To think nanny should not read novel when with DS

[Lostwords]

Our part-time nanny usually reads a novel while my DD has her nap. I know some nannies work at this time, but I don’t mind as I know childcare is tiring and I had a previous nanny quit because she found my too tiring, and I’m afraid of having another quit! But now, in school holidays my eldest is home from preschool so she has him too, as per contract. Today he mentioned that during his sister’s nap the nanny read her novel while he, in same room, played with his train set. He said it was for a short time, and he didn’t mind, though as he’s only 4 it’s hard to get an accurate picture. The rest of the day was busy: they did quite a big art project and also went to the park. It’s a fairly short day, 9.30-3.30pm. Hmm. Thoughts?

I think a bit of down time whilst 1 naps and the other amuses themselves is fine actually. Unless you arrange for her to have half an hour off for lunch.

Meh, he was happy, baby was asleep. No big deal.

I couldn’t get worked up about it

Personally, I think it’s good for children to see adults reading so on the face of it I wouldn’t have a problem. Equally, for seeing adults having down time.
If she’s doing it to avoid playing with your son then that’s a different matter. Overall, does your son get a balance of attention/ interaction?

Your last nanny quit because you’re hard work.
I can’t believe you would get upset about this.

Wouldn’t bother me

If he’d said she was ignoring him and he wanted to do something but she just sat there and read I’d be more concerned

Kids don’t need entertaining constantly

I don't see the problem.

She’s modelling a love of reading to him, and that down time while he plays alone is important so he learns to be independent.

for 6 hours isn’t the employee entitled to a 15minutr break?

Half an hour whilst one naps and the other is happy seems fine to me. I’m assuming she doesn’t get a child-free break. Q

I think it’s really good for your son to see her reading to be honest. We are meant to encourage kids to read, after all and children like to copy their adults. Little one was napping and he was playing quietly, the rest of the day seems pretty jam packed so I would be fine with it.

I was about to say yanbu but actually as the poster above said, it is really good for them to see adults modelling reading and a love of books, and it probably wasn’t for long and he was happy, so on balance I think I’d just leave it.

I agree with @Gatehouse77 - it is good for him to see adults enjoying books. And it is not unreasonable for her to have a bit of down time, if she is responsible for both children all day.

She's entitled to some down time. 6 hours with no break.

I think its ok. She needs a bit of downtime while looking after children and children need to learn to play alone.

@Gatehouse77 makes a good point. She’s not on a phone or tablet and for 15-30 mins I wouldn’t be bothered by it.

Children need to learn to entertain theirselves and use their imaginations, they don't need adult interaction every minute of the day. They also like to copy adults, much better that he sees her reading than on her phone. Plus she's entitled to a break.

My childminder takes the kids to the supermarket with her.

I think you're expecting too much to be honest, especially after the last nanny quit. As a parent, I would regularly have a sit down and a rest with a cuppa while my youngest napped and eldest amused himself for half an hour. Why should a nanny be any different.

I think it is good for your son to see her reading, and it is also good for him to spend time playing independently and not always requiring someone else to participate. I think you should be pleased with your nanny is doing a good job.

Well unless you organise some over for her to have a lunch break... YABU

Given your last nanny quit because you’re too hard work maybe you should chill a little?

She was with your son and he was happy. They had a v busy day. It’s good for children to play by themselves sometimes and not always have directed adult time.

A 6 hour shift legally should have a 30 minute break.

What on earth is your problem? Your son is four years old and he needs to understand that sometimes he can play happily by himself while an adult in the same room, does something else. It's so, so important for children that age to be able to amuse themselves with their toys without having constant attention.

I honestly think it sounds absolutely lovely - one child napping, the other playing nicely with his train set and the adult being a good role model by reading. Sounds really peaceful and a lovely calm environment for your child.

You sound uptight and difficult to work for and I am not surprised the last nanny quit. It wouldn't occur to me to mind about this.

I made the mistake with a family I previous nannied for - I occupied the children all the time, including spending one-on-one time with the eldest when his sister slept. This meant that as he grew he was incapable of entertaining himself and even when we went to the park he would stand and look at me and say 'So what shall we do?' I realised what a mistake I'd made and was careful not to fall into the same trap with his sister. She had to entertain herself for an hour every day while I had lunch and chilled.

It's really important for your children to have unstructured, playing alone time. It's really important for your nanny to have some downtime too.

Also why did your four year old tell you? Were you pumping him for info?