After our nanny debacle, our new one is fantastic, but there are a few isuues, any advice?

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

I don't know if any of you will remember what happened with our last nanny, but I'm very pleased to say it's going great with the new one.
The DC love her already, and ask for her on days she isn't here.

There are a few things that I want to bring up with her, but not sure when or how to go about it, the fact is she hasn't been with us long so i don't want her to feel uncomfortable.

The first may seem very trivial, but it can't work in the long term. I freelance, mainly 'from home' but normally go to the library or a local cafe to work during the day as it's hard to get much done when at home. I let her know where I will be, as I did with our last nanny, but she has been bringing the children into the cafe for lunch, or for a drink in the afternoons, which is a big distraction and they get upset when they leave without me. I wonder if she may just be doing this as she is still very new with us? I'm not sure what to say to her or how.

She also does odd bits of tidying and cleaning, laundry etc which I told her from the beginning I didn't expect or want her to do. Fair enough to neaten up after the children or occasionally wash dishes after a meal, but I am not employing her as a cleaner so feel uncomfortable with her doing it. It makes me feel that I ought to get everything pristine the night before she comes iyswim.

The other problems are with the DCs behaviour. They are doing some unusual things when in her care, and I hope it is just because she is new and they are testing the boundaries? They have both been throwing food and drinks on the floor, and refusing to eat some things they normally love. She has also told me they keep stripping off which they do occasionally, but it sounds like they are doing it on a 2/3 times a day basis.

I know she is fantastic as when I am working at home I see their interaction, and as mentioned they are sad to see her go home and ask after her.

Am I just being overly worried after our last experience? Should I give them time to settle in?

Hi,

With the first bit, say it this way "it's very sweet that you take them in the cafe so i can see them for a bit, but i am so easily distracted by them and they think i can go home with you guys so perhaps best not to take them there when i'm working?"

second bit, just say "please don't feel you need to tidy the house - just really the things related to the children" -- but i think it's a good sign she's doing a bit more - it doesn't sound like you would ever take advantage of that

and lastly, sounds more like the children are trying to impress her -- my DD went through that with new nanny - but reverted to being good as gold over time.

Good luck!

Hi,

Why don't you not tell her where you are going....just tell her she can contact you on your mobile in an emergency!

Maybe find some nannies locally that she can arrange playdates with..maybe she is lonely!

I have to say too that as a nanny I can't NOT to do tidying, laundry, emptying dishwasher, sweeping floors! I can't bear mess and would feel like I wasn't doing my job properly if I left a mess..even if I had been told not to worry about it!! Even when we go to lunch etc at nanny friends houses..Im always there with the broom under the table and stacking the diswasher and cleaning the sink..I have been doing it for 11yrs and could not possibly break the habit!! As long as you make it clear she doesn't have to do these things if she chooses to anyway...be grateful!!! lol

I wouldn't worry about the dcs behaviour..as long as the nanny deals with it in an appropriate way...new charges often play you up. Im sure they will soon learn her boundaries and settle down.

Glad its all working out now :-)

Jenna