Anonymous wrote:

You can't play in the mud? That's the best time to play in the backyard! Bring a change of clothes for yourself and let them have fun!

I employ a nanny and would not allow my children to play in the yard when it's muddy. There are plenty of ways they can have fun and burn energy that do not involve getting their shoes and clothes filthy.

Who said anything about shoes? And that's what they make play clothes for. To each their own. All of my past employers have encouraged outdoor play, even if that means getting dirty. You don't. I think your kids are missing out, but that's your call to make.

You can't play in the mud? That's the best time to play in the backyard! Bring a change of clothes for yourself and let them have fun!

I employ a nanny and would not allow my children to play in the yard when it's muddy. There are plenty of ways they can have fun and burn energy that do not involve getting their shoes and clothes filthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there no parks, beaches, libraries, cages, etc within walking distance? Go for bike rides, play in the backyard, go rollerblading, go for walks, go explore.

OP here. They live in a neighborhood about 5 miles away from anything (and there's no sidewalks outside the neighborhood). Also, the reason I want to be able to drive them is because its crappy weather (either raining or snowing, and when it's neither, it's muddy in the back yard and we can't play). Also, I should re state the car seat situation. They have large Britax seats that convert to boosters, so the bases are HUGE. The two older girls are big enough to fit into base only booster seats, and those are the only ones that would fit into my car with the youngests car seat in the middle. So I would use the dads car seats, but he has the large convertible ones and they are larger than normal. Plus, they use the latch system, and if I were to latch a carseat into my car, I'd prefer to keep it there at least through the week because before this, the latch system had never been used in my car so it takes about 20 min to get them in.

To the one poster bitching about crafts. The girls LOVE crafts. They get super upset when we don't have the necessary supplies for crafts. Im not asking for craft supplies because I want to sit there and make paper snowflakes while they watch tv. The craft supplies are for them.


And yeah, I wouldn't feel comfortable going out and purchasing car seats. That's the parents decision, and they need to be the ones to choose what they feel is safe enough for their children.

You can't play in the mud? That's the best time to play in the backyard! Bring a change of clothes for yourself and let them have fun!

Chances are, if they are using the big car seats, they want their kids in them. They don't want to use just the bases. And that's their call to make. The older two get out of the house regularly. If you're bored with just the one then you need to figure something out. Part of your job.

I once worked for a family that wouldn't let me take the children anywhere.

My driving record was clear, absolutely no traffic violations. I drove a Kia Sedona, which is a very safe car that could fit all three children. When I took the job the parents told me I COULD drive them places, but after they got to know me better. Three months later I asked and they decided they weren't ever going to let my drive with the children in my car.

They lived in somewhat secluded neighborhood, walking distance to one park and one public pool. Everything else was a good distance away. The children were 5, 8, and 11 and we were all miserable spending 10 hours a day doing absolutely nothing. I quit.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would be REALLY pissed off if my nanny took it upon herself to decide to purchase shit and then shoved a receipt at me demanding I reimburse her. YOU like to do crafts. Then YOU pay for YOUR hobby. If you were saying "my charges seem to really enjoy crafts" that would be another story.

We have a long list of approved places our nanny can take the baby, and the nanny handles his clothes so will send me a shopping cart from a website saying, "He's going through a growth spurt so I've pulled some 2T pants that will match with his tops; shall I pick these up next time we're near Children's Place?" and I will authorize those purchases. We leave petty cash for the nanny but it's VERY clear what it's to be used for.

You should really talk to the parents about art supplies IF it's the children who like it, not you.

Damn Mamba, calm yourself.

OP - Unless I am misunderstanding, it sounds like the kids (or at least the two older kids) get out of the house every day to go to preschool so it's just you and the little one in the house all day? How old is the little one? As a parent, not sure I'd be willing to go through the expense and hassle and stress of having a nanny drive the three kids around just for the nanny's benefit. Car seats are expensive (and paying for mileage adds up) and I don't prefer continuously uninstalling and reinstalling them as it takes a while and there is always the possibility of installing them wrong. And honestly it is stressful having someone unnecessarily drive your kids since there is that much more room for something to go wrong.

For perspective, we do let our nanny drive DC but it took us several months to get comfortable with her judgement before we allowed it and even now, she only takes him to and from his music class and they walk everywhere else. The difference is, of course, that there is a ton of stuff to do within walking distance of our home. Is there no where at all you can walk - not even just to go for a walk with the little one? Are you in DC? Our nanny walks outside with DC every day even though it's been cold - they both just bundle up.

Depending on the age of the little one, I think you'll have the most luck proposing one car seat to take him to specific free and close activities such as story time at the library.

With the crafts, just offer to get a few things they are low on and give them receipts. Our nanny just offered to do that one day and we really appreciate it (and try to reimburse her on the spot). Ask for a budget/price range or specific stuff to get. I think most families would actually appreciate it. If you want to try something new (paint, glitter glue, whatever), just run it by the parents first.

OP, since you'll be assuming some risk if you drive your charges around, you might want to research car seat age standards and safety standards before making your pitch. The Car Seat Lady has good info.

You want the safest seats that are the most appropriate for your charges ages, heights, and weights, especially if you'll be driving a smaller car instead of a minivan or SUV.

And adding a business rider to your insurance policy should be done as well. These riders don't need to cost hundreds of dollars if you do some research and are willing to consider switching insurance companies if you find a good deal.

As far as the craft materials are concerned, use the conversation a PP suggested. Do NOT continue to pay for supplies yourself.

Just talk to the parents..you sound like a nice nanny and what you're asking is reasonable. A family shouldn't have a nanny if they can't afford carseats!! Plus you could mention that you would be willing to help with groceries or errands

Anonymous wrote:Are there no parks, beaches, libraries, cages, etc within walking distance? Go for bike rides, play in the backyard, go rollerblading, go for walks, go explore.

OP here. They live in a neighborhood about 5 miles away from anything (and there's no sidewalks outside the neighborhood). Also, the reason I want to be able to drive them is because its crappy weather (either raining or snowing, and when it's neither, it's muddy in the back yard and we can't play). Also, I should re state the car seat situation. They have large Britax seats that convert to boosters, so the bases are HUGE. The two older girls are big enough to fit into base only booster seats, and those are the only ones that would fit into my car with the youngests car seat in the middle. So I would use the dads car seats, but he has the large convertible ones and they are larger than normal. Plus, they use the latch system, and if I were to latch a carseat into my car, I'd prefer to keep it there at least through the week because before this, the latch system had never been used in my car so it takes about 20 min to get them in.

To the one poster bitching about crafts. The girls LOVE crafts. They get super upset when we don't have the necessary supplies for crafts. Im not asking for craft supplies because I want to sit there and make paper snowflakes while they watch tv. The craft supplies are for them.


And yeah, I wouldn't feel comfortable going out and purchasing car seats. That's the parents decision, and they need to be the ones to choose what they feel is safe enough for their children.

Just get them out of dad's car each day. After a few days of this, the parents will realize the hassle and spring for another set for you.

MB will pay for them.

I would not go purchase the cheapest care seats you can find yourself. I know if it were my MB, she would want to choose the car seats to be sure that they are extra safe and she certainly wouldn't want me using the cheapo $40 car seats.

Anonymous wrote:Pp here, damn iPhone autocorrected cafe to cage. I do not suggest putting children in cages. (Well, unless they're being particularly nasty....)

Pp here, damn iPhone autocorrected cafe to cage. I do not suggest putting children in cages. (Well, unless they're being particularly nasty....)

Are there no parks, beaches, libraries, cages, etc within walking distance? Go for bike rides, play in the backyard, go rollerblading, go for walks, go explore.