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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be mad with a nanny

136 replies

teomama · 21/06/2022 22:21

Our lovely nanny had to take a day off and I called an agency for a replacement service for my 5 month old twins. Their dad is away for business and I struggle to do the 24/7 twin shifts alone. The nanny they sent had a nice resume and good references and I was happy to welcome her home. First red light: upon arrival, she complimented our home and in a couple of minutes proceeded to ask if we owned the place, what we do for a living and how much we'd paid for it. That made me feel really uncomfortable, as I was not happy to discuss the family's financials with a stranger.
Midway through the sit, she said she needed to go to the pharmacy to get a COVID test, as she'd started to feel unwell. I was absolutely shocked, offer her a lateral flow and suggested she's free to go home. However, the test was negative and she finished the sit, despite my reassurance that it's ok if she wants to rest.
She did the core work around the children well, was otherwise polite and pleasant. However, this very intrusive question plus the COVID scare left me quite upset with her work. I didn't give any negative feedback but in perspective, I think I should have. I worry about my babies getting COVID from her, as the lateral flow tests are not always reliable, and I am angry at myself for letting a stranger ask about my family's income and living arrangements. I am not sure if it's worth picking up with the agency as I am surely not rebooking her. AIBU to be upset about this?

OP posts:
Feckingfeck · 22/06/2022 08:16

MolliciousIntent · 21/06/2022 23:16

I'm more 😮that you couldn't manage your own kids for one day.

Completely this!!

How do you think other people cope??

Blueandwhiteflower · 22/06/2022 08:21

Other people cope without cars, but I’m not going to leave mine on the drive for the sake of it.

Other people cope on far less money, but I’m not going to donate half my salary to charity.

Other people cope with chronic pain, but I’m not going to burn myself to see what it’s like.

Why the fuck would anyone make life harder for themselves than it needs to be?

ComfyChairPose · 22/06/2022 08:22

True, why make yourself broke justbto run a car.

ComfyChairPose · 22/06/2022 08:23

Wrong thread!

Stravaig · 22/06/2022 08:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HelloThereObiWan · 22/06/2022 08:31

OP isn't going to come back 😂

Twins though. Marvelous.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 22/06/2022 08:39

DueyCheatemAndHow · 22/06/2022 08:15

People ask why there are so many trolls on mumsnet.

This thread is the answer. Because so many on MN never fail to disappoint them. I didn't have twins but if I could have afforded a nanny to help with my young babies I'd have jumped at the chance.

But the need to be catty and cutting is just too great for so many to resist. Its embarrassing.

Totally agree with this
it’s always twins as well
i have twins and it’s a bit of a shame people can’t start genuine posts about twins without arousing suspicion

worriedaboutmoney2022 · 22/06/2022 08:49

MolliciousIntent · 21/06/2022 23:16

I'm more 😮that you couldn't manage your own kids for one day.

Yes that was my initial thought I have afew friends with twins they don't feel the need to get a nanny in!

teomama · 22/06/2022 08:57

Thanks everyone! I don't feel guilty for hiring help, as I manage them alone 80% of the time, only with the help of their father. As he is away not for one day, but for a week, we thought that hiring help would be helpful, so I can have some time to rest, as the babies require lots of attention and still don't sleep through the night. We've worked very hard to afford help, we spend our own money and we pay people promptly, so I don't feel ashamed or less of a mother for occasionally using a nanny. Most mums I know use help, so I was a bit surprised by the uproar it's caused.

I didn't leave a negative comment for the lady, just felt upset after she left. If I feel unwell, I would immediately go home and test, and I guess this is what I expect from others too. I got COVID when I was 8.5 m pregnant and spent time in the hospital - it was not a fun experience.

And finally, I've been taught that it's impolite to ask other people how much they paid for homes, cars, clothes etc. It's just something I wouldn't raise with anyone in professional setting, and hence feel uncomfortable to answer. I appreciate these are my boundaries and other people's might be different.

Thanks for sharing your views!

OP posts:
Skodacool · 22/06/2022 09:05

OP, you’re drip feeding. You gave the impression that you have a full time nanny. Now you say you use one occasionally. I think you would have had more sympathy had you said so in the first place.

Toottooot · 22/06/2022 09:08

Why can’t you look after your geets on your own? 🤔

AllHailKingLouis · 22/06/2022 09:08

She should be hung, drawn and quartered immediately

MissMaple82 · 22/06/2022 09:13

Yeah im more shocked that you had to bring in a nanny for 1 day! Blimey

billy1966 · 22/06/2022 09:18

OP,
I don't like nosey people so I understand.

The not feeling wellwould definitely have put me off.

Well done for getting help while your husband is away.

Twins are very full on and keeping mum as well and rested as possible is always best.

MissMaple82 · 22/06/2022 09:20

Basilbrushgotfat · 22/06/2022 05:32

Wow.

I can't believe the mum-shaming on this thread!

Are you all jealous?
Are you the nanny?

Neither, we just talk sense. Wtf can't cope on theor own for 1 day! Even if I were a billionaire, I wouldn't have a nanny to help look after my new babies. These babies probably ly have more if a bond will the I'll nanny than their mother

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/06/2022 09:26

MissMaple82 · 22/06/2022 09:20

Neither, we just talk sense. Wtf can't cope on theor own for 1 day! Even if I were a billionaire, I wouldn't have a nanny to help look after my new babies. These babies probably ly have more if a bond will the I'll nanny than their mother

I was a nanny for many years and even children who didn't see their parents that much have a stronger bond than with the nanny. You're talking utter rubbish.

MissMaple82 · 22/06/2022 09:27

teomama · 22/06/2022 08:57

Thanks everyone! I don't feel guilty for hiring help, as I manage them alone 80% of the time, only with the help of their father. As he is away not for one day, but for a week, we thought that hiring help would be helpful, so I can have some time to rest, as the babies require lots of attention and still don't sleep through the night. We've worked very hard to afford help, we spend our own money and we pay people promptly, so I don't feel ashamed or less of a mother for occasionally using a nanny. Most mums I know use help, so I was a bit surprised by the uproar it's caused.

I didn't leave a negative comment for the lady, just felt upset after she left. If I feel unwell, I would immediately go home and test, and I guess this is what I expect from others too. I got COVID when I was 8.5 m pregnant and spent time in the hospital - it was not a fun experience.

And finally, I've been taught that it's impolite to ask other people how much they paid for homes, cars, clothes etc. It's just something I wouldn't raise with anyone in professional setting, and hence feel uncomfortable to answer. I appreciate these are my boundaries and other people's might be different.

Thanks for sharing your views!

So you hired a nanny for this one week?? And she was lovely but was off for 1 day?? Well you didn't say this, and regardless, I'm sure you could still manage that 1 day

user1471457751 · 22/06/2022 09:27

@teomama but the nanny didn't need to go home and test because you gave her a test. Which ended up being negative and you were OK with her still working - you certainly didn't tell her to leave. So I really don't see how the nanny did anything wrong here.

teomama · 22/06/2022 09:28

I don’t remember asking if hiring help for a day is appropriate.

OP posts:
OnlyJoking1 · 22/06/2022 09:32

HelloThereObiWan · 22/06/2022 08:31

OP isn't going to come back 😂

Twins though. Marvelous.

No surprise she’s not been back, there are always twins.

teomama · 22/06/2022 09:33

Can’t really get the twins joke here - I tried to chime in the thread this morning, obvs missing on some inside joke.

OP posts:
AllHailKingLouis · 22/06/2022 09:35

teomama · 22/06/2022 09:33

Can’t really get the twins joke here - I tried to chime in the thread this morning, obvs missing on some inside joke.

There are always twins involved

sueelleker · 22/06/2022 10:28

And finally, I've been taught that it's impolite to ask other people how much they paid for homes, cars, clothes etc. It's just something I wouldn't raise with anyone in professional setting, and hence feel uncomfortable to answer. I appreciate these are my boundaries and other people's might be different.

I wouldn't ask a friend these details-let alone someone who I'd just met!

TwentyOneTwentyTwo · 22/06/2022 10:29

I think if you're going to have staff you need to have the balls to talk to them. "I'd rather not discuss that." "If you feel unwell it's better that you leave, thank you."

AlopeciaStrong · 22/06/2022 10:43

@teomama another twin mum here…ignore all the comments about having help. When my husband was away with work for 2 week stints my Mum used to come and stay when my twins were babies. Unless you have twins, you just can’t comprehend how hard it is. Mine never napped at the same time so I had no time when they slept to do things. Not a complaint, just stating the reality!

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