https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:43:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054411 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 16:26:19 +0000 Coffee-lover 2054411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to nanny, and would always specify during interviews that it was for a nanny position, not nanny/housekeeper. I would always clean up after the child (bottles, dishes, laundry, toy pick up) but would not clean after the family.</p> <p>Most people gave me a key to their home so I could go on walks with the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054397 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 16:20:01 +0000 ElbieKay 2054397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I try to pick my battles with my child's caregivers. I only speak up if something really matters to me, e.g., my parents brought my son junky processed food and I asked them not to do that. But things like theories about naps or how to fasten a diaper? I would only speak up if that decision adversely affected me. E.g., if waking my son up from a nap resulted in a cranky baby when I got home AND it happened regularly, then I would say something. But otherwise I don't intervene regarding routines and schedules because I figure I need to trust the caregiver's judgement and if the situation were reversed I would really have a problem being micromanaged in that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054338 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:51:08 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 2054338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do I give her a key to the house? Yes.<br /> Provide food for her? No, but we tell her she's welcome to whatever we have. She always brings her own food.<br /> What light housework is appropriate? I only feel comfortable asking her to do things that relate to LO, like his dishes or picking up his toys. When he was in cloth diapers, she would fold those, too, as long as we washed them. She also sometimes folds his clothes.<br /> When is it okay for her to take LO on walks outside? She started when he was 4.5 months old, so she took him on walks right away. They usually walk every day before lunch.<br /> Anything you wish you had known or done differently? Not really! I kind of wish I got more details about what they do each day, but now that Liam is talking more, he can share that. I used to have her write down all his milk intake and same for food when he first started solids. Now, I don't, but I kind of wish I had a little report like what daycares give out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054273 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:14:48 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: Ha! Yeah I just figured she'd suffer the consequences of leaks/blowouts most of the time so she can just learn that way like we did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054268 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:12:59 +0000 jetsa 2054268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: No advice on the nanny but just wanted to chime in on the cloth diapers my daycare lady has NEVER snapped our diapers correctly and she believes her way is better, she has more leaks and such but ehh its not that big of a deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054257 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:10:17 +0000 Torchwood 2054257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: Yeah, it was super weird. I think they were feeding it to the kid. The dad (only parent in the home) was 100% permissive, never, ever, ever told her no, so if she asked for it, he probably gave it to her.</p> <p>And I think your best bet is to just sit down and discuss it. I always made it clear during the interview process that I was not a cleaner. I've done that before, and hated it, so I wouldn't take a job where that was expected, regardless of pay. And it's somewhat relative. If she considers what you're paying fair for what she's doing, and then you add more to it without extra pay, she might not agree that it's fair anymore. Or she could think it's entirely reasonable. Better to just talk about it now, while it's still early, than have any issues/confusion later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054252 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:07:00 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: she's paid really well, does that help? :wink: I can't believe they ate your food! So weird! I would be creeped out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054239 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:00:14 +0000 mrsjazz 2054239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I think the ironing is a bit much but if she's okay with doing it, then so be it. When I think of light housekeeping I think of things related to the common areas and the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054200 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:43:03 +0000 Torchwood 2054200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my experience as a nanny, I always had a key unless one of the parents worked from home. And then if they had to leave they left a key so we could go out. </p> <p>I never ate their food. Some offered, some didn't, but it seemed super weird to me. The only exception was with one family that had a horribly ill-behaved dog that occasionally managed to get my food even when I left it somewhere she shouldn't have been able to get to. Also, one family occasionally ate MY food, if I had leftovers that I left in the fridge. Don't do that! I was left with no lunch if I'd planned to eat what I left. </p> <p>Also, I would agree that "light housekeeping" to me means cleaning up after the kid(s). I did all of the LO's dishes, laundry, etc, but no other housework. I wasn't paid a ton, and I considered the down time I had during naps as part of that. If they wanted me to clean, they could pay me to be their cleaning lady as well. </p> <p>I would agree that she should be able to take LO out immediately. I'm not a big going out person, and would be happy to sit at home all day, but I still always made an effort to go on walks and to parks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054190 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:37:01 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: Yeah I'm kind of anal about our laundry too! And we CD so I'm also doing that laundry as well. So our nanny has zero laundry responsibilities other than the ironing of DH's shirts if there is time. Mostly just because I went on strike for ironing his stuff a few years ago! And I wash LO's stuff with ours so I can't see how I'd have the nanny do her stuff without doing ours and that won't work for us.</p> <p>@Anagram: Hmm, I'm not asking her to do baby laundry (see above) and definitely not the bathrooms! But I can see the ironing as being weird. And I definitely don't expect her to do all our dishes, there's just usually some stragglers in the sink when I leave for work that I don't get to - but I don't ever leave anything on purpose. Maybe the ironing was too much? I was thinking more in place of since we don't have her do LO's laundry. But maybe that just makes sense in my head! I guess we'll just try and have good communication so that we make sure it works. But sometimes LO can nap 4+ hrs total during one of her shifts and it seems a waste to not have her help a little...So complicated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054180 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:32:23 +0000 jape14 2054180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: We are in a nanny share with another infant, so a little different, but here's my experience anyway (LO is now 5 months old, nanny started when he was 3 months):<br /> - We gave her a key and also showed her where the spare key(s) are in our house just in case.<br /> - Our nanny brings her own lunch, but we tell her to help herself to leftovers, treats (Girl Scout cookies), or anything else. So far she hasn't taken us up on it that much but we offer anyway. I think providing food becomes a different situation once you have an LO eating regular food.<br /> - We already use Baby Connect so she uses that to track his feedings &amp; naps - extremely helpful &amp; we can check in passively throughout the day to see whether he's eating/napping well. Our nanny is really great about filling us in about his mood, what they did throughout the day, etc., informally, but as he gets older, I will probably make a little sheet.<br /> - She cleans up the bottles and any other baby-related messes (if he has a blowout, she usually washes out the stain/pretreats) but we haven't asked her to do anything else. She always washes the dishes she uses instead of putting them in the dishwasher, which is really sweet but not necessary. We have a housekeeper every other week so no need for us to ask her to do most chores, and I'm a freak about laundry and I like to do it myself.<br /> - She's been taking our LO on walks from the beginning, both in our stroller and using a carrier.<br /> - We typed up a list of general info just for her to have as a reference (important numbers, etc.).<br /> - Our ped has a form for proxy care if our LO needed medical attention and we needed the nanny to take him. Pretty unlikely situation but we made sure to have her sign that form and dropped it off with our ped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054173 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:30:05 +0000 Anagram 2054173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: All my friends that have nannies only give "light housework" that relates to the baby: like wash baby's dishes and bottles; maybe prep a homemade puree or two; wash baby's laundry and fold it, clean up messes the baby makes and keep house in the same state as when they arrived.</p> <p>I definitely wouldn't give personal housekeeper duties like toilets or ironing adult clothing unless you specified nanny/housecleaner because I don't feel like those fall under "light housekeeping". Like, maybe putting 2 coffee mugs in the dishwasher while washing baby bottles is fine, but asking a nanny to clean the entire family's dirty dishes daily is over the line. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054172 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:30:02 +0000 Madison43 2054172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I'd feel weird about that too! Then again, I am super weird about people washing my clothes. I only recently started letting DH do the laundry for this reason and I get freaked out when our nanny - who I love - has to touch our clean laundry when she's doing LO's stuff and I've accidently left ours in the machine. So yeah, I am a little weird about that :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054161 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:25:10 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: We did say that light housework was something we'd want someone to do when we gave our requirements to the agency that found her for us. So I think we were upfront enough from the get-go that it should be okay? And LO is still the priority so if she didn't do any housework because she was too busy with LO we are totally fine with it - they're nap only activities. I still feel weird asking her to iron DH's shirts though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054149 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:19:57 +0000 Madison43 2054149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: unless it was agreed upon before hand, I wouldn't ask her to do any housework not related to your LO and cleaning up after herself. </p> <p>To answer your other questions, my nanny has a key to the house and security codes. She can eat whatever we have in the house and we buy some drinks/snacks that we know she likes, but she mostly brings her own food. She's been able to take LO out for walks and activities since day 1, but I live in a very walkable area. She doesn't drive and I don't think I'd feel comfortable with someone driving LO around all day. We text a few times a day and I also have a notebook for her to write down Lo's food, naps, etc.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054147 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:19:31 +0000 littlejoy 2054147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To you specific questions:</p> <p>Like do I give her a key to the house? -- Our nanny has a key to our house. Just in case! There have been days where I'm out running errands, and she beats me there. </p> <p>Provide food for her? -- I provide food. I work at home (in a different area of the house), so I cook myself lunch each day she's here. Other than that, she has free reign to the food. I do meal plan each week, and there are some items that are off-limits, and I just have her ask if she's eating something. (Weird to type it, but it works for us.)</p> <p>What light housework is appropriate? -- I think any and all light housework is appropriate. We keep a little notebook out, and have her take notes for the day. I also jot down any little things (fold baby's laundry, put away dishes, dust). We are limited to quiet housework (because we only want her doing housework when baby is sleeping, and our house is little, loud noises are a no-go). </p> <p>When is it okay for her to take LO on walks outside? -- I hated this at first, but we are okay with it now. We just ask that she texts us an estimate of time they'll be gone, when they leave, and when they'll be back. We have certain areas we've asked her to not walk. </p> <p>Anything you wish you had known or done differently? -- I wish I had more for her to do. There are times when she's just sleeping on the couch. :( </p> <p>I'm so happy you found someone!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054143 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:14:57 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny: @Synchronicity: Thanks for weighing in from the nanny side. I really want her to like us and for this to work out. So any other tips you think of would be great. I did some informal nannying in high school and college, and it's surprising how little I remember of that! I think we're trying to find the hover/not-hover balance. Like yesterday she woke LO from a nap because she thought it was too long, whereas I'm in the don't wake a sleeping baby camp. And she's still snapping the cloth diapers wrong which is eventually going to result in a crazy poop disaster. All minor things but I struggle with how much feedback to give to help but not be a micromanager. </p> <p>So this week: get her a key and show her how to use the Ergo so she and LO can go adventuring! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054139 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:09:14 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Great - we do have a little notebook that we've asked her to write down naps, eating, diaper changes, etc. And I do stay in text contact during the day, so I'm glad I'm not the only one! She's not super texty (which is fine, she should concentrate on LO) but it makes me feel better to have that contact.</p> <p>We did have a few light housekeeping things we asked her to do only if LO is napping and she has time (since she still spends a lot of time napping at 4mo!) - dishes, wiping the kitchen down, vacuuming and ironing a few things. Is that too much? It's nothing we expect to be done, really only as possibilities for time she isn't directly involved with LO. In all honesty they're DH's responsibilities that he hasn't had time for because he is trying to finish his dissertation and basically goes to work, writes, takes care of LO if I'm not home, and sleeps. Well he's also supposed to clean the bathrooms but that seemed like too much to ask of a nanny! I just can't keep up with all the chores since I work 30 hr/wk and manage all our household stuff (tax time!) so it's been amazing having the nanny helping out a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054135 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:05:35 +0000 Synchronicity 2054135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ah, I just typed up a long response and the internet ate it! Darn. Here's the cliffsnotes version:</p> <p>- I have a key to the house and the garage codes; I'm in and out so much, often when the parents aren't home so it's necessary in my case.<br /> - They are always telling me to help myself to whatever food they have, but I generally bring my own<br /> - I haven't been asked to do any housework, but I always leave the house cleaner than it was when I got there. Picking up toys, cleaning up kitchen, that sort of thing.<br /> - I've been taking the kiddos out of the house since day 1. I drive them to lessons and classes, do school drop off and pick-up when necessary, go to playdates, go for walks, that sort of thing. We all feel cooped up if we stay inside all day. </p> <p>Hope that helps a little!</p> <p>ETA: You have a nanny cam, so I'm sure that will make you feel more comfortable, but I stay in contact with my boss all day through texting. She texts me to see how things are going, remind me about activities they have going on, and I send her pictures of the kids, that sort of thing. It's great to be able to reach her easily when I need something, and vice versa. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054133 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:04:21 +0000 travelingnanny 2054133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do I give her a key to the house? Yes.<br /> Provide food for her? Yes, but offer whatever you have in the house. She might want to bring her own food. My boss buys me some food I like but I also eat whatever they have.<br /> What light housework is appropriate? It depends on the nanny. I do laundry (babies clothes and cloth diapers), wash kids dishes, and tidy up any messes we make.<br /> When is it okay for her to take LO on walks outside? Whenever you're comfortable but i'd say day one. I don't think it is good to be inside all day. We have museum, zoo, and aquarium passes. We also go to the library, parks, have playdates with our playgroups (both at our house, at other kids house, and sometimes we meet out somewhere), the indoor play place, go to coffee/ lunch, run errands, and the list goes on. </p> <p>I've been with my current family for 2.5 years (and will likely stay until they no longer need me because they are so awesome) and I was with my last family for 3 years. What works for me and my families is being able to co-parent together. The parents really value my opinion, too. I will bend over backward for them because they always go out of their way for me. It really helps to be valued and appreciated. I have more to say but I'll have to add it in a bit.</p> <p>ETA- Some days I text pictures and other days I don't. Sometimes I tell the parents our plans in the AM and sometimes I don't get a chance so I don't tell until they get home from work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054126 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:02:19 +0000 Modern Daisy 2054126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our nanny had keys and took LO on walks at least twice a day. WE didn't ask her to do any actual housework other than cleaning up after LO, but she frequently ran and emptied our dishwasher. I would suggest having her fill out a daily sheet that you provide, I made my own based on what I wanted to know. I also required that she be in constant contact with us via cell and I texted her at least once a day. If there is anything you DONT want her to do, like enter your master bedroom, run the washing machine, etc. then make sure you put it in writing and read it out loud together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054113 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:56:59 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2054113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our nanny isn't at our house a lot (most of the time we share at another house) but they go on walks every day. She has carseats for both girls if she wants to take them to storytime or something, but we live in the suburbs and there isn't much within walking distance. The only expectation we have for housework is cleaning up the areas that the girls play in, but the nanny often does dishes or folds LO's laundry of her own accord. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054097 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:50:02 +0000 mrsjazz 2054097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: Yes, if you trust her to watch your child, you should trust her taking the baby outside for walks! It's good for both of them to get out of the house, say a morning or afternoon walk. </p> <p>Our nanny doesn't drive LO anywhere (we live in a city) but I wouldn't be comfortable with that anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054084 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:47:00 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: She's 4 mo. I guess I was wondering more along the lines of when I should be comfortable enough with the nanny to trust her for outings? But I suppose that's not terribly logical if we trust her enough to watch LO in the first place! Though it's still pretty cold right now so I think that's the bigger barrier. The drivers in our area are awful so I think we'll probably have a no car rule, which I think for the limited hours should be reasonable. We live close to some parks within walking distance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054070 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:41:46 +0000 mrsjazz 2054070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our nanny has the keys to our apartment. Weather permitting, she takes our LO out to the park, playground, and drop-in sing-alongs. We don't provide food for her, she usually brings her breakfast and lunch. We don't expect her to do any housekeeping but she cleans LOs dishes and we've come home to no dirty dishes before, too. She organized LOs dresser drawers for us and will fold her laundry if I haven't gotten to it yet.</p> <p>How old is your LO? Our LO has been with a nanny since she was 5 months old (we've had 3) and our nanny was allowed to take LO out since day 1. We don't want them cooped up in the house all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-logistics-1#post-2054058 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:35:04 +0000 MenagerieMama 2054058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So after an epic few weeks of drama we seem to have a good fit with a permanent nanny! She's really lovely and LO seems to like her enough and we're all getting to know each other's routines. But - we've never had a nanny before! She's hired through an agency, so we have a third party that handles billing/taxes/scheduling, etc. She's here 15-20 hours per week.</p> <p>Any advice for long-term nanny situations? Like do I give her a key to the house? Provide food for her? What light housework is appropriate? When is it okay for her to take LO on walks outside? Anything you wish you had known or done differently?</p> <p>Any and all advice would be great! We made it through the survival stage and are now trying to settle in. I must say that when I creep on the nanny cam from work and see her reading a book to LO, and then come home and there are no more dirty dishes in the sink, I could get used to this!! </p>