The important thing is how you want
to run your home. Set your parameters up with your nanny about what you
consider an illness in your child, and what symptoms it is okay for your child
to have and still interact socially. In addition, decide when to abort a play
date if a child shows up at your house with fever, vomiting within the last 24
hours, a green nose, etc.
Give your nanny an easy way out
with some words to say, like: “Oh boy, little Anthony looks really sick today.
I’m sorry, but I’m not allowed to let kids in who are sick – house rules. I
hope he feels better – and please call us when he’s well again!”
Many times nannies don’t have the
confidence to say no, even when it is to protect their charge. Sometimes this
problem is a generic confidence problem. Sometimes it is a cultural problem
where the nannies are more used to “behind the back” dealings than straight
forward confrontations, which are seen as “male” and not “female” or good
manners.
Pools
If you have a swimming pool or your
child goes on play dates at homes where there are swimming pools, be clear with
your nanny about the rules.
Here are a few that you can adopt or amend.
Children may only go on play dates
at homes where the pools are gated.
Your nanny must know how to swim
and have an updated Red Cross level test card.
Your nanny
must not let the child out of her sight in a house with a pool.
Your child
must take swimming lessons until he or she is a good swimmer.
Even if
your child is a good swimmer, and your nanny is a good swimmer, and your child
has “floaties” on his or her arms, accidents do
happen, usually because a child is left unattended – even for a minute – around
a body of water. Unfortunately, when water is involved, these accidents can be
fatal – especially with children.
The Park Restrooms
Public restrooms can be creepy, and they can be safety
hazards. If your child is the same sex as your nanny there is no excuse for
your nanny not going into the rest room at public places with your child.
However, if your child is a boy, and your nanny is a woman, you
must instruct your nanny to accompany your son into the Ladies’ Room until he
is whatever age it is that he starts complaining about this practice. At that
time you have to come up with a new plan.
