Reply to Public service announcement: from a parent to other parents

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[quote=Anonymous]After four great years with the same nanny, we recently had to hire a new caregiver for our kids after we moved. During the hiring process, we were shocked at how other families treat the people who care for their children and their homes every day. When we advertised for a new nanny, we specified that we were looking for a professional because we intended to treat our employee accordingly. We pay legally and competitively, we offer benefits like paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and appropriate overtime compensation, and we guarantee 52 weeks of employment a year.  If we take vacation, we pay our nanny, because she's available whether we need her or not.

We expect our nanny to arrive on time, and in exchange, we don't run late on her.  If we do, we call her and ask if it's o.k. with her, and if it's not, we make sure we can get home. We expect our nanny to help keep the house in order when she's there, and in exchange, we don't leave the house a disaster for her when she arrives in the morning with the expectation that she clean it up.

We want our kids to love her. We're glad when they do. We know that their bond with a caregiver is a good for them, and doesn't replace their love for us. At different stages of their lives they may reach for her or cry when she gets there.  That's o.k.

We've worked for micro-managers in our own jobs, and we both hated it. We wouldn't wish that on someone who works for us. We know the best employers walk a line between giving the feedback needed to get good results and second guessing every decision--or worse, saying nothing and resenting when things aren't done the way you want them done. It's not easy, and none of us will get it right all the time, because all relationships take work.

You are hiring someone to care for one (or more) of the most important people in your life. Child care providers aren't going to get rich off this work, and they're not in it for the glory of their profession. Like any line of work, there are bad apples. Ignore them.  Take your time to find the right fit, and then treat that person the same way you wanted to be treated at work. Fairly. Professionally. Respectfully. Like what they do deserves your trust and yes, a decent salary as reward. Isn't that what you want out of a job?[/quote]

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