OP you may not even be able to fit 3 car seats in your car unless you have a big SUV or minivan. Even in the smaller SUVs it can be hard to get three seats in unless they are the smaller models which are not always the cheapest ones. Its not just car seats. For liability, you will to purchase a rider on your insurance. Do you expect the family to pay for this? Nannies who provide a car also usually get mileage reimbursement which is another added cost for the family.

$150-$300 for car seats, $1040 mileage reimbursement ($20 a week), + a few hundred for your insurance rider costs, + any additional outside activity fees at kid places...

This is a lot of added cost and hassle just because you are bored.

Absolutely you should have carseats..I would hate being cooped up all day. I would ask them if they would consider it...or ask around and maybe they could borrow one from someone. I would even consider buying them yourself and having them in your car. 120 for 3 carseats is well worth it not to be stuck home all day.
Also just tell the family it would be great if you could have $10 a week from activities, crafts. And that you will give them receipts, etc.
Nannies should always establish these things while interviewing..family may not even realize that this is an issue

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 20:23's point re: the craft discussion. (Ignore the weird earlier PP who's bent out of shape over $ for glitter apparently)

re: car seats...sounds lik eyou really just need 1, right? 3 extra is a LOT of money. 1 is doable. i would come up with a list of FREE places you think it would be nice to be able to take the kid to near you and ask if it's not possible for them to get a seat for the LO for your car (just 1). At times you have all kids, you'll stay home but then that makes you mobile for part of the day. (To PP, not everyone lives in walking distance to age-appropriate parks and if it's bitter cold out, that's not ideal anyway.) BUT, be prepared for them to say "no". Some MBs are really up tight about anyone driving their kids.

OP wants them to buy another SET of car seats. Where is she planning on taking all 3 kids?

Agree with 20:23's point re: the craft discussion. (Ignore the weird earlier PP who's bent out of shape over $ for glitter apparently)

re: car seats...sounds lik eyou really just need 1, right? 3 extra is a LOT of money. 1 is doable. i would come up with a list of FREE places you think it would be nice to be able to take the kid to near you and ask if it's not possible for them to get a seat for the LO for your car (just 1). At times you have all kids, you'll stay home but then that makes you mobile for part of the day. (To PP, not everyone lives in walking distance to age-appropriate parks and if it's bitter cold out, that's not ideal anyway.) BUT, be prepared for them to say "no". Some MBs are really up tight about anyone driving their kids.

regarding the crafts: have a conversation.
Nanny: "The kids really enjoy doing crafts. I'm happy to pick up some supplies of things that they like, if that will be easier for you."
MB/DB: "That would be great!"
Nanny: "Would you like to give me cash ahead of time, or do you want me to save the receipts?"
be sure to ask them about how much they want to spend on crafts. they might want you to shop in the dollar sticker section vs a $5/sheet sticker section. For example.

Regarding the car seats: 3 is a lot. Have you shopped for car seats lately? I can't imagine spending all that extra money on 3 additional car seats. (To give you an idea: cheapest booster seat at target is $25. Cheapest car seat is $40) If you're cooped up and bored, then go for walks. Are there no playgrounds near you? parks?

I tell my bosses if I need something and they buy it. Sometimes I end up laying out my own money but I always get reimbursed. You shouldn't be using your own money for crafts with the children.

As far as the car situation goes, you need to discuss this with your bosses.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would be REALLY pissed off if my nanny took it upon herself to decide to purchase shit and then shoved a receipt at me demanding I reimburse her. YOU like to do crafts. Then YOU pay for YOUR hobby. If you were saying "my charges seem to really enjoy crafts" that would be another story.

We have a long list of approved places our nanny can take the baby, and the nanny handles his clothes so will send me a shopping cart from a website saying, "He's going through a growth spurt so I've pulled some 2T pants that will match with his tops; shall I pick these up next time we're near Children's Place?" and I will authorize those purchases. We leave petty cash for the nanny but it's VERY clear what it's to be used for.

You should really talk to the parents about art supplies IF it's the children who like it, not you.

She said she likes to do crafts with the children. 99% of kids love to do crafts. I doubt the nanny is asking the family to buy markers and paper so that she can sit and enjoy coloring. I mean, really? You sound arrogant.

My MB always tell me to get whatever I think would be good. She doesn't have self-esteem problems, thank God.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would be REALLY pissed off if my nanny took it upon herself to decide to purchase shit and then shoved a receipt at me demanding I reimburse her. YOU like to do crafts. Then YOU pay for YOUR hobby. If you were saying "my charges seem to really enjoy crafts" that would be another story.

We have a long list of approved places our nanny can take the baby, and the nanny handles his clothes so will send me a shopping cart from a website saying, "He's going through a growth spurt so I've pulled some 2T pants that will match with his tops; shall I pick these up next time we're near Children's Place?" and I will authorize those purchases. We leave petty cash for the nanny but it's VERY clear what it's to be used for.

You should really talk to the parents about art supplies IF it's the children who like it, not you.

Why are you getting an attitude? You're being very rude for no reason. The nanny is planning on speaking with the family about this.

OP, I would be REALLY pissed off if my nanny took it upon herself to decide to purchase shit and then shoved a receipt at me demanding I reimburse her. YOU like to do crafts. Then YOU pay for YOUR hobby. If you were saying "my charges seem to really enjoy crafts" that would be another story.

We have a long list of approved places our nanny can take the baby, and the nanny handles his clothes so will send me a shopping cart from a website saying, "He's going through a growth spurt so I've pulled some 2T pants that will match with his tops; shall I pick these up next time we're near Children's Place?" and I will authorize those purchases. We leave petty cash for the nanny but it's VERY clear what it's to be used for.

You should really talk to the parents about art supplies IF it's the children who like it, not you.

I have extra carseats for my car. But why can't they just give you the carseats and you give them back at the end of the day?

I would give them several options for dealing with the craft supplies.

a. You purchase the items, give them the receipt, and they reimburse you.
b. You let them know what items need to be purchased and they can do it in their free time.
c. They leave money in a petty cash fund for your use on crafts.

Don't let yourself get caught up in buying all of their craft supplies! In a previous nannying position I spent well over $500 in the span of a year on food, activities, and crafts for the kids. I loved them and wanted them to be doing fun things so I did it -- never again! I don't mind spending a little money here and a little money there but if it is a regular thing you need to be reimbursed.

In terms of the driving the kids around issue... that is a big more difficult to deal with. You can come up with a list of activities in town that you think the children would enjoy and tell MB and DB that you would really love to be able to get out of the house with the kids more often. You can ask them if they were planning on getting a set of car seats for your car anytime soon. I wouldn't recommend purchasing the seats yourself. If it is not in their budget to get your car seats then you will just have to wait until it is.

OP here. Are you actually complimenting my writing style or being sarcastic in a way? I can never tell with people on this board.

Nice writing style. No, you should not be cooped up all day. It'd make me feel like a pet.

Nanny here. I have been a nanny for this family for 6 months now. I usually like to do crafts with the children, but lately our stock has been getting low (it's just stuff that Santa brought and that grandma gave them). Usually I would just go grab things periodically and not think twice about it, but I'm starting to realize how much that's actually costing me. What's the best way to approach my boss about this? I don't want to put stress on them by giving them a list of items to go buy. Should I keep receipts and ask for reimbursement? Or see if they can set up some sort of fund like an envelope with 20 bucks or so in it for us to go buy craft supplies? I just feel weird asking for money.

Second, I currently do not transport them at all. Three children, and the dad takes them to preschool while I stay home with the youngest. It's driving me nuts being cooped up here all day. But they don't have extra carseats. The dad has been able to leave the car there before so I can take them out, but that's rare because obviously he needs the car for work. How do your families do it? I was thinking of mentioning them buying another set of carseats for my use. Is this over the line? Or is it common for people to do that? It would just be nice to be able to take them on little outings. Any insight would be appreciated!