Anonymous
Post 01/27/2015 01:19     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.



Agree completely! I recently had surgery and MB texted every single day until I came back(which was well over a week) asking how I was healing up and if I needed her to bring me anything. I didn't, but it meant the world to know that she cared. The family knows my family well and I know their extended family well. It's good to know that they actually give a shit about me as a person not just as their nanny.


That would infuriate me. When I'm recuperating, leave me alone. I don't want to be hounded by my boss about how my recuperating is going - it would feel like they were asking if I was still on target to be back at work on the agreed upon date. Send a get well soon card, and leave the employee alone.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 23:48     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.



Agree completely! I recently had surgery and MB texted every single day until I came back(which was well over a week) asking how I was healing up and if I needed her to bring me anything. I didn't, but it meant the world to know that she cared. The family knows my family well and I know their extended family well. It's good to know that they actually give a shit about me as a person not just as their nanny.


Yup, it's wonderful. I moved apartments and mentioned it to MB and two or three weeks later when I moved they gave me a gift and a card from the kids saying to enjoy the new place. It made me feel great and so happy to be working for them. Something so small every 3-6 months along with the conversations and pleasantries goes a long way.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 23:16     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.



Agree completely! I recently had surgery and MB texted every single day until I came back(which was well over a week) asking how I was healing up and if I needed her to bring me anything. I didn't, but it meant the world to know that she cared. The family knows my family well and I know their extended family well. It's good to know that they actually give a shit about me as a person not just as their nanny.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 23:14     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.



I could not possibly disagree with you more. I'm a nanny with a life and a family of my own. I love my charge and like and respect my employers but I absolutely do keep my private life out of my work. We talk about the child and everything related to him. My employers will share a funny video or picture of the little guy over the weekend but they are very respectful of my life and free time. I have never once gone to work with a "sad face" or in a mood and never will. I expect the same for them. Pleasant - yes. Happy with my work and relationship with their child - yes. Respectful of each other - yes (I have never once been late and they have never once been late). But "friends" - no.


Good for you I guess.

I'm sure OP could give it a try and if her nanny seems like a dried up old bitter nanny that doesn't want to share I'm sure she will pick up on it. Otherwise she will make her nanny feel welcome, trusted, respected, and appreciated.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 22:21     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:We just hired a nanny for our 12 week old. She is very lovely and we want to make her as happy as we can. We are doing the basics by paying her well and giving benefits such as health insurance, sick/personal days, paid holidays, paid vacation, guaranteed hours, and OT. She has open access to all foods in the pantry/fridge, and is allowed to watch tv while the baby naps. We try to make it home on time and predict we may let her leave early on occasions. Is there anything else we can to to ensure her happiness and comfort.



You sound like you're an AMAZING person to work for, your nanny is very lucky! The most important things of all are to respect your nanny and say thank you often. Make sure to leave the house in decent condition for her in the morning and don't ask her to do chores you don't have in your contact...at least not very often, occasionally is fine. Little bonuses like a $10 Starbucks gift card, buying her favorite food, candy or drink and giving her flowers sometimes will go a long way as well. Having a happy nanny is a wonderful thing and your child will definitely benefit from that. Best of luck with your new nanny OP, I can tell you're going to be a great employer!
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 22:09     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.


This, 100%. The family I was with the longest (5+ years) treated me like family. They cared about me, as a person and not just as someone who was there to take care of their kids. They were concerned when I was sick, instead of annoyed I had to take a day off. They sent me flowers when I had surgery.They valued my opinion. We were a team. The mom and I actually became close friends and have continued our friendship even though I no longer work for them. They weren't able to offer the best benefits or vacation time, but they made up for it by the way they treated me.


Another nanny here and I completely agree.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:58     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Say "thank you" frequently. Do not treat her like "the help." Be on time. Sounds like you're off to a good start.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:39     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.


This, 100%. The family I was with the longest (5+ years) treated me like family. They cared about me, as a person and not just as someone who was there to take care of their kids. They were concerned when I was sick, instead of annoyed I had to take a day off. They sent me flowers when I had surgery.They valued my opinion. We were a team. The mom and I actually became close friends and have continued our friendship even though I no longer work for them. They weren't able to offer the best benefits or vacation time, but they made up for it by the way they treated me.


Exactly. I cringe every time I see one of those posts where people are up in arms because MB asked some innocent friendly question and all the responses are "ITS NONE OF HER BUSINESS" or "NEVER SHARE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE LIFE"


The flipside is the nannies who overshare way to much and MB and DB not only know she has a new boyfriend, but also the new bedroom tricks she's learned from him.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:38     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
I think you just need to follow her lead as far as the relationship goes.

Just treat her as you wish to be treated.

Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:36     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.



I could not possibly disagree with you more. I'm a nanny with a life and a family of my own. I love my charge and like and respect my employers but I absolutely do keep my private life out of my work. We talk about the child and everything related to him. My employers will share a funny video or picture of the little guy over the weekend but they are very respectful of my life and free time. I have never once gone to work with a "sad face" or in a mood and never will. I expect the same for them. Pleasant - yes. Happy with my work and relationship with their child - yes. Respectful of each other - yes (I have never once been late and they have never once been late). But "friends" - no.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:30     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.


This, 100%. The family I was with the longest (5+ years) treated me like family. They cared about me, as a person and not just as someone who was there to take care of their kids. They were concerned when I was sick, instead of annoyed I had to take a day off. They sent me flowers when I had surgery.They valued my opinion. We were a team. The mom and I actually became close friends and have continued our friendship even though I no longer work for them. They weren't able to offer the best benefits or vacation time, but they made up for it by the way they treated me.


Exactly. I cringe every time I see one of those posts where people are up in arms because MB asked some innocent friendly question and all the responses are "ITS NONE OF HER BUSINESS" or "NEVER SHARE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE LIFE"
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:28     Subject: Re:How to be the best or great employers?
Respect her. You won't need to do half of the other thing you listed if you respect her and her work with your child. A good salary, competitive benefits, and respect of her time and work are all you need do.




Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:27     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
Anonymous wrote:I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.


This, 100%. The family I was with the longest (5+ years) treated me like family. They cared about me, as a person and not just as someone who was there to take care of their kids. They were concerned when I was sick, instead of annoyed I had to take a day off. They sent me flowers when I had surgery.They valued my opinion. We were a team. The mom and I actually became close friends and have continued our friendship even though I no longer work for them. They weren't able to offer the best benefits or vacation time, but they made up for it by the way they treated me.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 20:22     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
I'll tell you one thing and probably get flamed, as much as I see nannies on here say to be 100% business professional and "they are employers not friends" but as a nanny the thing I love most about being a nanny and working with my favorite families is that they feel like friends. They ask me about my day, my life, things I'm up to. They tell me about their plans, cute stories about the kids I might have missed from the weekends, and are just generally pleasant and caring.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2015 19:52     Subject: How to be the best or great employers?
We just hired a nanny for our 12 week old. She is very lovely and we want to make her as happy as we can. We are doing the basics by paying her well and giving benefits such as health insurance, sick/personal days, paid holidays, paid vacation, guaranteed hours, and OT. She has open access to all foods in the pantry/fridge, and is allowed to watch tv while the baby naps. We try to make it home on time and predict we may let her leave early on occasions. Is there anything else we can to to ensure her happiness and comfort.