Anonymous wrote:MB here,
Hired nanny to care for my 2 middle school-aged children during the afternoons and evenings. She was hired in part because she agreed to light housekeeping (load/unload dishwasher, do family's laundry, cook dinner) ... Tonight I heard her ask DS if he was doing ok with his homework and if he needed any help. He replied that he was fine so she asked him if he'd mind if she went into the den to read her book. He didn't object (he's in 7th grade, as if he'd say "no please stay here with me") ... Now my quip is that I'm not paying this girl $15/hr to get some pleasure reading done. I've mentioned in passing that I'd love for her to reorganize fridge, pantry, home office etc. in her spare time.
Yes, the kids ate, the dishes are done, and the wash is clean and folded ... But is it unreasonable of me to expect her to start doing some organization instead of sitting on my couch reading her book?
Anonymous wrote:OP,
You are wrong. She completed all the tasks you asked and as you said she provides great care for your kids. It's not her job to go around your house and straighten up your pantry or refrigerator. And, $15 an hour for 2 kids isn't a ton of money for a nanny with a college degree. Good luck finding another nanny who will be your maid/assistant/nanny for a measly $15 an hour. You sound like a piece of work.
Anonymous wrote:If she has done everything that you all agreed she would do when you hired her, then she's done nothing wrong. Just because there is a spare moment (in which she is still providing the supervision you are paying her for) doesn't mean she should busy herself with whatever pleases you, and she did not agree to do upon hiring. Housekeepers command a higher hourly rate. If you want someone who is mostly a housekeeper, higher one and expect to pay for it. You hired an afterschool sitter, and she is doing her job.
Anonymous wrote:She is not "raising my kids" she is essentially a highly educated homework helper that also cooks dinner for my family