It's sad, really. I've observed that it's sort of a self-perpetuating cycle. Certain nannies don't really have the qualifications to be choosy about their employers, so they end up not being as selective as they should. The employers maybe take advantage and the nanny ends up with a chip on her shoulder. She goes into her next job and gets prickly about any perceived "job creep," which understandably comes off to most employers as not being flexible or a team player and then in her next job search she has a less-than-stellar reference and she has even fewer families after her.

My experience has been to interview carefully for families who are loyal and considerate and possess basic common sense. I then give each job my all and always look for ways to build my "value-added" quotient. I end up doing lots of things for each family that some nannies might turn up their noses at, but I am paid very well and treated well by my families and when it's time for a job search, my families fall all over themselves to praise me. I have had multiple past employers who have told interviewing families that hiring me was the best decision they ever made.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every nanny I have ever had takes out the trash when it is full, occasionally unloads the dishwasher, and occasionally vacuums or sweeps if the kids are napping or watching tv. I have never heard people complain about an additional five minutes of work once a week the way that they do on this board.

Liar.

Not lying. I even had a high school babysitter last night while I went to a parent meeting for my sons first communion. She came right from basketball practice and ate dinner with us. Then I had to run with the two older kids, so she unloaded the dishwasher and did the dishes. The trash wasn't full, but if it had been, she probably would have switched the bags and put it in the garage. I have never, in real life, heard people complain about these things.

Anonymous wrote:Every nanny I have ever had takes out the trash when it is full, occasionally unloads the dishwasher, and occasionally vacuums or sweeps if the kids are napping or watching tv. I have never heard people complain about an additional five minutes of work once a week the way that they do on this board.

Liar.

If you are not making very much money to begin with OP, then this family has zero right asking you to do house chores while caring for their child.

Sounds like they need a Nanny/Maid, but only are willing to pay peanuts in return.

Normal Nanny duties include washing only the dishes used during your shift, picking up any toys played with while you were there and wiping up any messes the kids make.

If the spill crumbs on the floor then yes you should sweep them up.
If they spill something sticky, it is your responsibility to mop up.

However for the family to expect this to be done for their own messes....Well they must have a screw loose somewhere because you are not responsible for taking out their garbage or vacuuming their rugs.

It is the family's responsibility to make sure the trash is taken out beforehand.

Remember everyone that OP is being underpaid here.

You do only what is in your contract. If they wish to add other duties not related to being a nsnny, e.g. housekeeping, then renegotiate at housekeeper rates which are higher than nanny rates. Taking out trash, emptying dishwasher, washing dishes, other than those used by you for children are not nanny responsibilities.mskebit clear in your contract exactly what your duties are and never accept "light housekeeping" as this is the deadliest form of job creep. 99?of MBS are lazy and want nannies to be their personal servants.

Certain tasks are part of being an adult in a house. I am in the house all day preparinf my and the children's food and using the majority of dishes. Of course I unload the parents' stuff from their dinner too. If I didn't I wouldn't be able to reload it as we used dishes throughout the day.

The kids and I create trash too. I take it out when it's full.

Why would I sweep half a room? I might just spot mop, but having the area that's not immediately around the toys filthy is just going to spread. Common sense dictates that if you are using a room regularly and sweeping or vaccuuming part of it then you should just do the whole thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taking the trash or cleaning the floor ARE normal nanny tasks. Not emptying the dishwasher to clean the parents plates etc.

I disagree! I would only clean up the bit of floor where the child made a mess but never, ever take out the trash!

What if it's full ?
I see it as part of the job, especially if there are diapers in there.
Don't be a princess and take it out, come on !
(I'm a nanny)

Anonymous wrote:Taking the trash or cleaning the floor ARE normal nanny tasks. Not emptying the dishwasher to clean the parents plates etc.

I disagree! I would only clean up the bit of floor where the child made a mess but never, ever take out the trash!

I made the same mistake with my weekend job, OP. My MB was pregnant and couldn't unload the dishwasher so I did it. Now they leave the full dishwasher for me (she had the baby three months ago and is a SAHM) I am not contracted to do any household chores and made that clear in the initial interview.

Stupid me. Just trying to help.

NEVER, ever do more than you are contracted to do.

I learned long ago not to do any extras unless I want it to become my job. I used to be helpful and pick up groceries, make MB's bed, wash their towels, feed and walk the dog, take out trash and nonstop amazon boxes, organise cupboards etc. Now that's my job and totally unappreciated. I always think of extras I could do but stop myself because I know it will just become my job and I'm already unpaid and unappreciated with all my other 'extras'. I also actively avid jobs that advertise that they want someone who is a Jill of all trades or will pitch in because that only means unpaid job creep.

Taking the trash or cleaning the floor ARE normal nanny tasks. Not emptying the dishwasher to clean the parents plates etc.

these are pretty normal nanny tasks.

Most of the families will think it's your job when you start doing extra tasks to be helpful.
Just do it when you feel like doing it and they will get it's not your job.

Every nanny I have ever had takes out the trash when it is full, occasionally unloads the dishwasher, and occasionally vacuums or sweeps if the kids are napping or watching tv. I have never heard people complain about an additional five minutes of work once a week the way that they do on this board.

This is not my part of work nor I am paid for this, I take care of two kid and the money is not that good either but sometimes I help them taking the trash out when full and unload the dishwasher , vaccum the kitchen etc ,now my family thinks it's my job. I don't pick up single thing besides babies but it irked me why family behave like this.
Just want to know what other nannies do in situations like this.