I think I might be in love with our new nanny...

lovely posts, lucky children.

Yes we're in the middle east. And yes, it is more common for people to have help here. Everyone except us, apparently. Infuriating. We have the choice of breaking the law, or never ever hiring so much as a babysitter. And our sponsor is a big company too. And it wouldn't cost them anything to do it. They just Have A Policy Against It apparently. Bastards.

Ouch - sharp elbows you have there PD!

Yes, Nanny 1 & 2 both seemed less than ideal - I'm glad Nanny 3 showed up!!

If she's planning on taking 4 small boys anywhere, a couple of crates of wine might be a good present

On the Christmas present front, I normally give a day's wages (£100) in vouchers for a store our nanny likes to shop in, and some chocolates/wine.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer on what to give. Its up to you. Blondes has a generous employer in relation to Christmas presents (a week's wages), but I have seen other posts from nannies who don't get anything at all (how mean) and some who have more of a token present.

glad nanny 3 is working out - she def isnt me - though i am fantastic

the other 2 were def dodgy and better off without them!!!

i normally get a weeks wages and something funny/lovely from the kids and some wine/bubbly

kitty - pur some cash in the pot and see how long it lasts depending on how many children and what activites they do and if paid upfront termly etc

I do miss her but I figure she would be young enough to forget me and I didnt want to mess around. Absolutely broke my heart. Yes dd seems to get dumped on parents an awful lot while sheis out partying all the time.

Haha first time I met her in rl she was in hosp with her asthma and went to visit her - the day after I got discharged for my asthma. Have had coffee and cake with the rl mner who is the OP of this thread too.

Am ok, tryingto learn what triggers attacks and things, had flu jab this year so hoping to avoid any hosp admissions.

Coffee and cake with a RL MNer - lucky you

Next time I'm up in Bonnie Scotland we have a hot date!!

Allhail - where the hell do you live? I just couldn't live with that kind of arrangement - I'm far too much of a rebel! Can you go to someone above the sponsor?

where do you live?

Oh sweet, really sorry to hear that. I knew about the ex now with brothers ex and I know she was always flakey and it was really you putting in all the effort, but I didn't realise she'd got that bad. I bet LittleMiss misses you so much, you were the only stable thing in that poor mites life :( You must miss her a lot too, such a lovely wee thing.

I'm fine. Nothing new this end :/

How are you feeling now? - you OK?

On the plus side since been ill have made a good MN friend and she very supportive with my asthma - prob cos she has it too We went for coffee and cake on Fri.

I am so jealous. We would love to employ a nanny. We can afford one. I am expecting baby number 3. We have no family nearby. It would really be the cherry on the top of family life to have an extra pair of hands to help out and give me the time to spend one on one with the children, as well as not having to take all three of them everywhere with me. But we live in a country where your sponsor needs to approve any domestic help and inexplicably our sponsor is saying no. Utterly utterly frustrating.

Hi chipping. Oh I don't know not seen her :( "best friend" well ex now turned in to a right bitch. Think it was once she moved in to own place away from her ex (her ex is now together withher brothers ex - stuff off jeremy kyle!!) and she became obsessed with burlesque dancing, drinking and men. I been in hosp lots in the past year and she wasnt visiting, wasnt texting or anything. How are you?

There's no right or wrong way for this either.

I think a general 'kitty' works just fine, but if they're going somewhere 'big' then some money specifically for that.

It also depends how much you work as a team and what else the nanny does. Does she get bits of shopping? Pick up the dry cleaning? Put petrol in your car?

Sounds fab, was about to pm and ask but I see on here! :) Which one is she? - the one you offered it too first or the 2nd one?

Can I ask- with a nanny do you give her a set amount of cash for the day for activities or do you suggest what they should do and then work out how much to give. Thinking of school holidays I suppose more than term time.

This is so nice to read. And yes, be sure to tell her how much you appreciate all the hard work. We really do hit the ground running in the mornings and its like that pretty much all of the day....

With reference to xmas bonus/gift. The last few years I've received £100 in a xmas card, plus a rather lovely gift of benefit make up sets/laura ashley posh stuff...don't set the bar too high though

Here's your chance to put your order in Blondes

Pacific - are you using a company to do your tax etc? Is there anything specific you'd like some help with (re being an employer)?

As for Christmas presents - you can't go wrong with cold, hard, cash! Other than that it's hard to say without knowing her. She's quite new too - so no need to go tooooo over board. Wine/Jumper (if you know her taste)/scarf & gloves/bag

op - you sounds a lovely mb

please do tell/show your nanny you are happy with her - a thank you goes a long way - a bottle of wine (if blondes lol) goes further

I would love a nanny, even for a week! I'm very jealous