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From: Holly Berry
Date: 11-07-2004, 06:52 AM (1 of 9)
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Is anyone out there Nannies? Let me know what it's like. I've been ask to do this and I would like to hear some opinions.
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77 
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From: smith972
Date: 11-07-2004, 08:46 AM (2 of 9)
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I am not a nannie but i have a live in nannie/housekeeper....her contract expires in December and I will not be renewing it....i will be posting the job at some of the local collages soon to start interviewing for the new person... My challanges have been the following: Asking for pay early every single pay period, therefore making every pay short Passive aggresive behavior unwilling to adjust to change she has a feeling as if she does not get paid enough complaining about the work to be done around the house interferring with or not maintaining my rules for the children asking, requesting special items that my hubby and i bring in the house for ourselves (even after being told these are food items we buy for ourselves) Some special need to eat everything as soon as it brought in the home having to pull out the contract to review and remind her of her contractual duties I would like to bring the children home and take them out of daycare but she was unwilling to do the educational training that the daycare center did so i had to send them back to daycare....the new person i would want to have a clear understanding if they want the children home and would be able to met all my needs |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: Holly Berry
Date: 11-08-2004, 08:18 AM (3 of 9)
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I was looking for advise from other Nannies. I'm not like what you discribed.
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77
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From: smith972
Date: 11-09-2004, 08:04 AM (4 of 9)
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I in way wanted to imply that you were/are that way. I was just sharing with you from an employer view some of the challages that we sometimes incounter in hiring nannies.... I wish you luck in your new job... Will you be a live in or live out nanny? |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241
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From: Holly Berry
Date: 11-09-2004, 08:38 AM (5 of 9)
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I will be a day nanny. I was looking for advise from other nannies because of the things I have heard about employers. Not coming home when they say they will be home. Doing more housework than being a companion for their child. Basicly being a servant instead of a nanny. I guess there are stereotyping on both sides. I hope you find what you are looking for in a nanny.
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77
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From: Mischka
Date: 11-09-2004, 02:11 PM (6 of 9)
I was a live-out nanny when I was in high school, which turned into family housekeeper later when the boy no longer needed an actual nanny. My experience was great! He was about 10 at the time, so no diapers or feedings or anything, just making sandwiches  I was basically paid to be a big sister and make sure he didn't burn the house down. Also took him to tennis & golf lessons, appointments, etc. as needed. Would you believe their club offered a "nanny pass" so nannies could use the facilities while the children were in lessons?  Also did tutoring and helped with homework, even after the actual nanny part was long over.My duties were very clear - their son was my TOP priority - plus someone came in once a week to do the heavy cleaning, so it was never an issue. The family was really wonderful, and treated me more like a favorite niece than an employee. Still keep in touch, and visit every time I'm back in Minnesota. Yikes, my "little brother" graduates from college next month! My advice would be to interview the family as carefully as they would a potential nanny. Is it a family you look at and would want to be a part of? If not, are you willing to become involved in family dysfunctions? because even though you're an employee, whatever's happening in the family seems to trickle down and affect you in some way - perhaps through the behavior of your young charges. You do feel the ups and downs of what the family goes through. Also, why did the last nanny leave? If something like moving away, ask the family if they could put you in touch with that person. They may be able to give you a much clearer idea of what your job would be like. Best of luck to you, and be sure to keep us posted! |
User: Mischka
Member since: 09-01-2004 Total posts: 63 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 11-09-2004, 03:14 PM (7 of 9)
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I have not been one, but a friend of mine has been. The most important thing she mentions is to make sure that you like the family, and would be willing to work with them. The family that she worked for would often have times where they needed her for extra hours (company party, or some other such thing), in which case they would arrange it ahead of time with her, but the thing that she thought most important about that was it was not a last minute come and do this or else type of thing. They would pre-schedule things with her. Another thing would be to check and see what sort of disciplining they are expecting you to do, and to what degree of back-up you will get from them (when you interview with a family, try to get the feeling if they believe their child can do no wrong, and the fact that you put their child in time out means there is something wrong with you (I had that happen when I was teaching, which can be similar in some ways).). That's my two cents worth (and I'm not sure it's worth that because I haven't actually been a nanny). Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-09-2004, 07:52 PM (8 of 9)
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Holly, If you are being approached to go into their home as a nanny, I would make sure that a Nanny is what they want and not a maid or housekeeper..I have numerous years experience in daycare, but it was at my Mom's Daycare Center.. We had a wonderful business for a long , long, time.. I did not ever do any nanny work in clients homes, except for the occaisional babbysitting job in some extreme emergency. (death in family or hospital stay, etc..) We did not encourage this.. We taught all the good habits.. yes ma'am , no sir, etc.. ; chew with mouth closed: please and thank you; no hitting, spitting, biting, ; take turns with toys; do not interrupt;.. Those come to mind immediately, there are so many more.. I was reader and crafts director, and teacher.. Mom was chief cook and baby trainer.. She had all children potty trained before their 2nd birthdays except 1.. He had had open heart surgery and his parents would not let him fuss or cry.. It took us til he was almost 2 1/2 to get him totally trained.. If you have extreme patience, then you will be a fantastic nanny.. (I did not mean to write a book) Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Holly Berry
Date: 11-10-2004, 06:50 AM (9 of 9)
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Thanks everyone. You have given me great tips. I think this is could be a wonderful job with the right family. Thanks again.
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77
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