Anonymous
04/28/2016 23:50
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:How do the references sound? If you call my past employers, they will all tell you that I am incredible and that hiring me changed their lives. Now, that said, I wouldn't be a good fit for you because *gasp* I often use my phone at work. I believe that kids should be able to play independently from a young age, so even as infants, if I set them up with an activity and they are busy and happy, I am just going to sit beside them checking email while supervising rather than inserting myself into their play to prove that I am "involved."
PP! - I want to applaud you. You gotta take the good with the bad and most times the good outweighs the bad.
Anonymous
04/28/2016 02:40
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
How do the references sound? If you call my past employers, they will all tell you that I am incredible and that hiring me changed their lives. Now, that said, I wouldn't be a good fit for you because *gasp* I often use my phone at work. I believe that kids should be able to play independently from a young age, so even as infants, if I set them up with an activity and they are busy and happy, I am just going to sit beside them checking email while supervising rather than inserting myself into their play to prove that I am "involved."
Anonymous
04/27/2016 23:01
Subject: Re:When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I just need to be more willing to hire a new nanny if issues start popping up after a few months. I just wish there was a way (or that I knew of a way) to know up front whether a nanny would actually do what she agrees to do initiallly. Someone said "hire a professional." Easier said than done since there really is no accrediting body for nannies. I always check several references. Maybe I just need to look for perfection, knowing that every if absolutely everything sounds perfect there will be something that falls through.
To the PP who asked if I require housekeeping as well, no. I do not. And I pay the nanny the hourly rate (plus overtime of course) that she asked for.
How long do you spend talking to references? How long do you spend talking to nannies? If you talk to nannies for less than an hour, you're not going to hear possible contradictions. If you don't spend at least 30 minutes talking to references, you are only getting the basics, and you have no way of knowing whether it is in fact a reference.
Anonymous
04/27/2016 20:39
Subject: Re:When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Maybe I just need to be more willing to hire a new nanny if issues start popping up after a few months. I just wish there was a way (or that I knew of a way) to know up front whether a nanny would actually do what she agrees to do initiallly. Someone said "hire a professional." Easier said than done since there really is no accrediting body for nannies. I always check several references. Maybe I just need to look for perfection, knowing that every if absolutely everything sounds perfect there will be something that falls through.
To the PP who asked if I require housekeeping as well, no. I do not. And I pay the nanny the hourly rate (plus overtime of course) that she asked for.
To the PP who asked if I require housekeeping as well, no. I do not. And I pay the nanny the hourly rate (plus overtime of course) that she asked for.
Anonymous
04/26/2016 21:51
Subject: Re:When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I take a break when DH comes home. Or, if both are sleeping at the same time but that is it. Is it realistic to expect that of a nanny? On the one hand I would think so - young children need constant supervision and care, particularly under 2. Then again, it seems I've seen lots of comments about how its unrealistic to expect nannies to work a full day without any break. I'm trying to figure out what can actually work. To those who have said I am kind, I think you give me too much credit. I'm trying to be realistic. I've already had the experience of hiring someone who said they could do all agreed upon duties (as discussed in detail, and specified in the contract) only to have them say after a few months that it is too much. For example, carrying a stroller up and down a few stairs each day. We tried out the stroller in the interview, she carried it up and down the stairs, she carried DD around as well. I was trying to be very clear about the physical demands. Then, three months later the nanny says she can't take DD out in the stroller anymore because it is too hard on her back). I'm afraid I'll hire someone who will tell me they will constantly engage the children and then a few months later tell me caring for two young children is a lot of work and they need to be on their phone for 30-40 minutes a couple times of day to get a break.
just keep retelling them this is the job spec, it is normal expectations, etc. and practice saying No. No to all the silly requests, because (a) they are silly and (b) they never stop and often are flippant.
Anonymous
04/26/2016 21:49
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
btw, what will your nanny do once the kid is 4 yo or outgrows his nap? nothing to whine about then.
Anonymous
04/26/2016 21:48
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:I think it's more than the stroller issue. Are you asking for housekeeping as well? Somehow I get the feeling your position is too much and would love to know what you're paying for someone to be active and busy all day
we have a 2 year gap with our kids and they synced up afternoon naps (2 hours long) pretty quickly - each weekday and on weekends.
childcare for 8-10 hours a day is totally doable. Get some outings or shopping in between the naps so it doesn't get dull or nutso in the house. nannies meet up all around DC parks, museums, zoo, each other's houses for fun stuff. a good nanny will have lots of ideas for caring for a baby and 3 yo!
Anonymous
04/26/2016 21:45
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Many, many nannies have successfully cared for twins, or 2 kids or 3 kids of various young ages. If she is a decent nanny and can get organized - batch food, nap times, teach manners - she will be fine. Happens in millions of households around the world.
THings like inability to buckle car seats, carry a child under 35 pounds, watch a baby & toddler are red flags that you might need a different nanny. or one without an attitude problem.
THings like inability to buckle car seats, carry a child under 35 pounds, watch a baby & toddler are red flags that you might need a different nanny. or one without an attitude problem.
Anonymous
04/25/2016 18:00
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
What? ALL strollers need to be carried up steps (or do you own a levitating stroller you'd like to tell us about)?
You either carry the kids inside one at a time, place them somewhere safe (like a crib or playpen) then carry the stroller in if it's a heavy model that requires 2 hands to carry, or you put baby in a carrier, have toddler hold the rails and walk up the stairs behind the toddler while carrying the stroller if it's a model that can be lifted with one hand.
Do they not have strollers where you're from? Or stairs?
Absolutely not! The stroller gets left outside until you get both children inside and settled for 2 minutes, then you go retrieve the stroller and diaper bag. Children should NOT be left outside.
I will admit that there are probably many houses where it would be a bad idea to leave one child outside. At my current house, the door is glass and is directly at the top of the three stairs. So I feel perfectly safe walking up three stairs, threw a glass door, and 5 feet into the room to put the baby down in the playpen then return for the second baby. Both children are within eyesight at all times, and carrying two children up the stairs is always a bit of a risk, and neither of them can walk safely up the stairs yet, so this is the safest plan for my present circumstances. If I had to go further into the house to find a safe place to stash the first baby, or if the door were opaque then I would probably put one baby in the carrier and carry both of them in for returning for the stroller as you suggest.
Anonymous
04/25/2016 10:35
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
What? ALL strollers need to be carried up steps (or do you own a levitating stroller you'd like to tell us about)?
You either carry the kids inside one at a time, place them somewhere safe (like a crib or playpen) then carry the stroller in if it's a heavy model that requires 2 hands to carry, or you put baby in a carrier, have toddler hold the rails and walk up the stairs behind the toddler while carrying the stroller if it's a model that can be lifted with one hand.
Do they not have strollers where you're from? Or stairs?
Absolutely not! The stroller gets left outside until you get both children inside and settled for 2 minutes, then you go retrieve the stroller and diaper bag. Children should NOT be left outside.
I would say that this depends on the house and the door. Nothing is going to happen to the baby strapped into the stroller parked at the bottom of the back door steps while you take the toddler inside. However, if one child can walk, there's no reason to do this.
Anonymous
04/25/2016 08:40
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
What? ALL strollers need to be carried up steps (or do you own a levitating stroller you'd like to tell us about)?
You either carry the kids inside one at a time, place them somewhere safe (like a crib or playpen) then carry the stroller in if it's a heavy model that requires 2 hands to carry, or you put baby in a carrier, have toddler hold the rails and walk up the stairs behind the toddler while carrying the stroller if it's a model that can be lifted with one hand.
Do they not have strollers where you're from? Or stairs?
Absolutely not! The stroller gets left outside until you get both children inside and settled for 2 minutes, then you go retrieve the stroller and diaper bag. Children should NOT be left outside.
Anonymous
04/25/2016 01:39
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
What? ALL strollers need to be carried up steps (or do you own a levitating stroller you'd like to tell us about)?
You either carry the kids inside one at a time, place them somewhere safe (like a crib or playpen) then carry the stroller in if it's a heavy model that requires 2 hands to carry, or you put baby in a carrier, have toddler hold the rails and walk up the stairs behind the toddler while carrying the stroller if it's a model that can be lifted with one hand.
Do they not have strollers where you're from? Or stairs?
Anonymous
04/24/2016 23:41
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
Anonymous wrote:1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
Are you kidding? Where do you put two children when you need to pee? Where do you put them when you need to do anything? Children are actually capable of remaining alive without eyes on them 100% of the time.
Anonymous
04/24/2016 21:30
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
1. What kind of stroller has to be carried up the steps?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
2. Where do you put the 2 children while you carry the stroller up the stairs?
Anonymous
04/24/2016 16:56
Subject: When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?
I think it's more than the stroller issue. Are you asking for housekeeping as well? Somehow I get the feeling your position is too much and would love to know what you're paying for someone to be active and busy all day