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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'd like to have a conversation with our nanny about cleaning up after the kids, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable first. We do a nanny share hosted at my house and the babies are 10 months and 12 months old, so I know she has her hands full. I do not expect our nanny to do any cleaning that is not related to cleaning up after the kids, but I've been noticing that she isn't fully cleaning things that are related to daily activities. I'd like to ask her to do the following:
- After lunch, make sure to rinse all food in the sink into the garbage disposal and run the disposal; give the sink a quick wipe if food is stuck to the edges
- Make sure to clean the bottom of the high-chair tray and clean the high chair (I've noticed food stuck in the crevices on the bottom of the tray and the high chair looks like it got a quick wipe, but not a full clean)
- Check that food from lunch isn't stuck to the side of the kitchen island; if it is, wipe down
- If a lot of food got on the floor, wipe/vacuum/mop that area
- Once a week, clean the play mat in the playroom
- Once a month, wash toys that can be washed with soap and water; wipe others with toy cleaner
- Overall, help to organize the playroom and keep things consistently in the same spots so the kids can learn where their toys are and where they should be put away (I know they're too young to clean up, but I think it's good to start showing them)

Does this all sound reasonable? As a general question, what do your nannies do in terms of daily/weekly/monthly cleaning? Should I have different expectations when doing a share vs. solo?
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The first two tasks are reasonable; the rest you’d have to do it yourself. 
Also, if you’re paying top $ for a share ($35/hour) I’d kindly ask if by any chance she has time she could help out with something else. Doubtful she’d agree to do anything else if she’s not getting enough $ and taking care of two kids is a whole lot of work. [/quote]

Paying top dollar for a service you are actually getting (quality child care) does not make it an automatic pass to ask your nanny to help with something else. This is how resentment and burn out begins and typically ruins the entire relationship with you r nanny. OP take advice with a grain of salt and be weary of taking advice that involves pushing boundaries to nickel/dime and level out or "get back your money" your nanny.  Conducting a nanny share is extremely mentally and physically exhausting even for the most experienced mary poppins nanny. She is a human being. The entire time she has your children she is "ON". The only time she can turn her mind & body "off" for a mental and food/water break is during their naps (and sometimes that doesnt even happen should parents come in the way of that....many stories of how parents do this and it ultimately helps nobody)..and even then she has to split her break between eating, watching monitor, cleaning up after children or laundry or toy cleaning. She is not guaranteed an actual break where she can leave the house to get time to herself. To even "ask if by any chance she could help with something else" can come off inconsiderate and leads to the question...when else can she find time? 
You decide to pay top dollar for the work that your nanny is able and capable of giving you as far as the children and to show appreciation for her value. You don't pay top dollar to entice your nanny to accept job creeping. You can do that ofcourse but eventually expect potential burn out or resignation on the horizon. [/quote]

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