To be shocked that my nanny cant cope with looking after my children full time in the holidays ?

[demandingboss]

Thats it really. We were away for the first 2 weeks.She has had them for 3 weeks and only has this week to go then she has a week off which is costing me a fortune to cover and then she has 3 days one week and 2 days the next and they are back to school.

Told me this am that she cant cope with having them 11 hors a day in the hols its just too exhausting and she spent all weekend in bed feeling poorly with the stress of it all.

She gets paid full time wages all year rund and has lots of perks ( and I maen lots ).

She seemed to be suggesting that they could go to holiday club so she could get on with some studying during the day!!!

I was so gobsmacked I just left and acme to work!

To be honest Im not expecting to get any replies to this as you will I am sure be too shocked to type!

But that's only for 2 weeks, Fio, for 40 weeks of the year the children are in full time school and I'm presuming she's still getting that rate!

Judgenutmeg....why dont you be their nanny? You sound like Mary Poppins!!

also suggest she gets checked out by GP if she is feeling that exhausted/run down. has she had them before in summer hols btw?

i assumed that they'd been away as a family for the first 2 weeks and the nanny is only having o cover 4 weeks of the 6 week hols.

Surely at 7 & 9 they're fairly independent and don't need 24 hour supervision from 3 inches away?
Have you been to the toilet recently? Thought not cos someone is taking the piss already!
Trade her in for a younger more energetic model

Only two children, should count herself lucky. I managed fine with 3 children though summer holidays (they were 3, 4 and 6) in a previous job. Sure it is harder work than during school term time, but surely she knew that when she took the job on.

I had 4 children, aged 9mths, 3, 5 and 9 on some school holiday days in my last job (I was working term-time only, but the children's schools dates didn't always match the parents dates - both teachers). We coped fine... went to RAF Hendon one day, they loved it.

Is there something in particular that your nanny is struggling with? Behaviour issues perhaps? Does she get out and about with the children, or are they stuck indoors a lot. I know it's been wet recently, but even on wet days I try to get the children out and about for a while - that's what welly boots and waterproofs are for!

fio fio we have never been away and left our children with her overnight....that was our family holiday.

yes she covered last summer hols and moaned again that she was too tired.

The thing is if you are a nanny shouldnt you be able to cope with it ?

how would she deal if she had preschoolers 12 hours a day 5 days a week ?

And yes she is pai that rate all year even when the children are at school. She then does household washing and ironing and prepares a meal for the children.

I think the consensus is I am not expecting too much or paying too little !!

YANBU - As your children are 7 and 9 why don't you look at a combination of holiday club/au-pair/cleaner.

Whatever, your current nanny is useless and by her own admission, incapable of doing her job.

The thing is if you are a nanny shouldn't you be able to cope with it ?

Yes, as a nanny I cope with it, so why shouldn't others.

how would she deal if she had preschoolers 12 hours a day 5 days a week ?

I have pre-schoolers (7mths and 3yrs) 10 hours per week, 4 days per week - and it is demanding at times. As a nanny you cope with whatever happens, you respond to the children's needs. You tend to also go at the children's pace.

With 7 and 9 year olds, surely your nanny could agree with them a schedule for what they will be doing each day - places they want to visit, activities they want to do, friends they want to invite over to play.
I find it is much harder with younger children, as their concentration span is a lot shorter and they are less able to communicate what they want to do.

10 hours per day, 4 days per week - I meant

is she a good nanny outside of school holidays?

she will take them for a walk and do anything that involves spending money..ie cinema or dragging them round the shops.

We have a swimming pool at home so she sits by the side drinking coffe and they both will swim for a couple of hours at a time.they are good swimmers. They have both had playdayes over so entertainment for them and one has been riding for a whole day.

We have a library close by but she has never been. Asked for a scrapbook...not materilaised. Last week she spent one morning on the telephone to Australia...over the internet.

They are bored and thats why they argue but again shouldnt she deal with that ?

she is a lazy nanny...works to rule. Will regularly leave a note when asked to do something that she didnt have time.

Think we will suggest she should get another job as she is not suited to this one !

You are overpaying a wanker.

What do your children think of her?
Are they tempted to shove her in the pool?

Have you posted about this nanny before? Does she have ishoos with cups and dishwashers?

she..said... WHAT?

and your head didn't explode?

she is dreadful, written warnings, hopefully it will encourage her to find another job before she is on her 3rd written warning and sacked.

Hang on. A complaint about nanny's fitness for purpose by 'demandingboss'? Why have you chosen demanding boss? Is there more you haven't told us?

its a name change pointy dog .............a tongue in cheek one at that. yes we do have ishoos with cups and dishwashere ffff [ wink ]

Ah, I seeee

THis is not an isolated incident.
I think she needs medical attention if 2 school age children who live in a large home with plenty of toys and a swimming pool, plus a car and a v generous kitty to spend, are too much for her.

I have sympathy for anyone stuck in a small flat with no money - now that's tiring - but ffs what does she want, an au pair?

Right, Put some effort in WITH her.

Sit down with her and your kids one evening, and with a list of ideas, and make out a schedule of activities for the next 3 weeks, going on proper outings maybe 4 times over the next 3 weeks, plus little trips like the library each week, inviting a friend round once or twice each week (who knows, yours might get invited back, which will give her a break), baking, doing an 'at home cinema afternoon' etc. Also agree with the kids things they can do alone (my ds , nearly 9, happily plays for an hour by himself on the PC for instance, and as a seven year old girl I spent hours dressing my Sindy dolls in my bedroom). Get them each to make a list of things to do when they are bored, and then nanny can produce it whenever "I'm Bored" gets uttered.

Your Nanny needs some positive management. If you want her to take the kids to the library, tell her to do it.

maybe you are right clumsy mum but is that normal for a nanny....to have to plan the week for them ? I have asked her to do scrapbook. No sign so far.

The thing is I am very very busy at work which is why I have a nanny when the children are older and most people have an au pair. I dont want to have to input the time and management.

Bin her.

If she can't fulfil the conitions of her job then she is unfit for purpose - a bit like hiring a plumber that then announces "oh I can't actually change your boiler, it'll take too long and I'm a bit tired"

And I wouldn't say an 11 hour day is overly long for a nanny - especially as the children are older and don't need full on, hands on care.

no partic as they dont get up until 9 and sometimes later in the hols as we like to enjoy the long summer evenings with them in the garden. So she has a few hours in the morning to do some chores...ie stand around drinking coffee with me cleaner!