Reader Question: “My husband said, ‘Get a nanny,’ when I asked for help with the kids. What would you do?”
What? A parenting post?
Fun fact: “An Alle Alert” started life as: “About Childhood: Answers for Writers, Parents. and Former Children.”
If your spouse said “get a nanny” et al., et al.:
Say, “Yes.” When you tell him about your hire, you can say, “I really wanted you to be the person to help.” Possibly adding: Although, I don’t understand why you “help” rather than doing what is called, “parenting.”
If he claims a “primary breadwinner” exemption, present him with the cost of the nanny per hour, multiplied by 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Then tell him (don’t ask) to choose Sats or Sundays to be in charge, as well as putting the child to bed every night, prepping clothes and food for the following day, and doing the dishes, the kitchen, and other evening clean-up (assuming he is not, yet). Or you could do the house-stuff while he takes care of his child.
