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Honestly, without snark, is there some sort of unspoken expectation with Nannies, that once the kids are in school/camp/pre-school that the few hours downtime is theirs to do whatever they wish and still get paid? Does the nanny expect the job duties to change once the children are in school or is it a total surprise? If there are any nannies online please give your point of view.
14 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]I think it depends. If it is a couple hours for preschool, then maybe yes they expect downtime. However, most if not all nannies expect changes when kids start elementary school, in that either the job turns into babysitter/housekeeper combo or they will need to start over. Some prefer starting over since cleaning/errands are not what they consider their job.
[ Reply | Options ]It depends upon your understanding when the kids go to school. Some parents have very particular ways of managing a household, and a nanny may feel uncomfortable doing things unless she is instructed what/how to do them. As for "having the nerve"...if your boss gave you free time and didn't give you a job to do doing that time, wouldn't you spend your time hanging out and on the phone? Nannies are not a class of subspecies of human, but many people seem to speak about them as if they are.
[ Reply | Options ]My opinion: if its reschool by the time you drop off the child get back to apartment, its practically time to go get the child again - so I wouldn't expect any additional duties. Plus, the hardly ever go to school -the breaks are amazing at nyc preschools. If you are talking about elementary school (K and up) then you have three choices. Pay current nanny less for reduced hours which she may or may not accept. Most won't but if you nanny is going to retire after your children it might work. Add housekeeping duties and keep the pay the same if your nanny agrees to this change and you are happy with her housekeeping abilities. Keep your nanny at same rate and don't add any extra duties. Or hire someone else who fits current need/salary. I don't see where it is compicated. The two parties simply have to agree on one of the above.
[ Reply | Options ]How many people are allowed 'down-time' at work. None. They get a lunch and if lucky 2 15 minutes breaks but they don't get to sit around for 2 hours and just relax, especially if they are getting paid. Nannies should not expect to get paid and a raise to sit around although I would be weary of her attitude and work ethic if she thought that was acceptable.
[ Reply | Options ]Everyone gets downtime. I think during my corporate days, we spent at least 2 hours a day shooting the shit. It seems to me that Juliet and her employer need to talk about expectations on both ends. Nannies are employees, not slaves.
[ Reply | Options ]OJuliet: I can't believe my post has gotten this big and spun off other ones, I'm kind of hoping it doesn't get back to my nanny (though names have been changed). I shoot shit about 30 minutes a day 15 during lunch, and 15 complaining about my nanny :) We definitely need to sit down and talk expectations. I was trying to see how she did with some house stuff (not cleaning!), before the fall comes.
[ Reply | Options ]Ping-pong. These constant nanny-ralliers are always so incensed when nannies are actually asked to do their jobs. There is a certain amount of flexibility and unpredictability that is inherent in the job. If they want a 9-5/6 job w/pre-determined, non-negotiable perimeters they are welcome to get jobs in the many industries in which that is the norm. My jobs ALWAYS included unpaid late hours and extra responsibilities-- but I knew that going in. And what would they do if they had a "couple of extra hours"? Can't imagine - most already spend nanny time sitting around reading magazines and blabbing on their cell phones.
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Well, if your nanny signed up for light housework, then it's okay, but if you just spring that on her, it's not fair. It's like if your boss sent you to get his coffee everyday during a slow time-even though you can do it, it's annoying because it's not a part of your job.Suppose you're a SAHM...would you give yourself some downtime during the day? If yes, then it's ok for the nanny. If no, then it's not ok for the nanny. Anyway the discussions should ideally occur BEFORE the transition
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