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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want my friends nanny on holiday with us?

333 replies

Hungryhippos123 · 15/11/2025 10:05

We are meeting in Spain in May half term- me and my kids, a friend who lives in spain with her two kids and a friend from KSA who has 2 kids (just mums and kids- all age 5-10 and get on well!).
Our friend from KSA has just told us she plans to bring her nanny/maid with her. Shes a lovely Filipino lady (I have never met her but friend raves about her) as friend wants help with the kids.
I find it really uncomfortable and dont know why or if I should say no. I get that help is nice but we will all be there and her kids arent naughty or anything just normal kids! She said her nanny can help with all the kids and cook etc which I know is her norm but I find really uncomfortable. The whole dynamic will feel different and I will feel bad that the nanny will be sleeping in an office room on a blow up bed (again friend said would be fine).
AIBU? Should I just enjoy the extra help or would it bother you?

OP posts:
InMyOpenOnion · 15/11/2025 10:16

Yeah, that would alter the dynamics for both the adults and kids. I don't think I would go. When my DC were younger I often found that people with a nanny just didn't get that nobody else had a relationship with her nor did they want one really. The nanny plays such a pivotal role for them, they sometimes forget this.

Tiswa · 15/11/2025 10:15

I think perhaps the issue is how your friend views her nanny and it seems exploitative and you don’t want a part of that

Shoxfordian · 15/11/2025 10:15

Why shouldn't she bring her nanny for a more relaxing trip? Yabu really

BillieWiper · 15/11/2025 10:15

Well they're not your nanny. The family who employ her have the right to bring her on holiday whenever they need her. Assuming she agrees.

I'd happily sleep on a blow up bed if it meant I was on holiday in Spain. Even if I was also working. So that to me isn't weird. As long as there is Aircon in the room.

I take it you wouldn't give up your bed for her?

Honestly I don't think you can really say anything against it. Especially as you say you don't even know her but everyone else thinks she is lovely.

LightDrizzle · 15/11/2025 10:15

It would bother me. I was on the fence a bit until I read the nanny would be on a blow in an office room. She shouldn’t be cooking either, except for for the children if she’s a nanny, but of course she’s an underpaid domestic labourer and I’d totally judge my friend for that. I don’t have a problem with people choosing to have a nanny, or employ domestic help, but just because you live somewhere that exploits migrant workers that doesn’t mean you have to. Your friend could employ a nanny and treat them as a U.K. nanny would expect to be treated but she doesn’t. If her family can’t afford to give the nanny decent accommodation, a fair wage and benefits and reasonable hours and time off then they should just look after their own bloody kids or tie a knot in it.

I wouldn’t enjoy my iced lattes by the pool in that scenario.

Smartiepants79 · 15/11/2025 10:14

You can’t stop her coming if your friend is determined. I would be definitely making sure that the poor nanny was NOT looking after my kids as extra work. And doing what I could to make sure she was comfortable and respected.
Your friend doesn’t actually sound like a very nice person. She sees her nanny as a second class person. Would she be ok on a blowup bed and her work load suddenly being tripled?

Dacatspjs · 15/11/2025 10:12

You don't have to let the nanny look after your kids, but you can't dictate what she does with hers.

OnlyOnAFriday · 15/11/2025 10:10

Well I don’t think you get to say “no” to the nanny coming. You could mention lightheartedly that the kids will be so busy playing the nanny won’t be needed. Or you can choose not to go.