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I don't think it is acceptable or appropriate for your nanny to bring a friend along.  The first reason is that this is a work trip for the nanny, not a vacation trip, and the nanny will automatically see their role as more casual versus a work trip.  In addition, your nanny isn't going to be near as focused with their friend on this trip with them.  

It may seem tempting because you haven't found anyone new yet and there is a familiarity with her, but my advice would be to move on.  You may be nervous that she will leave again, but the real reason you and this nanny should part ways is because she isn't fully happy with her job working for your family and that is why she left. If she isn't satisfied with her salary, then she isn't fully committed to her nanny job with your family. I would recommend either matching the salary she was getting or hiring a new nanny.

I would highly suggest a severance package.  The rule of thumb for a severance package is 1–2 weeks per year.  Due to the length of time your nanny was with you and the tone of the question is one of a more positive nature, I would recommend two weeks per year, which would be a 3-month severance package.  In addition, a thoughtful gift from each one of your children, such as her best qualities or fun memories they had in a scrap book or memory gift would be a kind send off.

The first step is having either you or your husband sit down with your nanny. Let your nanny know you overheard the conversation with regard to teaching your daughter a religious prayer. The second step is to inform your nanny to inform both of you first before you teach your daughter viewpoints. Lastly, ask your nanny if this is something you can agree to do moving forward.

The answer is no. The nanny could be an exceptional nanny, and it isn't the fact that she isn't going to focus on your child and take care of them. It's the fact that she is a mother and her role as a mother will always come first, which means that she is going to prioritize her own child, and you are paying someone to make your child and/or children the first priority in those hours that you are paying them to do so.

The answer is keep your relationship strictly professional. You will never really genuinely know who your nanny is outside of work because they won't feel like they can be completely open, honest, and transparent with you as they may lose their job. Let's be honest, people's values are different. You both may be lovely people, but what each of value or don't value can be a turn-off to another person and that would be a burden on your nanny. The second reason is that as you become more friendly, the lines will get blurred of your relationship. The dedication of the job will drop due to the more lax relationship.

The first one is salary, which is pretty obvious. Everyone wants to be paid a decent salary and valued for their skills, experience, and the work that they do. Taking care of children is no small feat. Paid time off is absolutely necessary if you want to attract and retain a qualified nanny. This type of position heavily revolves around all the family member's needs and wants, which leaves little time for the nanny's personal life. Paid time allows the nanny for sudden necessities such as unplanned illnesses, the need to leave the city or state for a family member, or any other emergency that may come up. When an employer offers health insurance, employees look at their job as a good job instead of a job. This also eliminates stress for a lot of employees. Sick leave is imperative when you have a nanny as they are around children all day long and children can easily get sick from classmates. Most nannies are looking for a nanny job because they love children. You will attract more high quality "nannies" if the emphasis is on taking care of children rather than heavily on household management, cooking, or cleaning. No weekends. You may be able to employ quality nannies, but retaining them is another when they consistently work and/or need to be available for your family on the weekends. They may love their nanny job, but they also desire a personal life.

Have a conversation with your babysitter the next time you see her. Start off by saying that I know you had a friend over yesterday while watching my children. It is a rule of mine that you ask me first before having a friend over while watching my children. I don't know your friend. Can I meet your friend? Your babysitter will probably say yes. Your response is: great, until I meet you friend, no friends are allowed over. More than likely the meeting with the friend will not happen.

Have a conversation with your 9 year old. The first thing that you will want to say is how much you love them. The most important part of this conversation is the question that you will ask them which is, is there anything that you want or need more from me? In order to receive a truthful and accurate answer, your behavior needs to be focused on their answer. Do not be distracted as in looking at your phone, or your watch, or looking around the room thinking that it needs to be clean. What they have to say is the most important thing to you. One answer may be that your child wants to spend more time with you. Have a conversation with your 9-year-old. The first thing that you will want to say is how much you love them. The most important part of this conversation is the question that you will ask them, which is, is there anything that you want or need more from me? In order to receive a truthful and accurate answer, your behavior needs to be focused on their answer. Do not be distracted, as in looking at your phone, or your watch, or looking around the room thinking that it needs to be clean. What they have to say is the most important thing to you. One answer may be that your child wants to spend more time with you. When a child says they want to spend more time with you, this means more quality time as in one-on-one time. Once your child is finishing answering the question, you'll want to ask, is there anything else you want or need from me? Your child might say, you don't show me you love me as much as my brother. You spend more time playing games with David on Sunday evenings than you do with me. You never ask me about my friends. The next step is saying I love you and apologizing for not doing these things. It's crucial that you validate your child's feelings, viewpoints, and point of view. As a parent you will want to confirm with your child that you understand what you heard from them and what they need and want from you. This is repairing conflict with empathy, creating emotional safety and, in turn, moving forward with a healthier relationship. You'll want to get a yes from your child before moving further with the conversation. Once you receive a yes, you'll want to address the teasing by stating, If I was your age and someone teased me, it would hurt my feelings. I know you wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Lastly, say how much you love them.

Have a conversation with her stating that you notice she is consistently 10 minutes late. Next, make the statement that my family and I need you to arrive on time. Then ask, should I count on my children needing someone else to watch them during the minutes you are late. More than likely, your nanny will say no and this will resolve the issue. If your nanny gives a wishy-washy answer, then you need to find another nanny.

The first course of action is speaking to your children after your nanny leaves. You'll want to make a statement to your children letting them know that telling you the truth isn't getting the nanny in trouble. The next step is asking them if the nanny is on her phone a lot. You'll want to use the nanny's name. If the answer is yes, have a conversation with your nanny the next time you see her.

The first statement you say to your nanny is, my children and I really like you as their nanny. I noticed when I came home early yesterday that you were engaged with your phone instead of playing with the kids. Wait for her to say something next or speak up before saying anything else. The most likely thing that will happen next is an explanation or excuse as to why she was on her phone. Lastly, you'll want to address your nanny directly by saying, my children feel like you are family and I expect that the nanny we have makes playing with them a consistent standard over their phone. If that standard is a mismatch for your life, we can discuss arrangements about parting ways. Is that standard a match for you as a nanny? If the answer is a no, you will now know that you need to search for a new nanny. If the answer is a yes, this should address and resolve their behavior moving forward.

To receive the clarity that you are looking for, you will want to ask two questions: are you still interested in this job and are you looking for another job? More than likely, this will naturally bring about answers to this issue in order for you to have clarity and make a decision that may be needed.

Most families are going to ask, can you follow the new schedule and are you willing to drive?The two most fitting questions to see if the current nanny will still be reliable are: will you still enjoy the job and is there anything that would prevent you or stop you from being able to drive and adapt to the schedule change? If you receive a yes to the first question and a no to the second question, then there isn't a pressing need to worry about finding a new nanny. If you get a no, or I don't think so to the first question and a yes to the second question, then you will need to start looking for a new nanny. Protocol on handling staff changes depends on how long it takes you to find a new nanny. If it takes you two weeks or longer to find a new nanny, then no involuntary termination pay is to be considered or required.

The rule of thumb is the nanny should always leave the home just as clean or better than when they arrived.Tasks and responsibilities that are perfectly appropriate for a nanny pertain specifically to the children. Examples are making snacks, lunch, and dinner, washing children's dishes and laundry, helping pick up toys, cleaning up the day-to-day messes, picking or driving to afterschool activities or play dates, and help with homework.

What is the best way to go about finding a nanny for our family? I would suggest to start searching locally, such as local colleges and universities, high schools, asking staff at your library, joining groups on Nextdoor, and asking if there are staff at daycare centers that might be looking for more work or have referrals. In addition, I would ask friends, family, and colleagues if they have any possible introductions. Next, I would go to online sites where nannies are looking for employment, such as care.com and other job sites. For example, Simply Hired, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, and Zip Recruiter. Facebook groups can be another great addition to finding a nanny as there are Facebook groups just for mothers or parenting groups that can potentially give you recommendations for a nanny or babysitter. Lastly, hiring an agency who recruits, interviews, and places nannies for families can be an excellent option if you are busy family desiring to save time.