Nannies, what makes someone a good employer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to repeat what has been said in every comment for emphasis: BE ON TIME.

Nothing shows more disrespect to your nanny more than an employer who doesn’t value the nanny’s time.

+1. Chronic lateness eats away at you. It’s such a huge sign of disrespect and so devaluing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to repeat what has been said in every comment for emphasis: BE ON TIME.

Nothing shows more disrespect to your nanny more than an employer who doesn’t value the nanny’s time.

+1. Chronic lateness eats away at you. It’s such a huge sign of disrespect and so devaluing.

+2. I will go further to add that an employers chronic lateness is a huge red flag to other future issues. If the employer has zero respect for the employees life and time, they will have zero consideration for the nanny as a person in all areas.

[Anonymous]

I think having clear expectations is not the same as micromanaging.

If you want the nap routine to be a specific routine, be clear with the nanny. But, then don't watch and say "we say good-night, not night night when we put her down".
If you want home made all organic food made, cool. But then don't tell her she used the "wrong" spoon to feed the baby.

She should have autonomy in her job - baby was very fussy and rubbing eyes so I put her down at 10:45 instead of 11:00 because you hired someone to take individual care of your kid and manage their needs.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

+100

[Anonymous]

Set expectations clearly during the interview so the nanny can decide if it’s going to be a good fit. Be honest with them about everything during that interview and give them time to ask questions. Show them each room and lay out expectations and usage for each. Don’t pretend you have the perfect household during the interview just to get a good nanny. Every nanny is different and has different comfort levels, you’re choosing each other. They will become a part of your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

I’m an employer and I call bs on this. Which busy parent gives that much of a sh*t about your personal lives? No one cares that much about you or anyone else really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

I’m an employer and I call bs on this. Which busy parent gives that much of a sh*t about your personal lives? No one cares that much about you or anyone else really.

No, it can be true. I’m a nanny who previously worked for a celebrity couple and have stayed very close to them. My former employer was constantly asking me about the celebrity mom and what I did when I saw them as well as prying into my life in hopes I’d mention my celebrity employers. She wanted to be friends with my celebrity mother so badly.

Lucky my current employers don’t care about celebrities and never pry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

I’m an employer and I call bs on this. Which busy parent gives that much of a sh*t about your personal lives? No one cares that much about you or anyone else really.

No, it can be true. I’m a nanny who previously worked for a celebrity couple and have stayed very close to them. My former employer was constantly asking me about the celebrity mom and what I did when I saw them as well as prying into my life in hopes I’d mention my celebrity employers. She wanted to be friends with my celebrity mother so badly.

Lucky my current employers don’t care about celebrities and never pry.

Same. I had a former employer who wanted to be my friend so badly and was always asking me personal questions and telling me very personal details of her life. She’d often call me during the work day to tell me something that was going on with her that had nothing to do with her child.

Sadly, a lot of “busy parents” give more than a sh*t about the nanny’s personal life for lots of weird reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You already sound like a great employer just by posing this question.

Some ideas:
• If within your budget - try to give a nice birthday/holiday gift as well as a good holiday bonus.

• Give Nanny complete autonomy.
Let her plan daily excursions.

• No matter how hard it is -> do not micromanage.
Let the Nanny do her job completely.

• Never ever make your Nanny feel like simply “the hired help.”

• Tell the Nanny frequently “thank you” when she walks out the front door.

• No job creep.

• If your child naps - let your Nanny recharge & regroup.
Do not try to stretch out your dollar by requiring your Nanny to perform light household tasks during this time.
Let her eat her lunch, wash any dishes used or pick up any toys played with.

• Most of all, encourage your Nanny’s bond w/your child(ren.)

Wishing you all the best.

What if they had thier way there would be no outings? They'd much rather hang out in the family room, inside playing games when we made clear that outside play is an expectation of the job so bundle up If you don't like the cold, it's not the right position

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to add..

Be willing to meet initially. I’m tired of zoom calls and like to see the environment I’d be working in.

Pay on time. Nothing worse then having to remind the family. Also don’t expect nanny to pay for incidentals and then wait to be reimbursed (have petty cash available).

Don’t micromanage. Hopefully, the house is large enough where a work from home parent has a room out of the way.

Respect the nanny’s privacy. A lot of parents are overly interested in what we do in our personal lives. They do not need to know every detail about our love lives, or what we did over the weekend. It’s amazing how many moms get offended by a simple… “it was good/fine.”

I’m an employer and I call bs on this. Which busy parent gives that much of a sh*t about your personal lives? No one cares that much about you or anyone else really.

No, it can be true. I’m a nanny who previously worked for a celebrity couple and have stayed very close to them. My former employer was constantly asking me about the celebrity mom and what I did when I saw them as well as prying into my life in hopes I’d mention my celebrity employers. She wanted to be friends with my celebrity mother so badly.

Lucky my current employers don’t care about celebrities and never pry.

Same. I had a former employer who wanted to be my friend so badly and was always asking me personal questions and telling me very personal details of her life. She’d often call me during the work day to tell me something that was going on with her that had nothing to do with her child.

Sadly, a lot of “busy parents” give more than a sh*t about the nanny’s personal life for lots of weird reasons.

I've heard more about my employer's sex life, medical situation and history, financial situation, and legal situation than I care to think about. That's fine, I can keep my mouth shut. But that doesn't mean I want to share the same.