OP, you stated initially in your posting that this issue is not the worst thing about your Nanny.

Can you possibly tell us what else she does that is worse?

By the way, ten wipes are not outrageous for one or two poops.
Especially the really messy ones.....

And how would you even know that she used ten....??!

Please tell me you didn't actually dig into the dirty diaper pail and check.

Eww!! :O

Anonymous wrote:Get washable sponges and let it go about the wipes.
I use a lot as well, I want the kids to be cleaned properly, that's all.

Aren't all sponges washable? Put them in the dishwasher when you run it to disinfect them, then squeeze out and air dry.

Anonymous wrote:I hate cheap people and, OP, you are cheap. Good lord, sponges and wipes!

I'm glad you said this. Yesterday when I read OP's post I was thinking "$150 over the course of a year is really NOT a big deal."

If that's all you have to worry about when it comes to your nanny?
She is looking after someone elses kid in someone elses home. She no doubt feels the need to be extra clean and to make sure she doesn't get bitched at for being untidy and neglectful of your child. It sounds like she is doing a great job with your child.

I have a different take on this. OP, being environmentally conscious seems to be important to you, and I'm guessing this bothers you because it is so counter to how you thought your household would consume paper products and other disposable goods.

However, many of us are not "wasting" products, in the sense of just grabbing handfuls of wipes or something, but we're also not being careful to use only the recommended four squares of toilet paper (that's just an example). I'm a MB, btw.

If it is important to you to have a nanny with the same values as you when it comes to things like disposable goods, or food (this was where I was very picky), or screen time, or naps, or outdoor activity, then you need to interview for those qualities. What she's doing is annoying you, but it's not out of the ordinary.

I hate cheap people and, OP, you are cheap. Good lord, sponges and wipes!

Get washable sponges and let it go about the wipes.
I use a lot as well, I want the kids to be cleaned properly, that's all.

Anonymous wrote:I know before I even write this post that I'm going to get a lot of responses saying that I'm a nightmare to work for, if this is the worst thing about our nanny (which believe me, it isn't), I should thank my lucky stars, etc. TBH I probably won't even say anything to her and this will probably end up being just a vent. Our nanny started with us just a few months ago and I've noticed that she is pretty wasteful in using disposable goods. I just bought a huge economy box of wipes at the end of February and was shocked to see we are down to our last pack. She must go through about 10 wipes in the 3 hours/day she is with DC even though DC poops once (occasionally twice) with her. We are going through the wipes more than twice as quickly (I know by looking at my Amazon orders) and at this rate, will be spending an extra $150/year on wipes...! Which I think is pretty crazy considering she is only part-time. She washes DC's dishes at the end of the night and our kitchen sponge is coming apart by the end of the week. ?!? I replace the sponges monthly, but they don't last even two weeks now. I'm by no means a penny pincher, but I believe in not being wasteful and try to be environmental (I cloth diapered for the first year, I compost) so when I use paper goods, I try not to use more than I need. I remember once DC's nose had a little snot just coming out of the nostril and she used a whole wipe (DC can't blow nose fyi) to wipe that tiny bit of snot. I actually did say something to her then because it was just so outrageously wasteful. Okay, flame away...

Ew. Germs.

Hide the wipes and only put out one pack at a time. Make her think you're always on the cusp of running out. Have you talked to her about it? I'm with you on paper products and not wanting to be wasteful, but there are times when a wipe is the best product for the job. I like them for wiping hands and faces after meals if there aren't any baby washcloths stored in the kitchen. Give her good alternatives, and tell her point blank you want to reduce your paper consumption so please use the cheapy baby washcloths and you'll wash them with the towels or whatever.

Start buying it at costco!

I'm not going flame away but as a long-time nanny employer, I think you should just let this go if, indeed, this is the worst thing about this nanny. She probably uses it to wipe her hands and keep the child clean. I buy multiple packs of the mega, huge, family size packs of napkins, papertowels, wipes, facial and butt tissues every month. It is ridiculous but that is the least of my concerns. I try to buy on sale and use promo codes. I go through a lot of laundry supplies, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you want her to use to wipe your son's nose? Her sleeve?

This is OP. We were in the kitchen where there is a box of tissues on the counter. Yes, wipes are awesome, they're super thick and moist, and they're made that way to WIPE POOP. It is totally wasteful to use it for every little bit of snot or drool. I'm sure if she was taking care of her own kid (she doesn't have any), she wouldn't go through a pack of wipes every few days.

Don't be so sure. I buy my own same brand wipes to use for the kids, just in case my employer is anything like you!

Anonymous wrote:What did you want her to use to wipe your son's nose? Her sleeve?

This is OP. We were in the kitchen where there is a box of tissues on the counter. Yes, wipes are awesome, they're super thick and moist, and they're made that way to WIPE POOP. It is totally wasteful to use it for every little bit of snot or drool. I'm sure if she was taking care of her own kid (she doesn't have any), she wouldn't go through a pack of wipes every few days.

What did you want her to use to wipe your son's nose? Her sleeve?

I know before I even write this post that I'm going to get a lot of responses saying that I'm a nightmare to work for, if this is the worst thing about our nanny (which believe me, it isn't), I should thank my lucky stars, etc. TBH I probably won't even say anything to her and this will probably end up being just a vent. Our nanny started with us just a few months ago and I've noticed that she is pretty wasteful in using disposable goods. I just bought a huge economy box of wipes at the end of February and was shocked to see we are down to our last pack. She must go through about 10 wipes in the 3 hours/day she is with DC even though DC poops once (occasionally twice) with her. We are going through the wipes more than twice as quickly (I know by looking at my Amazon orders) and at this rate, will be spending an extra $150/year on wipes...! Which I think is pretty crazy considering she is only part-time. She washes DC's dishes at the end of the night and our kitchen sponge is coming apart by the end of the week. ?!? I replace the sponges monthly, but they don't last even two weeks now. I'm by no means a penny pincher, but I believe in not being wasteful and try to be environmental (I cloth diapered for the first year, I compost) so when I use paper goods, I try not to use more than I need. I remember once DC's nose had a little snot just coming out of the nostril and she used a whole wipe (DC can't blow nose fyi) to wipe that tiny bit of snot. I actually did say something to her then because it was just so outrageously wasteful. Okay, flame away...