Hey Moms,
We have hired a nanny to take care of our two children, two days a week. She started at the beginning of June and so far I absolutly love her and better yet, my kids think she walks on water! I'm very happy.
I do, however, have a hard time delegating or asking her to do things around the house. When I hired her, I told her I wasn't concerned about her doing housework and such. My main thing was that I wanted her to focus on the kids. And that she is. But, there are times when I'd like to say "Hey, would you mind unloading the dishwasher, do a load of laundry..." I do tell her to help the kids clean their room. I'm sure she'd have no problem but I feel like since I told her in the beginning that I wouldn't make her be my housekeeper that I'm going back on my word.
Suggestions?
Thanks for all your advice. I've decided that I'll just ask her to do easy things. i.e. unload the dishwasher, throw a load of laundry in the dryer, etc. I figure if she hesitates then I'll offer her a bit more for the extra work. She is awesome at keeping the house picked up. Everytime I come home there isn't a toy on the floor or dirty dish in the sink. But I know any mom out there can relate to the ever nagging dishwasher that needs to be emptied!! LOL.
Thanks again!!!
I grew up in the 60's. I had the same Nanny from birth to 12 years old. I loved her so much! Named my first daughter after her!!
Hi S.,
I'd say that if you told her in the beginning that housework was not a priority, it will be hard to go back on your word. But, if you looked at the situation from a 'taking care of the kids' aspect, you might be more successful at getting her cooperation. I'd keep the tasks limited to kid type tasks, like picking up the toys or cleaning the kids rooms, or even doing some small organizing of the kids toys or clothes would be helpful and of benefit for her do handle the kids more efficiently the next day. It's also a good value for the kids to learn some life chores. Picking up, trash, etc. Tell her that you'd like her to teach the kids some life skills like doing the dishes, trash, etc...something that they can help you with on the weekends. My daughter is 3 and she has chores, and some kids really like to help with chores. Try and keep your chores for her strictly about the kids and at the kids skill level. Asking her to do your dishes is almost about the kids, but not quite, and it might make her feel more like a maid than a nanny. But, if you tell her that it's something that you would like the kids to learn how to do, then, perhaps she can give them a "lesson" once a week or something like that for a while until they get it.
I don't see anything wrong with discussing it with her. You could let her know that you didn't foresee the need, but now you can see how it would be helpful. Maybe she wouldn't mind adding a few specific tasks to her daily routine.
I have always done some babysitting/nannying as a little side job. It is a little tricky since you did tell her in the beginning that housework was not a concern. I wouldn't have a big, sit-down discussion with her or anything. I would just very lightly say that IF she ever has downtime and WOULD LIKE ideas of things to do, that you would never mind if she put a load in the washer or unloaded the dishwasher....and throw in a few more ideas. This way you are not saying it like it's expected, just that it would be appreciated.
Above all, the main thing is that your kids have the best care and the rest is just a bonus :)
I would say to discuss it with her. Some nannies do light housework (usually relating to the children) and others swear to do nothing but watch the kids. If you explain where you're at, she probably would be willing to help. The worst she can say is that she won't do it, and then you haven't lost anything, since that is where you are right now.
I use to babysit for a family all the time and when the mom wanted extra things done like dishes, bathroom, mop floors she would offer me more extra money to do and it was always optional but I always needed the money and did so but that definately took away from me watching the kids 100%.
well since you told her you weren't really concerned with housework, it would be difficult to ask her to start doing that now, now she has been there a couple of weeks....
taking care of a 5 year old and a 21 month old all day long is a lot of work....to me it already sounds as if she has her hands full...does she do the dishes after lunch? does she load the dishwasher, but not empty it (that would already be help for me, lol)
does she have previous cleaning experience on her resume? or housekeeping...
if she starts doing housework for you, you may want to consider giving her a little raise for it, since it isn't what you hired her for to begin with...
Hi
I nannied all through college and after that for another year or so. I thought it was fair to clean up as I went, dishes and cleaning coutners. I also took care of the kids laudry weekly, but not their bedding. I didnt mind doing it because it was always appreciated. The mom would often leave notes in the morning with instructions for the day and say many thanks for doing the dishes, ect. They also were understanding if certain days stuff didnt get done, we all know how that goes and have those days too. I would just ask if she would mind helping out with certain tasks, and then notice and appreciate when she does.
I was a nanny for 6 years for the same family. I wasn't required to do any household cleaning but I did do it. They offered to pay me more because I did it but seriously it doesn't take that long to quick load a dishwasher after breakfast and lunch, maybe 10 minutes. I am sure your 21 month old still naps and during that time if Grace is entertained for a moment it doesn't take much to throw a load of laundry in, maybe just a few minutes. I just did those kinds of things including vacumming and washing the floors and things like that. I started when the first boy was born and there were plenty of times when I had a little time on my hands especially when the boys were napping.
Since you told her it was stuff she didn't have to do and it doesn't appear that she wants to just help by picking up after them and things like that then I would suggest maybe just asking her if she wants to earn a little extra money by maybe loading the dishwasher or throwing a load of laundry in and things like that. Hopefully she'll say that she'd do it without charging you more. I know it may take her attention away for like 5 or 10 minutes occasionally but seriously... it isn't always good to give kids constant attention anyway I think a few minutes wouldn't hurt. Just my opinon.
