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[Post New]07/29/2013 13:34
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Anonymous
We have a new live-in nanny starting next week after eight years with our previous caregiver. Nannies, do have tips for us as employers to make her feel welcome? We haven't had someone new in so long. She knows she is coming after a long-term employee, and has expressed concerns about "big shoes to fill." TIA!
[Post New]07/29/2013 13:50
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Anonymous
I think it works best when everyone is plainly sincere with each other. Make it clear she can come to you with all her concerns. Let her know your concerns and expectations clearly, so she's not left guessing. And you should both accept that it does take time for everyone to get used to each other, so mishaps are likely to happen. If everyone can laugh and move on, that makes it much more bearable.

Best wishes!
[Post New]07/29/2013 14:09
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Anonymous
My suggestion would be to try your best not to compare her to your last nanny, and don't expect her to do everything the same way. She will find her own rhythm, and no one likes to constantly hear "well so and so did it this way" or "so and so wouldn't have reacted that way". Good luck! If your previous nanny stuck around for 8 years, you're doing something right!
[Post New]07/29/2013 14:28
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My suggestion would be to try your best not to compare her to your last nanny, and don't expect her to do everything the same way. She will find her own rhythm, and no one likes to constantly hear "well so and so did it this way" or "so and so wouldn't have reacted that way". Good luck! If your previous nanny stuck around for 8 years, you're doing something right!


Great advice. To make her feel welcome, I would put together a little welcome basket with a few items (toiletries, maybe a $10 gift card to local coffee shop and maybe handmade cards from your kids welcoming their new nanny).

It will take time for both parties to get used to each other so my best advice is to go into this open minded and relaxed. Like a PP said, you are obviously doing something right if your last nanny was there for 8 years.

[Post New]07/29/2013 15:34
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nannydebsays

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Work with your children during the adjustment so that the new nanny isn't constantly hearing little voices telling her she's doing things "wrong" because that's not how previous nanny did it.

Have your kids come to you with their issues or concerns, and encourage them to accept that some things will be different and that's OK.
[Post New]07/29/2013 15:41
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Anonymous
OP - thank you for all of the advice so far. I already had my kids make a welcome poster, but I am going to put together the welcome basket suggested by 14:28, too. Great idea! And I will also counsel my kids to give her a chance and come to me with issues or concerns. I think the adults in our house are already prepared for things to be very different.
[Post New]07/29/2013 16:13
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Anonymous
Is there a certain activity that your kids would enjoy that they didn't do with the previous nanny? I think the hardest part for the kids will be not comparing how the new nanny takes them to the zoo, does arts and crafts..etc etc. But, if they start off with a new fun activity, it may make the transition a bit smoother.
[Post New]07/29/2013 17:40
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP - thank you for all of the advice so far. I already had my kids make a welcome poster, but I am going to put together the welcome basket suggested by 14:28, too. Great idea! And I will also counsel my kids to give her a chance and come to me with issues or concerns. I think the adults in our house are already prepared for things to be very different.


OP, I am 14:28 and I'm glad to hear you are going to be making your new nanny a welcome basket. I've never been a live-in before so I have no idea what it's like for either party but I think it's great that you are trying to make this a great transition not only for your family but for your new nanny as well. I wish you the best and hope everything works out. There needs to be more MB's like you out there.
[Post New]07/30/2013 18:14
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Anonymous
Welcome basket looks great! A set of scented body lotion/wash/scrub, soap, hangers, paper towels, toilet paper, Starbucks card, gum, chocolate, her new car keys/AAA card/insurance card and $$ for her to buy things for her apartment. Thanks again for the great idea!
[Post New]07/30/2013 19:20
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Welcome basket looks great! A set of scented body lotion/wash/scrub, soap, hangers, paper towels, toilet paper, Starbucks card, gum, chocolate, her new car keys/AAA card/insurance card and $$ for her to buy things for her apartment. Thanks again for the great idea!


Wow OP! You're very generous. She's very lucky to have found you all.
[Post New]07/30/2013 19:24
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Welcome basket looks great! A set of scented body lotion/wash/scrub, soap, hangers, paper towels, toilet paper, Starbucks card, gum, chocolate, her new car keys/AAA card/insurance card and $$ for her to buy things for her apartment. Thanks again for the great idea!


If it were me moving in, I would want a house manual more than anything. How to run the dishwasher without breaking it. How to use the washing machine, etc. It's information overload when someone walks you around the house telling you everything, so having it all written down so I could refer back to it would be great. Plus I'd feel bad asking questions all the time.
[Post New]07/30/2013 19:38
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Welcome basket looks great! A set of scented body lotion/wash/scrub, soap, hangers, paper towels, toilet paper, Starbucks card, gum, chocolate, her new car keys/AAA card/insurance card and $$ for her to buy things for her apartment. Thanks again for the great idea!


I love that you made the basket! Your nanny is going to feel right at home. Great job OP. Keep us posted on how she works out. There's very few MB's like you so it's always nice to read postive posts.
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