Holiday bonus - nanny for 4 months, what's generous?

[Anonymous]

We adore our nanny. We considered doing 2 weeks' salary but that seems high considering she's only been with us 4 months. What's appropriate but on the high/generous side?

[Anonymous]

Our nanny has been with us since August and we have her $500 plus lots of small gifts adding up to another $100 or so. She was very happy!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, pp.

[Anonymous]

I think one week is generous considering she's been with you less than a year. A small gift also means you took time to think of her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think one week is generous considering she's been with you less than a year. A small gift also means you took time to think of her.

Thanks, PP!

[Anonymous]

I think one week's pay is appropriate and definitely generous given the very short time she's been with you, plus a small gift and a card with specifics about why you appreciate her.

I was burned last year - had a great caregiver who had been with us for just a few months. I loved her and ended up giving her a very generous gift, and then she gave notice a few weeks later (kept the money obviously). It's still very early in your relationship - I think one week is very generous. Two weeks would be a bit over the top.

[Anonymous]

I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

We also have a new nanny for this time period, and she did not get the kids anything. Is that normal? I was a little surprised. We gave her a bonus and small gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

We also have a new nanny for this time period, and she did not get the kids anything. Is that normal? I was a little surprised. We gave her a bonus and small gift.

Depends on the ages of the kids. For infants I won't normally get anything -- maybe a small hairbow or a dollar book -- but I do tend to bake for the parents. If the kids are older, I'd feel uncomfortable showing up empty handed. I at least bring a card with stickers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

We also have a new nanny for this time period, and she did not get the kids anything. Is that normal? I was a little surprised. We gave her a bonus and small gift.

it isn't normal for me. I've been a nanny for 15 years, and even in the most unpleasant situations, I always get something for the kids. If they are infants, I usually get them a book that they can keep forever. In ideal situations, I get whatever, I can afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

We also have a new nanny for this time period, and she did not get the kids anything. Is that normal? I was a little surprised. We gave her a bonus and small gift.

I don't expect my nanny to give the kids anything but all of our nannies have, at least that first year. I believe gift-giving in employment situations should flow downward but any gift received should be accepted graciously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had been with my NF for 4.5 months last Christmas and they gave me a week's pay - I was completely surprised and very grateful! The best part, though, is the card. A small gift (scarf, coffee mug, book, DVD) is thoughtful and meaningful, but a heartfelt card is what will really make her feel appreciated.

I'm a nanny and I agree with this. I've been with my family a similar amount of time and I do not expect anything, but did get the kids a little something.

We also have a new nanny for this time period, and she did not get the kids anything. Is that normal? I was a little surprised. We gave her a bonus and small gift.

I always get something. The amount I spend will vary depending on how long I've worked for them. For infants I almost always get clothes because they're growing so dang fast it seems like they always need something.