Nanny issues +General nanny question

scraw99

I have become increasing frustrated with our nanny.  Very small things but she doesn't always change when I ask her to do something differently (such as the nap routine which I have spoken to her about numerous times, she feels that she must do it  her own way to my kids detriment not napping for the past 2 weeks for her).   She doesn't do much besides take care of my kids and has a nice 1 1/2-2 hours of the day where I think she does work on her computer when they do nap.  I do am snack prep, and 90% of lunch prep.  She may only need to heat or defrost food.  Monday, I sliced cheese and placed it on a plate in the fridge.  Her job was to defrost a veggie burger and melt the cheese on  top.  Instead, she provided one large tomato per child for lunch and the second food I left for lunch.  She said it was "easier" than fixing the veggie burger.  Well, my daughter developed a nasty rash because of the large tomato that she gave. I have never seen a more terrible rash and it's been 4 days.   She's been screaming with diaper changes that her butt hurts.  Since Tues, I asked her to make sure she also changed the diaper in the afternoon since she has the rash and she has not done it.  DD 2 (one without the rash) smelled like urine Tues pm and her diaper was completely full.  I can count the # of diapers in the diaper bin and know how many times she changes them.  

 The other small issue is  that I promptly come home at 5 pm on the days I work.  Nothing is picked up/put away.  I don't feel that I should pay her for an additional 15 minutes of her time to pick up before she goes.  She also seems to "prolong" leaving when I get home.  Going to the bathroom, general chatting about other stuff.   So,  when do you officially stop paying by the minute?  

 Thanks for any advice/suggestions

 

 

kirac

I'd find a new nanny.  Ok, cleaning for me is something I'm willing to give up if the nanny is good on other things, but not changing diapers or not feeding food as requested is not acceptable.  Particularly, if it causes your daughter a severe allergy!

NicoleWI

Those things are valid concerns, especially the weird incident with giving your kids big tomatoes!

EastCoastBride

Who the hell gives a tomato to a child for lunch? And defrosting a veggie burger is too hard?  I'd find a new nanny. She sounds lazy. 

jhansen3

Time to find a new Nanny. There are people out there that can defrost meat and do much more for your children. GL!

Strunella

Yeah, I think it's time to move on.  She should be receptive to your concerns and follow directions.  We pay our nanny weekly, not hourly, so there is no OT.

stdldb29

The nap thing and diaper thing would bother me.

Giving a child a tomato-that happen to give her a rash? Not a big deal.

Cleaning up when you arrive home? Not a big deal-what would you say if you came home to a spotless house and the kids werent playing? 

honeybee111

OK, I think you should find a new nanny.  All of that would bother me.  The nap and diaper thing would bother me the most.  The tomato thing is just weird - ok, she didn't know it would result in a rash, but who thinks a whole tomato is an ok meal for a kid?  And the excuse she gave you to justify the tomato is not ok.  And the cleaning thing would bother me because we specifically list in our contract that our nanny is responsible for picking up toys and any kitchen clean up associated with DD, so if she wasn't doing it, then she's not doing part of her job.  We also pay weekly - the only time we do overtime is when our nanny watches DD in the evening if DH and I go out or something.

scraw99

Thanks everyone!

groovygrl

I'd find a new one too, I never understand when ppl say that they do all the food prep for their nanny, that sounds so lazy if the nanny is really only serving 1 meal and you have the supplies for easy meals? I would stop the clock when you walk in the door unless she is doing something after that (like if she spends 15 minutes cleaning up the house without you helping her or something but not just to talk about stuff). Re the cleaning up, I guess it depends on what that time of day is like...e.g. if the kids tend to be unwinding in front of a tv show starting at 430 then I would expect the house to be a little tidier b/c she could take advantage of that time by 5 but if she is outside with them or doing other activities all the way up until when you come home then I think it is understandable, that's how my house is when the kids are home w/ me all day...

GL

laurakaz13

I had to respond.  I would be PISSED about these things.  Definitely find a new nanny.  Oh, and I wouldn't pay anything past 5.  Once you get home, the hourly payment stops. 

I would put everything in a contract, all of this, for the next nanny.  Also, I have babysitters who are more than happy to make balanced meals for DD.  I try to leave some things prepared, but they don't mind cutting up veggies or fruits, heating up chicken or thawing out frozen food.  They also clean up and respect my wishes as far as naps go. 

Wow!  Get rid of this one.  I would explain to her exactly why as well.  One thing that would really bother me is that I would wonder how lazy she's being with playing with, reading to, and doing fun things with your kids.  Does she even bother to do anything with them?  I'd be skeptical.