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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think she should be able to do this?

54 replies

TrinidadQueen · 13/08/2021 13:07

I'm really frustrated with our nanny.
She is amazing with the kids and they love her. She is also very reliable.
But she also seems incapable of basic maths despite being very educated. Twice she has miscalculated money which I asked her to calculate (Money for trips out etc). She is also very forgetful. Leaving bags behind etc on a good few occasions. Aibu to say she should be more on the ball?

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 13/08/2021 13:08

Is this a popcorn moment?

CosilyRosily · 13/08/2021 13:10

Have you ever made a mistake OP?
I'd say that in the scope of what her job is (protecting your children, making sure they are safe and happy), miscalculating change and leaving the odd bag behind is pretty insignificant and it's weird that you're so wound up about it

Original poster
TrinidadQueen · 13/08/2021 13:12

Confused Why would it be a popcorn moment?
Considering it's happened twice with the money and about 3 times in under 5 months then I think I have a right to worry and be annoyed.

OP posts:
Original poster
TrinidadQueen · 13/08/2021 13:13

3 times in under 5 months leaving things behind I meant.

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/08/2021 13:14

How many kids and what are their ages?

ZaraW · 13/08/2021 13:15

It must be great being perfect....

Original poster
TrinidadQueen · 13/08/2021 13:16

Year 2 and Year 5.
I'm not saying I'm perfect but it's happened a lot and I feel she is not as on the ball as she should be.

OP posts:
HerMammy · 13/08/2021 13:17

Are you the OP that posted before about nanny forgetting a bag but she doesn’t have a key??

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 13/08/2021 13:17

I'm highly educated, but I'm also dyscalculic - the numerical form of dyslexia.

It wasn't diagnosed until my late 20s, and that was only because I worked with an educational psychologist who recognised it. When I was at secondary school in the 90s, dyscalculia wasn't recognised at all, and it hindered me - teachers thought I was lazy and scatterbrained.

Although I'm seeking help for it, things like counting money accurately and basic arithmetic panic me. Your nanny may well be the same.

Stompythedinosaur · 13/08/2021 13:17

Employees are people, not machines. People make mistakes. Unless you have a reason to think she is being deliberately sloppy I think you should cut her some slack. I am sure she knows it isn't ideal to make errors.

Findahouse21 · 13/08/2021 13:18

What kind of mistakes with money - loosing £20 notes or not being able to add 3.47 to 5.66, then working out change from £10 quickly in her head while looking after 3 small children and cooking dinner

bloodywhitecat · 13/08/2021 13:18

Dyscalculia maybe?

CosilyRosily · 13/08/2021 13:19

I think i would find it slightly irritating but also consider myself lucky to have found someone reliable who my kids love... probably wouldn't post on mn about it... probably would have a chat with her and get on with my day.
Unless this is a huge drip feed and she's forgetting epi pens and stealing cash

SycamoreGap · 13/08/2021 13:19

I'd be grateful that I had a Nanny who was reliable and my children loved. Then I'd see what I could do to support with the other stuff.

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 13/08/2021 13:22

@HerMammy

Are you the OP that posted before about nanny forgetting a bag but she doesn’t have a key??
Just thinking the same, this sounds very familiar...
Hoppinggreen · 13/08/2021 13:23

I think you need to be specific about what she has/hasn’t done before anyone can judge

HaveringWavering · 13/08/2021 13:41

What was the impact of the miscalculated money? Is she using a calculator?

Have your children’s possessions been lost irretrievably because she’s left bags behind? Fair enough to ask her to be more careful if that keeps happening.

Any other concerns about her ability to care for your children?

dancinfeet · 13/08/2021 13:47

Well as long as she doesn't miscalculate how many kids she should have and leave one behind, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem, surely?

idontknowwhyibother · 13/08/2021 13:49

Long as it's not effecting her ability to care for your kids I don't see the issue. Maths isn't everyone's strong point... YABU.

Alonelonelyloner · 13/08/2021 13:53

I would expect a nanny of school age children to be more on the ball and also capable of basic arithmetic. I assume she doesn't help with homework then?
If she makes the kids feel secure and happy then that is of course the main thing, but it would irritate me. Tell me she isn't in her 70s or something??

cadburyegg · 13/08/2021 13:55

Not everyone is good at mental arithmetic- I’m pretty awful at it despite having a degree and a decent job. It’s just not my strong point. I just use a calculator, no big deal. What’s the impact on you and the kids? Is she losing money, can you be more specific?

Leaving things behind 3 times in 5 months isn’t really a big deal tbh. It happens

BlossomOnTrees · 13/08/2021 14:04

If they are school aged then they need to be responsible for their own belongings. Especially the year 5 child. The nanny is only human and can't be expected to remember everything especially 2 lots of belongings. My kids have at least 2 to 3 bags with them most days. I would be more angry with the kids than the nanny if something got forgotten.
As for the money, bit of a non event surely? So she's miscalculated twice, doesn't really seem like that's her role anyway. To be honest it sounds like you are expecting too much from her and not encouraging your kids to take care of their own bags etc.

Thebookswereherfriends · 13/08/2021 14:05

If the 3 things left behind were things like a hat or a snack pot then I wouldn’t be too bothered. I would ask her to please ensure she checks before leaving. With the money it’s hard to say without more detail - if she is being particularly rubbish with money then I would only give her exact amounts for things or ask her to pay me back. If you worked in a shop or cafe and messed up the money more than once you would be asked to reimburse from your pay. A nanny is like any other paid position - I’ve been one - I would be mortified if I had lost things through carelessness or miscounted money.

NoSquirrels · 13/08/2021 14:07

What exactly were the ‘mistakes with money’?

And did she rectify the other forgetfulness - go back for the bags etc?

sillysmiles · 13/08/2021 14:09

If you know money is not her strong point why not leave the money in envelops in extra amount?

Yr2 2 and yr 7 = 8 and 11 year olds?? Old enough to remember their bags.
If she is otherwise good - why not find solutions to the issues.

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