Anonymous wrote:OP - you titled this a weird request because it is one. If my nanny asked, I wouldn't say no but frankly I'd feel a little taken advantage of and I'd wonder about her judgment. For FWIW, doing laundry at their house is free for you but not for them. Your employers pay for water and electricity every time you run the laundry, not to mention the wear and tear to the applicances. Obviously that is not a significant cost but doing several loads a week for a long period of time is definitely a cost and it looks immature to ask.

I agree - I'd say yes if you asked, because seriously, how would you say no? It's not like it would a huge cost, but it's certainly not free. It's not like it would take a lot of time, but unless you're asking if you could do it after hours, you're essentially asking me if I can pay you to your own laundry. I would feel like you were taking advantage of our family's generosity. OP, it's only $12 a week. Cut it down to one load and it's only $6 a week. Or go to a laundromat that's cheaper. Or pack your lunch one additional time per week instead of eating out. Or cut out one trip to Starbucks a week. Surely you can come up with a way to absorb an additional $6 a week that doesn't involve taking advantage of your employer?

I think I'd feel obligated to say yes, but I would feel uncomfortable with it....and it might lead to nanny losing her job.

Anonymous wrote:I am a MB and I may be in the minority, but I would not find this a strange request at all! Our nanny is like a member of our family and I would insist she did her laundry at our place if it could save her money or hassle! I feel like a nanny should always be like a member of the family as the nanny profession is different than other professions in this nature.

+1 I agree with this.. A nanny does not have the same professional boundaries as other professions IMO. My nanny helps parent my children, I would want her to feel at home with us.

OP - you titled this a weird request because it is one. If my nanny asked, I wouldn't say no but frankly I'd feel a little taken advantage of and I'd wonder about her judgment. For FWIW, doing laundry at their house is free for you but not for them. Your employers pay for water and electricity every time you run the laundry, not to mention the wear and tear to the applicances. Obviously that is not a significant cost but doing several loads a week for a long period of time is definitely a cost and it looks immature to ask.

I am a MB and I may be in the minority, but I would not find this a strange request at all! Our nanny is like a member of our family and I would insist she did her laundry at our place if it could save her money or hassle! I feel like a nanny should always be like a member of the family as the nanny profession is different than other professions in this nature.

To risk crossing the line or possibly tarnishing your relationship with mb/db for a few bucks a week? I wouldn't ask, I would have made different living arrangements if my laundry situation would be that big of a deal.

Why wouldn't you bring your own soap?? I would ask if you could do it once and hopefully she says "sure anytime"!

I do my laundry at work and have never asked MB. I work 60+ hrs a week and wouldn't have clean clothes if I didn't!! I don't have a washing machine and bring my own soap. I've been doing it for 6 years, never asked.

Anonymous wrote:PP again - If she DOES offer I would definitely pick up some laundry detergant.

Or if you use a different type, just make sure you always stock your own there and offer to pickup laundry stuff for them while you are at the store. Even if they pay for it, it can be convenient for them for you to pick it up and a way for you to say thanks for letting me use your washer/dryer.

I wouldn't ask, but I would mention the laundry situation in passing and see if she offers.

Another MB here. Don't ask because it's unprofessional and crosses boundaries. You're an adult. You have to budget and deal with your own personal issues, not make your employers responsible for you.

This is why having a nanny can be so stressful. Nannies are supposed to make life easier -- there's a certain element of customer service that is lacking here. Just because you are working in her home, she shouldn't be taking on your problems. I don't think you'll last very long in this job if you keep taking advantage of them like this

Anonymous wrote:MB here: Dont' ask. It's inappropriate, and infringes on their good will. If there were some crisis and it was a one-time thing I would say fine. Though I would wonder why you brought your personal problems to your boss rather than going to your family or a friend. But on a regular basis? Totally inappropriate.

Sorry, OP. Another MB here who agrees with this. I guess you may have an MB who truly wouldn't mind and it would probably vary depending on how many hours you work, whether you have down-time during the day (does the MB know that you're not going to say, bring the kids home early from the park so that you can do your laundry?), and what kind of relationship you have. But generally, I would err on the side of not routinely making your personal inconveniences your employer's issue. And if she does offer, you will DEFINITELY want to buy your own laundry detergent and just keep it at the house. It would be exceedingly rude, I would think, to do two loads of laundry a week at your employer's house and then expect on top of that that they provide you with laundry detergent too.

Anonymous wrote:MB here: Dont' ask. It's inappropriate, and infringes on their good will. If there were some crisis and it was a one-time thing I would say fine. Though I would wonder why you brought your personal problems to your boss rather than going to your family or a friend. But on a regular basis? Totally inappropriate.

Yes, exactly. If it were a one time thing I would absolutely be okay with that, but this crosses the line. Maybe they don't want your dirty laundry in their family washer?





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MB here: Dont' ask. It's inappropriate, and infringes on their good will. If there were some crisis and it was a one-time thing I would say fine. Though I would wonder why you brought your personal problems to your boss rather than going to your family or a friend. But on a regular basis? Totally inappropriate.