First off, as a nanny I take outside gigs for one of two reasons: either the family is filling a need for me (e.g., babysitting for a newborn helps me be content with my preschool-aged charges the rest of the time, or taking elementary schoolers to the park on a Saturday helps me be content with the boredom of being in the house all day with an infant charge). The other reason is if I need the money. If you are so concerned about the quality of care droppin because nanny is overworked, let me tell you that a nanny who is stressed over bills burns out much faster than one who does occasional date-night sitting.

But the bigger issue here is: you get to tell the nanny what to do for every hour of her time you have reserved and paid for. You have zero input into any other time.

"Anonymous wrote:
I would not tell the nanny she's not allowed to do it. But I would not like it. Anyone working 45 - 50 hours a week needs time to recharge each night. If she's regularly sitting a lot on top of that, that's not possible.


stop projecting. 45-50hrs a week is nothing for some people. You sound like a princess.

Before I had kids I always worked two jobs. My longest stretch was a solid 6 months of straight work without a day off. Didn't bother me one bit until I had children."

Yes but my nanny does have kids. Several of them. I stand by my statement that most people need downtime after working with little kids 50hours a week especially if that includes going home to take care of their own family.