Should I Invite Nanny to Birthday Party?

I was a nanny for a family for 3 years. I went to each of her birthday parties! As did both of my boys and my husband.
I was a part of that family, I helped raise their daughter and kept watch on the older two before and after school.
I just went to her 7th birthday party last month. I haven't been her nanny for 3 1/2 years. But we share a bond, I love her. I am going to make my way to her soccer game this coming weekend, they came to the hospital and visited after I had my daughter, we meet up every once in a while at McDonad's and play at play land.
We are friends and I don't think it's wierd at all.
L.

I think inviting her is lovely! A nanny is an extension of a family and you are kind to want to include her.

I've been to parties and the nanny and her kids were invited and showed up. I did not think it was weird. It was nice to see a connection beyond employer/employee.

One nanny actually had the 2 kids in her wedding (she married military and most of her family was far away).

My kids have been in in-home daycare all their lives (my oldest is 5), and we have always invited their care provider (and her family) to the birthday parties. The care-provider's children are home-schooled, and teenagers, and the dad works odd hours and weekends, so the whole family helps out with the daycare. They always attend when we invite them. My kids love their family, and our extended family are happy to meet them as well.

This person is essentially helping you raise your child, she's a big part of his life, and I absolutely don't think it's weird.

it would be odd NOT to invite her. She is taking care of your son...right now she sees your son more than you do! (no, not meant to be mean - but honest).

Invite her. If we had a nanny, we would invite.

We always invite our nanny and her family.
She's been with us for almost 6 years and is like family to my kids.

Never been weird.

I think it's sweet! But make sure it's a visit and don't let it creep into "helping" unless she insists. Let her know that she is a GUEST. But if she really wants to help, let her.

Invite the nanny.
She is part of the family.

I think it depends on the family, honestly. :)
When I was a nanny, I was invited to a couple family birthday parties. One family, it was okay and I'm still very connected with them years later. They are like extended family for us.

I'd say, extend the invite "only if it works for you" (her) and make sure she knows she and her daughter are guests. If her daughter chooses not to come (at 15 I would rather have stayed home than go sit in a house full of strangers from my mom's work), be gracious about it and don't take it personally.

Yes - totally invite her. We invited our nanny to our girls' and took her out for dinner on her birthday, and she became almost like a family member. She's getting married in a few months and my girls will be her flower girls.

Just make sure she doesn't feel she has to provide childcare or entertain kids at the party.

If you like her, why not? If she declines then that's fine also. Not everyone who is invited usually comes anyways. You're not asking her to come work the party, you're asking her to be a guest. Not sure why some would see that as an issue...?

I was always invited to the partie's of the family I was a nanny for.

I think inviting her is a great idea. Just make sure she is treated like a guest and not like hired help (not saying you WOULD treat her that way, just saying to take extra caution to make sure she doesn't end up feeling like she has to babysit/watch the kids).

I invite my son's nanny to his birthday celebrations. I couldn't imagine not doing so.

Sure, as long as you don't refer to her as "the nanny" to your family.

If she just started working for you, I wouldn't. I mean I'm sure she loves your son and all, but it's her day off. She probably has things to do and wants to spend time with her own family. Most of us don't want to go to our bosses kids' birthday parties on our days off.

If it is Family Only, then I think she may feel awkward about it. If it is Family & Friends then invite away. I tend to not mix business and pleasure - a Nanny is technically business.

Absolutely invite her. I think she will be delighted.

if you'd enjoy having her there, and she'd enjoy attending, why not?
i had a nanny growing up, but it was a little different because my mom died and our nanny was live-in, so of course she was there.
but i'd invite her. she can always say no, right?
khairete
S.

I don't think it's weird at all! We used to have a nanny for my daughters and I always invited her to the birthday parties and she always came. If she didn't or wasn't able to come, then there were no hard feelings there either. It's nice to extend the offer.

You invite and she declines, what a mess that would cause. I, too, like my space from the boss on my off days.

If it's that important, plan the party is on her work day, then she's there anyway.

Of course, invite the nanny! If she doesn't come because she needs the time off, be understanding about it.

Glad you're happy with the nanny!

I was a nanny, and I was invited to parties and some of their family movie nights. I think it helps build the bond between your child and the nanny.

I would. We used to refer to my little one's nanny as the other mother. She is helping to raise your little one and is becoming a part of your family. I think it's a nice gesture and shows that you think of her as more than just staff.