Anonymous wrote:We are acquainted with a wonderful lady who works as a nanny for a family that lives in a 2-bedroom apartment. She cares for 2 children -- a baby and a 3-year-old.
The MB works from home each day, and the MB needs it to be very quiet so that she can conduct conference calls, etc. The MB is relieved to have the ability to work from home because she doesn't waste time commuting, which is understandable.
The problem is that the MB asks the nanny to have the kids out and about all day long. It was easier before the baby came along, but now both kids need to eat, sleep, and play all outside of their home while their mom works. This seems sad to me and I know that the nanny finds it to be a huge challenge (as she has shared this with me as she occasionally works for us on Saturday evenings and I've known her for a long time.) For example, she'll have the baby in the carrier, but the 3- year-old will try to run away. This gets tiring after a while.
I suggested to the nanny that perhaps the MB could go to the library or Starbucks to work, but apparently that's not an option.
I feel bad for the kids, and wonder if anyone has experience with this type of situation. I've offered to the nanny that she could bring the kids to our house during the day, but she doesn't dare raise it with the MB because she thinks that would sound like someone questioning her parenting. (I am not acquainted with the MB.)
When you work from home, unless you have a large home, perhaps daycare is a better option than having a nanny.
I suspect her MB would jump on this solution. Are you sure that's something you'd be willing to do? Just to give the kids a place to nap and the nanny a place to sit.
This sounds borderline ... something. I don't want to say "abusive" or "neglectful," since the children are safe, fed, and with a loving caregiver, but it's like they live in a homeless shelter rather than a home.
I agree that daycare would be a much better solution for this mom, though I understand the green card situation.