Why do I have to be the neighborhood nanny?

Question

I am a nanny of four kids. Today there were two friends over, plus a baby napping. Then THREE friends from down the street pretty much invited themselves over. They are good kids but they help themselves to whatever they want and they Rarely invite the kid I nanny over to their homes. So basically today I had NINE kids under my eye. Shouldn't these parents offer me money or something for this? I like when they all play together but sometimes I wish they could play at one of the other kids' homes. I feel like these parents don't even realize how many are here at any given time.

What do I do???

Answer 1

Tell the kids they can't come over. Period. Zip. Zero.

Talk to the parents of the other kids. Explain to them how you feel. Talk to the parents of the kids you ACTUALLY nanny for.

Instill a no-food policy. Put a padlock on the fridge if you have to.

Good luck!

Answer 2

how about telling the kids no they can't come to play while you are in charge. Talk to the parents you work for and ask them to speak to the neighbors about their kids coming over while you are working.

Answer 3

i'd lock the doors...! ..or say something..b/c it's hard to always have to clean up the mess..at least u could get invited to their homes...maybe u could call/talk to the other parents and your boss about Planning play date days..where monday is their house, tuesday next door..then the kids will not always be work for you!!~

Answer 4

Give the friends' parents a call and let them know that you're the babysitter, that you already have four kids at the house, and that you aren't really comfortable taking the responsibility for any more.

Let them know that you are happy the kids are such good friends, and that if he or she would be willing to host the kids at their house, or come over and help you watch the kids play in the backyard, that would be great...but you don't feel you can watch all of the kids as well as you should.

I'm a nanny for three girls, and there have been times where they all have friends over. I think my record was 8 kids. For me, it makes my job easier because I don't need to entertain them...but my girls are 10, 12 and 14 (a little more reasonable).

Answer 5

Oh, yes.  You must tell the parents what is going on.  I know that I give my sitter, and kids, strict instructions that nobody else is allowed over.  I am not paying her to watch them ,nor do I want her to be held liable should something happend to another child.  They either need to limit the number of playmates/playdates, or pay you more.  OR, work out soemthing where the kids ALSO play at the other kids houses.

Answer 6

Have you ever expressed those feelings to the other parents?  That would seem like the first step to me.

Otherwise I would let the visiting children know that they may not eat anything while they are over.  They must go home for meals.  If they don't understand tell them that the parents of the kids you nanny for pay you for the food and their parents don't.

Answer 7

If you do not want other kids there all the time, that is your choice, not the kids.  You said you like the kids to play together, try saying they can come over one or two specific days each week during a certain time period, and they have to follow your rules and stay outside playing if it is nice.  tell them the other 3-4 days, you expect them to play at other kids house, because it isn't fair to always use one kid to play at his/her house.  Tell them if they are there they will not be helping themselves to everything and anything, but you will bring a snack out here and there (i'd suggest around 3:30 or so, but only 1 a day if they are there a while).  If they will not invite the kids you are watching over to play, tell them they can't play there b/c it isn't fair to you, the baby trying to sleep, or the other kids you are watching.  If the kids continue to walk all over you, talk to the parents of the kids you watch, then maybe even the neighbors.  And it is ok for you to go to them and b like you guys are being to loud, you all need to go to someone elses house to play now so I can tend to the baby.  Maybe you can get a "play-date" schedule set in place so each parent has the kids at their house 1 or 2 days each week, depending on how many different families there are (alternate who gets an extra day with the kids or off).  You shouldn't have to always watch the neighborhood, so talk to the kids first, then parents of your kids and see about talking to neighbors parents if needed.  It is extremely rude to let your kids invite themselves to another person house constantly and never return the favor-it should be a 1 for 1 deal so everyone gets fair babysitting duty.