Regarding a nanny doing chores:

I would say it depends on many things. For example, I work a nine hour day. My charge is a yr old and takes one 1-1.5 hr nap during my shift. During that time, I eat my lunch, pick up any toys played with, prepare bottles, wash/sterilize bottles, hand wash dishes (they have no dishwasher), refill water cups and wipe down high chair. Just typical childcare related duties. These chores are very light and do not take too much time so when the baby awakens from his nap, I still have good energy for the second part of our day.

I have had similar positions where during nap times, I was asked to vacuum carpets, load/unload dishwashers, take out garbage, wash/dry/fold/put away laundry, organize drawers/closets/cupboards, etc. and by the time the baby awoke from his nap, I would be exhausted.

I agree that many parents want a "2-for-1" deal. They want a Nanny/Housekeeper. For Nanny services, they should expect the nanny to wash any dishes used as well as pick up any toys played with during her stay. For laundry duties and/or any add'l kitchen duties, they should expect to pay accordingly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone pay an adult to be your child's "buddy"? Hire an au pair "big sis" type if you want that kind of sitter.

Why would anyone have a young adult live with them when all they need is a babysitter a few hours a week?

Thank you for your post though, you have just proved my point. Your attitude shows how stupid you think it is to play with the child and that is the problem I'm trying to address.

No...that isn't what PP said.

A nanny is, ideally, professionally focused on the raising of healthy, happy children (that aren't her own). Of course she plays with them... she also does her best to create a normal day for the kids. Maybe this means stopping by the grocery store, maybe it means they play independently while she fixes lunch, maybe it means she occasionally answers an important call and asks the kids to entertain themselves for a few minutes. All of the things they learn in those instances - patience, deferred satisfaction, respect for other people's needs, how to behave in public/when someone is on the phone - are important parts of raising a child. You've hired a nanny to HELP raise your children so of course she is going to ensure those lessons are structured into their days. It doesn't mean she isn't also building the biggest sandcastle at the beach or getting herself covered in gloop in the yard; there is time and space enough for all of it.

However, someone who ONLY comes to play with the kids is not helping to raise them in any useful way. The kids learn nothing - not self control, not perseverance, not tolerance or patience or how to manage their own frustrations. PP is correct that someone like that is a babysitter or an AP; a nanny is another bag entirely.

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone pay an adult to be your child's "buddy"? Hire an au pair "big sis" type if you want that kind of sitter.

Why would anyone have a young adult live with them when all they need is a babysitter a few hours a week?

Thank you for your post though, you have just proved my point. Your attitude shows how stupid you think it is to play with the child and that is the problem I'm trying to address.

I am happy to do much more than any employer of mine has ever expected. Only one caveat: I would never tolerate my chosen tasks to be included in my contract. I provide the best possible child care. As a professional nanny, that's what I am paid for. All the extras are a gift. "Gift giving" on a daily basis makes me happy, and makes my employers greatful.

Anonymous wrote:There have been a lot of posts where nannies stress independent play and in general seem more "type A," like to be organized and get things done. I've noticed that the more experienced nannies are like this, where the less experienced....dare I say...cheaper nannies are more willing to just play with the toddler and be her buddy. Just an observation, anyone else notice this?

I do both, I know when they need to learn how to be independent with play and I need to have some time to get things done that the parents want done, but I also get down on the floor and play with them. More so with the younger ones, but I do get down and play lego star wars stuff with my 6 yr old charge, playmobile etc with him and his older sister, and I sit and read with both of them. A good nanny is well balanced with this and doesn't do just one or the other, and knows when the right time is to get her "chores done" and when it is time to play.

Anonymous wrote:If a parent requests daily chores, then they will get a nanny who wants to make sure said chores are completed prior to them getting home. This adds undue stress to the nanny's day. Nanny wants to make sure the dishwasher is empty, the bottles are cleaned up, the laundry is folded and put away and the diaper genie is empty among other things. Not to mention the toys picked up off the floor and craft items put on shelves, etc.

I personally love to get to focus my time on the child and the child ONLY. I love floor play, story time, tummy time...you name it. I love jobs where I get the whole day to play, play and play without worrying about getting a laundry list of household chores completed before mom and dad walk through the door.

Parents like to stretch their dollar and get their money's worth in a nanny, but sadly many times it is their child(ren) who pay the ultimate price in the end.

Do your charges nap?

Anonymous wrote:Google "multitasking". Why ruin your own little children like that?

You are a bit warped if you think emptying the dishwasher while a child is coloring is going to ruin them. Ask your own mother how she raised you, I bet she would laugh at your implications.

Google "multitasking". Why ruin your own little children like that?

Anonymous wrote:If a parent requests daily chores, then they will get a nanny who wants to make sure said chores are completed prior to them getting home. This adds undue stress to the nanny's day. Nanny wants to make sure the dishwasher is empty, the bottles are cleaned up, the laundry is folded and put away and the diaper genie is empty among other things. Not to mention the toys picked up off the floor and craft items put on shelves, etc.

I personally love to get to focus my time on the child and the child ONLY. I love floor play, story time, tummy time...you name it. I love jobs where I get the whole day to play, play and play without worrying about getting a laundry list of household chores completed before mom and dad walk through the door.

Parents like to stretch their dollar and get their money's worth in a nanny, but sadly many times it is their child(ren) who pay the ultimate price in the end.

Any good nanny can accomplish all of these tasks during a day (really emptying the diaper genie takes like 2 minutes total-including putting in a new liner) and still have ample time to engage children in a variety of different age appropriate and developmental activities. Children are only paying the price if parents hire a nanny who does not know how to multi-task or who doesn't understand that a child does not need to be engaged face to face every waking moment of their day. Household chores may not be a "fun" part of the day, but they are by no means stressful.

If a parent requests daily chores, then they will get a nanny who wants to make sure said chores are completed prior to them getting home. This adds undue stress to the nanny's day. Nanny wants to make sure the dishwasher is empty, the bottles are cleaned up, the laundry is folded and put away and the diaper genie is empty among other things. Not to mention the toys picked up off the floor and craft items put on shelves, etc.

I personally love to get to focus my time on the child and the child ONLY. I love floor play, story time, tummy time...you name it. I love jobs where I get the whole day to play, play and play without worrying about getting a laundry list of household chores completed before mom and dad walk through the door.

Parents like to stretch their dollar and get their money's worth in a nanny, but sadly many times it is their child(ren) who pay the ultimate price in the end.