Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 19:10     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
I think everyone missed the part in the original post where the nanny only works a couple of days per week!!! Please. She can suck it up for 30 minutes twice a week.

She can dress lighter, bring a water bottle, and get outside. She does not need to drive to indoor places like a mall -- that defeats the purpose of getting outside! She is only working for a few hours. Bring a change of clothes and have water play.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 18:59     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:My manny spends the majority of the day out of the house with the kids. He brings cold water and sunscreen and finds shade or water play during the hottest times of the day.


But we aren't talking about mannies, we expect them to be better in this regard. We are talking about indoor female nannies being asked to do only 20 minutes a day off the couch and out of in front of the tv.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 14:54     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
My manny spends the majority of the day out of the house with the kids. He brings cold water and sunscreen and finds shade or water play during the hottest times of the day.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 14:22     Subject: Re:Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
I take my charges to indoor places if we go at all during that time of day. If there are none in your area then you need to compromise. What is your priority, not having the nanny drive or ensuring DC gets out of the house? If you are WFH then you can minimize the hazards by asking her to use your vehicle.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 13:38     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
I take my charge outside every morning in the summer as soon as I get to work (8:30 AM) for 1-2 hours unless it is raining. I do this to beat the afternoon heat. If it isn't TOO hot outside later in the afternoon I will take him out to play with his water table or throw a ball around.

I would not (and my MB would not expect me to) take him out in the middle of the afternoon when the temperatures are reaching 90+ and the humidity is at 100%. It's just too much. I tried taking him out in those conditions the other day. He was in his stroller, and sweat was pouring off of his face after ten minutes. If you expect the nanny to walk your child to the park in a stroller or carry anything during the walk it can get very hot and uncomfortable for the nanny even if your child is okay with it.

On the other hand, I obviously try to have my charge outside for 2+ hours per day, and to me 20-30 minutes seems like nothing. Even if she just takes him outside and sits under a shady tree while your child blows bubbles, kicks a ball, or whatever else keeps him entertained I don't think that will really kill her.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2014 13:01     Subject: Re:Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
OP I think you are being unreasonable because they nanny is only there a couple of hours. There are much more child friendly hours in the day when you can take DC out. My guess is that you do not enjoy this parenting task and decided to outsource it. Although I take my charges out every day, I am home before the heat gets too bad.

Can you ask her to work in the mornings instead? If it is an option, that will help a lot. Otherwise, consider making it a daily ritual for you and DC. Maybe a walk to the park after dinner since it's still light out until 9pm most days. Use that time to bond with DC and get yourself some outdoor time as well.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 23:56     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You say your nanny is only working a few hours at a time. What are those hours? This request becomes less reasonable if the hours are 12-3 instead of 8-11.


She is here from 1-4pm. So the morning outing before it gets really hot isn't an option for us. Other than the fact it is hotter at this time what else makes it less reasonable?


It's the hottest part of the day... the same reason you don't see many kids outside playing at 2pm during the summer, but tons at 6pm. Is there a reason you can't take your own child outside at 4:30?


OP here, yes because I am working! Which is why we've hired help. We are near Baltimore.


She leaves at 4:00 yet you continue working? I feel sorry for your child =(
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 21:00     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:OP, it is tough to give you an objective answer unless you let us know exactly where you live at.

There are some parts of the country where taking a child outside in the heat is considered dangerous.

I live in Southern CA and during extreme heat waves, even the meteorologists on the news caution people to stay indoors as much as possible due to the heat. They even have "cool zones" designated throughout our community for those that have no access to A/C such as community centers and libraries.

Desert areas such as Vegas, Bakersfield, etc. can be deathly hot during the summer and taking a child out in such heat would be cruel and senseless just to "get him out of the house."

OP, if it is truly uncomfortably hot and your child would be subjected to the heat, then I think you should definitely re-consider letting your nanny drive your child. To not let him drive your child is a selfish decision in my opinion, you are not taking his comfort into consideration. If she is allowed to drive him, he can sit in her air-conditioned vehicle and they can go to an air-conditioned indoor mall, restaurant, public swimming pool, etc. There will be more options.

But if you only allow her to walk, they will be forced to not only be subjected to the intense heat, but also to limited access to shade and no A/C.


Selfish that I don't want to risk my child's safety by allowing my nanny to drive my child around? I'm also worried about other drivers on the road. I trust our nanny but driving anywhere is out of the question. We live in the Baltimoren area. I don't believe it gets scorching hot here and obviously on days where it is too hot I would not expect them to be out in the heat. However I don't believe it has been very many days that it has been in the 90's and she hasn't been getting him out of the house.

In regards to his nap (for other posters) he takes his naps late typically around 2/2:30 we don't have him on a schedule. Therefore our nanny is usually hanging out reading her book until 4pm while he is sleep. I haven't asked her to take him out at any specific time even if she gets here at 1pm and takes him out right away that would not be a problem with me. However that hasn't been happening. I don't think my requests of taking him out for 20 mins once a week, any time she would like while she is here is unreasonable at all. I'm surprised by a lot of these replies.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 20:48     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You say your nanny is only working a few hours at a time. What are those hours? This request becomes less reasonable if the hours are 12-3 instead of 8-11.


She is here from 1-4pm. So the morning outing before it gets really hot isn't an option for us. Other than the fact it is hotter at this time what else makes it less reasonable?


It's the hottest part of the day... the same reason you don't see many kids outside playing at 2pm during the summer, but tons at 6pm. Is there a reason you can't take your own child outside at 4:30?


OP here, yes because I am working! Which is why we've hired help. We are near Baltimore.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 14:46     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
The only summer days I do not take the kids outside are when its code orange or code red days. A) its bad for anyone to be out in that. B) The kids I watch have very severe asthma and could die being out when the air quality is so poor if they don't have immediate access to their emergency inhalers.

That being said, we go outside 30+ minutes every other day even if its hot and humid and. gross.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 13:47     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You say your nanny is only working a few hours at a time. What are those hours? This request becomes less reasonable if the hours are 12-3 instead of 8-11.


She is here from 1-4pm. So the morning outing before it gets really hot isn't an option for us. Other than the fact it is hotter at this time what else makes it less reasonable?


It's the hottest part of the day... the same reason you don't see many kids outside playing at 2pm during the summer, but tons at 6pm. Is there a reason you can't take your own child outside at 4:30?
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 13:39     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I call troll. What 2 year old isn't napping between 1-4???


I'm a nanny to a 2yo and he naps from 11:45a-1:30p most days (he's been a 4:30a riser since birth)...so I don't find it to be impossible.

OP your requests are very reasonable. We are outside from 8:30/9a until lunch at 11/11:15a and then again from 2/2:30p until dinner at 5/5:15p. It is hot so we walk to the wading pool or take a stroll down a shady street or we bring water shoes and walk in the fountains. I prefer it to being indoors since the family doesn't have AC and it means better sleep for DC. My MB jokes that toddler boys are like puppies and you have to run them around in the sun to get any peace in the evening

Where do you live?


I live on the west coast. It has been a humid 88-95 where I live for the past several weeks, but like another PP my NF lives in a third floor condo with a tiny balcony and no AC. Getting out is the only choice we have. If we lived a convenient walking distance to a mall with an indoor play zone I would absolutely be going there.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 09:12     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
Anonymous wrote:OP is being unreasonable.


THere is no rational world where requesting 20 minutes outside once a week is unreasonable. Unless you're in a war zone.

OP - request what you want. Help her figure out ways to do it that are comfortable for her, but fresh air should be non-negotiable.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 08:11     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
OP is being unreasonable.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2014 03:19     Subject: Nanny doesn't want to take toddler outside on hot/humid days?
OP, it is tough to give you an objective answer unless you let us know exactly where you live at.

There are some parts of the country where taking a child outside in the heat is considered dangerous.

I live in Southern CA and during extreme heat waves, even the meteorologists on the news caution people to stay indoors as much as possible due to the heat. They even have "cool zones" designated throughout our community for those that have no access to A/C such as community centers and libraries.

Desert areas such as Vegas, Bakersfield, etc. can be deathly hot during the summer and taking a child out in such heat would be cruel and senseless just to "get him out of the house."

OP, if it is truly uncomfortably hot and your child would be subjected to the heat, then I think you should definitely re-consider letting your nanny drive your child. To not let him drive your child is a selfish decision in my opinion, you are not taking his comfort into consideration. If she is allowed to drive him, he can sit in her air-conditioned vehicle and they can go to an air-conditioned indoor mall, restaurant, public swimming pool, etc. There will be more options.

But if you only allow her to walk, they will be forced to not only be subjected to the intense heat, but also to limited access to shade and no A/C.