Nanny trouble ?

Pooja Kadam


i have just found out my nanny is chewing tobbaco secretly .how do i confront her? should i ask her to leave or give another chance? she has been with us for 2 months.i have to resume working next week.

Replies (19)

no offence taken ....will surely talk to the nanny.thanks

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

just fire her and hire a new baby sitter. it makes no sense to have a baby sitter who chews tobacco. there might be so many other bad habits that you might not be aware of. I had hired a baby sitter from bookmybai.com and even she chewed tobacco. After I told them of this problem, they replaced the maid immediately. Your babys health is more important

Manisha Gangurde

Guys looking at the topic i am concerned that my MIL will be taking care of my son in 2 weeks and she is addicted to what is called 'Manjan' which has tobacco on it.now she is addicted to it since ages and does that to her teeth every now and then. And now i cannot tell her to stop doing it in front of the baby. Will it really harm the kid as she will be alone taking care of the baby. What can i do in this situation, if it is a nany/maid i can ask her from doing so but it is my MIL...i am really worried

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

I totally understand your issue. It is so hard to confront family about issues such as this. My step dad smokes cigarettes outside and never near anyone but his clothes smell of tabacco. When my daughter was very small he made a little bit of an effort to clean his hands and change his clothes but now he has stopped doing this. My husband is so angry about this and it causes conflict because he does not want him to hold our daughter. I have talked to my mom about it and he just does not remember ( or care) I dont know. My daughter there is over there alot. I dont notice any health issues but I am still concerned. It is frustrating because is causes a rift between my husband and my family because of this.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

rags I thought Manjan is like tooth powder....i dont think it has tobacco....check the box for ingredients..

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

had the same problem last week. My MIL told me that she found a tobacco pouch in the toilet and asked the maid about it and she confessed to having tobacco. I confronted her and explained to her that it is neither good for her nor for the baby. I told her that she cannot have tobacco while she is in my home. Otherwise she is a nice woman who is fond of my baby and takes good care of him.... Had asked my MIL to keep a watch on her for the last few days and to my relief she is no longer chewing tobacco while on duty Yeah, Good maids are hard to find. So if she is otherwise ok, try reasoning with her.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

what did you do? I just found out my nanny chews tobacco as well and by god she is addicted to it...she is our cook too and i smell that gutka type smell as soon as she comes out of her room ...early in morning around 5 am. I have been getting headaches recently and when i went to doc she said its an allergy might be due to some perfume....then i realized that its due to the gutka smell..... She has been with us for a month now and I have confronted her several times to not use it in our house. Problem is she is a live-in maid and she is preparing at home by using our mortar and pestle. When i first confronted her she said its not gutka , just betel nut.... I thought she left the habit but found out she started using tic tac/mouth freshner so that we cant smell. My baby has a runny nose since a week and we went to doc 3 times in past 5 days but doc said its not cold. Finally yesterday our paed said it might be an allergy to something and we really think its because of her and her smell!!! I too agree its really hard to get a nanny, let alone a good one...but i think i dont have to pay someone and put myself and my baby at risk...so I have said to her to go back by 1st.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

Manjan is like tooth powder, but some of them do have tobacco --- 'gudaku' it's called around here (eastern india).

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

Sorry ladies... but the comment was just to imply that baby's hygiene is more important... no offence meant :)

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

wat r the ill effects on my baby

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

it's not easy to get nannies, and good ones are even more difficult. Some habits are difficult, but speak to her kindly, let her know your concerns, she probably doesn't even realize that her habit is not good for the baby. Chewing tobacco is harmful for the person, but the breath also affects the person in front. A baby can be more sensitive to this.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

I agree good nannies are so hard to find, and they are so important.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

. from what you mention, i understand your nanny is good in every other way just for the tobacco habit. I know we will want everything perfect for our lil ones and we strive to do that for them- but how far can we expect the others. Even if you find a new nanny now, it will take time for your baby to adjust to a new person and you need to get back to work in a week. Try speaking to your nanny and i am sure she will understand. My cousin had a cook, who was very good and cooked the meals in a healthy and hygienic manner, but she found that he was secretly smoking in their balcony- she casually spoke to him about it and asked him to refrain from doing the same in their house. And now she is happy with the cook, and the arrangement. I hope the same works for you. Take care

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

i disagree with' good nannies come by'. i found her after 6 months.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

I agree. baby's health is more importat. Talk to your nanny and ask her to avoid having tabacco when she is with the baby.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

I think you just ask the nanny not to do this when she is with the baby and not to touch the baby with tobacco stained hands. If she is good and takes good care of the baby otherwise, I dont think you need fret. Good nanies are very hard to find!!!!

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

It unhygenic, as your baby could come in contact with it... I personally am allergic to the smell, so ensured that none of my maids/nannies had the habbit of tobacco/pan. I would say, talk to her and let her know that you are concerned for your baby. If she doesnt wanna change, let her go.. Good nannies will come by.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

I dont think there is much that can happen, its not like smoking and its not like she will be sharing food or having oral contact with your child. I just think its kind of gross.

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

Wow that is really strange and gross. If she is good other then that I would confront her about it. If she has other problems then get rid of her

Selva Kumari Vasudevan

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