Anonymous wrote:Our nanny starts this week and I'm just so thrilled that she will be taking care of our child - it is a huge responsibility and we feel pleased to have landed such a caring woman. I want to make sure that we do everything we can to foster a good relationship and let her know she is appreciated. Can caregivers on this board chime in as to what employers have done to create a comfortable work environment and make you feel respected? We offered her a salary above her asking rate and plan to give raises for good work over time, but that won't come until later.

What area are you in?

Same way you treat anyone else with respect. Say please and thank you, look them in the eye, use their name, respect their time and space and things, apologize if you do something wrong.

"If she does something outside of her normal duties, thank her. If she knows you appreciate her effort, she will continue to go above and beyond. "

+1
Also +1 to being on time or letting her know if you are going to be late. But really try hard to be on time unless you have let her know from the outset that regular OT is a part of the job.

No do not check out the nanny perks. Respecting someone is not about letting them goof off while working. Respecting someone isn't about trying to make sure she has no work and multiple weeks of paid time off in addition to vacation/PTO. Respecting someone is not inviting them to couch surf watching NetFlix all day.

Respecting someone includes things like always being on time. If you need to be late make sure to call her and apologize just to show that you respect that you are now making her late too. Don't let it become a pattern. Always pay her on time. If the job duties need to change significantly, recognize that this is a change. Give her the right of first refusal. She'll appreciate that you recognized you are changing the job duties and as a professional she can accept or decide its time to move on. Most likely she'll accept and be happy you were respectful.

A small thing but ask her what she would like the children to call her. Some nannies would prefer to be called Miss X, some are OK with first names, and some would prefer Ms Lastname.

Check out the Favorite Nanny Perks thread for some good ideas.

If you appreciate what she does for your family, tell her.
If she does something outside of her normal duties, thank her. If she knows you appreciate her effort, she will continue to go above and beyond.

I agree with open communication. Let her know immediately if anything is bothering you, and also make sure to let her know things she has done right. Say thanks.

My current family asks me to stay for dinner occasionally. It's nice to get to know the family I work for and have adult conversations with them.

I currently work for a wonderful family where the parents are very supportive and respectful employers. My best piece of advice is to have a very open line of communication and respect her opinions/suggestions as you would respect the opinion of any other professional. I love the family I work for because I know if I voice a concern to them (I.e. The babies seem to want a very early nap Monday mornings- I think we may want to consider a slight adjustment to our Monday library trip)they will seriously consider it.

One thing that really sticks out in my mind, I once started a new job while the mom was still home for maternity leave. She was a very nice lady, but seemed confused about my role in her home. She made a habit of asking me to get her a drink or to take her plate to the sink, or to cut her an apple, etc. I don't mind doing these things, but it was really annoying that she did this constantly, and would also talk around me to other like I wasn't in the room. My advice is to simply treat your nanny as you would any other person you respect, if not like a welcomed guest in your home. Call her by her name, not "nanny", and don't ask her to do things you wouldn't ask anyone else to do (aside from of course her job duties).

And if she does bring something up don't attack her or be dismissive

MB here. Be sure to bring up issues right away, when they're small. Don't let things fester until you're furious. And when you're bringing up the small things, ask if there's anything she'd like to bring up as well.

Our nanny starts this week and I'm just so thrilled that she will be taking care of our child - it is a huge responsibility and we feel pleased to have landed such a caring woman. I want to make sure that we do everything we can to foster a good relationship and let her know she is appreciated. Can caregivers on this board chime in as to what employers have done to create a comfortable work environment and make you feel respected? We offered her a salary above her asking rate and plan to give raises for good work over time, but that won't come until later.