Anonymous wrote:Another suggestion: pay for 40 hours. Use her for a half day every Friday or full Friday every other week.

MB here. This seems like the best idea.

Have you tried having a conversation with nanny to ask if she would be amenable to the 36 hour week to start or if she needs/prefers the 45 hours? If she needs/prefers the 45 hours, could you ask about doing the main 36 hours you need plus a date night to help supplement some of the other hours? She'd likely still come out ahead and you'd get to use a few more hours as well as some time to relax after returning to work...