Nanny and her mobile phone... wwyd?

[mummywoowoo]

I have noticed when working at home that my nanny ALWAYS has her mobile with her, no matter what they are doing; and I've heard the text noise go - so its sometimes switched on - or was on that occasion.

Now when I'm at work, my phone is on silent - although I have it close by just in case DS is ill and she needs to ring me. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for her to have her mobile at work so she can get hold of me. But often I am in the same house, working ...and I am concerned that she may be texting when she's supposed to be entertaining the DS! She is supposed to be working after all.

She has no children, her family live abroad so not sure if she has any elderly relatives who are at death's door etc...and that would require her to have her phone with her at all times.

Apart from being 10 mins late EVERY morning (which I am dealing with separately) we are happy with her and DS seems happy.

What would you do? I am not great at confrontation and personality wise I feel she would get angry and defensive if I asked her about it... I don't want to spy on her to see if she is using the phone or not!

Can't believe how bitchy and vicious this thread has become! I find it hard to believe that a nanny having her phone on during the day (for example, so that she can be reached by the parents) and sending a few texts during the day is so controversial. OP didn't say that her nanny is constantly phoning/texting, did she? So maybe can we all just chill a bit?

Strix, get a sense of humour.

Tell a funny joke and i will laugh.

MUMMYWOOWOO when you are at work ( In an office not your house) do you ever text your nanny to say hello/ask her something etc?

do you expect her to reply - if she didnt, then would you worry/panic/get annoyed - or do you NEVER contact your nanny during the day if you are not there?

Mummywoowoo seems to have dissapeared from the thread.

Wonder why?

In todayÂ?s tech-obsessed society, everyoneÂ?s constantly accessible, calling and texting from their cell phones from wherever they are. But what if itÂ?s your babysitter thatÂ?s texting (or making calls from her cell phone) while watching your kids? Are you OK with that?

Many parents are divided on the issue. Some think itÂ?s an outrage - if youÂ?re paying a babysitter to work, they should be watching your kids - not watching for the next incoming text message.

And other parents think itÂ?s no big deal, especially if the kids are napping or otherwise engaged in an activity.

Consider the following tips from Care4hire.com:

If your sitter is sending an occasional text (such as making plans to meet a friend after work) or maintaining a constant stream of e-chatter all day long?
Is she so involved in her iPhone that sheÂ?s not keeping an eye on - or playing with - your children?
Is she texting while sheÂ?s at home with the kids, keeping an eye on them while theyÂ?re playing in a childproofed room? Or is she distracted while at the park, where they could fall off the jungle gym or wander off towards the street?
Is she great in every other way? Or is this just one more complaint on your list?
If the answers to these questions bother you, perhaps itÂ?s time to rethink your childcare options.