to ask the nanny to do a bit of light cleaning/ other chores while baby sleeps?

[deliverdaniel]

Embarrassed to be posting such an overprivileged middle class question.

WE have recently employed a nanny/ babysitter 3 mornings a week to look after our 4 month old while i work upstairs. He sleeps for approximately half the time she is there. I told her she was welcome to watch TV/ read etc while he slept. She doesn't want to do any of that and just sits there doing nothing (her choice obviously.) Would it be unreasonable to ask her to do a bit of light cleaning/ clearing up or other chores during this time? I have been told nannies only do chores relating to the child- eg clearing up toys/ their laundry etc but his washing is mixed up with ours and don't really want her picking through all of our washing to get it out, and he is only 4 montsh so doesn't really make a mess with toys. THanks in advance.

If you work in a nursery you have to cook, clean a lot, do the laundry, clean the fridge, empty the bins, deep clean everything periodically so I would do this if I wad your nanny. Bit lazy not to do anything for half the shift imo.

I am a nanny for three kids currently.

When I got hired on I was asked to do light housework-which i definitely do. It includes doing the family's laundry (yes, the parent's too), dishes (which they leave piles for me to do from the previous day), vacuum, sweep, etc.

When they interviewed me they also asked if I would be willing to pick up dog poop if the kids were in the back yard. I originally said yes, no problem. I assumed that they kept up regularly with it so it would be a quick job.

I come to find out they have 3 large dogs, which they only pick up after the dogs on the weekend.

The kids are old enough to know not to touch it, but they do step in it when they are in the backyard.

The mom called me yesterday after work and said she noticed there were a lot of piles that had been stepped in and told me she wants me to pick it up if the kids were going to be outside. I was in a public setting and was meeting new people and did not feel comfortable discussing the situation at that moment so I said ok.

Is it reasonable for me to not include picking up 10+ piles of dog poop as "light housekeeping?"

Of course you shouldn't have to pick up piles of dog poo.

You do know she's taking the massive piss out of you as an Employee?

You're not just the Nanny, you're the Housekeeper too.

Can you look for another job?

A few years ago I looked after a toddler for a family where one of them worked from home and it became impossible.
I agreed to light cleaning - filling and emptying dishwasher and all cleaning related to the child whilst in my care.
First few weeks were OK.
It ended up where responsibility was left to me to water plants, make beds, sort washing, sweep and often have to mop floors because I couldn't just clean under the table where the child had dropped food and leave the rest. Empty bins and even tidy up their messy desks so that the child couldn't get hold of things that were dangerous to him.
When I took him out, I was often asked to 'pick up a few things' too, which would be OK if over the days I was there I didn't have to do their whole frigging shopping for the week.
The work from home was a bit of a pain too as Mum thought nothing of popping down to living space hourly - for a cuppa, the loo (fair enough) numerous snacks or because she just fancied it. Almost every time she done so the little one would wail after her, taking anywhere from 1- 15 minutes to distract and be calm again.
I wouldn't work again for a sahp under those circs, if the child was younger or older then it probably wouldn't be too bad though.

OP - speak with your Nanny and if she agree's to do some more, accept that's all she'll do. Not that I'm saying you would take advantage but just be aware that if you ask 'oh could you just do....' doesn't mean she'll continue it as part of her role.

A nanny is employed to look after the baby and anything relating to the baby, such as washing its clothes, cooking, playing etc. It sounds what you need is not actually a qualified nanny but a mothers help/au pair, who will also do domestic chores as well.

I feel like she definitely is taking advantage of me and my services. I feel like i am not a nanny, pet sitter, and house cleaner. She has asked additional things such as family was coming in to town so she asked if i could strip the guest bedrooms sheets, blankets, pillows, pick up the bathrooms, etc.

I now feel like I have the right to feel this way. I probably should confront her sooner than later.

OP if you wanted her to do those things you probably should have specified at the beginning. Not really fair to add more tasks on for the same pay.