Question for (happy) MBs

[Anonymous]

How does your nanny, or how would you want your nanny, to express her satisfaction with her job/working for you/with your family?

What convinces you that she's really happy? What are you cognizant of striving to hear from her (you make her feel welcome, she feels respected as a professional)?

I just started a new PT job and I simply could not be happier, and the parents have emailed me saying the same and asking how I feel like things are going. We're still very early in our relationship so I don't have many concrete examples of things they've done that I appreciate, but I do want to assure them that I'm as happy as they are and looking forward to continuing to work with them. Just hoping to phrase it in a way that sounds appropriate but convincing

[Anonymous]

I don't think many MBs could answer this question. They are concerned with whether they are happy with you, not you with them. I know mine doesn't give a damn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does your nanny, or how would you want your nanny, to express her satisfaction with her job/working for you/with your family?
She's told me that she likes working with us. I really appreciated that. She's told me that she loves my children as much as someone who is not their parent can. I also appreciated that. She was frustrated with being sick because she wanted to come play with my kids - and when she was super excited to be well enough to do some weekend babysitting after she got better I believed her (and yes, of course we paid her for the babysitting on top of her normal pay).

What convinces you that she's really happy? What are you cognizant of striving to hear from her (you make her feel welcome, she feels respected as a professional)?
I like that she talks about being happy working with us, that she's aware that it is a partnership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think many MBs could answer this question. They are concerned with whether they are happy with you, not you with them. I know mine doesn't give a damn.

That's too bad that you are in a working relationship like this. DH and I have had several conversations about ways to keep our nanny, who we are very glad to have, happy with us.

[Anonymous]

I usually write them a nice Christmas card or they asked me at my one year mark how I felt they were as employers (even though they already knew I loved them)...I usually thank them for treating me like a part of the family and that I felt I have the best job in the world. They know how much I love their children, but I'll tell them that and that I only want for the kids to be happy and healthy, that is why I work so hard. I feel that going above and beyond for them everyday shows them how much I appreciate them and all that they do to keep me happy. It's a great partnership

[Anonymous]

Um, mostly by showing up each day on time, with a good attitude, and not being passive-aggressive. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need a proclamation of happiness.

[Anonymous]

I would like to hear that I am someone good to work for. Being an employer is hard and a lot of us struggle with it. Even if you supervise at work the nanny relationship is very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think many MBs could answer this question. They are concerned with whether they are happy with you, not you with them. I know mine doesn't give a damn.

That's too bad that you are in a working relationship like this. DH and I have had several conversations about ways to keep our nanny, who we are very glad to have, happy with us.

I am certain my employers do the same! It is really unfortunate your MB/DB aren't concerned with your job satisfaction, PP1.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, mostly by showing up each day on time, with a good attitude, and not being passive-aggressive. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need a proclamation of happiness.

12:44 here. I do this and I hate my job. My employers are selfish, childish, and do small things that make me feel like they don't respect me. They have no idea how much I dislike them. I'm in a share and I stick around for the babies and the other set of parents. If it was just the crappy set, I'd be out of there.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny, not a MB liked you asked for sorry. However like you I have just started a new job. At the end of my first week I took 5 minutes to ask MB "are you happy with the way I have been doing things? Are there things I should've been doing but haven't? Are there any things you want me to do differently/more often/ do better?" (things within my contract!)

I think this shows that you like the job and care about it! You want to stick around otherwise you wouldn't bother asking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, mostly by showing up each day on time, with a good attitude, and not being passive-aggressive. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need a proclamation of happiness.

12:44 here. I do this and I hate my job. My employers are selfish, childish, and do small things that make me feel like they don't respect me. They have no idea how much I dislike them. I'm in a share and I stick around for the babies and the other set of parents. If it was just the crappy set, I'd be out of there.

You are being passive aggressive then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, mostly by showing up each day on time, with a good attitude, and not being passive-aggressive. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need a proclamation of happiness.

12:44 here. I do this and I hate my job. My employers are selfish, childish, and do small things that make me feel like they don't respect me. They have no idea how much I dislike them. I'm in a share and I stick around for the babies and the other set of parents. If it was just the crappy set, I'd be out of there.

You are being passive aggressive then.

Disliking them but still doing my job well is passive aggressive? If I did little petty things to get back at them, that'd be passive aggressive. I do my job well because I care about their kid, and I keep my head down and my mouth shut when it comes to them. They don't care if I'm happy and I know this for fact.

[Anonymous]

MB here, I think telling them you are happy is enough, truly - just say so in your own way and don't overthink it. They will be able to tell you are sincere. And just stay in open and frank communication with them. That itself will show you are happy because the more you talk to each other, the more interactions there are, and you'll both be able to see how pleased (or not) the other is. I think what convinces me my nanny is happy is her approach to work, her good mood and genuine smile everyday when she arrives is real and I couldn't be happier or more gratified than to see her high spirits and enthusiasm each day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, mostly by showing up each day on time, with a good attitude, and not being passive-aggressive. Actions speak louder than words. I don't need a proclamation of happiness.

12:44 here. I do this and I hate my job. My employers are selfish, childish, and do small things that make me feel like they don't respect me. They have no idea how much I dislike them. I'm in a share and I stick around for the babies and the other set of parents. If it was just the crappy set, I'd be out of there.

You are being passive aggressive then.

Not at all. She's being passive, maybe. Professional, definitely. No aggression.