Another nanny/maternity leave question

bumpuser2505903

The post earlier today got me thinking about my current situation and I thought I would ask for some advice here. My nanny works three days a week for us and cares for our 2.5 year old. I'm due in December with DD#2. I've arranged for our nanny to stay on through my eight week maternity leave because I know she needs the money and I don't feel like it's fair to cut hours/pay and then expect her to come back when I go back to work.

So, the arrangement we've made is that she will come back to work one week after baby is born to help me through my eight week maternity leave. But now I'm getting anxious that I'm going to go crazy having someone else in the house so often. My DD#1 always prefers me to do things when I'm home and the nanny is here (like breakfast in the morning when I'm still trying to get out of the door). I plan on EBF DD#2 so she won't be helping with that and of course I'll want to bond with DD#2 doing most of her care.

Is it unreasonable for me to ask her to help with other household chores? I'm thinking dinner prep in the crockpot, laundry, simple errands, etc. Any other ideas to help me not go insane having someone in my space for eight weeks?

TheBorg7of9

Why don't you have her take the toddler out to fun activities?

bumpuser2505903

TheBorg7of9 said:

Why don't you have her take the toddler out to fun activities?

Yes, good idea. I will add that to the list. She does currently go to Gymboree so we'll keep that going.

mae0111

I second the activities. I kept our nanny on close to full time through my leave with DD2. Every day she would take DD1 to some activity. In bad weather, she'd even just take her to run around the mall. It really allowed me to rest, heal, and just get to know DD2.

jf198400

I think its fine to ask her to do household chores.  I would also leave both kids with her occassionally so you can get out by yourself to do things- exercise, get your haircut, go shopping, etc.  You also might want to take both kids out together.  I had both kids home with me while I was on ML, we went to lots of activities, but some things were hard to do on my own, like go to the childrens museum.  You don't want the nanny to get all the fun with the older child while youre sitting at home with an infant, so go out together!  I would also leave her with the infant sometimes (even if its only for an hour, since youre BFing) so you can have special time with your older child.  That will help ease any jealousy of the new baby.