Anonymous
Post 06/15/2022 00:21     Subject: Re:When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I don’t think giving a nanny referral to someone I know is a smart idea because of the conflict of interests. When if my friend hates my nanny referral, they may never trust my judgment again. Kind of how a matchmaker may feel if a couple they set up ends up having a horrible breakup. It is always best to stay out of things since personal involvement may be risky.
If my friend didn’t mesh with a fantastic nanny I recommended them, by continuing using said nanny I risk alienating the friend. So I would have to choose sides.
Anonymous
Post 06/13/2022 19:45     Subject: Re:When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I would say that if I refer a great nanny to one of my friends, I do so thinking they will be a suitable match.
However I also know that the possibility exists at the same time that it may not work out between them even if my intentions were good.

If things went south, I likely would not choose a side and be neutral. However if I referred a great nanny or sitter that then had an issue with a family that I recommended to them I would likely back up the nanny.
Because if the nanny was so fabulous that I recommended her then just one family’s opinion would not matter. I would still feel the same about her based on my own experience.

And if my friend didn’t like her, I would wonder why. Because a great caregiver is hard to find and I would feel guilty if I referred her to a friend who treated her unfairly.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2022 19:29     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Anonymous wrote:If the family is difficult, their friends probably know it and wouldn’t hold it against you.

That said, if I valued my sitter, I would only recommend her to families I was reasonably sure would treat and pay her well.


Actually, you don’t always know. One of the nicest moms in our MS class turned out to be a nightmare to work for as I found out too late after referring our wonderful housekeeper to her. Her house was a pigsty because she had untrained dogs that pooped and peed inside; her kids left food, clothing and dirty dishes all over the house; and they would insinuate that anything missing might be because of her even though everything missing was due to their misplacing it. Our housekeeper moved to another state for family reasons and the mom wanted to share another housekeeper with me but I refused.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2022 15:42     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Anonymous wrote:Your families should never be told anything about each other by you. Each individual family deserves respect and privacy. If you can’t provide that you need a new job.


Not if they lie and give you checks that bounce.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2022 14:44     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I’ve had issues with checks in the past, but upon digging into the issue, learned it was because the signatures covered some of the numbers and the bank machine couldn’t read it. It didn’t bounce because of NSF. That said, I prefer cash or getting paid in apps. I very rarely and reluctantly accept checks anymore. Parents can’t be bothered to download an app or get cash? Well, I can’t be bothered to deal with your last century checks.

That said, I went many years working solely on referrals but the families I worked for aged out of having friends with little kids and babies, so I my current work is through agencies.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2022 16:24     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Anonymous wrote:Your families should never be told anything about each other by you. Each individual family deserves respect and privacy. If you can’t provide that you need a new job.


Says the crappy employer.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2022 16:24     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I would absolutely want to know. I only refer my favorite sitters, nannies and tradespeople to people who I think will treat them well. Some of the wealthiest people are cheap and demeaning to their domestic employees. I refuse to give future referrals to anyone who I know has treated my referrals poorly.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 20:30     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

This is so easy, OP

Is this an occasional gig? Next time they call, say “thank you for thinking of me! I already have plans on (date).”

A regular gig? “My schedule has changed and unfortunately I’m unable to continue babysitting for you. (Date) will be my last day.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 16:55     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Your families should never be told anything about each other by you. Each individual family deserves respect and privacy. If you can’t provide that you need a new job.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 16:53     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

If the family is difficult, their friends probably know it and wouldn’t hold it against you.

That said, if I valued my sitter, I would only recommend her to families I was reasonably sure would treat and pay her well.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 16:51     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Anonymous wrote:I babysit/Nanny for a few families.
Both past + present.

I am so grateful that all of my families are now referrals from other ones.
No more looking online again!

However I recently have an issue:
One family that I was recommended to (from four co-workers!) has hit a snag.
While they are generally nice people, I have had issues w/them the past six months or so w/them.

They have written a few bad checks which were awkward to deal with.
I have also caught them in lies multiple times and have experienced job creep w/them.

I have had it. I have put up w/their behavior for so long because I truly love their three kids.
I also admittedly am afraid the other families who recommended me to this family may think negatively of me.

My question is -> If you recommended your great Nanny/sitter to a friend or co-worker, then things went South between them….
Would you start doubting the person you recommended?

FYI - I have had and continue to have great relationships w/the other families within this network.


One bounced check and I would have found another job. I have a small business and employee paycheck are a top priority. Bounced checks and lies are unforgivable.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 09:40     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

Anonymous wrote:No. My experience with you is my experience. If you told me what is going on, I’d be happy to recommend you to someone else.


+1. If the previous family asks you about it just mention that you loved their kids but had issues with getting paid (don't bad mouth them or offer opinions about them). This is something people will understand.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 09:37     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I generally don't take on families that are referrals for this reason. I feel pressured to accept the job if it's a word of mouth referral and I much prefer to vet families thoroughly to ensure we are a good long term match.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 04:31     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

No. My experience with you is my experience. If you told me what is going on, I’d be happy to recommend you to someone else.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2022 04:11     Subject: When Finding Families Via Referrals…..One Huge Downside…..Or Is It??

I babysit/Nanny for a few families.
Both past + present.

I am so grateful that all of my families are now referrals from other ones.
No more looking online again!

However I recently have an issue:
One family that I was recommended to (from four co-workers!) has hit a snag.
While they are generally nice people, I have had issues w/them the past six months or so w/them.

They have written a few bad checks which were awkward to deal with.
I have also caught them in lies multiple times and have experienced job creep w/them.

I have had it. I have put up w/their behavior for so long because I truly love their three kids.
I also admittedly am afraid the other families who recommended me to this family may think negatively of me.

My question is -> If you recommended your great Nanny/sitter to a friend or co-worker, then things went South between them….
Would you start doubting the person you recommended?

FYI - I have had and continue to have great relationships w/the other families within this network.