Nannies are people, not superheros........sounds like a "duh" statement I know, but did you know there are people who think Nannies are impervious to "normal, everyday life" because they are employed to work with children.......you know, the children that may have gotten an early call on their life to throw a tantrum at every "no?"While "she" may be a "hero" in our eyes from time to time because she got Trevor to eat his broccoli or got Elle to clean up her toys without a promise of a treat, she's just doing her job.......but let me re-phrase, she sees it more than "just a job." Nanny chose to watch your children. She wants to help your children learn & grow. She wants to help you by helping them.
So here are 10 ways you can make your new Nanny feel welcome ---because she chose your family just as much as you chose her.
1. Make or buy a "welcome home" card. Even if she's not a live-in Nanny, she will be employed within your home, so a welcome home card is totally fitting. If children are of age to help, perhaps have them make it.
2. Find out what foods/snacks she likes and stock your pantry/fridge with her favorites.
3. Introduce her to your extended family so when you are talking with her about them, she knows of whom you are referring and will feel attached to the conversation.
4. Share with her your favorite lunch spots and offer to pay for her lunch a couple of times a month, she will feel included in "your life."
5. Encourage her to join a Nanny Support Group. They are essential in Nanny's life as it offers an outlet to speak with other professional Nannies about the daily experiences.
6. Show her you value her by remembering her birthday and anniversaries. Have the children make cards and/or presents.
7. Immediately include her in parenting decisions so she's always on the same page, you will gain her gratitude.
8. Speak to her as you would a good friend. She will always remain the professional and not take advantage of your kind words.
9. When you see your Nanny stepping out and really going above and beyond, reward her for it.
10. Always, always, always, talk with her about your concerns away from the children. She will be very thankful for your decision to do so.
Most of all.......let her know what a huge help she is to you and your family!
19 comments:
I'm a nanny and I think half this crap is ridiculous... A "welcome home card" seriously?
Are you serious? As a nanny you shouldn't need any of this to feel welcome. You want a happy nanny, well then pay her well with good benefits and always pay her on time. You don't need gifts or cards and especially paid lunches. Sure it's thoughtful but a nanny is an employee and should be treated like one. She is a major part of your children's lives so make sure you respect her and back her up when needed. And also respect the fact that she has a life outside of your home.
You treat a nanny like a valuable employee and make sure she is compensated. You don't need to treat her like your best friend.
Are you serious? As a nanny you shouldn't need any of this to feel welcome. You want a happy nanny, well then pay her well with good benefits and always pay her on time. You don't need gifts or cards and especially paid lunches. Sure it's thoughtful but a nanny is an employee and should be treated like one. She is a major part of your children's lives so make sure you respect her and back her up when needed. And also respect the fact that she has a life outside of your home.
You treat a nanny like a valuable employee and make sure she is compensated. You don't need to treat her like your best friend.
I am a nanny and also agree most of this stuff is over the top. I do think keeping some food in your pantry for her is a good idea, and remembering her on her birthday/special occasions will go a long way in helping her feel appreciated! However, those things are never required. I just know from personal experience when families have done those two small things I have felt way more appreciated and went above and beyond every day to show my appreciation for them! Only once have I received a gift valued at over $25 from my current employer, yet it isn't about the money they spend, it's the effort they put into it....for me anyway...
I think the Welcome Home card is a little over the top, but the sentiment overall of the ten posts is pretty nice. My personal belief is that nannies can never be truly "part of the family" as some claim. While in theory this sounds all well and good, it is a JOB and money is involved so the dynamics are completely different w/a nanny job than w/a real family member. With family members the love is usually unconditional, yet I do not think that goes for a nanny job. So this "part of the family" stuff is really not realistic.
I totally disagree with all of your comments. I think those were fantastic ideas!!
I agree with sd nanny. But i also have something to add. Please parents be on time when its time for us to get off. remember we have lives and families too. you stopping to get a couple errands ran cause you think "we wont mind" you being a couple minutes late, We do mind, we do make plans and we also like to stick to our schedules.
I would feel very awkward if I was given a "welcome home" card as a live-out. Also if I was treated to a lunch out with my employer.
You know what makes me feel appreciated? Being payed on time, relieved of duty on time, and the occasional "we really think you're doing a great job."
I think these are great ideas. The welcome home card not such a great idea. Better idea... Welcome to our family card... much better. All the other stuff is fine especially if you are the type of nanny who wants to be included.... I AM ONE, I do my job for the love of it not only the money. Unfortunately I am unemployed and cant find a job while those nannies who work ONLY for the money and dont give a rats ass about the kids have the jobs because dumb parents cant see pass their fake ass smiles...
Welcome home?
I'd run.
No.
I mean it.
The word: awkward came to mind here as well. I appreciate your sentiment OP, but a lot of what you said would just make me feel downright uncomfortable. I definitely wouldn't want to be talking to my boss like a girl friend, nor would I want to be treated to lunch like a daughter. I also wouldn't feel comfortable being advised to join a nannies group (I have many friends and a husband to share both my joy and pain with) and do truly require a life and hobbies outside of nannying in order to stay balanced. The card is a nice thought, but the phrasing of "welcome home" would also weird me out... I think your heart is in the right place, but your list is just a little over the top.
I really like the sentiments. They are all sweet.. ESPECIALLY the welcome home card, for a live-in nanny. However, I am more with chgonanny on what would mean more to me. GET ME OFF ON TIME!!!!!!!!
My current family has done all of this aside from number 1, and we have a great relationship.
Instead of a welcome home card, I'd say a simple "thank you" is an amazing thing to get as a nanny. My current MB tells me "thank you for coming" EVERY day, which tells me that she understands I have a life outside work and she appreciates what I do.
My employers say wonderful things about me to others as well as to me :) That makes me feel appreciated! They give me unexpected time off on a regular basis and I appreciate that just as they appreciate me not bothering to ask for gas when I take their kid home from school (a whole mile)- it all works out in my benefit more often besides because we have a mutual respect & trust.
I was taken to a lunch a few years ago- it was slightly awkward...
They do acknowledge me on Christmas & my birthday with a small gift- that's nice!
They also defend and support me when the kid is being a serious brat! That is not something you see everyday haha!
The nicest thing my nanny family did for me was bring home Chinese food once for me to take home when they brought some home for their family.
I agree with getting home on time.
I would have liked them to remember my birthday and Christmas though. That hurt.
Being on time is important too. I felt it was disrespectful to always be late and they always were. I was never compensated for it.
I appreciate OP's intentions, but I think she is missing what is important to nannies.
Leave your home relatively clean and tidy. She is not a maid, and this is her work environment. Put the children's things where she can find them. If she has to hunt all over the house for the babies' shoes for fifteen minutes, she may be late for school pickup.
Provide a petty cash stash so she doesn't have to lay out her own money and ask to be paid back. That is demeaning.
C0ME HOME ON TIME! It seems the biggest complaint from nannies is not being able to leave on time. I know a couple of nannies who left jobs they otherwise loved because of this. We may have husbands, children, dinner to cook, classes to go to, maybe even a hot date!
Manhattan Nanny, I must be the only nanny who doesn't care if they're late or not. I have a different problem to contend with, that is their showing up early and expecting to save the time for another day. At one point they had saved as many as fourteen hours! *sigh*
I agree with those who say this stuff is over the top. I have my own family, I don't want to be welcomed to a different one. I always love the kids, but I would much rather the parents treat me in a professional manner than a familial one!
is the welcome home card a big deal these are nice ideas its the sentiment that counts if they gave a welcome home card theyre trying what you want okay dog go wacth my kids and dont eat my food? Large companies pay for lunch and have parties whats the difference if an employer gave a card or treated for lunch and the nanny had a problem with it then shes being ungrateful. Im not saying a card is a replacement for the parent to come home on time but damn
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