Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Parent invited herself while we were away.

206 replies

MyLuckyTiger · 09/08/2025 20:01

So I arranged a play date with my daughter’s friend at our house while we were out. Our nanny was going to look after them. The kids are both 9 years old. The mother of the child is a parent from her class. We picked up her daughter and brought her to our house and the mother was going to pick her daughter at 9. This is like 10th time they are at our house in the same format. While were out the mother came around 7 pm and stayed till around 9.20. She also brought her small toddler. And our nanny was basically entertaining three kids but mostly the toddler. I was a little surprised because mother never mentioned she was going to come this early and hang out at ours while we were not in the house. The interesting thing is, this is not the first time she is doing this and our nanny just assumed we were okay with this. I find it very weird. But we are in London recently so not sure if this is okay here. I mean I would expect it from a relative or a close friend but not a parent which I barely speak to. What do you think

OP posts:
MyLuckyTiger · 10/08/2025 00:25

Screamingabdabz · 10/08/2025 00:07

No. It is not the nanny’s job to this. It’s the OP’s (or husband’s) responsibility. Stop putting more crap on the poor nanny. Sounds like she’s dealing with two batshit parents as it is.

Let me think. She earns 700 for a weekend plus tips and bonuses for birthdays and holidays. for a total of 18-22 hours over three days. When we’re not inviting her or only inviting her one of the days she still gets her full wage. She takes our daughter somewhere fun or stays at home overlooking a play date. She doesn’t clean or cook. She has dinner at our place. We are never home later that midnight. Usually at around 10.30. She always gets a black cab home. We never asked her to look after someone else’s toddler or small siblings. This situation with the mom is not normal. This situation is on her 100% as she had to mention it to me. Please define batshit parents.

OP posts:
pinkpurplegreenyellow · 10/08/2025 00:33

Get a ring camera - you should know who is in your home

MotherJessAndKittens · 10/08/2025 00:50

Just stop the play dates unless you are there! It’s not the nanny’s fault FGS! This mother is taking advantage and TBH a bit weird. Next time be there yourself and insist play date ends at 6, 7pm and the mother/parents collect the child and go not stay for food etc. if children want a sleepover then fine the kids get fed but the parents are not there! They drop off and go. This is normal. Most people do not have a nanny that is there all evening 🤷🏼‍♀️

Nonsense10 · 10/08/2025 01:15

Are you out EVERY weekend? 🤨

Ring doorbell and it isn't the Nanny's fault, although should've told you the first time. Tell the mum to text you next time she wants to come early to collect her daughter. If the girls cry, they cry. That's on the other mum.

RedRec · 10/08/2025 01:23

This reply has been deleted

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

Absolutely. Goady shite.

Apocketfilledwithposies · 10/08/2025 01:35

The mum and the toddler haven't been invited to hang out in the OP's home. To wander into bedrooms, possibly make mess or cause damage, hang out with their nanny, or be included in expensive meal orders!

Of course this isn't okay.

I'm shocked how many people think it is!

OP I'd just reiterate things with the other mum. Let her know you hadn't realised she was hanging out in your home with younger child too for large chunks of time, that the playdates are just for her older child and she is welcome to do a quick handover pick up at X time and no need to come in as nanny will have the kids ready.

It sounds like nanny enjoys their company and is laid back and sociable but if you are not okay with these extra people in your home uninvited that is absolutely okay to feel that way!

InWalksBarberalla · 10/08/2025 01:41

Sounds like this has been going on for months - how did you not notice the large takeaway bills - with steaks!?

RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 01:57

You don't sound batshit at all, OP. The nanny should have mentioned it from the start. I find the food incident particularly egregious - how did the mother know to order food using this phone? It seems pretty unlikely your nanny wasn't involved in instigating that. That is really disrespectful.

But you're the boss here and it is on you to sort it out. It's hard for nanny's (or any domestic home workers) to put boundaries in place that aren't explicit and clearly backed up by their employers (though spending your boss's money on someone else is a pretty easy one to be strong on).

It's possible the mother and nanny have become friends - has the nanny said anything that indicates whether or not she likes her coming over?

It may be you just need to tell her it's fine to have her over and offer a cup of tea/biscuits/whatever you're comfortable with, but it's not okay to spend money outside the agreed upon parameters. And her attention needs to be primarily on the DC she's been asked to look after. I'm guessing everything has been pretty easy going up until now and she may have slipped into a very informal mindset, but she's been very unprofessional here.

Or she may not really like it, may think the mother is just using her as childcare for her toddler while the girls play together and she doesn't know how to say no without upsetting someone she assumes is a friend of yours. I would be unhappy with this. You pay for her to be providing oversight and entertainment for your DD and her guest, not for someone else's child. But a lot of people who go into nannying go in thinking of it as playing with kids, rather than a responsible job with duties to you. (Plenty of nannies are very on the ball - I'm not trying to tar them all with the same brush). If it's this sort of situation or you're just not happy with the nanny having anyone over even if it's the mother of one of your DD's friends (and that's perfectly reasonable and normal) then you need to tell her - no guests. Be clear to your nanny she's there to look after your DD and the people you've invited round - not others. Tell her to ask the mother to come back later if she turns up early, not to entertain her in your home. If she seems to think it will be difficult, maybe role play some ways she can say no to people.

If you're going the no hanging out route, tell the mother too so your nanny isn't trying to enforce something out of the blue. Say to the mother that it's only just come to your attention she's often coming round early, bringing her other child, sometimes ordering food etc. and you appreciate she's been asked in etc. but your nanny has been finding it hard to say no, so you're letting her know it's not part of what your nanny's job description nor what you've hired her for and it's not what you want on a play date at your house.

You mention being worried the mother will turn on you and spread untrue rumours. It's always possible. I would guess most people would see through that anyway, but if her DD likes the playdates as much as your DD it's very unlikely and you just can't go through life being held ransom by what ifs.

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 10/08/2025 02:45

Ironfloor269 · 09/08/2025 22:20

i wondered the same.

Also, which restaurant delivers steak on Deliveroo?

loads in london, plus miller carter everywhere in uk...

ManchNic · 10/08/2025 03:06

From the original post it sounds like the nanny and the friends mum are friends, is that right OP?

If my child has a play date and I am friends with the parent, I would arrive early and chat with them while our children played, so I don't think that's odd. Definitely cheeky to buy the mum dinner on OP's card, but the rest doesn't sound strange to me, assuming nanny/friends mum are friends.

MoodyMargaret11 · 10/08/2025 04:04

MyLuckyTiger · 10/08/2025 00:25

Let me think. She earns 700 for a weekend plus tips and bonuses for birthdays and holidays. for a total of 18-22 hours over three days. When we’re not inviting her or only inviting her one of the days she still gets her full wage. She takes our daughter somewhere fun or stays at home overlooking a play date. She doesn’t clean or cook. She has dinner at our place. We are never home later that midnight. Usually at around 10.30. She always gets a black cab home. We never asked her to look after someone else’s toddler or small siblings. This situation with the mom is not normal. This situation is on her 100% as she had to mention it to me. Please define batshit parents.

You are clearly very generous and more than fair to your nanny. If you can afford to spend this kind of money over a weekend, I can see why she may think you won't care about paying "a bit extra" for CF mum's steak. Still not ok though that she didn't clear it with you or tell you what's been going on. She's an employee at your house, she should have mentioned the mum staying over - even if she enjoyed her company which I suspect is the case. And when she ordered food she should have asked the mum to pay her half. I think she's been unprofessional here and the mum is a CF who likes eating nice meals at a house nicer then hers! Her not hosting play dates due to a smaller home also sounds CF, surely she can find space for another child to play for a couple of hours? And her husband wont be constantly working that's BS.
You should definitely say something and dont overthink it too much. Tell the nanny you are uncomfortable with other parents dropping in and staying like this, that you dont actually know the woman and aren't friends. That you don't want outsiders in your home while you're out.
Then tell the mum you understand she's been coming early at your house but your nanny has other duties and that puts her in a difficult situation having to entertain extra guests, which you and your husband (make sure to include him) arent paying her for. If you want to sound less "bad cop", then add that Would be lovely if sometime when you're home you can have a coffee and a chat together (no need to action it of course).

MoodyMargaret11 · 10/08/2025 04:14

Sorry just to add, maje sure to stay consistent with what you say to both of them, kn case they have become friends.
Just keep it down to "no guests while we're out unless we've agreed" and "we are only paying for our DD and her play date to be looked after". That should send a clear message to both.

RawBloomers · 10/08/2025 04:35

ManchNic · 10/08/2025 03:06

From the original post it sounds like the nanny and the friends mum are friends, is that right OP?

If my child has a play date and I am friends with the parent, I would arrive early and chat with them while our children played, so I don't think that's odd. Definitely cheeky to buy the mum dinner on OP's card, but the rest doesn't sound strange to me, assuming nanny/friends mum are friends.

Even if this is the case, the nanny should clear having a friend over while she's working with her boss (i.e. OP). Though it's normal as a mum to get together with other mums when your kids play together, this isn't quite the same. She isn't the girl's mother, it isn't her house. OP might be fine with it, but she pays the nanny a significant amount of money to be focused on her DD, if she wants her doing that not entertaining a friend, that's her call. (And buying a friend dinner on OP's card isn't just "a little cheeky", it's closer to theft).

SpringSpruce · 10/08/2025 04:43

It sounds like the time she stayed and ordered food was early on in this weird set up, so she probably didn't want to leave her daughter in a new house with a stranger.
Why are you inviting a friend over at 7pm-9pm regularly? Get the nanny to put her to bed when you're going out, and invite her friend over or somewhere on a day trip with you both when you're there.

ItsNotMeEither · 10/08/2025 04:47

You need to 'bump into' this parent somewhere. Tell her how glad you are to be able to catch a moment with her in person.

Tell her you're at the start of negotiating the yearly agreement on pay with your nanny and the 'extra childcare' for the toddler came up.

I'd tell her how much you value the friendship between her daughter and yours, but that the nanny is to no longer do childcare for the toddler. In fact, tell her you've instructed the nanny to end the playdate as soon as the mum arrives so that it helps the nanny to establish stronger boundaries with other people. You can bring up the pool incident and mention while you're happy for the nanny to watch two nine year olds for a little while, obviously in most situations, and especially around water, her eyes need to be on your child.

This makes it not about her or her child, but makes it about you helping the nanny to establish firmer boundaries with 'other' people.

You also need a ring camera, to work out what time the mother enters and leaves your place. You can tell the nannny this is just for general security, but she will work out that even if she has become friends with the other mother, she can no longer secretly host her for hours.

cheesycheesy · 10/08/2025 04:52

Why are you trying to find blame with the nanny for this?

butterfly1234 · 10/08/2025 05:02

They ordered steak (not to be petty but it’s not 5 pounds)

This just tipped me into thinking this thread is BS.

Seriously...
a) she ordered steak to your house
b) YOU paid for it
c) your nanny thought this was ok
d) your nanny didn't think to even mention it?
e) you didn't notice this order on your Deliveroo account?
f) you didn't notice this money go from your bank account?

Come on, now 😂

Velmy · 10/08/2025 05:02

MyLuckyTiger · 09/08/2025 21:06

Nanny now telling more and more information. We have a home mobile. Our daughter uses it call us and nanny uses it to order Deliveroo or a taxi. Turns out one time they ordered food for the mom too and around 6 months ago she went to our guest bedroom either to sleep or to pump her milk and came out 40 minutes later. I mean I heard them mentioning the mom this and that but I always assumed she just came to pick her daughter up, maybe talk to my nanny a bit while she was waiting for her daughter to get ready but not like this. I’m now mad with my nanny too.

Don't be mad at your Nanny. She assumed that the woman was a welcome guest because that's how she acted. If you haven't told her any different, how is she supposed to know?

I'm sure she would - quite rightly - not see a reason to question or confront the parent of a child she's looking after.

The important thing is to deal with the mum going forward. If you don't want her there, it's on you to tell her.

SiameseBlueEyes · 10/08/2025 05:23

I wouldn't care whether the other mothers thought I was mean or stingy or whatever. I mean what is she going to say - they didn't like me making free use of their nanny and ordering food on their tab. I 'd be discouraging this friendship. The mother's ability to trample over social norms by "hanging out' at your home, pumping milk, napping, ordering food etc would make me deeply uncomfortable. Who knows what she could do next? I wouldn't blame the nanny because you made the arrangement would the mother.

Hungrybrood · 10/08/2025 05:27

MyLuckyTiger · 10/08/2025 00:25

Let me think. She earns 700 for a weekend plus tips and bonuses for birthdays and holidays. for a total of 18-22 hours over three days. When we’re not inviting her or only inviting her one of the days she still gets her full wage. She takes our daughter somewhere fun or stays at home overlooking a play date. She doesn’t clean or cook. She has dinner at our place. We are never home later that midnight. Usually at around 10.30. She always gets a black cab home. We never asked her to look after someone else’s toddler or small siblings. This situation with the mom is not normal. This situation is on her 100% as she had to mention it to me. Please define batshit parents.

This is on the nanny. I agree. You trusted her to keep boundaries in place to respect your wishes, your home and most importantly your child. The mother ordering food and making herself at home, while you're out, is so rude!

Springadorable · 10/08/2025 05:37

@MyLuckyTiger you sound lovely and concerned about ruining your daughter's friendship. However, I think probably that your nanny and the mum are actually very good friends, as well as the two little girls being very good friends, and they all use it as a chance to hang out in your house which isn't ok without checking first. Maybe it started as a one off and has now become a thing, but it's still not ok without being cleared with you first. And for the mum to order steak at your expense is incredibly cheeky. Not sure which cultures everyone is from, but that isn't a normal request around me!

Silvertulips · 10/08/2025 05:38

Very confused!

So you paid your nanny extra to look after the toddler?

You paid for them to have a very late dinner (after 7pm but before 9)

Mom brings toddler round about 7 when toddler should be in bed?

You pay your nanny £700 a week even if she does 1 out of 3 days?

Stay home. Look after your own kid.

thisistoofunny · 10/08/2025 06:16

MyLuckyTiger · 10/08/2025 00:25

Let me think. She earns 700 for a weekend plus tips and bonuses for birthdays and holidays. for a total of 18-22 hours over three days. When we’re not inviting her or only inviting her one of the days she still gets her full wage. She takes our daughter somewhere fun or stays at home overlooking a play date. She doesn’t clean or cook. She has dinner at our place. We are never home later that midnight. Usually at around 10.30. She always gets a black cab home. We never asked her to look after someone else’s toddler or small siblings. This situation with the mom is not normal. This situation is on her 100% as she had to mention it to me. Please define batshit parents.

The situation is 100 percent on the CF fucker and on you. How on EARTH do you not have a debrief/conversation of everything that happened each time it comes to handover? Not the nanny's fault. At all.

Unless she actually flatly lied to you when you queried exactly how everything went. In that case, yep it is on her and the CF mother.

Don't invite this woman's child back.

Spindrifts · 10/08/2025 06:24

You need to step up here yourself. You are the parents, it is your house, it is your child. Your nanny (?) is there to look after your children and is paid for such. Why are you getting concerned about this situation when you are the employer, parents, house owner? Your life, your rules? In this modern world there are many, many self entitled people, especially in our culture and they will 'sponge' off other people and chance and be opportunists wherever possible when it means there is a freebie to be had. Your rules are child arrives at x hour and goes at y hour. If this is not the case you personally text mother and say that your child has a routine or goes to be at 7 or whatever you need to get rid of her.

Zanatdy · 10/08/2025 06:26

DiaryofaProvincialLady · 10/08/2025 02:45

loads in london, plus miller carter everywhere in uk...

Lots of steak on my deliveroo / uber eats. Depends where you live, but in London you can get a decent steak delivered.