Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here - It's not the same to me because in an office setting a pen or pencil is there for the use of the employees and the cost is negligible.

Are you suggesting the nanny bring her own toilet paper to use while working?

I don't think the pp is suggesting that...it IS unusual to take a WHOLE roll of toilet paper to your own home, no? Since when did your employers' household become a free super market?

Anonymous wrote:PP here - It's not the same to me because in an office setting a pen or pencil is there for the use of the employees and the cost is negligible.

Are you suggesting the nanny bring her own toilet paper to use while working?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

While that is technically stealing I guess, taking a pen or pencil is not the same as taking a whole roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste.

Taking a pen or pencil or other office supplies is just as petty as taking small household items such as a roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste, the cost of which is negligible. OP is this really something you'd be willing to lose a nanny you otherwise like over? Tell her that you've noticed some things missing and just want to let her know to ask first if she needs something. That should be enough to shame her into not taking any more items, or if she's ballsy she'll ask you next time since she knows you'll notice.

PP here - It's not the same to me because in an office setting a pen or pencil is there for the use of the employees and the cost is negligible. I've been a nanny for the past 3 years, but previously worked as an admin and there was never a problem when I took a pen home by pure mistake, as my boss didn't care and laughed when I apologized. Maybe that's why it seems different to me. To me, taking toilet paper and toothpaste home - those are the type of items you are supposed to buy yourself.

Okay, yes.

But what if she'd been sick and hadn't been able to get her shopping done, so she took them home with the intention of replacing them next week? Maybe she was embarrassed to admit it to her boss and was hoping no one would notice before she put new ones back in their place. ]

OP just ask her, don't ask us.

Anonymous wrote:Stealing is stealing. Ask her about it, if she doesn't come clean, I don't care how much she makes your daughter smile, fire her. You don't know what else has or will go missing.

+1 Doesn't matter what the cost is.

Stealing is stealing. Ask her about it, if she doesn't come clean, I don't care how much she makes your daughter smile, fire her. You don't know what else has or will go missing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

While that is technically stealing I guess, taking a pen or pencil is not the same as taking a whole roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste.

Taking a pen or pencil or other office supplies is just as petty as taking small household items such as a roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste, the cost of which is negligible. OP is this really something you'd be willing to lose a nanny you otherwise like over? Tell her that you've noticed some things missing and just want to let her know to ask first if she needs something. That should be enough to shame her into not taking any more items, or if she's ballsy she'll ask you next time since she knows you'll notice.

PP here - It's not the same to me because in an office setting a pen or pencil is there for the use of the employees and the cost is negligible. I've been a nanny for the past 3 years, but previously worked as an admin and there was never a problem when I took a pen home by pure mistake, as my boss didn't care and laughed when I apologized. Maybe that's why it seems different to me. To me, taking toilet paper and toothpaste home - those are the type of items you are supposed to buy yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

While that is technically stealing I guess, taking a pen or pencil is not the same as taking a whole roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste.

Taking a pen or pencil or other office supplies is just as petty as taking small household items such as a roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste, the cost of which is negligible. OP is this really something you'd be willing to lose a nanny you otherwise like over? Tell her that you've noticed some things missing and just want to let her know to ask first if she needs something. That should be enough to shame her into not taking any more items, or if she's ballsy she'll ask you next time since she knows you'll notice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

While that is technically stealing I guess, taking a pen or pencil is not the same as taking a whole roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste.

Really? Now we've heard it all.

Anonymous wrote:Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

While that is technically stealing I guess, taking a pen or pencil is not the same as taking a whole roll of toilet paper or tube of toothpaste.

Ask your thief to please ask you first, if she needs to take anything home. I don't, but I've seen mbs who bring home stuff from the office. You all know, pencils, paper, whatever they think they "need".

Anonymous wrote:Where would she have hidden two roles of toilet paper on her way out? My purse fits exactly everything I need and nothing more. There's no extra space in my bra.

Some women like to use larger bags. I've seen some nannies toting around colossal bags and purses.

Anonymous wrote:Where would she have hidden two roles of toilet paper on her way out? My purse fits exactly everything I need and nothing more. There's no extra space in my bra.

Maybe the nanny has a car and put items in the car while working.

OP, I would ask her, but I'm assuming she probably did take the items since you mentioned no one else could have. Yes, they are small items, but I would be upset too. I don't go around picking up household staples at my mb's home. That's pathetic.

Where would she have hidden two roles of toilet paper on her way out? My purse fits exactly everything I need and nothing more. There's no extra space in my bra.

You could ask her in a way that makes her feel comfortable telling you the truth or you could install a camera.

There are no magic solutions that you haven't thought of. Sorry.

Has this ever happened to anybody on DC Urban Mom? If so, how did you find out for sure?

I have a full time nanny who has been taking care of my 15 month old for eight months now. I went shopping at BJ's to stock up on groceries and other items like toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo. I typically go to BJ's once a month or so because I like to buy bulk as it lasts longer and I have a very hectic life being a mother who works full time myself and I tend to do all the shopping because when my child's nanny is here I want her to focus on her and not my groceries.

I went Saturday and tonight night 3 rolls of toilet paper out of a 24 pack are gone. I opened the package Sunday night and I know my family hasn't gone threw that many rolls. I also opened the six pack of toothpaste and we're not even close to being done with 1 tube yet there's only four tubes left. I started checking both bathrooms just incase but they weren't in there. I asked my husband just incase but he doesn't know either. I immediately became suspicious and started checking my kitchen and bathroom closets but I can't really determine if anything else has been missing. The only reason I noticed the toilet paper and toothpaste is because I had just purchased them a few days ago and I know the quantity and how fast things go around my home and 3 rolls of toilet paper in less then 3 days isn't normal, nor is the toothpaste.

My nanny is very soft spoken, respectful and seems very professional. I pay her very well and she doesn't seem strapped for money. My daughter smiles when she comes in. I really don't want to accuse her but I can't shake this feeling that she might be taking things hoping I don't notice. This isn't about the items in fact I'm more concerned about any thievery going on.

I don't have a nanny cam unfortunately. I plan to keep a strong eye on my next shopping because it'll be much easier for me to determine. I don't want to ask the nanny and have her assume I'm accusing her of stealing.
Please give me some suggestions on what I can do to find out without nanny knowing. I REALLY like her but if I do find out she is taking things then I'm going to have to let her go immediately. I pray I'm wrong.