Friday

Road Mode

OPINION
Which would you prefer for on the job transport: 1. a car to use only during working hours with the kids with a gas card 2. your car and compensated for mileage 3. your car mileage compensation and a gas card for work hours.

18 comments:

Nannygirl said...

I prefer a car to use!!!!

I don't want kids or carseats in my car. Period. With sand, dirt, boogars, shoes, snot, bottles, school crafts that are still dripping with paint and glue, etc. It ruins my car and with compensation or not, it's very frustrating. Not to mention the mileage wear and tear, more frequent oil changes, more frequent car washes, tires, and overall maintenance. I understand that is what mileage reimbursement is meant to cover. However, it doesn't justify it for me.

In my current job I watch school age kids and there is so much driving!!!! To and from two different schools, after school activities, play dates, extra curriculars, appointments, sports, grocery store, errands, etc. I'd say half of my job is driving. Maybe if I didn't do so much driving it would be different. I'm lucky my employers provide a car for me to use! I had a kid with stomach flu in the car once (on the way to the doctor) talk about scary!!!

Chelsea said...

I have previously used my own car, but in my most recent nanny search, I decided I am, from here out, not doing that. It added quite a bit of mileage to my car, it made it a lot more difficult for me to keep my car clean WHILE making it much more important that I actually do so, and it's just a liability.

I now drive my employers' spare vehicle. Carseats were installed by them, so, while I periodically check that they're still properly installed, I feel safer knowing that the parents put them in. I'm also not responsible for maintenance, excessive cleaning, or any weird miscommunication about mileage compensation. It's just easier that way.

Lyn said...

I too would prefer a car with a full tank of gas be provided.

OceanBLue said...

A care provided , with carseats installed if the kids still need carseats, keep the tank full, but a gas card is always good to have in emergencies.

lexeael13 said...

i use my own car for work but i would much perfer to have one provided for me so i did not have to use my own. it can also make for problems with car seats if you watch 3 kids as i do and all the seats dont fit into a small car

MissMannah said...

I use my own car and have mileage reimbursed. I am invited to drive MB's car in case of emergency, but I would just feel weird doing so. I don't feel comfortable driving other people's cars.

Nannygirl, why are your charges so gross? I've had many children in my cars and only once had the upholstery messed up--kiddo dropped a banana and then stepped on it. Since then I have a "no food" rule and cups have lids. Pretty simple. And why boogers in your car?? That is disgusting!

COnanny said...

I use my own car. I am more comfortable with it. I do not request reimbursement for gas or mileage for two reasons: I am well paid already and I do bring my child with me to work so I would use the car and gas for the outings anyway :)

Bethany said...

An employer's car if it's one I'm comfortable driving. I don't care for minivans.
Make sure your insurance policy covers your nanny, or give her the extra pay for the additional coverage she will need.

You provide snd install carseats.

I like having a gas card even if using the employer's car. if not a gas card a visa card.

It's good to have in emergencies.

Also provide service like AAA in case of a flat.

Village said...

I'll take door number one, please.

Nashville Nanny said...

I refuse to take positions that do not come with a nanny car. I don't want the liability of having children in my car, nor do I need the wear/tear on my own vehicle.

Nannygirl said...

Miss M- I think I just do SO much driving with my charges.. I cannot stress this enough! I work 40-45 hr work weeks and we are in the car about 2hrs a day total. I think that's where the difference is. Plus I drive their friends home sometimes (for extra$) and we live by the beach... After surf class kids are typically wet and sandy!! The boogars.. I don't even know!!!! I also have a no food rule! Although one of their lunch boxes has come open (unknowingly) and made a mess! Again... Thank goodness I don't drive my car!!

I forgot to mention pets!!! I transport their pets sometimes and there's no way I would do that if it was in my own car!

I do want to say that I treat their vehicle as if it were my own. I always keep gas tank full (their visa), take it for car washes, and oil changes. I only use it during work hrs not personal use.

Bethany said...

Also, if you provide nanny with a car please make sure the vehicle is kept up.

Up keep should come out of your pocket not nanny's.

Handynanny said...

Car provided is nice, I had that for 4 years it was heaven :-) now I drive
My car but it's okay, I mean we can't have it all. When my boss can, she leaves her car for me but whatever it's not a big deal. I feel there are bigger fish to fry :-)

pn said...

Kids are messy. To deny that they're harder on a car than an adult is just being naive.

Sometimes I think you look for things to disagree with. Lighten up. Its not good to be such a negative person all the time.

Truth Seeker said...

I prefer to have a vehicle provided.

Even if I used my own car and was reimbursed for mileage, I still would have a car w/the extra miles on it and in the long run that means more oil changes, tire changes, etc.

Plus, when the parents install the car seats, I usually have to keep them in my car for the duration of my job which kinda sucks for when I need my car for other uses.

canadananny said...

I use my own car. They provided me with a carseat, pay for gas, and give me small bonuses about once every month or two for wear and tear etc. I don't let my charge eat or drink in the car so I am not too concerned about mess! Like Mannah, I am also not comfortable driving other peoples cars!

Just My Two Cents Just Now said...

I would like to have them buy me a car and paint it pink just like the Mary Kay ladies have!!!

Truth Seeker said...

@Two Cents:

Yeah, but when you stop working for Mary Kay, you cannot keep the car.

I used to sell Arbonne and they let me drive a white Mercedes. However, when the economy went in the tank and my sales went along w/it, I lost the car.