My baby is 14 months old, and the nanny wants to take him to the zoo. When making this decision, do you think that it's strictly about my trust and instinct, or are there any hard and fast rules that I should consider, questions to ask, things that might not occur to me, as this is my first experience with this?
She stays at our house with him all day. They go outside for walks, but they stay within sight of the house. The zoo is very close to where I work every day (opposite end of town from my house), so my husband would drop them off a couple of hours or so before I would leave work, and I'd meet them there after work. It sounds harmless enough, and the weather is nice, so they need to get out.
I guess my concern is just that this is the first time having someone else (other than parents and grandmother) responsible for his safety in public, so far away from home. I have no doubt that she would keep him close and protect him. It's just new. My baby enjoys getting out and seeing the world, and he shouldn't have to wait until our off hours. I've been thinking that if she doesn't get to do these things with him, then she's really just being a babysitter.
ETA: She will not have the option of driving.
She has been with him since he was 11 weeks old, so the parameters are growing as he grows. She knows that we trust her and are more comfortable with her having him than anybody else. I was only asking you to help me think of anything that I should consider and prepare for, things that might not occur to me since this is a first-time situation. Because our parenting styles and ideals are very similar, she understands why I have to take everything into consideration, chew on it a bit before ultimately agreeing. She does not drive him because no one drives him except his parents and sometimes his grandmother. For very specific reasons, it's the decision that we have made for right now.
I would not hire someone to be my son's nanny if I did not trust her to care for him in all situations - what would she do differently at the zoo?
I'd kind of be reluctant to just drop off Nanny and baby-if she had her own car and could leave , if need be, I would feel much better-I guess if you could dash over there in a short time-that would work, as well.
The only thing I can say is that the nanny brought a boy to my son's little early childhood class in her own car, and often brought along the baby too. It seems like it's pretty normal. They will both be happier to get a new change of scenery.
I wonder why she doesn't have the option of driving? Is it a safety issue, a trust issue? I would think if they will be out and about in such a situation a car would be pretty needed. A child that young may melt down and need to be taken home. If you and hubbie can get there in a few minutes, the I guess no problem.
I am a nanny and if the only option I had to get out of the house with the kids was for them to pick me up and drop me off I would probably not stay with the family for very long. The bottom line is you trust your nanny or you don't. I take the children I nanny for all over the place. just in the past week we went to painted penguin, to the park twice and out to lunch, we went to the library and several sports things that the family signs the kids up for. A zoo trip to last literally all day will not be fun for anyone little one will need to get into his crib for naptime. why do you not allow her to drive with him? no license? you don't trust her driving? no car? you need to really thing about whether you trust her or not.
What Sherry and Kristina said. You hired a nanny to care for your child. If you don't trust this nanny, you should find a different one.
And it would be mind-numbingly boring to be stuck at home everyday. Figure out a way for the nanny to drive, be dropped off, or take public transit to different places, so she and your kiddo can get out and explore the world. Otherwise, poor nanny and poor kiddo.
That seems like an awesome perk to having a nanny verses daycare is that your baby can go to fun places. I would not want a nanny running errands but going to the park, zoo, museum, mall sounds like fun. You either trust her or you don't. It will be fun for both of them. Just curious why can't she drive?
I think if you can drop them off and pick them up, then you don't even have to worry about her driving him. I would do it. You trust her in your home, why not in public?
A friend of mine is a nanny and she often takes her charges to the library for story time, to the park, to the mall (bad weather, great play space). I think they benefit from getting out just like any other kid and it gives them more people to interact with (like my DD). She also takes them to/from preschool, if that is a consideration down the road. I think your son will benefit from this outing.
RED FLAG, RED FLAG, RED FLAG! You sound like the MB I used to work for and after 1.5 years, I quit! I coulnd't stand being limited to walking around and staying home all day with her. I literally started losing my mind, and finally told the mom "I have been your nanny since your daughter was 6wks old, I take her to the doctors, and I am responsible for her over 10 hours/day...you obviously don't trust me to allow us outside the perimeter of your small little downtown area, so I can't stay anymore...Find a new nanny." I have been a nanny for over 12 years, caring for kids for about 18 years total.
Sorry, it's a trust thing for me...You sound like a mom who needs to put her kid in daycare...or a home daycare setting...
I think it's great that she wants to take your child somewhere fun. We provided our nanny with a car so she could get out and about with our twin girls. It was fantastic all around - the nanny got out of the house and wasn't bored, the girls got to visit places like the zoo and childrens museum.
I can't see a reason to say no, just be certain that she has a number to call if she needs to leave early (ie - your son is not feeling well). If there's a way she can provide her own transport for her and your son, it might be easier for everyone.
It sounds like she is going to be very close to where you are. Hubby is driving so no worries there.
I say let them go and enjoy their day. You'll have one excited LO that night!
Awww thats awesome. He should have fun when you're at work and I'm sure she'll be more relaxed and enjoy him more outside too. I'd say i your nervous pack a bag or write a check list if shes not used to it
the same things you'd bring if you were going.
In all my years of being a nanny ( before my own daughter came along) I never was expected to stay at home. Most families I used my own car, some they had me use their car to take the kids. If you trust her with your kids, I would trust she would make good choices while out :)
When we had a nanny, my youngest was 16 -24 months. My oldest had just turned 4. I made sure she had the proper car seats in her car and I got her added to several of our memberships around town -zoo, Botanical Gardens, Fernbank, etc. She also took them to the pool all summer (she was a lifeguard, so I felt like she had a clue there). I did inquire about her driving record, but everything always went well. She didn't have issues keeping up with them and I think they always had a good time. She took them to several parks around here all the time too. It made the days much more enjoyable for everyone!
If you trust your nanny, then it shouldn't really be an issue. I'm a nanny & have always been allowed to take the kids places from the time they were infants.
Check her driving record & install carseats for her to put your mind at ease. Perhaps start by allowing 2 or 3 outings a week. Its a nice to have a change of scenery once in awhile. For the kids too.
Hi....this is a really hard one. We hired a girl in August 2011 and just 2 weeks ago I began having her help by driving the kids so they are able to attend activities and not be couped up. I too felt bad that I was limiting them to the house and it was really really hard to see her go with them. I can tell you that after a few times I felt a lot better and I really think you may be a nervous wreck at first (as you should...I think) but ultimately your child will a lot better stimulated and knowledgeable about the world and be happier!
Good Luck!
If you trust her yes you should definitely let her do it. After all, you want your child to go do cool things and learn new things each day. You don't want them cooped up in the house every day. Your child will be more stimulated and he will get nice and tired out. It's a win-win situation.
I provided childcare for a family and was very clear about what we'd do, I had permission, and I gave them not only a form filled out on what they did that day but also provided pictures every month or so of what we were up to. If I wasn't allowed to leave the house with them, I would not have continued childcare with them. We weren't running errands, but we had so much fun. We did go (all expenses on me) to the zoo early in the morning, rode the little zoo train back to a park, and had a picnic lunch before coming home for nap. We would go to a little playground and small fry club every Tuesday morning. We had crafts, games, music, etc but we also needed to get OUT. We took a walk around the block OR to the playground and on the way stop to feed stale bread to the ducks (little ones in the wagon, Kindergartner walking with me, where we'd play I Spy or similar games). When the summers got hot (very hot) they had naps during the heat of the day and afterwards we'd walk to the spray park (soft turf ground, sprinklers and other children to play with, no standing water). It was a regularly scheduled thing and the parents knew where we were if they got off work early. We had a behavior chart on the fridge (because their 2 boys plus mine.....we realized we needed incentive for not having shoving fights or "boy stuff")...if they could obey the 4 rules I had for the whole week (Mon-Fri) then we'd go on a special trip on Friday. The parents LOVED it. We'd go to a drum circle, the Children's Museum, to see a dinosaur exhibit, to go to the space museum and try on suits and walk on the moon exhibit, to the zoo, to Chuck E Cheese, the observation park at the airport to picnic and watch planes up close, to the bounce house place, to see Seussical the Musical, to watch the once a week early morning free children's movie at the theater during the summer, whatever. They were always told ahead of time what we'd be doing, where, and all the details. They were always very happy to have us so engaged and happy. The mom said my house was like summer camp for the boys and she was grateful. On weekends, if they scored tickets to something neat, they'd get some for my family too and we'd join them, or I'd occasionally go to the kindergartner's soccer or Tball games with the family. You should be able to trust your nanny. If it makes you feel better, pack the bag for her? Sippy cup, extra water, snacks, an extra $20 just in case, change of clothes, wipes, diapers, etc. It's not like I was running up and down the roads all day everyday. The only "regular" thing we did in a car was the playground/small fry club, and then on Friday if they earned their special trip (95% of the time) we'd take a trip. But everyday we walked the block or to the park, spraypark, and fed the ducks/turtles. You can't expect your little baby to just sit in a house all day everyday, and you shouldn't expect that from your nanny either. Let them explore the world a little! It's big, interesting, and so much fun. Like the previous poster said: poor nanny AND poor kid!
I nannied older children. So I was out and about with them often. The parents had a few rules. !. Car safety...obviously not an issue here. 2. I was asked to call and check in periodically. So every few hours I called. 3. I had to carry a power of attorney paper with me. In case there was a dire emergency, they wanted to make sure that I was able to go in the ambulance with their child, make a decision if need be, etc. NOTHING ever happened that would remotely be considered an emergency, but we all felt better knowing I had that paperwork in my wallet.
Hi. I have both had a nanny and been a nanny. As a parent, I have personal issues with my kids in anyone's cars. If they went somewhere with the nanny, it had to be planned and they had to call when they arrived. I KNOW this is my issue and I was upfront about it when hiring, so she knew what she was up against :) Another thing was pools. I have my irrational issues. It is not always about trust. Sheesh. :)
good things to consider/ask:
Is there a way to contact you if the visit gets unhappy....if little one gets spilled all over, has a big accident, gets a minor injury, etc. What would the plan be? Have this spelled out ahead of time. Consider that little one might gets overwhelmed, worn out and grumpy or overheated and think through how you and your nanny would want to work through those types of scenarios.
Consider starting with short outings and work your way up to longer ones, if at all feasible.
Don't forget suncreen and waterbottles :)
Be sure she has cash in case of unexpected expenses and clarify what would be acceptable use of that.
Good luck. It sounds like you have a good partnership.
Seems ok, but if they don't go it won't be the end of the world either.
If you are only comfortable with the local library & surrounding parks, that is ok too.
No red flags, no big deal, your kids you make the rules.
Baby is only 14 months old, he will just be wildly running in circles & laughing not looking at the animals :)
Either you trust her or you don't. It's that simple.
We let our very good friend who our son always adored take him in the summer to our local small Zoo. She sent me a text and he was crashed out in the stroller with sweat dripping off of him. When he got home I prepaired him for a bath as he was sweaty and dirty by then. He had some weird rash in his diaper area which I later learned was heat rash. So dissapointed and were the overly protective type. We wont let our parents watch our kids because they dont do what we ask and think they know better. My son has come back with a black eye, knot on the head and not eaten for the day, skipped nap and no bath.
if she has your child full time . and you trust her to care for him. I think you have to trust her to drive him. I have had 2 adults sitters care for my kids and drive them. I have not allowed teens (or 21 year olds drive them) your child needs to be taken to the library, the park, the mall to play. to playgroups.. ... it is not good for his development to be stuck at home full time with a sitter. It was fine when he was an infant to stay home inside all day.. but now he is an active toddler he needs to expand his world. ...
You worry too much! Relax~ :)
