for before and after school hours. Therefore, she is able to do much less for you wrt to household stuff than she does now. In addition, she will likely get a second job, and will no longer be able to work full days when you need her. So if a kid is sick, or when there is no school, you will be paying for a temp nanny to cover the times your current nanny is not available. Temporary care agencies charge application and placement fees, and cannot usually guarantee you'll get the same sitter every time, so you'll be doing a lot more "managing" of your childcare.

Yep, you'll save money, but your life will become more complicated and busy. You have to decide if that's worth the lower cost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she tell you she's bored?

I'm not paying her to sit around on her ass all day for that rare time I need her to watch my son when he's sick. All I'm asking for is ideas of things to make her do to justify paying her.

You are paying for on call.

Anonymous wrote:I am approaching this point. Something we have discussed with our nanny is her looking for a part time position doing other things that interest her in hours compatible with our needs. She lives with us as well. This would reduce our costs but not hurt her pay.