Little things that make you strongly like or dislike your nanny job
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Anonymous
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MB here.
I try to be a good boss: never late, respectful, clear, pay fairly, give bonuses, etc. But I might sometimes be oblivious and I can rushed and human of course. I'm wondering if there are things I overlook that matter much more than I think. I'd like to keep my current nanny happy because she is amazing. Are there little things that MBs or DBs do that you either appreciate much more than they realize or that really bug you but they wouldn't guess? As an example, from my side, my current nanny making a big effort to show up on snow days even though our contract said she didn't need to come if my work was cancelled really impressed me (I tell her not to come if it isn't safe). She may just view that as her job. |
Anonymous
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I like it when they don't nitpick about stuff..all stuff. It's a little demoralizing to send a cute picture and instead of saying looks like fun or something, mom nitpicks about what the kid is wearing or asks if they're wearing sunscreen or asks what they ate etc. If I send a cute picture, just say it's cute. If I get too many negative replies I'll stop sending them and then you'll be back to asking me to send them and I don't want to.
Don't nitpick about a few grains of formula spilling on the counter. If I didn't wipe it up I either didn't see it or the baby was crying and that was more important. I don't complain about dishes in the sink or toys being everywhere even though they were put away the night before so don't complain if I miss the mark sometimes too. |
Anonymous
| MB here, but mine said it's VERY appreciated that the day after we all get home from a trip, whether work-related or vacation, they have that day off. |
Anonymous
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Nanny here. I am sure it varies from person to person, but something that means a lot to me is any time my bosses let me take the kids on a fun outing. A lot of people are fine with nanny doing playground, library, etc. but they want to be the ones to do anything that is big or a special memory. Being given tickets to take them to something special together really symbolizes to me that my bosses appreciate me as a special person in their kids' lives.
Day-to-day, being given $20 and told to take the kids out for lunch that week is really nice because it's just a nice break from preparing the meal, negotiating through the meal and cleaning up after. If we stop at sweetgreen, I don't have to cook, the kids are always distracted and therefore eat without a murmer and somebody else has to clean up (don't worry, we don't make THAT much mess and I tip well). |
Anonymous
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Strongly like-MB can be really kind to me and treats me like I am family and someone important to her. She always thinks about my feelings and is very keen on making sure I am happy.
She is very organised,pays me well and on time. She also buys me small gifts at times if I do any extra work. What I love most is when I get a text outside of work time or after my shift, saying how much I am appreciated or thanking me for something I have done with her DD. You can never thank a nanny enough or tell them how appreciated they are. Dislike- As nice as MB can be, I also find her moody and rude at times. I dislike it when she ignores me some evenings when she walks through the door. I also find she can nitpick a bit when she is in a certain mood and also find her a bit condescending. DB is also a bit of a weird one and although I wouldn't say I dislike him, he isn't someone I would choose to spend time with and like MB, can be rude. Having said that he will always back me up in terms of behavior management with their DD, MB is in my opinion too soft and after telling her about something dangerous DD had done, she said to her 'It's okay, you are not in trouble. ' Hardly supportive. So yeah, bit of love/hate with my MB/DB. OP, the fact you started this post shows you must be a good MB as you clearly care about your nanny. |
Anonymous
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Nanny here.
When you thank me and tell me I am appreciated. When you make it clear that you love your children. When you let me keep the thermostat at whatever temp I want. |
Anonymous
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You know what I secretly want to tell my employers? Get different kitchen towels! They have those velvety ones that are pretty but don't absorb anything.
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Anonymous
OK -- I'm pretty sure you could just tell them this. |
Anonymous
| My employers see me as a person. They always say hello to me and thank me at the end of each day(something my previous employers never did). My current employers are also rarely late, notice when I go above and beyond. |
Anonymous
| MB writes truly lovely and heartfelt cards on my birthday and Christmas telling me how blessed they feel having me care for their daughter and how much they appreciate me. MB will always give examples of things I taught her child. I love the gifts and big bonuses too but the cards mean the most. |
Anonymous
[b] THIS!!!!!!! I rarely send my Boss pictures anymore because she always nitpicks. Sad because she misses out on a lot in the kids day, but after 5 years with this family I know better. |
Anonymous
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Nanny here,
I Nanny who takes care of your kids and does her best always wants to hear at the end of the day a "thank you" from parents. Makes the Nanny feel good and it encourages her to do good and be happy with the kids and the work. I like when parents I am now thank me at the end of the day and trusts me in what i do. I like when parents listen to me and I listen to them. We create a mutual respect and open communication. Now what I don't like from parents is that if I am talking to them about their kids day, outgoings, new milestones is that they don't say anything in response and looks like they don't care much, like cold parents, I know you might be tired but respect the Nanny please. And please don't curse or fight with your partner in front of Nanny or kids, it's so annoying and disrespectful. And please parents be always HONEST with your Nanny, she has to work with your beautiful child that can misbehave and have annoying tantrums like every kid. And please don't spoil your kids, makes the work harder for the Nanny. When the Nanny feels happy, comfortable with the family she could do extra work like cleaning a bit not kids related things, that s me but everyone is different. I just want a good paycheck for me hardwork, I don't care about gifts, bonus, I just want Respect from the parents. Thank you. |
Anonymous
| Also is so annoying that some parents are SO OCD about cleanliness and free germs from their kids. Your kid can never be always clean and free of germs, they touch the floor, toys, and then put their fingers in their mouth. You can't protect them forever and from everything, lol stupid overprotected parents. Especially Asian parents... |
Anonymous
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LIKE: I like the flexibility that I have with taking the kids on outings, not restricted to simply the park and the library. I like the trust in me to make day to day decisions on caring for the kids without micromanaging which relates to first part. DISLIKE: Dad works from home but is sometimes a few minutes late for kids on evenings. There is little concern about me as a person, only how things impact kids and family. The restroom is not kept clean. Kids mom also spoke to other mom about concern with having to pay me while kid is in school for a few hours a week and that hurt; I have since stopped all extra's and the rose-colored glasses are no longer hehe |