There are two options I see. One, you could limit your reimbursements to preapproved places - the library, park, music class, and one off visits that you mutually agree to like the zoo. Alternatively, you could stop this reimbursement approach altogether by adding her to your car insurance and having her use your car during the day. You'd be filling up the tank over the weekend but not giving pocket / "gas" money.

When are kids were you we gave the nanny $20 a month for gas, driving was quick distances.
Once the kids were in K-12 they had games and practices farther, and the nanny had less hours, and we paid Google mapped mileage*rate.

In OP's case the nanny is likely getting paid a full weekly salary so they need to decide on full weekly salary or different weekly salary plus al la cart gas money. Charging IRS rates to rack up cash each week like you're a traveling salesman is silly and rude.

And yes, every parent should know where their child goes on a particular day anyhow.

I swore I would never work for a family again that did this, but this may work for you if you dont limit the actual miles.

I was a live in nanny and had use of their car. I was allowed to use 700 miles a month for personal use and unlimited for stuff to do with the kids.
I had to write down in a little book ( kept in the car) where I had taken kids and the amount of miles. At the end of the month they would add up the miles and reimburse me for all the 'kid' miles based on IRS rate. They also then deducted that amount from total amount on the car to keep track of my miles.

You could have your nanny do this, then you have the actual mileage she has used with your kids. Then you can reimburse an exact amount at the end of every month.

If she chooses to take your child further distances, then I think she should pony up and pay the extra amount.

I think you should only be required to compensate her for taking your child to local venues that are close to your house that you specifically request for her to go to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it to boost pocket money or for her to socialize with her friends? Sounds like you are going to pay for her to hang out with friends.

What's the difference if she's asking for more money? She could drive to Baltimore and back chatting on the phone and charge you 140 miles ($80) and only use 4 gallon of gas ($8).
It's called arbitrage.

If it is for the child's benefit, then yes, op pays. But this is for the nanny and nanny should pay.

Anonymous wrote:Is it to boost pocket money or for her to socialize with her friends? Sounds like you are going to pay for her to hang out with friends.

What's the difference if she's asking for more money? She could drive to Baltimore and back chatting on the phone and charge you 140 miles ($80) and only use 4 gallon of gas ($8).
It's called arbitrage.

Is it to boost pocket money or for her to socialize with her friends? Sounds like you are going to pay for her to hang out with friends.

Stick to the IRS rate and make sure she gives you detailed records of all the mileage related to her driving on the job.

Then you can decide a reasonable radius within which she should confine her activities.

Whatever you do, don't give into her outrageous demands.

Anonymous wrote:I would tell Her you will pay gas money for all the places you request her to take the child. If she is choosing to go to mall to Just hang out then that's on her to pay
I'm a nanny and do get gas money for driving to school pick up and classes. If I choose to meet up with another nanny friend at a park or mall further away then that's my choice.
Just like I sometimes treat my charge to lunch or activity.

That's a nice attitude. I agree what goes around comes around. If one party starts nickel and diming things can go down a slippery slope fast. Especially with arbitrarily choosing where to drive each day.

Also, when I had a job doing after school pickup, I made a fixed amount that was quite high if I calculated it hourly. But when I was a fulltime nanny and also had to do after school pickup as part of my day, I did not bother my family for driving money on top of my hourly rate. If I was told to drive someplace far, like 10 miles one way or something, then they'd pay for gas money/mileage but other wise it was peanuts distances and I was happy with my pay anyways.

I'd ask her to keep track of all the places she goes in a week, and then use the google maps mileage to base your reimbursement on. I'd probably also tell her that any activity over X miles away needs to be approved first.

We all know the IRS rate of $0.56 was set at a time when a gallon of gas was $4.00+. And will not be rewritten down now that gas is $2.00.

Meanwhile, that's awesome I could make $10 in 10 minutes of driving to the shopping mall!

I would tell Her you will pay gas money for all the places you request her to take the child. If she is choosing to go to mall to Just hang out then that's on her to pay
I'm a nanny and do get gas money for driving to school pick up and classes. If I choose to meet up with another nanny friend at a park or mall further away then that's my choice.
Just like I sometimes treat my charge to lunch or activity.

Print out the IRS regulations. That reimbursement rate is designed to cover all costs (inclusive of gas and wear and tear) incurred in using one's personal vehicle for work purposes.

Approach it from a purely professional perspective. "We are following the IRS regulations in how we are legally required to reimburse you." Period.

It sure doesn't bode well for the relationship.

The rate pays to cover wear and tear on the car, too, so I would try your best to not worry about that.

Be upfront with her and tell her that you would like her to stay close to home because you don't want to pay for gas money to get places that are far away when there are plenty of things to do close by.

We have a nanny who drives our 2 yo a couple places a week, all of which are 2 miles away or less (Gymboree, library, playdates). She does not like to drive on the beltway or go down to DC.

Recently she met a new nanny friend from a class and they've started meeting up 5-15 miles away at places (shopping malls, horse rides etc.). She has also started asking for more and more "gas money."

We pay the IRS rate, which on most weeks amounts to ~$5 for 8 miles, which everyone knows uses less than a quarter gallon of gas. She drives her friends around a ton on the weekends.

Now she's asking for $30 and 40 extra a week citing she drove "far distances". We're not in a position to pay someone $10 to go to the Mall once a day, it just feels wrong. Especially when its only 10 minutes away.

Anyone else have any solutions or ideas? We gave her an 11% raise in late December and now she's asking for $100-120 more per month cash because in addition to being paid as a nanny she wants to be paid more as a driver.
I don't see how this will not affect our relationship or any future raises.