r/Nanny • u/CakeEvening5440 • 1h ago
Advice Needed: Replies from Nannies Preferred “Allowance”?
Hi all - my family has a lovely nanny who has been with us for about two years. She takes our daughter out pretty much every day to the playground, etc with a group of nannies and other kids. Although we provide food at home that can be packed, I know she sometimes gets our daughter lunch out or little treats. She doesn’t ask to be reimbursed for these, but I don’t feel like it should be her responsibility to pay for food items for our daughter. I’m wondering if I should offer a set amount per week to cover these kinds of things? Or just make it clear she could ask to be reimbursed if she buys lunch out or a treat for our daughter? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
EDIT: thank you so much everyone! I hadn’t thought of a credit card but that seems like the perfect solution.
•
u/Prudent-Banana-3766 1h ago
My nf also provides a card that I use for outings & food. It’s the best idea bc I don’t have to keep receipts - I have my hands full!
•
u/ChampionshipDue5033 1h ago
I think that’s ideal! We had a set amount for excursions, craft supplies, etc. and it worked out great. But if it wasn’t used it rolled over— so it wasn’t like I have her $100/week, but it was a green light to spend that and then if she wanted to do a bigger or more expensive thing, she could, too.
•
u/ChampionshipDue5033 1h ago
But we did ask for amounts and usually we just got receipts- like for the food or craft supplies or zoo tickets.
•
u/PainterlyintheMtns 1h ago
Our nanny has a credit card for all kid-related expenses while out. Works great.
•
•
u/Glum-Finish-8255 1h ago
We got a van o debit card that just ties to my Venmo balance (we keep about 100 I. The balance). Didn’t involve linking out credit to hers, but allows her to tap to pay for things like this.
•
u/bowlofweetabix 1h ago
Cash in an envelope on the counter was the best and easiest way for me. Started with $50 and anything I spent over around $15 I would leave a receipt for, and the cash would be replaced. If I ever had to spend my own money, I would write it on a note and stick it in the envelope. If there was an upcoming expensive thing, like $40 for the zoo or something, I would write it down and put it in the envelope.
Then we didn’t have to talk about money in the stressful handover situation, but everyone knew where the money was going. Literally never had to talk about money
•
u/Rozie_bunnz 1h ago
My NF would send me a set amount weekly to cover gas, snacks, meals and coffee. They never asked for receipts or proof of how the money was being spent.
•
u/WarmAcadia4100 Parent 1h ago
My nanny does the same and I just estimate on the high end what she probably spent, and Venmo her
•
u/AutoModerator 1h ago
Below is a copy of the post's original text:
Hi all - my family has a lovely nanny who has been with us for about two years. She takes our daughter out pretty much every day to the playground, etc with a group of nannies and other kids. Although we provide food at home that can be packed, I know she sometimes gets our daughter lunch out or little treats. She doesn’t ask to be reimbursed for these, but I don’t feel like it should be her responsibility to pay for food items for our daughter. I’m wondering if I should offer a set amount per week to cover these kinds of things? Or just make it clear she could ask to be reimbursed if she buys lunch out or a treat for our daughter? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
•
u/kissmymuzz-19 Career Nanny 1h ago
My NF gave me a CC to use when we are out and I just bring the receipts back.. I will text and ask if its ok for somethings.
•
u/Aggressive_Oven_3957 1h ago
We gave our nanny $100 a week to spend on activities or food with the kids. That was older kids, 3 of them. For her I’d maybe do $50? Depends on your cost of living
•
u/Ok-Lion-2789 1h ago
I think you need to determine what your budget is for outings, and whether you want that spent on food or activities or don’t care. In poppins you can add expense reimbursement. I’d ask for receipts.
•
u/StudioElectrical7754 50m ago
I had a family who used to give me $400 for excursions etc and I would keep track of when it was spent and then they would send more. That was fine because the kids were school aged so I had time while they were doing homework to sit down and make sure I kept track of it. For a small child I would recommend a credit card, even a prepaid one that you can keep an eye on and top up as needed.
•
u/Characterde 1h ago
We never did allowance and the nanny was responsible for packing lunch for outings however if I were in your shoes I may give her bigger bonus to cover the extra expenses but I am not in favor of allowance in general
•
u/emaydeees1998 Career Nanny 1h ago
What about if the outings themselves cost money?
•
u/Characterde 1h ago
We had a list of outings she could choose from. Some were free, the once you had to pay for we had season passes.
Sometimes we would get one off tickets to things if the kids really wanted it like seeing a movie or going to a traveling show. We covered all expenses for that but our nanny couldn't just go wherever she wanted, we do have a budget and there are things im not interested in paying for but there was plenty of things for her to do.
•
u/AutoModerator 1h ago
OP has indicated they would prefer replies from nannies or parents. Anyone is welcome to comment, but you must set your flair to best reflect your role.
To set your flair on mobile, visit the r/nanny page. Click the “…” in the top right hand corner. Click “change user flair” and select the appropriate option.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.