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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

How do i get my nanny to listen to me....

204 replies

bertieboo · 29/11/2007 15:19

and not do her own thing? I work full time and so my DD (5 months) old is in her sole care all day. I accept thats a lot of responsibility but nanny constantly goes against my wishes and then argues with me when i pull her up on it. She is amazing with my DD and loves her v much, but i feel like she is undermining me at every turn. How can i fix this without feel even more useless than i already do??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NAB3littlemonkeys · 03/12/2007 14:47

Holy crap!

Anna8888 · 03/12/2007 14:49

Norland . I think you should contact them.

MyEye · 03/12/2007 14:51

come on, she sounds madly unprofessional. I have a nanny and respect her tremendously, it's a tough job and she does it brilliantly. This person just sounds crap. I wouldn't want her around my house/child any longer than I had to.

GloriaInEleusis · 03/12/2007 14:55

Guess Norland nannies aren't all they're cracked up to be, huh?

Just kidding.

bertieboo · 03/12/2007 14:56

having both nifty and nab's pov, i guess i am having my eyes opened to the fact that she may be trading on her niceness and her love of DD combined with my naivety (sp) to do what she likes.
But i am still going to give her the opportunity to modify her behaviour and if it doesnt then i will ask her to leave.
I will provide progress reports!

OP posts:
NiftyNanny · 03/12/2007 15:04

Do, I'm dying to know how things pan out.

Out of curiosity have you SEEN her certificates? I know people have trusted me based on my niceness and some haven't even checked references - "You seemed so nice, we didn't bother" !!! I was so shocked to hear that!

I think it sounds like she's trading on her enthusiasm, your niceness and the fact you are probably feeling a bit unsure about things. If you've never had a live in employee before, you're still learning about that as well as having a new baby.

Get 'Boss'y!!

NiftyNanny · 03/12/2007 15:06

Oh, and don't feel too bad if it doesn't work out, my first nanny job was crap and I felt like a real failure but I love the family I'm with now!

NAB3littlemonkeys · 03/12/2007 15:44

Just to let you know I haven't had your CAT yet.

NAB3littlemonkeys · 03/12/2007 15:48

Just checked, have 2 now. How do I reply as I couldn't see your email? When you say you sent me a msg this morning was it another CAT? ie one of the ones I have just had but took until after 3 to arrive? Will answer your Qs once I know where to reply too.

NAB3littlemonkeys · 03/12/2007 15:55

DUH! Found it and have replied. Hope it helps.

ssd · 03/12/2007 19:04

bertie, I realise this is really out of order to ask, but if you don't mind - how much do you pay a Norland nanny now? when I nannied one of my friends was a Norland nanny and she was getting £350 a week - back in 1988!! I hope you're not paying a lot more than that to this girl, she doesn't sound worth it

frannikin · 03/12/2007 21:10

Definitely contact Norland. They'd be absolutely horrified to hear about this girl.

Not all Norlanders are like that BTW! The vast majority are incredibly professional and very good at their job.

callaird · 04/12/2007 12:05

I think she is totally out of order! She's been a nanny for approx 6 years, I would never do anything with the children I look after without the express consent of the parents! Even back when I only had 6 years experience! I am a nanny, employed to look after children and bring them up the way in which their parents ask, and to offer advice if they ask, not to go off and do things that should be done for the first time by mummy. Jeez, I don't even tell parents that the children did things for the first time with me rather than with them!! Most of my charges walked, talked, counted, memorised their colours a couple of days before it says they did in the growth book!! I feel it's important for them to do these things with mummy and daddy "first".

I have lain on beds with children to read them a story but only once have I taken a baby into my bed and that was when I was babysitting for the twins I was looking after who shared a room, C was 6 months and distraught, and disturbing L so I took him to my room and we both fell asleep!

I do kiss and cuddle the children I look after and none of my employers have said anything about the children giving me a kiss goodbye on the lips but they may have had a problem with it, I have never really thought about it. I will now! I love all the kids I have looked after and call them all MY babies/little men and again none of the parents have said anything, most of the mum's have said I am the children's second mum. The dad of my 21 and 22 year old ex charges (they were 1 and 2 when I looked after them, don't look after 21 and 22 years olds!) still says, "Do you want to speak to YOUR boys?" when I phone. And they still give me a kiss and cuddle when I see them but not on lips!!! But I know that when my employers are home, they are in charge and they don't want to see their pride and joy cosying up to someone else! I try to leave asap unless they seem to need a chat/company. I have always been live-in and generally try to sneak in and out of the house when family are together and it's my free time, not because I don't want to be with them but I feel they need time as a family. Even if I go on holiday as part of the family, I try to give them as much family time as is possible (always easier if weather is good and a beach is nearby!)

Please don't give her 3 months pay off! She is undermining you and that is not on. Give her a month if you want her to leave immediately or give her a months notice (although as some have said, I probably wouldn't advise this in this case)

Babies easily adapt to someone new looking after them, as long as they are fed, watered, changed and cuddled they are happy!
I am free for temp work from mid Jan if you are interested!! 21 years experience, lots of newborns, great references!

NAB3littlemonkeys · 04/12/2007 12:34

I have emailed you.

mysonsmummy · 11/12/2007 23:56

have you spoken to her - cant wait to hear what she said.....

NiftyNanny · 12/12/2007 17:37

I'm dying to know how things are going. Did you have the review?

orangina · 12/12/2007 17:45

Yes, was thinking of you earlier today bertieboo, how are things?

bertieboo · 13/12/2007 08:32

hi everyone,
I spoke to her and the improvement has been instant and brilliant! (i think i was guilty of not giving her enough direction).

I gave her a very detailed Job Description and also a baby diary to complete every dayd. She now fills it in with everything they have done during the day and i get a mid morning phone call with an update.

I begin to express how much happier i am and how much more involved i feel in DD's day/life

BUT i wont hesitate to get rid of her if things dont continue in this manner. As a working mother i now realise that i have to be to 100% happy with the person looking after my baby as the guilt i feel seeps into every part of my life. I didnt realise how much MY stress with the nanny was affecting my ability to do my job (worrying about the baby all day) and my relationship with DH (moaning at him about it).

But thankfully all is good and calm has been restored. Thank you so much for all your advice!
xx

OP posts:
orangina · 13/12/2007 10:00

Fantastic, so glad to hear it.

Pennies · 14/12/2007 12:58

That's great news.

robin3 · 14/12/2007 13:01

Get rid. She's fundamentaly at odds with your POV and you'll never get on.

She'd be great for some families but just not yours.

supernanny27 · 04/02/2018 20:32

It appears that you have a good nanny (genuinely love your DD) but she lacks in soft skills. She is taking her strength from the confidence that she is doing everything for your DD at her best interest. Unfortunately she failed to take you on board in this journey. The most important thing you have to keep in mind is the impact on the child. In what aspect does she undermines you? The conversation with the nanny should be focused on the impact on the child and undermining you will negatively impact your DD.

"How can i fix this without feel even more useless than i already do??"
Your are the mother the single most important person in the life of your child. You will never are or will be useless. Happy Parenting!

pigshavecurlytails · 05/02/2018 11:27

@supernanny27 this thread is over 10 years old.......the nanny may have left by now!

Willow2017 · 07/02/2018 21:34

Wtf?
Why resurrect a thread from 10 years ago?
Kid probably wont even need a nanny now!!
Another waste of time i wont get back😠

Indybindy · 11/02/2018 09:40

If you work 10 hours a day 5 days a week , it’s going to be very hard keeping total control what happens during the day . Ok may be she has done things that annoy you , like give your baby food , ( reason why your baby may be sleeping through the night) 5 months is NOT too early , it depends on the baby , some can’t reach 6 months on milk alone . My son started at 5 months on the health visitors advise , each baby is different . At least you know she loves your baby and that she will never harm him ! And she is telling you stuff otherwise you would not know she’s booked him in for music class , what would you rather have ? Someone who cares but does something’s that you don’t like , ie take him to singing class and swimming or someone who will leave him to play and watch tv or go onthe phone all day .Why get rid of someone who cares for him!! I don’t understand ! Being an old nanny for years I have seen some pretty awful people looking after vunrable babies in the past . If it was me working 5 days a week 10 hours a day I would be very happy I have got someone who really cares and loves my child . I would rather have someone who does a few things that I don’t like ,( but it’s not bad stuff) but who is pro active , then someone who does exactly what I say and may be mean to my kid .
think before you get rid of someone who is kind and loving towards your child , it may come back and bite you on
the bum ! Try for a better relationship with her have open discussion , tell her the reasons why and let her tell you the reasons why not ! Work in partnership for the sake of your child . Do you reallly want a revolving door of nannies . No one will ever live up to your expectations , it’s hard being at work full time .