Anonymous
Post 05/28/2014 09:54     Subject: Child Related Duties

PP here - I'd add that routine cleaning of the car seat, stroller, toys, etc. doesn't strike me as unreasonable. Our nanny does those things and was the one who suggested that she do them weekly/monthly as needed. Cleaning those items on a Monday because there was an accident over the weekend seems extreme to me. That should really be done when the mess is made.
Anonymous
Post 05/28/2014 09:49     Subject: Child Related Duties

OP - this is a really subjective question and it matters less what everyone else on this board thinks and more what you agreed to in your contract and what expectations were spelled out when you first discussed the job. It sounds like there are two separate issues here - one is whether you should ONLY be responsible for things dirtied on your watch and the other is whether EVERY mess should be saved for you. The answer is probably somewhere in between depending on how much time you have during the day, what you agreed to and what your employers need (because ultimately if they need something different from what you are willing to provide, they will most likely look for someone else).

I think 1:46 hit the nail on the head. It's unrealistic to expect not to have to do anything that wasn't done on your watch but that doesn't mean you have time or that it's realistic to do everything. When our DC was a baby, we might leave the bottles from the morning or the night before if the dishwasher had already started for our nanny. However, that is different from leaving all the bottles from the whole weekend for you. Similarly, our nanny does the laundry twice a week - including laundry accumulated on the weekend. It doesn't need to be done more often than that regularly, but if needed, we throw in a load ourselves. If something gets poop covered or vomited on over the weekend, obviously we wash it ourselves because that is a hygiene issue and just gross.

I'd also note that child care related tasks are likely to evolve as children get older and their needs, as well as those of the family, change. This is something you need to consider and determine what your own comfort level is on this issue. Our nanny has been with us for several years and that was something we discussed when she was hired. Now that DC is older and in preschool part of the day, she does groceries and vacuuming, and other such tasks while he's at school. For what it is worth, SHE considers these tasks to be child care related as DC is the beneficiary - even though we all ultimately benefit.

It sounds like your issue is one of managing expectations - yours and your employers' - not an absolute definition of "child care related" which is absolutely subjective. I'd start by sitting down with your employers and having a discussion about time and tasks (and maybe add that it's super hard to clean a poop covered bjorn two days after the fact - it should be washed immediately). It's more important that you are on the same page than what this board defines as "child care related" and if you are not, you may want to consider looking for a new job.