Lice isn't an illness. It's not highly contagious. It's annoying and takes some work to eradicate. But let's stop with the hyperbole.

By the time your average kid is diagnosed, they have had the lice for two weeks. So the odds of your catching it in the period of time between being diagnosed and using the shampoo to kill live lice is pretty much zero. The AAP doesnt even recommend sending kids home from school.

I'm a pediatrician. I've diagnosed lice. My 15 year old had lice twice in elementary school. My husband and I never caught lice. We did the shampooing and combing, but our younger daughters nanny didn't get lice either.

/if/ the parents knew the night before, they should have at least done the initial shampoo. (The OP still hasn't clarified the timeline) but, seriously, this is not bubonic plague or even strep throat. It's a minor annoyance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

Stop it. That is not what this is about and you know it. You're trying to start a flame war, troll.

Sorry, not a troll. Just a nanny who thinks there are too many nannies out there who do not understand what it means to be a nanny.

Well we aren't talking about sniffles, so start your own thread. Lice would be akin to a highly contagious labor intensive illness, which the general consensus has always been that at that point a parent ought to step in, or at the very least, nanny should be given the opportunity to decide if it is a risk she isn't willing to take for her family. I have a husband, whose income we rely upon, and a child who I'd rather not get sick. If your kid has the sniffles, no problem. If your kid has strep, I would like forewarning so I can either tell you I won't be in, or so I can send my kid to grandma's. If as a parent you would give warning to a play date and their parents, you need to let your nanny know too. We have families and lives as well. Even when my charge has the sniffles, I usually have it by the weekend, and spend my off time recovering/miserable, despite my own plans.

Anonymous wrote:This is not the sniffles..This is a pest that can be difficult to get rid of in some instances. I have a husband and children.
This is me going home and putting everyone belongings in bags for weeks. This is me having to check my daughter's waist length hair for pests..This is my husband wondering if while he's sleeping things will crawl on him....nothing better to kill a sex life..
THIS ISNT THE FREAKING SNIFFLES...
IT CRAWLS AND BITES..MAKES YOU ITCH..CAUSES EMBARRASSMENTS IF SOMEONE NOTICES IT..

so yes I want you to come home and take care of your children..and keep the days PAY..
I'm tired of everything to do with the children falling under the umbrella of nanny care..

OP here by the way...

I have previously posted as someone who has dealt twice with families with lice. I also used to teach preschool and whenever there was a reported case of lice somewhere in the school, we had to do all the same precautions at school and I would have to do it at home as well. I know what a pain in the butt it is. With all the times I've been exposed to it, I have only gotten it one time. I also think that with lice being so prevalent today, it does not have the stigma it used to. Lice gets spread in even the most hoity of schools.

I get that you are tired and frustrated, but when you work with children, you have to be prepared for anything. And what are you going to do, not go to work for the next few weeks until the lice is completely gone? It isn't a one day treatment. You are going to have to be on lice patrol daily for the next few weeks until it is completely gone. Daily lice checks, daily putting things away or in a hot dryer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

Stop it. That is not what this is about and you know it. You're trying to start a flame war, troll.

Sorry, not a troll. Just a nanny who thinks there are too many nannies out there who do not understand what it means to be a nanny.

Oh the irony! Parents complaining about nannies who don't want to do their job because parents don't want to do their job. Mind blowing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

Stop it. That is not what this is about and you know it. You're trying to start a flame war, troll.

Sorry, not a troll. Just a nanny who thinks there are too many nannies out there who do not understand what it means to be a nanny.

NP here. I notice the OP isn't complaining that she wasn't notified early but that the parents aren't coming home early. And, she's getting the info over the phone. Not in person before the parents leave.

Is it possible that they just received the lice notification? Often times lice are diagnosed at school or preschool, you get a call, and you start treatment as they get home.

OP, is that what happened?

Does that change anyone's mind? With a midday notification, would you expect the nanny to start the delousing process or the parents to take off work to come home? (Either in this case, or, as a general question if my guess is not correct.)

Parent here... nanny should have been warned and house should have been cleaned and kids given the initial treatment before she came again. Its just rude to spread it. I can see Nanny doing follow-up combing and treatment to ensure it does not return, but at least strip the beds, wash the clothing and other fabric and delouse your kids (and yourself). Sniffles are different. (and I usually don't say it is not a nanny's job, I usually think a nanny should do more)

This is not the sniffles..This is a pest that can be difficult to get rid of in some instances. I have a husband and children.
This is me going home and putting everyone belongings in bags for weeks. This is me having to check my daughter's waist length hair for pests..This is my husband wondering if while he's sleeping things will crawl on him....nothing better to kill a sex life..
THIS ISNT THE FREAKING SNIFFLES...
IT CRAWLS AND BITES..MAKES YOU ITCH..CAUSES EMBARRASSMENTS IF SOMEONE NOTICES IT..

so yes I want you to come home and take care of your children..and keep the days PAY..
I'm tired of everything to do with the children falling under the umbrella of nanny care..

OP here by the way...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

I don't understand a nanny who pretends to be the parent.
Where do you draw the line?
Or is there no boundary line?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

Stop it. That is not what this is about and you know it. You're trying to start a flame war, troll.

Anonymous wrote:OP here...NOOO...I don't care for the mb's comment..I should not have to delouse the children. Those are the same parents that take time off for well doctors visit and every little crap their children do in school..Bottom line is my mb like most of those out there have a cleaner and did not want the humongous undertaking of cleaning up and treating her children's hair..At least someone could have shown up at 4.
I personally don't see why mb's should think that because we are nannies every thing goes..I'm sick of this..especially when I don't get paid for my sick days when I get sick from their household....In this case I think I should be given the option of whether I want to lose a day's pay or not...You mb's can't have it your way all the same time...
I WOULD HAVE RATHER STAY HOME AND LET THEM KEEP THE MONEY...since you mb's think we get such a great paycheck

Sorry, as a nanny, I disagree with you on this one. Yes, they should have done more for their kids than what they did, but this is why parents hire nannies. I would never think of telling a parent they need to come home because the kid got lice. When I found it in one of the kids I took care of, I did all the heavy lifting. Partly because I knew it would be done right if I did it and partly because it is my job to take care of the children and things that go with the children.


I don't understand nannies who think they shouldn't have to go in to work just because little Johnny or Suzie gets the sniffles.

Anonymous wrote:I think they should have asked you how you felt about dealing w/it prior to coming in, then let YOU make a decision on if you wanted to clean up or not.

Some nannies would mind, some wouldn't. Most would I presume.

How rude of this family.
They are lazy and inconsiderate.

This is deal-breaker territory.

Well said. One would hope they'd tip you about 100. to deal with that.

I think they should have asked you how you felt about dealing w/it prior to coming in, then let YOU make a decision on if you wanted to clean up or not.

Some nannies would mind, some wouldn't. Most would I presume.

How rude of this family.
They are lazy and inconsiderate.

This is deal-breaker territory.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an employer... I can totally understand that this wouldn't be fun, but assuming it's in your job description to take care of the kids, it seems like this would be included...

Also lice isn't transmitted typically except head-to-head contact, so unless you are rubbing your scalp against he children or their bedclothes you shold be okay

This IS NOT a nanny responsibilty.

Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the problem here. Taking care of the kids, including sick kids, is part of your job. An outbreak of lice is akin to illness. As a parent, I would deal with it during my off hours, but I would have little patience for a nanny who wanted me to take time off from work to handle lice treatments so that she could avoid exposure.

And the fact that you wouldn't get paid for taking the time off work is irrelevant. If your unscheduled absence would cause the parents to miss work, that's a problem.

Another clueless "parent."