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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:
Whyo · 13/08/2021 14:10

Well get rid and get someone else with photographic memory and maths skills.

You’re going to lose this though “She is amazing with the kids and they love her. She is also very reliable.”

Seriously, pick your battles.

Hankunamatata · 13/08/2021 14:13

Why are you asking her to calculate money?

wavecatcher · 13/08/2021 14:16

Oh your that poster, you clearly don't like your nanny and just nit pick at her.

Beckhamsmetatarsal · 13/08/2021 14:20

If you know she struggles with maths maybe try to work it out for her.

If you're the same poster as the key incident then just let the nanny go to a nice family as you clearly don't like her?!

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 13/08/2021 14:32

Only 5 small mistakes over a few months, she is reliable, amazing and the kids love her. Hang on to her she sounds like a keeper!

You need to allow for human error, she isn't a machine.

Crunchymum · 13/08/2021 14:38

Have you posted about this before?

Or are there several forgetful nannies out there?

ViceLikeBlip · 13/08/2021 14:38

I was a nanny when I was younger. I was 100% focused on the kids, but I guess my general admin was quite poor (this is something I've got better at with age, and probably I care more now because I have to deal with the consequences)

Al I can say is that I was a devoted and attentive nanny, and the kids were happy and safe with me. If you think you could easily find someone who is as good with the kids, and also better with all the other stuff as well, then I suppose you should fire her 🤷‍♀️

ZaraW · 13/08/2021 14:41

These are your grandchildren? I remember you from a previous post. You come across as demanding. Be grateful the children have good care.

Blackberrybunnet · 13/08/2021 14:42

"Mistakes with money"? Do you think she is trying to rip you off?

1forAll74 · 13/08/2021 14:42

You need to tackle her about various issues, if she is a great nanny in most ways, she won't mind you asking her about your worries. No use you just thinking about these things, just speak to her.

Warsawa31 · 13/08/2021 14:45

This is a Pearl clutching moment isn't it lol 😂 a nanny who is rubbish with maths and lost a couple of bags?? The horror.

Op when you write your next job description please make sure to include a no mistakes allowed clause. I am joking 🙃 but honestly people make mistakes and the vast majority of people have no one to help them with their children in the first place

MotionActivatedDog · 13/08/2021 14:48

Amazing, reliable nanny that the kids love? I think I could overlook bad maths and forgetting a few items.

CallMeNutribullet · 13/08/2021 14:54

Some people's brain's just work differently op. Her being slightly forgetful and bad at maths doesn't mean she's not on the ball. It jumped means those aren't her strengths. Luckily she works in a role where she doesn't particularly need those skills.

If she's a good, reliable nanny you should pick your battles.

toocold54 · 13/08/2021 14:55

Could you be more specific with the mistakes?
Did she take £500 instead of £10 type mistake?

You can be fantastic with children but not good with maths.

Lots of people are dyslexic with words but there is also a maths dyslexia as PPs have said which we seem to have less tolerance for.
Does it really impact her job that much?
I’d rather have someone who is good with my children and they like her than good with money. We can’t be perfect in everything.

godmum56 · 13/08/2021 15:17

i think a) it depends on what the money issue is and b) how much you value how good she is with the kids. I mean there are things you can do to help her be better with adding up and strategies for not forgetting things.
For me, i wouldn't just let it go but I would do my best to keep her.

sociallydistained · 13/08/2021 15:23

I’m a Nanny who has worked for the same two families for years and years. I often leave stuff by accident, bags, jackets sunglasses water bottles etc. Do I do this intentionally? Of course not and often it’s because I’m dealing with 3 children and focusing on them and their needs and sometimes handover take longer or are distracting and I rush off. Do my bosses mind? Gosh I hope not, why would this be a problem as I’m back the next day/ after the weekend. I’m annoyed at myself when I leave things and I have to go without but I’m mostly focused on being good at my job! I’d understand if you said your Nanny had lost or taken home the kids things many times (this does happen too!) but I don’t understand your annoyance at that.

Disintegration1985 · 13/08/2021 15:49

Hang on... how does the whole days out/money thing work? (Or I have I missed it in the thread?)

Because if you know she's taking them somewhere, surely you can just give her the correct money? Why is she working it out? And how far 'off' is she?

MoreAloneTime · 13/08/2021 15:56

Have you tried coming up with some strategies to try and make these things less likely to happen? That's what's typically done in a workplace where someone is making mistakes.

FelicityPike · 13/08/2021 16:06

The forget-the-bag nanny….again.

BillyWhozz · 13/08/2021 16:08

@FelicityPike

The forget-the-bag nanny….again.
I haven't advanced searched - is it definitely the same OP as I did wonder...
Ponoka7 · 13/08/2021 16:14

Is this the nanny that you wouldn't give a key to, so she couldn't go back for the bags?
People make mistakes. It's how important the mistakes are and the ones she's making aren't important.

iklboo · 13/08/2021 16:24

You have way too much time on your hands, given some of your other posts.

CSIblonde · 13/08/2021 17:11

Why does she need to work out & calcuate money at all ? You either give her a weekly amount to use for ad hoc expenses or, one off amount each time , that's enough to cover a trip etc, she gets receipts & hands them back, with any change. End of. If you are the same poster re the forgetting bags but not giving her a key I feel v v sorry for the poor Nanny.

KeyWorker · 13/08/2021 17:15

Year 2 and year 5 as in primary school? As in aged 6/7 and 9/10? I think they can manage to remember their own bags at that age. I thought you had toddlers!!

FelicityPike · 13/08/2021 19:41

@BillyWhozz I think it might be a different username, but it sounds very familiar.