How to end it with a beloved nanny?

[Anonymous]

Advice, please. We have had our nanny (as part of a share) for 4 years. She is truly like a member of our family, and though we don't make a lot of money, we have tried to be as generous as possible with her. Both of our kids are in full-time school now. When our younger child started school five months ago, we told our nanny that we would keep her on full-time (still shared with another family, but with us paying our full portion) through the end of the year, though we only needed her for about 10 hours a week. Now both kids will be in aftercare. We lined up a new family to take our place; they are starting next week.

We also doubled our usual holiday bonus.

So I guess my question is, should we give her another bonus/severance pay on her last day? Because of the holidays, she will only have worked for us two days since we gave her the holiday bonus. Honestly, we are pretty strapped. But I would never, ever for a minute want her to think we didn't appreciate hugely all she's done for us. Moms, what would you do? Nannies, what would you expect?

[Anonymous]

You have been very considerate and generous. No need to give another bonus/severance. How about flowers and a card teling her how you feel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have been very considerate and generous. No need to give another bonus/severance. How about flowers and a card teling her how you feel?

+1 she's had lots of notice, you've found a replacement so she still has a job. You've gone above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

no need for more money but a thoughtful gift like a photo album would be a nice idea.

[Anonymous]

You sound like one of my dream families. Kudos to you for being such great parents, caring so much.
The best thing you can do for her, is to give her a stellar reference letter. I have some that are 3 pages long, typed. You can't say describe too many outstanding qualities, for such a fine nanny. I hope you're able to keep in touch with her for many years. I know she would appreciate that, even though it's not always easy.

[Anonymous]

Long ago when I was a nanny in college, the mom gave me a Christmas Ornament with a picture of my 3 charges.

I don't remember what any of my bonuses were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long ago when I was a nanny in college, the mom gave me a Christmas Ornament with a picture of my 3 charges.

I don't remember what any of my bonuses were.

This! You've done everything a wonderful employer does, if you want to anything else to acknowledge how much she has to you and your kids make it sentimental not monetary. My last employer gave me a photo album of me and my charge with pictures starting from when I began watching her up through when I left. It sits on my coffee table and I love looking through it when I'm missing her.