Turns out Nanny Can Cook

      Our nanny of less than a month is taking charge in her new position. I had not asked her to cook because we have three children and didn't think she could work it out. As it turns out, she has been cooking and she is quite good at it. Good at it as in, I see myself looking forward to coming home wonderding what she has made. Because this was not a part of her original assignment and because she is so good and we want to keep her happy, what would be a fair amount to add to her weekly salary for cooking four nights a week?  I was thinking $100 for family dinner for 5. Friday, we usually go out or do take out.  Her currrent salary is $825 after taxes for five 11 hour days.

Employer Questions the Legitimacy of her Pet Peeves

Harmony by Alima Newton

There are a few things that nanny does that get on my nerves. Given the caliber of nanny I have, I could probably just deal with these. My question to you, is since we are coming up on her one year anniversary and (I hope) giving her good news  (accolades) and cheer ( a raise), would it be possible to address any of these things?  I am looking for advice from nannies. She is a live-in and no doubt I do things that get on her nerves too. I know this.

1.  Nanny wears over powering cologne, daily.
2.  Nanny does her nails in the house and I don't like the smell of nail polish remover and have already told her once.
3.  Nanny eats rice cakes all the time, but doesn't seem to realize all of the crumbs she leaves everywhere. Even on the sofa. I know it's her because no one else eats them!
4.  Nanny drinks coffee, usually has the last cup of coffee and does not wash put or remove coffee grounds.
5.  Nanny bakes and makes a lot of unhealthy foods, like chocolate chip cookies, rice krispie treats with whole chocolate bars in them, strawberry shortcake, chocolate cupcakes.
6.  Nanny is big on recycling. When she finds something in the garbage that should not be, she takes it out, which is fine, but then tells me EVERY SINGLE time. (Shaming?)
7.  Nanny likes to shop at thrift stores for herself. She is very thoughtful when it comes to my kids, but I don't want the kids wearing clothes from thrift stores. I am afraid of lice, mites, bed bugs and I don't think that is unreasonable.
8.  Nanny drinks lots and lots of coke products, in front of my children. (Coke and rice cakes, all day long, I kid you not!)  I have told her that they may not have sofa, but I believe they have had atleast "sips" and now they request soda all the time. If it's just from exposure, than I am similarly displeased.
9.  Nanny is agnostic or atheist, I am not sure. We are Catholic. We are not excessively religious, but if anything close to religion comes up, the nanny says, "yes, some people do believe in/celebrate/ X, but many don't and I am one of those who don't."
10. The nanny lets the dog on the sofa. The dog was never on the sofa before but now comes up all of the time. Oldest child tells me nanny holds the dog on the sofa when watching television.
11. Last summer, the nanny and children were outside daily. Swimming in our pool, etc. Most afternoons I came home, nanny was still in her bikini top with a pair of shorts. I'm not a prude, it just seemed odd,especially since many times, the children were already redressed.

Employers, we want to hear more from you. What works for you? What doesn't? Share your best or worst experiences with us. Email isynblog@gmail.com.

Civil Liberties & The Nanny

Are these the new normal?

1) My nanny contract.....Nanny will submit to random urinalysis. Upon request for urinalysis, nanny will immediately provide specimen. Urine will be tested for all drugs and narcotics...... This goes on to say, "If urinalysis reveals presence of prescription pharmaceuticals, nanny must produce physician's prescription.

2) As a live-in nanny, the nanny is expected to comply with the rules of the house. To ensure house rules are being adhered to, routine inspections and surprise inspections will be conducted of the nanny's unit.  .....bed is to be made on a daily basis, sheets changed on a weekly basis.....no alcohol, tobacco, firearms or drugs are permitted on employer property at any time....no pets are permitted in the nanny unit or on the employer's property......the nanny may have beverages in the supplied min refrigerator provided they are appropriately disposed of after consumption....all food is to be consumed in the employer's kitchen during the hours of 6AM-8PM.....

What about you? Does your nanny contract contain questionable requirements of any sort? Please share with isynblog@gmail.com  Posts may be edited for space and content.