Just about any nanny will tell you that one of their biggest pet peeves is being called a babysitter. Why? Because nannying is completely different than babysitting. This article is not meant to knock babysitting -- I babysit on the regular and have no problem being called a babysitter when I'm actually babysitting. What I do have a problem with is being called a babysitter when I'm actually nannying. There's a big difference between nannying and babysitting so let's break it down....
Read MoreHow much housework is too much to ask of your nanny? When does it cross the line from being helpful to being taken advantage of? -- Anonymous
This is a tough question to answer because it's subjective. What one might deem as too much housework, another might feel is fair. That being said, I do believe there is a general industry standard when it comes to this and if a nanny is doing more than the industry standard, they should genuinely consider giving themselves a different title, such as housekeeper/nanny or nanny/personal assistant (which should include a pay raise).
Read MoreHere's the deal, I love the idea of a nanny share in concept, however I have never accepted a nanny share job offer because the parents and I have always differed on what exactly that concept is. I have yet to meet a parent who fully understands how a nanny share should work. I know that there are amazing parents out there who know the true definition of a nanny share and do it correctly, but they are few and far between.
Read MoreThe three rules of nannying are, as I learned them, to be loving, firm, and fun every day. At first I assumed that meant the kids, but sometimes it applies to the parents, too! That's what it means when I say I'm a no-nonsense nanny. You have to be loving: Show compassion for their problems and provide flexible support. Be fun: I accidentally took my nanny kids to a cemetery as an outing the other day, and immediately sent my boss a text not because she needed to know that very second, but because I knew it would make her laugh. Be firm: Do no harm, but take no shit.
Read MoreAs a nanny, saying goodbye to a family is one of the most stressful and difficult things to do. Because the nanny-family relationship is both professional and personal, it's emotionally very hard to give notice. It can even be difficult when the nanny has every right to quit due to mistreatment and/or being taken advantage of. I say this with personal experience. Quitting my nanny jobs has NEVER been easy and I've cried just about every time I've done it.
Read MoreI hear it all too often. People constantly comparing nanny rates to daycare rates. Or people posting home daycare ads in nanny job Facebook groups. Let me just stop you and explain why it's NEVER okay to compare these professions. First and foremost, a nanny is generally the most expensive form of childcare (I am aware that there are some high end daycares that do cost more than a nanny if you have multiple kids). It is a luxury and not everyone can afford it. I'm not trying to be harsh, but that's the reality. It is not okay to compare a nanny's rate to that of a daycare because they are two entirely different forms of childcare.
Read MoreThis article idea was pretty impromptu and came to me as I was perusing the many nanny Facebook groups just two days ago. I was shocked to see so many nannies talking about how the parents they work for won't turn on the air conditioning or keep it set at a really high temperature during the day. These posts are especially frequent on Facebook right now because of the heat wave in California and Arizona. One nanny reported the house being 90 degrees inside. Another nanny showed a photo of the thermostat set at 85 degrees and said she wasn't allowed to change it because the dad pops in unexpectedly from time to time.
Read MoreOh overtime. How I love you and hate you at the same time. I love you because I work hard and I deserve it. I hate you because so many parents ignore their LEGAL obligation to pay it, so I'm stuck deciding whether or not to risk my job by bringing it up or quitting my job because after bringing it up, they still refuse to pay it. And then I'm stuck deciding if I should sue the parents who did it to me -- which would then forever tarnish the relationship, and I love the kids so much. But it's money I deserve. Money I worked hard for. And more than that -- it's about justice. If a family did it to me (someone who very vocally laid out the laws to them and provided them with sources on nanny overtime), they surely are continuing to do it to the nanny after me and will continue doing it to all of their future nannies -- again and again -- until someone says ENOUGH.
Read MoreWelcome to our first Featured Friday! I have received many requests to do a series like this so I figured I should listen to what my readers want, and we will give this a try! Our first feature is of an amazing nanny named Kate. How do I know she's amazing? Well, she happens to be a very close friend of mine and she kindly offered to be the "guinea pig" for this new series haha. So, read on to see what she has to say about her experience as a nanny including her best moments, her most difficult experiences, and even advice for new nannies.
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