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[quote=Anonymous]I see on this forum heated discussions about whether or not light housework related to the kids is part of the nanny role.

I was aware that this is a topic that is raised in this market (DC, MD, VA) and having had a long term nanny that always found a way to help regardless of what was in her contract or specifically asked of her, I felt that it made sense to note specifically in my ad, discuss it at interview and also list specifically the basic child related housework we expected in our nanny contract - kids dishes, kids laundry, tidy toys and kids bedrooms. Our nanny absolutely and cheerfully acknowledged that she always did these things and was happy to do them.

I am now a little surprised to find myself with a nanny who gets grumpy when asked to do these things and resists or avoids these tasks if she can, and has yet to wash a single item of clothing (even when my baby had a diaper leak accident and just left soiled clothes and sheets sitting in the washing machine that I later found) and will leave at the end of the day with a pile of dishes in the sink, food on the floor.

I appreciate that some nannies do not want this in their role but I was very clear this was part of the job with us. While spending time playing with my kids (and making a mess) is more fun for my 3 boys. However, isn't it obvious that it is better for them that they have a little alone play time during the day while some of these other chores get done so that they can get more time playing and reading with their parents when we get home. At the moment my husband and I are a little shocked by the kid related housework we need to deal with every day when we walk in the door!

I would say we have been spoilt in the past but our previous experience was in line with virtually all of our friends with nannies (living in SF). Is light kid related housework a really such a big ask? And why not be upfront in the interview that your are actually not willing to do these tasks?

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