Advice for a nanny starting out?

[Anonymous]

Late to the party but use the phrase "Tell me about your picture" as a response to a kid showing you their art. You don't want to be complimenting their turtle when they really drew a picture of their grandma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the parents their rules and restrictions. You don’t need to research discipline techniques - just follow the parents.

I agree that you should follow the parents, but the nanny needs to understand the system in order to implement it correctly. She also should be able to make recommendations if the discipline system isn’t working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my first nannying job and I have two charges: a 5y/o girl and a 3y/o boy. I meet them tomorrow before I begin my trial week and hope to make a good impression. Do any experienced nannies have tips? Thanks!

Find a profession with growth potential. If you don't have a college degree, get one.

Please don't denigrate what nannies do. No we aren't going to get rich but we richly enjoy everyday of work. People do need childcare.

[Anonymous]

The parents make the decisions and rules and you carry them out. If you have suggestions or ideas discuss them with the parents.

Get the kids outside and keep them active as much as possible. This will help you with behavior, exhaust them, be healthy for them, and will counterbalance any screen time that may be happening. In most parents' eyes it will also make you a hero.

Have a plan, have options for the kids (do you want this blue shirt or this yellow shirt? as opposed to "pick a shirt"), keep a positive attitude and forward motion in place. Let them know what's coming. "We're going outside to play for an hour and then we will have lunch. After lunch we will have quiet time and then we will go for a walk." And then prompt them before any transitions. "We have 10 more minutes of outside time and then we have lunch. Ok, in two minutes we're going in for lunch, and after lunch we will have quiet time and then a walk" etc... Kids do well with structured routines and no nonsense management.

There are great books on all of this stuff, but some of the best advice I ever got was to channel preschool teachers and nurses. They don't discuss or negotiate, and they don't get caught up in emotion - they have a plan, they communicate clearly, and they keep moving forward. This probably won't make sense to you until the two kids each want to do different things and they start having meltdowns on you. Which will happen. Don't get caught in their emotions - just manage and keep moving.

Do make sure you remember that you work for the parents - so communicate well with them, maybe suggest a weekly 15 minute quick meeting for the first few weeks to see how things are going: How am I doing? What is working well? What would you like me to adjust? What are you concerned about with the kids (that maybe I can help with)? What's the next big goal? (potty training, tying shoelaces, riding a big, dropping a nap, learning the alphabet, etc... Find out what the parents are worried about or eager to have happen and see if you can support that.)

You'll be great OP. Most of all treat the kids with kindness, respect, and positive energy and have fun!