Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MB here. I am experiencing something similar but it's with our nanny. She's just past the 2 year mark and her overall performance has been declining - a few minutes late here and there and never ever arriving 5 minutes early. Not getting laundry done routinely (I ask, or do it myself). Not changing the sheets on the kids' beds as regularly as she used to, not getting them out of the house as much as they used to, asking us for more favors and considerations, sharing WAAAY too much personal information with us in a way that makes us feel she's hoping we'll hand her money or take care of her in some way, etc...
She's been great but the version of her we have now is nowhere near the version we got in the first 18 months and it's becoming a real problem.
+1. Something about that 1.5-year mark. Maybe it just gets old for all sides. We've noticed the performance slide too at about that mark. So perhaps some (note I said some, not all) of the MBs who start to get less appreciative and flexible are reacting to a performance slide?
I agree that things probably get stale for both sides. Its hard to say what precedes what, because you could just as easily be noticing a performance slide due to feeling unappreciated, know what I mean?
I'm the nanny that mentioned a reset meeting. Basically a performance review, less formal than an annual review, and give them the opportunity to discuss any changing needs and to acknowledge things they are happy with. I also find it easier to get excited about my job again if I have set some goals. Come to the meeting prepared to present those goals, and to request their cooperation and any materials you may need. For example, if I think my charge is ready, I may ask if we could get moving on potty training, or maybe I'd like to teach the kids a new skill or start a long term project, etc.