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Original poster

Nanny playing radio loud during day

87 replies

thehuntress · 01/07/2009 10:45

I want to know if my DH is being unreasonable. Our nanny is generally great with DD (2.6 years old). The issue is that he has come home two times recently while she was feeding her in the kitchen to find pop music blaring loudly on the radio. He doesn't think that our daughter should be listening to pop music on the radio at her age, particularly because of the DJ chatter which is usually mindless.

I don't feel as strongly about it, but think the music shouldn't be too loud as I generally want the nanny to be chatting, interacting with DD during dinner.

I think my DH's dislike also stems from the fact that he doesn't like pop music himself.

Do you think nanny would think we are overreacting and being strange if we ask her to not listen to the radio with DD around? That's really what we want, but I don't want to make nanny unhappy as in the whole scheme of things this is probably a small issue.

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spicemonster · 01/07/2009 13:21

TBH, if I don't have the radio on when my DS is eating (Radio 4 admittedly but then that's my personal taste), I'd go a bit spare. What level of interaction do you really have with a 2 year old when they're eating? They eat, you watch. They're not huge conversationalists at that age (and my DS needs to focus on eating - if I engage him in chat, he forgets to put the fork in his mouth).

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/07/2009 13:07

i would be very insulted and tbh rather pissed off if my mb/db told me i cant have the radio on - it is always on, one in kitchen and one in playroom - opposite ends of house

i cant stand a quiet house, and usually have the local radio station on

maybe a compromise can be to have the children channel on the radio - which we often have on as well

athene - i agree - my older two love pink and halo by beyonce as well as in for a kill, and we all oooooooooooooooo when we hear the song, and baby (1) is bopping away as well

mb likes radio 2, and i change her station in the morning and she changes it back in eve

debilicious · 01/07/2009 12:24

Also, I might just add, you place a lot of emphasis on your nanny interacting with your DD.

I think it is preferable for the nanny to be in a pleasant mood, and have a break from constant interaction if she needs one - rather than force herself and be semi-grumpy all day.

debilicious · 01/07/2009 12:20

As a nanny I would be offended if my boss asked / told me not to play any type of music (tho I would never play offensive music while my charges were around - or ever actually ).

But I do have about 10 or so cds I play on a regular basis, sometimes quite loudly. The kids know all the words to the songs and enjoy singing along, sometimes requesting their favourites. Sometimes I put music on if they've been a handful and I need to relax before I move on to the tea/bed time routine part of the day.

I tried to imagine myself in the senario - one possible reason she could have had the radio up quite loud, she may have had a difficult day with DD - and needed some zone out time.

MatNanPlus · 01/07/2009 11:47

Radio on in the background and not at mealtimes and reading / games times maybe?

Maybe ask that she also plays other stations like Classic.

Also depending on the station some play the full on song lyrics and not the sanitised version!

Original poster
thehuntress · 01/07/2009 11:41

Thanks for the responses. I think it does sound a little over-the-top (and odd) to ask her not to listen to the radio. My DH's main concern is the type of music and how loud it is. But I've lived with this my whole relationship with him and had to 'adjust' my musical tastes.

I will perhaps have a word with nanny to ensure that it is in the 'background', and not distracting to DD or hindering their interaction. This will most likely satisfy DH. I didn't feel strong about it to be honest.

Thanks for all of the replies! Good to get other opinions.

OP posts:
AtheneNoctua · 01/07/2009 11:39

Besides, music can promote interaction between people. My kids (now 4 and 6) make specific song requests in the morning so they can dance to them together if there is time before the school run.

AtheneNoctua · 01/07/2009 11:36

I think you are a tad bonkers if you want her to turn it off completely. If she is blaring the music so loud it might damage hearing then of course she should turn it down immediately. But, come on, you don't want your child exposed to pop music? Is your surname Windsor? Even Diana was a pop fan.

Our nanny plays country music (Chicago Country station on an internet radio so plenty of chatter and commercials) from the kitchen every morning. DH was not so keen on this when he heard it on Friday morning (he is not there Mon - Thurs). I , however, like hearing country music in the morning so I told him he was a stuffy old Englishman or something to that effect.

DadInsteadofMum · 01/07/2009 11:30

I think if she is listening to Girls Aloud you have reason to doubt her good taste.

LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 01/07/2009 11:20

I think that he is being unreasonable. If she was listening to music that was unsuitable (swearwords etc) then yes she should not listen to it. What music do you listen to at home? I would feel put out at being asked to stop listening to the radio. She is not going to pick up any bad habits by listening to a bit of Girls Aloud during the day. Is she listening to it the entire day? Maybe they get up and dance together.

tommypickles · 01/07/2009 11:18

Maybe you could come to an agreement where maybe she can listen to it quietly when dd is playing happily by herself and nanny is just supervising, and not at dinner times or when nanny is reading/interacting with dd.

Or if you don't worry that it may cause a rift between you, tell her not to have radio on at all if thats ultimately what you and your husband want.

It is your daughter and you rules at the end of the day, and you should say how you want things to be.

Some employers, outside of the home, won't allow the radio to be on in the office etc, so you're not being unreasonable. If someones being paid to do a job, then it's just that, she's not in your home to do as she pleases and have a good time.

Good luck

FourArms · 01/07/2009 11:16

I would think if you asked her not to, she'd probably think you were slightly mad (in the nicest possible way!). I often have the radio on for background noise, but I know some people don't like that. Could you move the radio out, perhaps 'break it', or maybe get an MP3 player and docking station with some music already installed on it??