Bringing toddler out in the rain

[RainRainRain123]

Just started a new nanny position. Mother of the child (20 months) is quite insistent that he should be brought out twice a day even if its raining. He has rain gear, I do not. Just arrived this morning to be told he loves the library, its only a 30 minute walk each way, it's lashing rain here. I said if it eases of later I will get out with him. Questioned me yesterday if we went to the park. Has sent me numerous groups, all of which are at least 20 minutes walk away, not allowed take him out in the car. Where they live is also quite hilly and buggy isn't the best.

Mam seems to walk everywhere and always has her rain gear on. AIBU to not want to go out twice a day when the weather is bad.

Did they say you could use the car when you interviewed for the job? If there's loads groups I don't see the harm in driving to them when it's wet

What is it about MN and rain and toddlers 😂 You’d seriously think the streets and parks were filled with nothing but puddle jumping toddlers. They aren’t!

I have no objection at all to a bit of drizzle but lashing rain is different. And so is twice a day. That’s excessive, if only because you have to give waterproofs a chance to dry.

I'm with you, walking for an hour in the lashing rain to go to the library? No thanks! Ridiculous that you're not allowed to take him in the car in that sort of weather. Fair enough when it's drizzling or a light shower but when it's pissing it down it's no fun for anyone.

It’s rain. Wellies and puddle suit and get out for a splash and fresh air

@Hankunamatata

Mother said she didn't want him in the car as everywhere is walking distance. I've always brought any children I minded to lots of groups and libraries but they have all been closer and parents have never expected me to bring them out twice a day everyday.

I think it depends on the weather - it was a literal hurricane here yesterday and today (well not quite but it felt like it) I wouldn't expect you to go out in that. But an April shower type day? Yeah I'd expect to go out and would just wear suitable clothes.

And I say this as someone who doesn't drive, the only places I'd be going in pouring rain is essential places like school or the doctors.

It's really beneficial for the kids so I can see her point.

From your perspective, going out kills time and makes the days go much quicker surely? It also tires the child out so they can flop when they get back!

Pretty useless UK nanny if you're scared of the rain!

I always walk mine everywhere, don't want them to grow up to be those people who drive to the corner shop! 20 minutes is nothing.

They are all in walking distance though? 20 minutes really isn't an exceptionally long walk.

It doesn't sound like you are suited to the role if you're already finding her requests frustrating so I would look for another position.

I think you should take him out as long as it's not blowing a gale like we have had recently. And twice a day in the pouring rain isn't necessary
But generally life is easier with a toddler if they go out . But 30 minutes each way does seem a lot in the teeming rain. Is there a bus you can catch?

It's ok OP, the sun will come out for its annual appearance between the 2nd and 14th of July. You can go out then.

My nanny had the same routine with my kids. Out in the morning at a play group or the library or something, back for lunch, then out to the park in the afternoon. I didn’t want my children stuck at home in doors all day every day. If I wanted that, I’d have put them in a nursery. The benefit of having a nanny is that they can go to all the local play groups, activities, parks, libraries etc that they did whilst I was on mat leave.

Kids don’t care about the rain.

Going outside in all weathers (except high winds) is normal for early years workers.

Surely there needs to be a bit of flexibility here..Great to get out loads..rain is fine..however yesterday here was awful. That is a day for the car. A good buggy would be important to me too for all this walking..need to have a chat about what are the priorities

Why can’t you drive? I would invest in so warm and waterproof clothes.

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask you to take a child out for walks etc in the rain. I appreciate you don't have 'rain gear' but you could get a raincoat with a hood from somewhere like Primark very cheaply. A twenty-minute walk is not a long walk at all.

That stuff that falls from the sky, it's actually H2O, not hydrochloric acid.

It sounds as if you are not particularly well-suited to this job. Whose fault that is depends on whether the mother made her expectations clear at the interview stage.

She's not unreasonable to want her child taken out in all weathers, suitably clothed, unless genuinely unsafe. Or to want the car not used for short journeys which can reasonably be walked. You're not unreasonable to prefer staying in when the weather is mildly unpleasant and driving rather than walking up hills, but that means that this is perhaps not the job for you if your employer requires you to do these things cheerfully on a daily basis.

I think a rainproof coat and a pair of waterproof boots/wellies are standard clothing items for nannies, surely? JD sport and numerous online retailers sell both for under £20, so you clearly need to buy some.

Can they provide rain gear for you.
I know it isn't a uniformed position, it might be worth asking.
The Mother might have some spare raincoats she is past using.

No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!

Sounds like the family might not be the right fit for you though if you're not wanting to walk in the rain but you're willing to take them out in a car and the mum won't let you? I really don't mean that in a rude way, it just sounds like it's not a great match expectations-wise.

Seems perfectly normal - no different to doing the school run for an older sibling each day.

Is the child happy out in the rain and cold?

I think people often fall into two camps - those that feel the cold and those that don't. We're not a family who feel the cold very much, but my children have friends who go into school shivering and wrapped up in multiple layers while my DC is happy in just a polo shirt.

I think it would be unreasonable to expect you to drag a shivering, unhappy child outside in bad weather for long periods of time just for the sake of it, but equally an energetic child who is happy outdoors shouldn't be kept inside unnecessarily just because it's easier and more comfortable for their caregivers.

Just to answer some questions. I wasn't told at the interview stage about bringing child out twice a day. Mother just said there are some groups around and the library. Said there was no need for a car as everything is walking distance.

Yes I'm thinking I might not be the best fit. Its only a short term position until he starts nursery in May. Mother has already requested to change some days some weeks to facilitate appointments etc.