Ever wonder what the nanny is thinking? Heather Smith is an ex-nanny and here she shares the top seven things that drive them crazy!
Your Nanny is your personal lifesaver when it comes to helping with your children and you can’t imagine life without your Nanny. Before you get too comfortable and confident make sure your Nanny is happy. If you want to keep your Nanny and keep your Nanny content, then take a look at the 7 things that drive Nannies nuts and avoid them like the plague:
Personal Time: This is especially for live-in Nannies. Nannies are given some time to spend for themselves and it is greatly appreciated. As much as your Nanny wants to join you for meals or for weekend trips, they need their personal time. Think about your job, would you want to hang out at your office on a Saturday with your boss? Probably not. So step back and let your Nanny enjoy their time off.
Low pay: Nannies do more than you know, not only are they helping guide your child through their daily life but they also wear many different hats. Nannies become maids, nurses, disciplinarians, teachers, prison guards, chefs and chauffer’s. Being underpaid for all they do is a major no-no.
No perks: Consider your Nanny like an employee but also a family member. They are around your children for most of their days. You need a break. Some perks to consider are, leaving early, extra vacation time or even bonuses.
Not backing Nanny up: You hire a Nanny to help rear your children but the second a Nanny makes a decision the parent doesn’t back it up. Nanny and parent need to be playing on the same team and support each other’s decisions and choices.
Personal Assistant: Your Nanny signed up for the job because of the kids, not to run your errands or answer your calls and take messages. Nannies for the most part are okay with the occasional favor but keep in mind what the Nanny was hired for.
Dirty Home: Believe it or not that pile of laundry you said you were going to work on over the weekend, well it’s Monday morning and you expect the Nanny to do it? It makes working and playing with your kids hard if the Nanny have to stop and clean up messes you left. Help the Nanny and the Nanny will help you.
Kid Money: Parents often forget give money to the Nanny for kid expenses or don’t give enough. It is a hassle and a pain for a Nanny to ask for money every time they need it. Be sure to always leave extra money for anything the Nanny needs to buy for your children, whether that is lunch or a book for school.
There you have it, the secret is out! These are the words of advice from an actual Nanny. Avoid these 7 things and you will have a happy and helpful Nanny.
Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to nanny service by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.
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tampa nanny
Monday 20th of August 2012
with out nanny it is impossible to have children alone.The parents should think some of this things and you have given good suggestion to nannies.
Emily Hudson
Friday 29th of June 2012
I must say your suggestions are superb. I really can’t imagine life without my Nanny. These tips are very helpful. Thanks and keep sharing…
Aupair Host Mum
Friday 16th of March 2012
Personal time is probably the biggest issue for live-in nannies and au pairs. With au pairs you have the perfect example of child carers that are supposed to be treated as family members, since they are not employees and are not paid as such, and who unfortunately are often unhappy... I would also add "lack of rules" to the list. Without clear rules for children, set and enforced by parents, everyone's heading for trouble.
pseudonymous
Thursday 15th of March 2012
These are all wonderful suggestions - unfortunately, childcare is very expensive, a job is outlined with a salary which is then accepted by a nanny or declined and it isn't about being mean but affordability. I have 3 kids and to pay for a nanny, plus a trip, (petrol/transport costs, parking) plus entrance, snacks, drinks, food etc would make having a nanny unaffordable.
If I take my kids to the park - I take water bottles from home (and snack if out for a while) - yes its harder - but I am only doing what I would do if I was taking care of my children and that doesn't stretch to using money to make the process easier.
When an employee has an expense at work it is normal practice to pay and claim back expenses. However, I personally find it simpler to use a 'housekeeping purse' with a 'float' of £20-30 and ask for receipts to be left in (or hand written note eg ice cream van) that way it is business like and doesn't get muddled
I guess I just wanted to say that writing a wish list for an employer - whether of a nanny or any other career - if it is not give and take and unrealistic it will likely remain a wish-list
Louise x
Wednesday 14th of March 2012
This is sort of the same for childminders! I did childminding for a year or so and parents never wanted to be on the same page as me! As for leaving a little bit of money for the kids to do an activity occassionally ... I could forget it, they were always expecting me to pay it out of the 3.50 per hour that I charged. So things such as a trip to the local play area (3.00 per child and then a bite to eat) or a trip to the local farm (2.50 per person, 50p for a bag of food and then a bite to eat) became impossible.