Nanny play date proposals

[BaconandEgg]

My nanny is starting work in September; I'm going back to work in October leaving my then 6 month old first son in her sole charge. She emailed me yesterday to say that she wants to take my son for play days to NW London (a 30 minute train/underground journey with one change, featuring an escalator, with walks at both ends). She proposes that the journey be undertaken during my son's nap times.

This is all new to me - but her proposals sound a bit adventurous. Are they? Would it unreasonable of me to stipulate that I wouldn't want her to do it more than once a week (with a return visit on another day that week)?

Thanks.

[Thing1Thing2]

Your DS is 6 months old. How will he benefit from a playdate? This seems to be solely for your Nannys social life.

I would insist that at this age everything is local.

I think you need to have a meeting about your expectations about this role.

[ViveLaFrak]

Agree that activities should be local. Whilst it's nice to get out and about she should be focusing on building relationships in the local area perhaps with patents from your NCT group or other nannies.

30mins is definitely for her benefit. It might be a nice treat for an older child to go see some different people but 30mins in London when there's bound to be local stuff is excessive.

I'd have a chat to her and explain that you want your DC to build local friendships so playdates with 'her' friends should be very infrequent. She has a new job in a new area - she should be adapting to that first and foremost.

[ConnorTraceptive]

Agree this sounds like a get together for your nanny's benefit. I would suggest she find local activities and groups. No need to trek across london with a baby just for a get together with a friend

[SloanyPony]

I might go against the grain and wonder exactly what harm it will do him? Nap times and lengths will change quite a bit from 6 months on anyway - varying from child to child - but my babies naps got later and later and shorter and shorter from about 6 months so I wouldn't have been able to predict that - yours may of course be different.

So naps aside, what harm would it do? As long as she is also getting out in your local community as well?

If she is happy and has an established social life, would it not benefit your son to be a part of this and witness it, as well as "playing" with her friend's charges?

The travelling itself I would have thought would be exciting and different, and stimulating. The tube journey, steps etc, are surely her problem?

Maybe I'm super laid back about things like this but I think I'd be saying, sure, knock yourself out, if you are happy, he should be happy, and she wont feel resentful (though she should recognise this is your call).

[Gibbon]

lol @ playdate for 6 month old

Tell her she can arrange her social life in her own time