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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think you don’t complain when you’re getting free child care?

196 replies

WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 09:15

Our lovely nanny has been with us for the last 4 years taking care of my two boys (age 7) after school and full time during the holidays. She’s brilliant and I trust her completely.
Due to the current situation my boys haven’t seen any of their friends for a few months and they won’t be going back to school until September at the earliest so I thought it would be nice to invite one of their friends over once a week (with our nanny’s permission) just so they can socialise and have a bit of normality. He has been coming every Wednesday whilst I’m at work. I am quite close to his mother and we normally text every other day however I’m starting to wonder whether I’ve made a mistake inviting them over. I’ve noticed that every time he visits his mother makes comments which I think are quite rude. Some examples are -

The first time he visited I spoke to his mum that night just to see if he’d enjoyed himself and she told me that he didn’t like our nanny, no reason why. I spoke to my nanny the next day (didn’t tell her what had been said) just to see if everything had been okay whilst he’d been over and she said that he had been fine. A couple of weeks later he told his mum that our nanny hadn’t fed him much all day (personally I didn’t believe this as our nanny is a great cook). I spoke to her anyway and explained what had been said and she explained that the boy had been dropped off at 9:30 and told her he hadn’t been given any breakfast at home. That day he had 3 meals, plus a snack at my house so had been fed plenty. My nanny did explain that the boy constantly asks for food every 30 mins even after he’s had a large meal.

Yesterday he went home upset because our nanny asked him to stop playing rap songs on the Alexa (apparently he kept on asking to play Eminem which is obviously inappropriate). She explained to him that we don’t listen to songs like that in our house BUT did not tell him that he couldn’t listen to it at home! According to his mother he was extremely upset afterwards. I think it’s probably best if we part ways and no longer have the boy over as it’s putting stress on not only me, but my nanny as well. This was suppose to be a fun arrangement for the boys to spend some time together but has now turned into a complete nightmare because his mother complains every week. I also don't appreciate the accusations being hurled at my nanny as she really is apart of the family. I would rather not fall out with her but I’m not sure how she’ll take it when I tell her he can’t come anymore. AIBU?

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 16/07/2020 17:43

"I can see how some people might end up trying to find a way to engineer it that the playdate happens but without the nanny. The parent is making it clear they want the playdates to happen as they keep sending the child, the element they seem to be position as an issue is the nanny, whether OP likes that or not. "

That would be utter arrogance and CFery.

ToBBQorNotToBBQ · 16/07/2020 17:44

Just had a read, I agree the nanny should not be babysitting other kids you have arranged for her to have it sounds like you treat her quite badly. Her jobs to care for your kids not the whole class. She is probably too polite to say anything.

BigChocFrenzy · 16/07/2020 17:46

Those who actually work as nannies have said it can be part of the job

WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 17:49

What on earth? @ToBBQorNotToBBQ .. No we do not treat our nanny badly at all! We think the world of her. Try reading my previous comments please.

OP posts:
WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 17:50

Have sent a message to the mother and I have used a couple of suggestions from on here and mixed it all up together. I'll update you all once I hear back. Thanks again for all the advice and support

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 16/07/2020 17:52

Nannies do seem to set some peoples' noses out of joint, including on MN

So they should choose not to send their kids to be supervised by a nanny,
rather than slagging her off, or being manipulative

GreenTulips · 16/07/2020 18:02

I wouldn’t put up with this as a parent let alone ask someone else to on my behalf.

I would ask your child why he likes this boy and if he’s happy to have him to play. I think you’d be surprised at the answer.

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 16/07/2020 18:02

So weird she would send her son back if she genuinely thought he didn't like the nanny and she didn't feed him.

I'm interested in what she says to you in response. I'd be desperately backpedaling to claw my newfound child-free day off back.

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 16/07/2020 18:03

So weird she would send her son back if she genuinely thought he didn't like the nanny and she didn't feed him.

I'm interested in what she says to you in response. I'd be desperately backpedaling to claw my newfound child-free day off back.

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 16/07/2020 18:03

So weird she would send her son back if she genuinely thought he didn't like the nanny and she didn't feed him.

I'm interested in what she says to you in response. I'd be desperately backpedaling to claw my newfound child-free day off back.

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 16/07/2020 18:03

I was so clearly excited to make my point that I spammed it three times. Sorry.

Amber0685 · 16/07/2020 18:05

Oh that's a shame I guess we won't be seeing you on Weds anymore.

canigooutyet · 16/07/2020 18:05

@ToBBQorNotToBBQ

Just had a read, I agree the nanny should not be babysitting other kids you have arranged for her to have it sounds like you treat her quite badly. Her jobs to care for your kids not the whole class. She is probably too polite to say anything.
If I was the op, and nanny came back with those responses I'd wonder what she was smoking tbh.

I'd be reminding nanny she agreed to do this and was happy. I ask for when I'd asked them to watch the whole class, unless it was a paid thing at a kids party to help with numbers type thing. That I would duly note it not to ask if they wanted any overtime.

MsTSwift · 16/07/2020 18:08

God I would think it’s great if a nanny did play dates a childcare professional rather than random parent. Some weird attitudes in this thread!

Heyhih3 · 16/07/2020 18:10

Ohh dear major error OP it’s your friends child so you should be there to supervise and see what’s what. Your unable to do this so I don’t think it’s fair on nanny it’s a bit odd that your friends Sons mum is happy with this arrangement.

Nip it in the bud now OP

PanamaPattie · 16/07/2020 18:10

I hope you get a polite response and not a rude one!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 16/07/2020 18:15

great if a nanny did play dates a childcare professional rather than random parent.

But it's a playdate, not childcare Confused

I would want my child to be playing with their friend with their family not their childcare. To me it's literally like me inviting my kids friend over and sending the two of them to his childminder for the day. If that's weird, why is it so different for a playdate to be with a nanny? No matter how you swing it, a nanny is someone you are employing and paying to look after your kid. Just like a childminder or a nursery.

Inthebarre · 16/07/2020 18:17

To be totally honest here I’m a bit lost as to what this child has done that’s so terrible.

The music thing is something and nothing, it was dealt with, he was upset, but not the end of the world. The food is annoying but again not smashing the house up standards.

I do agree a full day is just way too much but this little boy has been really harshly treated on this thread!

WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 18:18

But that's the difference between childminders/nurseries and a nanny. A nanny can be a lot more flexible in my eyes, hence why we chose one. It's a lot more relaxed.

OP posts:
crimsonlake · 16/07/2020 18:19

The issue which stands out to me is that every week for a full day your nanny has had to look after someone else's child without being paid any extra.
This is / was not an irregular playdate...it was free childcare provided by your nanny.
Forget the flowers and chocolate, even the bonus, you need to be paying her for looking after someone elses child for however long this went on. Your nanny is probably livid but has not liked to complain.

anon444877 · 16/07/2020 18:20

Nearly every child I’ve had round for a play date has asked for food constantly - it seems to be some sort of mini party situation in their mind! The mum is BU for complaining though, good for children to hear no now and again.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 16/07/2020 18:20

My CM is totally relaxed but she isnt a substitute for a parent. There is a distinction between childcare and a parent.

WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 18:20

@Inthebarre our nanny is having to defend herself after every visit though because of his accusations and that's the problem. It's making her feel uncomfortable in her job which is not something that we want obviously. Yes children tell fibs but it seems to be every week...

OP posts:
WorkingGirl7 · 16/07/2020 18:23

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland . Obviously we disagree on this point. Many of the lovely nannies on here have said that it's the norm in their job.

OP posts:
ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 16/07/2020 18:24

I would want my child to be playing with their friend with their family not their childcare.

Ermmm... no! The whole point of DD having playdates is so I don't have to play with anyone.Grin

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