Nanny interview UPDATE and question

lkobriant

Mobile: "Nanny interview update and question"

Thank you all for the good vibes and happy Mary Poppin thoughts!  We met with both girls and we liked them both a lot, but one was definitely a clear choice for us.  Thank goodness!  

My question is this...as previously mentioned she will only be with LO two days a week.  She has a 2 year old daughter that she would like to bring with her.  I was really nervous about that going into the interview but after talking to her I feel a lot better.  Right now my hold up is do I want her daughter around our newborn/infant in the beginning?  It's really a germ thing.  But then again I feel like I'm being crazy overprotective FTM.  We have no plans to shelter LO and plan to take them out in public and have them around friends/family, I'm a believer that exposure will help build LO's immunity.  And I'm well aware that lots of babies come home to 2 year old siblings.  But for some reason I fear her daughter may lead to our LO getting sick more.  In all honesty mommas, am I being completely irrational?  I almost feel like I am.

WildRumpus

I would look at it as if LO had to go to daycare, there would be A LOT more exposure to germs. I would have an honest conversation w/ her and just ask if her LO has been vaccinated on schedule. I'm glad you found someone you like and are comfortable with!

BlondieBia21

I think you have valid concerns. I would just be more concerned that she would be paying attention to her child more than yours, and you're not paying her to take care of her own child ya know? But, that could just be me! I have heard of it working perfect, though!! Follow and trust your instincts they won't lead you astray!

henderson1026

She won't be with you until LO is 6-8 weeks right?  I wouldn't get concerned about it.

lkobriant

BlondieBia21:

I think you have valid concerns. I would just be more concerned that she would be paying attention to her child more than yours, and you're not paying her to take care of her own child ya know? But, that could just be me! I have heard of it working perfect, though!! Follow and trust your instincts they won't lead you astray!

This was one of my concerns before interviewing, however, she mentioned that she has brought her to sit for previous families that she's nannied for and her daughter does her own thing while she takes care of the other children.  This is on my list of questions for her references.

lkobriant

henderson1026:

She won't be with you until LO is 6-8 weeks right?  I wouldn't get concerned about it.

Depends on when LO gets here.  She'll start the first week of September, so however old LO is at that time...if I go to 41 wks LO will only be 3 weeks when she starts.

BlondieBia21

lkobriant:

BlondieBia21:

I think you have valid concerns. I would just be more concerned that she would be paying attention to her child more than yours, and you're not paying her to take care of her own child ya know? But, that could just be me! I have heard of it working perfect, though!! Follow and trust your instincts they won't lead you astray!

This was one of my concerns before interviewing, however, she mentioned that she has brought her to sit for previous families that she's nannied for and her daughter does her own thing while she takes care of the other children.  This is on my list of questions for her references.

Good! I would ask and see what they say. When it comes to illness, I think that that shouldn't be a big issue. Like you said, you believe exposure builds immunity! Best of luck!!

BelhurstBride

If the two yo is home with mom or home with mom and your LO where is she picking up more germs than you might would bring home from work, the grocery store, ect? 

A toddler isn't a germ factory in and of themselves... It's when you have masses of them that you have to worry about them just passing a cold around. A toddler who isn't in daycare? Not concerning to me. 

floridababy3

If her LO isn't in daycare and chronically sick I think I would be ok with it. Otherwise you could make other arrangements until after LO's first set of vaccines.

Rowcate

i don't think you are being irrational, toddlers are full of germs. I agree with pp's your child would be more exposed in a daycare setting. I see no problem in expressing your concerns and verifying she is vaccinated and washes her hands frequently. My DD knows she cannot touch babies without first washing her hands.

tdmklm

lkobriant:

BlondieBia21:

I think you have valid concerns. I would just be more concerned that she would be paying attention to her child more than yours, and you're not paying her to take care of her own child ya know? But, that could just be me! I have heard of it working perfect, though!! Follow and trust your instincts they won't lead you astray!

This was one of my concerns before interviewing, however, she mentioned that she has brought her to sit for previous families that she's nannied for and her daughter does her own thing while she takes care of the other children.  This is on my list of questions for her references.

Honestly, I'd like to meet a 2yo who does her or his own thing for too long... I don't think it's a problem for her to care for both kids, but you shouldn't think she'll be focusing only on your baby with a 2yo in the house. It's highly unlikely.

kellieann5

Congrats! I think the toddler is fine from a germs perspective, but I know I'm worried about my toddler and "gentle hands" with New Baby. However, your nanny has NOTHING to do but play with these kids, so it should work out.

 

However.....IMHO, Ive never met a 2 year old who " does her own thing"!

 

I think its awesome that you guys clicked. The kinks will work out with the right person! 

BelhurstBride

The little guy I used to watch is totally a two year old who just does his own thing. Night and day compared to my own kid! 

I watched an infant when DD was about two. It was a transition for myself and DD and I actually hated it- but of course I always responded to the infant's needs over DD's. (much of why I hated it.) if you're paying someone to watch your kid you do have to trust that that's going to be the case, and if she's done it before I'd guess she's figured out how to make it work for her.  

lkobriant

Thanks all!  I do plan to ask her references about the balance of her DD and the kids she's watching but yes she says she's done it quite a bit. Our initial plan was to keep it occasional until LO had finished vaccines and the pediatrician gave the OK and then discuss it on a more regular basis.  DH says he can see the benefits of both so is leaving it up to me to determine what I'm comfortable with, which isn't helping at all! 

V&G101808

Jill9288:

I would look at it as if LO had to go to daycare, there would be A LOT more exposure to germs. I would have an honest conversation w/ her and just ask if her LO has been vaccinated on schedule. I'm glad you found someone you like and are comfortable with!

 

this. And I'd probably ask her to keep her daughter away if her daughter is sick. Will keeping her daughter away cause problems with her being able to table care of your LO? 

rooftop

I would think any germs your LO will be exposed to by the 2 year old would also be with the mother. ditto PP that daycare would be way more infectious.