nanny and TV time

SunAndRain

DD, 27 months, goes to daycare.  When she is sick, I have arranged for a nanny to care for her through a placement service.  I'll work from home on those days.

Last time I was surprised to find the nanny showing DD children videos on her smart phone.  I felt like if I wanted DD to watch TV, I could easily plop her in front of the tube and saved my money.  I want the nanny to interact with her.  DD has never been too sick to want to read, color, play outside a bit, etc.

Today I have DD home with me.  I had to work today, and she is on her 3rd movie.  I arranged for a nanny for tomorrow and I am seriously wanting to tell the nanny no TV or limit it to no more than 30 minutes.  I get that the Nanny will want downtime too, but DD will nap.  The nanny is here from 8-3.  Is it unreasonable or unrealistic of me to ask and expect that the nanny interact with DD without screen time?  We have 100 books...4 cats......toys...a nice yard for DD to play in in the morning... She wouldn't be lacking other options.

[Deleted User]

Is she a nanny or a babysitter? Have you talked with her about your expectations of the day?

Perhaps you can offer a schedule for the day or lay out options as in "here's the puzzles, books, etc for after breakfast".

Is it a different person each time?

jenn43

I think it seems pretty reasonable to set a limit and let the nanny know what it is.  

Iblamethebeer

rvasc said:

There are two issues: you have to communicate your expectations, and they have to be reasonable. I think your expectation is perfectly reasonable, but you can't expect the nanny to meet it if you haven't communicated it. It's easy: "I'd prefer no screen time today since DD had so much yesterday while I was trying to care for her and do my job. Thanks!"

Agree with this -- it's totally reasonable to limit/prohibit screen time in a 7 hour day, but it's also not crazy for a nanny to think some screen time is okay with a sick kid so I think you just need to be upfront about it.  (We have strict rules for our nannies on "regular" days but relax the rules when a kid is home sick).

SunAndRain

She is a nanny- it is a nanny placement service. On top of a placement fee I pay an hourly rate that is higher than what I pay her daycare teachers who I know are extremely qualified.

But all the advice given makes good sense. I will provide a timeline and several options for their schedule along with asking that she not watch tv or smartphone videos or games. I'm glad my expectations are reasonable!

Mustardseed2007

I bet the nanny won't even blink once you've made your wishes known.

TheBorg7of9

If you don't want your kid to watch tv, just tell the nanny. She's not a mind reader. But also, if your kid is home sick and it's just once in a while, then maybe let it go.

litzo27

Agree with all PP -  completely reasonable expectation, just tell her. Our nanny rule is zero screen time. The only time she can turn on cartoons for them if she is babysitting for us on a date night and the boys can watch TV while she is putting baby to sleep.

RachelandEduardo

Totally reasonable. Its your house, your kid, your rules. Just communicate your expectations to her. We have two nannys and we made it very clear to both of them from day one that we don't do any screen time. They've never questioned it and have always abided by this request.

Katelobster

I agree that if you didn't specify no/limited TV, you can't get upset.

I also use a nanny service that provides temp nannies as back-up care/sick care. My 2y/o DD was potty training and chocolate Goldfish grahams as a reward- she had been getting ONE per potty success. DH forgot to mention this and Temp Nanny gave her the remainder of the package as an afternoon snack. It wasn't her fault of course... I learned my lesson about communication.