My Two Cents:

[Anonymous]

I do not believe that a nanny will ever be a successful one until she realizes that she was hired to make things easier for the family that she works for. I have been a nanny for almost nine years now and I fully admit that this was big biggest fault in the beginning of my career.

[Anonymous]

What your idea of successful?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. Nannies who make their families lives easier are retained longer and given much, much better references. This leads to more lead time to find the next job and more offers for good positions.

The nanny who has to be told to clean out the nanny car and is throwing a fit that her MB won't assign the housekeeper to do it for the nanny is not going to get a glowing reference or retained any longer than absolutely necessary. She won't get a long notice period or a hefty severance check. Her employer's will not pass her name along to others in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

OP here, a respect and regarded nanny.

[Anonymous]

OP is confusing the roll of a nanny, with that of a personal assistant. If you want to be a personal assistant, there's nothing wrong with that, but at least be clear.

[Anonymous]

I am not at all confusing it with a personal assistant. You don't do out of the ordinary things daily. However, if and when something comes up that you as a nanny could help out with, why not? Going to extra mile at every job is something that every employer looks for in their employees.

[Anonymous]

There is no guarantee that a family will keep you long term, no matter how much you do for them. Our position is easily replaceable and money speaks louder than loyalty. I went above and beyond ten fold in my last position and they still sacked me to put their kid in daycare because it was cheaper. And I by no means am above market rate. So your reasoning is slightly flawed. you can make things easier but you should stay within your job description. don't fool yourself, there is no advancement in the nanny industry, just more work so slightly more pay if your lucky. There is definitely no job security.

[Anonymous]

So why have anyone else, if nanny can, and will, do it all. Talk about lack of healthy boundaries. Will you jump into bed with my husband, if he asks? Or do you never say no?

[Anonymous]

Wow, talk about misunderstanding the OP. There's a difference between doing little things occasionally to help out and never saying 'no.'

Then again I guess there's also a big difference between employer families who appreciate and notice little things and ones who simply demand more, more, more.

[Anonymous]

I think you guys are exaggerating OP's point. I would LOVE to have a nanny with this mentality. I don't think she's speaking of bending over backwards to be a brown noser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you guys are exaggerating OP's point. I would LOVE to have a nanny with this mentality. I don't think she's speaking of bending over backwards to be a brown noser.

Have you ever seen a doormat nanny trying to actually perform her nanny duties as a nanny? I have , and they're pretty worthless. ... Unless your idea of a great nanny is someone who will take orders from your 3 year old snowflake.

[Anonymous]

Perfect example- this morning before I left for work, my nanny was outside playing with the kids on the patio. There were some leaves and dirt in the corner near her- and instead of just sitting and watching the kids play, she got the broom and dustpan and swept up the leaves. I know it was not in her job description, but her small act of thoughtfulness will make all our lives a little more pleasant. That is one of the reasons she has been with us for more than 3 years and I hope for much longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perfect example- this morning before I left for work, my nanny was outside playing with the kids on the patio. There were some leaves and dirt in the corner near her- and instead of just sitting and watching the kids play, she got the broom and dustpan and swept up the leaves. I know it was not in her job description, but her small act of thoughtfulness will make all our lives a little more pleasant. That is one of the reasons she has been with us for more than 3 years and I hope for much longer.

You are my perfect example of a smart mb. If you tried to put "sweeping" in our agreement, I would have politely walked away from you. However, I do that sort of thing all the time, just because I am that kind of person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perfect example- this morning before I left for work, my nanny was outside playing with the kids on the patio. There were some leaves and dirt in the corner near her- and instead of just sitting and watching the kids play, she got the broom and dustpan and swept up the leaves. I know it was not in her job description, but her small act of thoughtfulness will make all our lives a little more pleasant. That is one of the reasons she has been with us for more than 3 years and I hope for much longer.

That's wonderful that you and your nanny have such a great working relationship. The issue a lot of nannies have had, myself included, is when it doesn't matter how far above and beyond you go some employers don't notice or are never satisfied. An employer has a role to play in the equation (which it sounds like you do!) where they acknowledge a nanny's efforts and show their appreciation. I just left a job where I bent over backwards for nearly a year to please my boss, while they were constantly late, inconsiderate, and missed payroll 6 times. Our contract didn't lay out requirements for giving notice, so I gave 3 weeks and did a lot to give them a head start in finding someone new and training her. I've received no thanks, but have received a daily berating. In a lot of nanny jobs, this is what going above and beyond gets you. SQUAT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not believe that a nanny will ever be a successful one until she realizes that she was hired to make things easier for the family that she works for. I have been a nanny for almost nine years now and I fully admit that this was big biggest fault in the beginning of my career.

I completely agree, OP.