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The ups and downs of our planned new life to NZ, warts and all!

I was offered the job I wanted!! - But what's up with the Nanny?Fri 26 October 2007
I'm so happy, today I met with the woman I had interviewed with last Friday.  I left feeling that the job was mine until the recruitment consultant emailed me that she wanted to meet Steve!!  It later transpired that perhaps it was more the consultant than the woman and the person that took over (he left on holiday) reiterated that she had been very keen on me and in fact had not arranged to meet any of the other candidates.  I was introduced to the team today and they were all so warm and friendly.  Then she ended the day (four hours later!!) by giving me an 'official' offer.  I accepted the position, and she took me around again to say that I was officially going to be working here.  The team said they were very happy and looked forward to working with me and then one of the guy's showed me my very own parking space!!  YAY!  Parking is really hard in Welly city and the office is right near Steve, so we can go into work in ONE car and save on the horrendous parking costs.  Steve and I then raced over to the school we want Moons to be in when she turns five.  Waiting lists are so long and this school is so popular we've had to arrange it now!  The school is just down the road and is absolutely wonderful.  It was SO weird being the parent meeting the Head of the School, being shown around and asking questions.  It is SO nice to be the parent and not the kid going to school!!  It has a pool which is lovely, we want Moons to learn to swim.  So a GREAT day in all.  Was a little disappointed to arrive home and find the house a mess, Moons had wet herself (which is the first time in a LONG time) and the Nanny had left the dirty clothes on the laundry floor for me to find and wash.  The house was a mess and Moons had been fed cornflakes all day.  There's been a few things like that.  Her bowl and bits left on the draining board, not in the dishwasher.  I'm relieved that Moons will be in school during the day, I don't know if the Nanny could handle the two girls all day.  Steve and I have decided that when I start work, we'll leave a list of things she should do - i.e, feed the baby, change the baby!!!  We've also decided to get a cleaner as well, the thought of getting home to a messy house is just too much.  I'm a little disappointed to be honest, I rather thought she might chip in a bit more.  Hopefully its just teething problems and as she gets more settled, it'll come more naturally.  In the meantime, we're getting a chinese tonight, and washing it down with some red!  YAY!!

well doneFri 26 October 2007
Sounds like a long, long day Nicci!
Congratulations, see you soon,
Karen X
Posted by karonious

The NannyFri 26 October 2007
Wasn't her duties outlined before the contract was signed. Usually, and I know this from my boss, when they hire a Nanny, household duties are not part of the package. A Nanny is only responsible for the child[ren] in their care and not laundry, dishes, etc. So if you want her to cook, straighten up, do laundry, run errands, all of these things should be written down and agreed to by the Nanny in writing. Did you get her through an agency?
Posted by Rete

In answer to the comment from 'Rete'Fri 26 October 2007
The Nanny signed a contract stating that she would look after her own cleaning (ie, putting stuff in the dishwasher) and the girls' clothes. I don't expect her to clean the house, this is why we will hire a cleaner, but I do expect (as per her contract) that childrens toys are put away after play, etc. I also think that changing a baby's nappy is part of 'looking after children.' Furthermore, common sense alone should prevail when leaving clothes covered in urine on the laundry floor. Maybe I should have been more thorough and put that eventuality in the contract? I didn't expect I would need to specify cleaning up after herself either. Regrettably the 'perk' of her own internet access has been been more of a distraction. We've since discussed some of the issues that came to light and feel that gradually she will have a better understanding of her role.
Posted by Littletoe

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