I'm an MB and nanny takes the bus to our house. Baby is 6 months. They go for walks once or twice a day. We have a bunch of playgrounds within walking distance. They hang out and play in the back yard. Play in 4 rooms in the house. It's plenty. That and baby naps for 3 hrs a day and is up for 3 hrs at a time max. I would want her to be in the car for 20 min each way just to go somewhere for the sake of going somewhere. When she's older and stays up longer, sure.

I think it's fine if u don't want a driving nanny. Some people have a fear of driving as well so u will definitely find someone. Maybe once a week hire an Uber to take nanny and baby somewhere fun to alleviate boring. I would work for u cause I hate driving around. My current job I don't need to drive and I love it. Just drive to family home that's it.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the responses. It seems split between MB's who have children (and may better understand the emotional/irrational fear of others driving their kids) and nannies who don't want to be "stuck" or "bored."

I think my main concern is that in the short term, the value to DC of going places is small to none (park and home are really enough), so the additional risk doesn't seem worth it. Also-- happy for nannies to weigh in, but it seems like a nanny would prefer to earn a little more per hour and not drive, rather than us leasing a car for her (but then not being able to afford as high a salary). In time, when DC is older and benefits more from music/art/whatever classes or pre-k, yes, I think driving would make more sense then.

It seems clear that as we hire, we need to set expectations and find a nanny who would be OK not driving for at least a little while while we get to know her-- we obviously don't want some one who will "grow to resent" us. And to the PP-- yes, I have stayed home 40+ hours-- basically my whole maternity leave, since DC fed on demand and was either eating or sleeping all day. One walk a day is about all we can fit in between naps-- and I would rather DC sleep in the crib than car seat.

(Also, FWIW, I am in education as well and totally disagree that all children- particularly infants- need to be schlepped all over having new experiences. There is plenty to discover at home and outside in parks for the first year-- and just look at how much the Montassori method focuses on skills and things in the home!)

I worked for a family for three years and did not drive, everything we did was in walking distance and I got very creative. You can find this OP and as a nanny I understand concerns and would find a way to work it.

Thank you for the responses. It seems split between MB's who have children (and may better understand the emotional/irrational fear of others driving their kids) and nannies who don't want to be "stuck" or "bored."

I think my main concern is that in the short term, the value to DC of going places is small to none (park and home are really enough), so the additional risk doesn't seem worth it. Also-- happy for nannies to weigh in, but it seems like a nanny would prefer to earn a little more per hour and not drive, rather than us leasing a car for her (but then not being able to afford as high a salary). In time, when DC is older and benefits more from music/art/whatever classes or pre-k, yes, I think driving would make more sense then.

It seems clear that as we hire, we need to set expectations and find a nanny who would be OK not driving for at least a little while while we get to know her-- we obviously don't want some one who will "grow to resent" us. And to the PP-- yes, I have stayed home 40+ hours-- basically my whole maternity leave, since DC fed on demand and was either eating or sleeping all day. One walk a day is about all we can fit in between naps-- and I would rather DC sleep in the crib than car seat.

(Also, FWIW, I am in education as well and totally disagree that all children- particularly infants- need to be schlepped all over having new experiences. There is plenty to discover at home and outside in parks for the first year-- and just look at how much the Montassori method focuses on skills and things in the home!)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's perfectly acceptable to restrict the nanny's driving for 6 months to a year (trips at that point are for the nanny, not LO). After that, I'd say you need to take some steps to become comfortable with nanny driving; ride in the car with them for a few trips (or have a trusted adult do it), ask for check-ins when departing/arriving (there are apps that can share GPS pins if that would help), go over ground rules and make sure whoever is driving can safely deal with unexpected road events (like a flat tire) according to your wishes.

I know it seems like this isn't something you will ever be truly comfortable but it is going to be a part of your life from now until your child is driving on their own, best to start somewhere!

And, despite what you are going to hear here, there are plenty of nannies who understand the anxiety that parents have about driving and won't push you to drive their LO around until you are ready for it. You aren't damaging (or isolating) anyone by not allowing car trips right away!

They really don't need to go out beyond the park or your backyard before they can walk.

Where did you recieve your ECE degree? If you actually had one, you'd realize how absolutely ridiculous and false your statement is.

Anonymous wrote:It's perfectly acceptable to restrict the nanny's driving for 6 months to a year (trips at that point are for the nanny, not LO). After that, I'd say you need to take some steps to become comfortable with nanny driving; ride in the car with them for a few trips (or have a trusted adult do it), ask for check-ins when departing/arriving (there are apps that can share GPS pins if that would help), go over ground rules and make sure whoever is driving can safely deal with unexpected road events (like a flat tire) according to your wishes.

I know it seems like this isn't something you will ever be truly comfortable but it is going to be a part of your life from now until your child is driving on their own, best to start somewhere!

And, despite what you are going to hear here, there are plenty of nannies who understand the anxiety that parents have about driving and won't push you to drive their LO around until you are ready for it. You aren't damaging (or isolating) anyone by not allowing car trips right away!

They really don't need to go out beyond the park or your backyard before they can walk.

I have met families who prohibit their child's nanny from doing any on-the-job driving around & always thought this was odd considering that more accidents happen in the home.

Also a pedestrian pushing a baby stroller seems a much more dangerous prospect vs. one transporting a child in a vehicle.

It's much more scarier being a pedestrian in my opinion.
I always feel so vulnerable to everything.

That being said, is this a 30+ hour position?
Are you looking to keep this nanny on past two years old??

If yes to the above questions, then I would seriously re-consider.
Reason being is that you do not want a bored nanny.
Because a bored nanny = unhappy nanny which translates to an unhappy child w/a revolving door of future nannies which is never a good thing.

To ease your anxiety overall, see a recent printout of your nanny's driving record along w/proof of current car insurance.

You can even ask her to have her vehicle professionally inspected by a qualified auto mechanic at your expense of course.
Or lease a car just for the nanny's usage during her shifts.

Hope this helps!

Maybe look for a neighborhood nanny who doesn't drive. But seriously, how many hours a week will she be stuck there?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will not keep a nanny very long if you don't allow her to drive. 3 reasons:


1. She will get bored very, very fast. Have you ever stayed in the house (or 1 park) with an infant for (presumably) 40+ hours per week? I have. It was awful and I qui my job after having grown to resent my employers.
2. Your baby needs to see people other than your nanny. She will be spending a bulk of her awake time with 1 person. She needs to experience other people, sounds, smells and sights.
3. She know you don't trust her. This is a huge reason. Her best will never be good enough because she knows you won't trust her no matter what.

You have to let go a little bit OP.

1. Plenty of people survive, dare I say thrive, without spending all day driving to museums, gymboree, and target. Any good childcare provider should be able to be entertained/ing and happy without constant stimulation. The best place for babies is at home, despite how bored you may find it.
2. Babies can get all of the stimulation that they need by taking a walk to the park or around the neighborhood. New sights, sounds, and smells can happen on the weekends when the parents are comfortable transporting their child in a car.
3. Of course the parents don't trust the nanny outright! Trust is earned. If you equate this with someone never being able to trust you no matter what (talk about dramatic!) you are in the wrong field...though I suspect this anyways from the majority of your response.

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

1. Who said constant stimulation? Despite your claim that people thrive while being isolated, I still stand by my statement that it is important for both nanny and baby to experience new people and places. It doesn't even need to be everyday.

2. So, you are saying that the baby can experience new sights, smells, people and experiences 2 out of 7 days per week? Those other 5 days aren't important? Do you actually spend time with children? If you did, you would know how integral and vital exposure to other people is to a young mind. I'm not saying a 3 month old needs to go to a museum. A 5,6 or 7 month old? Absolutely! It is wonderful for them to go to story time and watch children, to listen to a new voice read a story he has never heard. It's great for a 9 month old to go to breakfast with his nanny and try a new food for the first time. A 1 year old would love the opportunity to splash around at the spray ground on a nice day. These are things that can be done with the parents, but children need more than a weekend here and there to learn about the world.

3. Dramatic? I have worked for people like OP. They NEVER trust their nannies. Ever. It's not a matter of dramatics. Their personalities and anxieties are just such that they can't trust anyone. It doesn't matter if the nanny has been with them for a month or a year. Trust can't be earned because they are incapable of giving it.

I have been a nanny for 10 years. I was a teacher for 4 years prior to becoming a nanny. I am damn, damn good at what I do.

Anonymous wrote:You will not keep a nanny very long if you don't allow her to drive. 3 reasons:


1. She will get bored very, very fast. Have you ever stayed in the house (or 1 park) with an infant for (presumably) 40+ hours per week? I have. It was awful and I qui my job after having grown to resent my employers.
2. Your baby needs to see people other than your nanny. She will be spending a bulk of her awake time with 1 person. She needs to experience other people, sounds, smells and sights.
3. She know you don't trust her. This is a huge reason. Her best will never be good enough because she knows you won't trust her no matter what.

You have to let go a little bit OP.

1. Plenty of people survive, dare I say thrive, without spending all day driving to museums, gymboree, and target. Any good childcare provider should be able to be entertained/ing and happy without constant stimulation. The best place for babies is at home, despite how bored you may find it.
2. Babies can get all of the stimulation that they need by taking a walk to the park or around the neighborhood. New sights, sounds, and smells can happen on the weekends when the parents are comfortable transporting their child in a car.
3. Of course the parents don't trust the nanny outright! Trust is earned. If you equate this with someone never being able to trust you no matter what (talk about dramatic!) you are in the wrong field...though I suspect this anyways from the majority of your response.

It's perfectly acceptable to restrict the nanny's driving for 6 months to a year (trips at that point are for the nanny, not LO). After that, I'd say you need to take some steps to become comfortable with nanny driving; ride in the car with them for a few trips (or have a trusted adult do it), ask for check-ins when departing/arriving (there are apps that can share GPS pins if that would help), go over ground rules and make sure whoever is driving can safely deal with unexpected road events (like a flat tire) according to your wishes.

I know it seems like this isn't something you will ever be truly comfortable but it is going to be a part of your life from now until your child is driving on their own, best to start somewhere!

And, despite what you are going to hear here, there are plenty of nannies who understand the anxiety that parents have about driving and won't push you to drive their LO around until you are ready for it. You aren't damaging (or isolating) anyone by not allowing car trips right away!

I'm a MB. I have four children, and years of nannies, carpools, grandparents, etc. driving my children.

I still have a little flutter of fear when my child leaves in someone else's car. Driving is dangerous. It just is. But, truly, it's no more dangerous when someone else does it. We just believe it is.

This is an anxiety you need to work on. If you indulge it, it will get worse as time goes on. Your child needs to be able to go places even when you can't. Maybe a 3 month old doesn't, but a two-year-old does, and I can guarantee you this won't get easier until you just force yourself through the first time or two. There will be no magic future moment when you suddenly feel comfortable.

You will not keep a nanny very long if you don't allow her to drive. 3 reasons:


1. She will get bored very, very fast. Have you ever stayed in the house (or 1 park) with an infant for (presumably) 40+ hours per week? I have. It was awful and I qui my job after having grown to resent my employers.
2. Your baby needs to see people other than your nanny. She will be spending a bulk of her awake time with 1 person. She needs to experience other people, sounds, smells and sights.
3. She know you don't trust her. This is a huge reason. Her best will never be good enough because she knows you won't trust her no matter what.

You have to let go a little bit OP.

Do you plan on keeping nanny long term? If so, how will she get the child to school?

I have a fear of other people driving my child. Is it weird if we hire a nanny for our infant with the expectation that she won't drive? We are in the suburbs-- walkable to the park but nothing else. How have other either handled his or gotten over a similar fear? Clearly we would look for someone with a clean driving record, but I don't think I would trust my own parents to drive LO at this point.