should I fire my nanny?

Question

My nanny works for me three days a week watching my two year old son. I pay her 100 dollars a day, plus free gas and lunch money. She told me today that she will be volunteering at a state run day care the other two days a week. One of the reson we pay for a nanny is so my son (who was born premature) wouldn't have to be exposed to all the germs assoceated with day care. Am I being unreasonable?

Answer 1

So your saying that were your nanny goes she picks up these special nanny germs and never takes a bath or washes her hands on her days off and transfers these "special public daycare-nanny germs" to your son, when she returns to work after her four day break or whenever she works for you?
you sound like your jealous that your nanny wants to do more than take care of just your kid.

your personal feelings seem controlling, why would you care if she did extra work in a day care if she is off-duty?

Her obligation as being your nanny isn't being compromised in anyway. As an employer its really none of your business what an employee does on their time-off as long as its not illegal or lifethreating or mentally/emotionally questionable.

she probably told you because she thinks of you as a friend. Your being a bit ridiculous i understand your concern for your baby, however germs are everywhere and if you have ever went out in public you have probably picked up a few yourself.

I think its great that your nanny wants to make a difference by volunteering, it says something positive about her character.

If your worried about her cleanliness then that is a whole different issue, and you should replace her if she is nasty and has bad hygiene.

Personally, I would get caretaker with some nursing experience or credentials to care for my premature baby if the baby is sick or has had health problems.

then again ive never had children so this isnt from a mother point of view however 100 dollars a day for 3 days a week doesnt seem all that good if you expect your nanny to just sit at home and do nothing else to supplement it. thats only 300 dollars a week depending on the standard of living where you live those lunches that you provide is probly the only time she gets to eat. so shes thinking where can i work and get free lunch.... hmmm ill volunteer at the state funded daycare center, i dunno just a thought can be looked at in anyway.

Answer 2

I was born premature and so was my sister. I am 29 and my sister is 20. I didn't go to the daycare and she did. My point is this I wasn't anymore sick than any other child and neither was she. If she is clean and washes her hands and changes her clothes and keeps up her personal hygiene, your son will be fine. In fact it is probably time for him to get out and enjoy the world with the rest of the kids so that he can form good communication skills. Kids get sick regardless. Unless you and your family never leave the house, you are in touch with germs all the time. Talk to you Nanny and then make an informed decision.

Answer 3

Yes, you are being unreasonable. Obviously, your nanny really cares for children to work with others on her days off. You couldn't ask for better.
Your son will be exposed to germs all of his life. I understand you want to minimalize that; I was the same way with my first child. However, if your son is healthy, and has no ill effects from being premature, then I wouldn't worry about it. Firing her for working at the day care would be like firing her for going to Wal Mart.

Answer 4

No you are not unreasonable...He is your son not the nanny's so you have every right to say where he goes and doesnt go...if the nanny knew this then she shouldnt volunteer...why is she doing that anyway? Doesnt she have enough on her plate taking care of your little one? I think they made Airborne for younger ones as well. I take it cuz I work at Disneyland and you can not imagine the germs I come in contact with. Good luck and just be strong and firm with your nanny let her know how you feel and she should understand

Answer 5

As a mother, with a 5 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. My opinion is: You should not fire your nanny. If you keep your child away from the germs associated with child care, this will in turn make your child more susceptible to them. Do you keep him away from all shops and parks too? Your little boy needs these germs to help him become immune to worse germs and diseases that are running rampant in the world.

Answer 6

Not at all! You pay a lot more money to have personalized child care free from the exsposure of countless children's germs. If I were you, I'd talk with my nanny about my concerns and how I value her child care. But it is to important to my child's health to expose her to all those germs. If she doesn't see eye to eye with you and isn't willing to stop volunteering at the day care, then part ways and be willing to give her a good recommendation for all the hours she cared for your child.

Answer 7

No your not being unreasonable, you pay her well for her services and can easily be replaced, if she's not happy and prefers to go else where for employment. ( let the daycare pay her a 100.00 dollars a day) NOT! There not going to pay someone to work at a daycare 10 $ an hr. and her responsibilities would be far more than just one child. Let her go she'll come back, beside you find someone you like better, that's not trying to dig in your pocket. I think her telling you this, is her way of asking for a raise. don't do it, tell her to give you time to replace her.

Answer 8

Hey You pay a very good salary any where in the us.. 100 a day is excellent.. But don't worry so much about the germs.. Have her use anti bacterial soap and her have clean her hands regularly. She will be fine. and so will your baby.. I guess yo could ask yor Dr.. But for the most part at little of something will help your child develop unles they are only weeks old so I guess the main question is how old is your baby? anything over 6 months I think you are fine.. good luck

Answer 9

Absolutely Not!
This is your child! If your nanny does not care about the well being of your child, then I can't see how she can care for him/her any other way. Sit down with your nanny and explain your feelings and reasoning behind your feelings with her. If he/she disagrees, then tell her due to the conflict, you wish to part ways, no hurt feelings and wish her the best and find someone else.
If your child was healthy, they say that exposure can be good because it helps to build the immune system, but you have stated to the contrary. I am sure you have a medical doctor's reasoning as well behind this.

Do what you have to do to sleep at night!

Answer 10

Have you tried voicing your concerns to her? Maybe she hasn't even thought about the fact that she could accidentally make your son sick.

It would be nice if when you sit down with her to talk about this, you could offer her a few alternatives to volunteer near around the neighborhood. That way, she would feel that you respect her desire to contribute to the community and you could reach a compromise that would benefit all the parties involved.

I mean, finding an efficient, trustworthy nanny is hard. You do not want to lose her services, do you? Please remember that she is your employee, not your servant. She has a right to do things for herself, to have something in her life that is personal and not work related.

I hope everything works out well!