OP,
Being aware of developmental milestones and the time period in which they usually appear, and mentioning when new ones are starting is always appreciated. With infants, I ask parents if they're interested in Baby Sign Language, explain how I've found in useful in the past with examples, and if they're on board work with them to slowly introduce and all use the same few signs with baby from 6-7 months on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need a new dictionary. Obsequious means obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree. This description fits you perfectly.

You're a horse's ass, PP, and clearly did misuse "obsequious".

Also, let me point out that OP is earning $25 an hour and you are not. I would give up my phone EASILY AND HAPPILY for $25 an hour!

...As would MOST nannies. If only their short-sighted rich employers weren't so stingy... and stupid.

Anonymous wrote:Gee...How can an innocent question on this thread turn into such a mud-slinging hate fair??

OP wrote that she chooses to never use her cell phone when working - this always sets the phone-addicted nannies off.

Gee...How can an innocent question on this thread turn into such a mud-slinging hate fair??

At this level, here is something that families look for: competence. This is not necessarily something that arrives with twenty years' of experience, but more of an attitude where you take the time to think things through, have a plan and not require micro-directions. That is, you have a plan for the day, for the week, and you have answers for any questions the family might have. This will take some homework on your part, but believe me, this is one thing you can do to inspire confidence. This is also true for all other jobs, not just nannying. For nannying, there's a delicate balance of knowing your stuff and being competent but not coming across as if you're telling the family what to do. Just be prepared, have a plan and sound like you're know what you're talking about. Also, make an effort to sound and look adult, well-spoken with good grammar and vocab. I think high-end families care about that and it makes you look more polished.

If my nanny sent me a list of things I needed to buy, I would feel obligated to buy those things so the nanny could entertain the baby with it, even if I did not want it. I would get it, but I might feel the nanny is high needs. In other words, I don't think it is a good idea to do, just to go above and beyond for MB. MB can go on Amazon or parenting magazines and look at best seller lists all by herself.

One thing that I like is clear communication. This could be thinking ahead to what you need to cover when you see MB for 10 minutes at the end of the day. Make the communication clear, maybe order the topics in order of priority, or chronological. Maybe keep a notepad of topics you want to cover so you don't forget, or go all out and keep a log.

There are these pediatrician checklists of children's milestones. Try to get one and check off when the child did what at what month. If not informative, it is good as memorabilia.

Also, keep something similar to baby book. I had one where nanny wrote down three milestones per month with some baby pictures around it. If he is a baby, 3 milestones per month will be enough. When they are older, you can write down clever things they said or did or new experiences they had. Then, it will be a longer list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need a new dictionary. Obsequious means obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree. This description fits you perfectly.

You're a horse's ass, PP, and clearly did misuse "obsequious".

Also, let me point out that OP is earning $25 an hour and you are not. I would give up my phone EASILY AND HAPPILY for $25 an hour!

lol I would be "obsequious" for $25 an hour!!!

A lot of silly little girls on this forum who have never worked a real job and have no clue how ridiculous they look constantly texting or talking on their phones.