The 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 MoreTGIF everyone!! This feature is extra special to me because Lindsay is a close friend of mine. We randomly met at the park one day while with our nanny kids and have quickly become amazing friends. She is awesome, hard working, genuine, and a talented singer. She's new to the nanny field, but still has valuable things to say as well as some crazy stories. So, read on to learn more about her!
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 MoreAs a nanny, I refuse to have favorites. Each child I've cared for holds a very special place in my heart, and I mean that earnestly. But, my bond with Sloane was different. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before and unlike anything I have yet to experience again. I still remember interviewing for the job and thinking "Am I cut out for this? Can I handle the extra care Sloane needs?" Sloane's parents did an amazing job of nonchalantly mentioning the little "extras" involved in this job. So I was sold. Sloane won me over immediately.
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.
Read MoreNanny
noun | [nan-ee]
1. a person, usually with special training, employed to care for childrenin a household.
It's interesting. Just google the definition of "nanny", and nowhere does it say a person who is employed to care for adults in a household. Yet oftentimes, that's exactly what nannies end up doing. Yes parents, I'm looking at you.
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