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?

She needs a break! Don't you have a tea break?

Ok that’s good to know. Just wanted to check. Btw before assumptions are made about me the last nanny quit because she found my DS’s energy too tiring - not my expectations. I actually let her have free reign over structure of the day and didn’t say she couldn’t have a break. She wasn’t a professional nanny and hadn’t worked with toddlers before, plus my son was a really full on toddler.

Relieved you think the reading is fine, just wanted to check!

20 mins is legal in UK per 6 hours. Provided she’s over 18 (assume she is)

This wouldn’t bother me, she needs a break or she will quit!

It does children the world of good to have time for independent unstructured play. He needs the downtime as much as she does.

When we had a Nanny I encouraged her to read the odd magazine and run the odd errand with the children in tow. I didn’t want my DC to get used to having entertainment laid on for every waking hour!

Is she not just having a break which legally she would be entitled to? It would be exhausting constantly playing/entertaining with two children for 8 hours.

It’s good for children to play alone without an adult interrupting. It helps their imagination and allows them the freedom to play in their own way.
Let the nanny read her book and stop stressing.

There is no legal requirement to a break until you have worked 6.5 hours.

Sounds fine to me. Do you never sit and do something while your kids are otherwise occupied?

I think it sounds good. Childcare is full on. Nanny gets a short break and your DS learns to entertain himself for short periods and gets to see an adult reading which is good. Why on earth would you be annoyed??

Surely it would be unnatural for children to be the centre of adult attention for six hours in a row ? I think it's nice that she sits and takes a break in a healthy way

OP, when you have to look after your children and one is asleep and the other happily playing on their own do you not do ANYTHING but stare at them and hover around them for a whole 6 hours?

Do you not sit down and maybe read or check your phone or have a cuppa and just relax for a bit? You know, like normal people?

She is a nanny. She was supervising your son whilst your daughter slept. You don't have to lean over them 24/7, you can sit down, read and still be aware of what is going on.

What a lovely happy little quiet time that must have been for them all.

As a cm it is important they have some time to entertain themselves and in my experience they tend to be quite self playing so more chance for little one to sleep

I think its good, you shouldn’t expect to amuse a child constantly. It’s also good that the any is seen to be reading. Better than watching her on her phone.

Ok, thanks all, like I said I’m more than happy to take this viewpoint on board. I don’t really need any personal attacks. Just sounding out general opinion.

Surely she’s entitled to a breather? She would get a lunch break if in an office

Do you allow her to use the toilet when she is looking after your children or do you insist on 100% attention on your children ? You are doing your child a dis-service if you dont allow him to play on his own

Your 4 year old ‘mentioned it’ or did you prise the information out of him? It’s an odd thing for a young child to ‘mention’ to his mum.

There is no legal requirement to a break until you have worked 6.5 hours.

jennymanara. No. It’s 6 hours and a minimum 20 minute break.

Sounds fine. Why does it bother you? I would consider your nanny a good role model - they have a busy day and a small break while smallest dc sleeps and she reads a novel.

Perhaps your ds could have a book he can read at the same time as the nanny, if he'd like.

^^ Agree maddie, seems a very unusual thing for a 4 year old to comment on ?

OP sorry people are bashing you. Glad you have taken on board this is normal / fine. Sounds like a good mixture of activities over the day.

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.

This for me too. Sounds like you've taken the thread on board, anyway.

@Lostwords - what on Earth are you thinking? You can’t ask if you are being unreasonable, and then take on board what people say and accept you were being unreasonable! Doing things like that will break MN and risks tearing a hole in the fabric of space and time!

Absolutely your son should be left alone to play sometimes. The last thing you want is a child who needs adult attention every minute of the day. And yes, a reading role model is another positive.

Sounds like a good nanny a full on boy is exhausting they need to learn downtime is important, to sit quietly and concentrate on an activity is something they need to do at school. Kudos to nanny.