Hi there, I have a question. I am a nanny in the city of Chicago. I work 50 hours a week with two children, ages 2 and 4, (a third arriving in November). I try to find a fun learning activity for them every day, make them eat healthily, have them get plenty of exercise, learn to be polite, and turn every "why?" into a real learning experience rather than just saying "because I said so" or "because that's just how it is." But I am always questioning whether I am doing a good enough job. At 50 hours a week, I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge influence in raising these children. So I was wondering if you and/or your readers could say what they think makes a great nanny and what makes a bad one. I think it'd be an interesting post, as well. Thanks so much for your time!
Sunday
That's a Good Question...
Hi there, I have a question. I am a nanny in the city of Chicago. I work 50 hours a week with two children, ages 2 and 4, (a third arriving in November). I try to find a fun learning activity for them every day, make them eat healthily, have them get plenty of exercise, learn to be polite, and turn every "why?" into a real learning experience rather than just saying "because I said so" or "because that's just how it is." But I am always questioning whether I am doing a good enough job. At 50 hours a week, I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge influence in raising these children. So I was wondering if you and/or your readers could say what they think makes a great nanny and what makes a bad one. I think it'd be an interesting post, as well. Thanks so much for your time!
I think it is as simple as a good nanny cares about her job and wants to do her best at it and a bad nanny doesn't. Same as in any other profession.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get your email, OP. I am moving to Oak Park in 2013(when I graduate) and don't really know anything about the nanny community down there. Perhaps we could exchange email addresses, and you can help me find the right agency?
ReplyDeleteI think a good nanny is someone who GENUINELY enjoys being around children. Period. She gets a certain amount of gratification from teaching and loving children. She takes her job very seriously and shows a great work ethic. She is reliable, punctual, an excellent communicator and is 100% trustworthy and values the child's safety, comfort and overall happiness as her top priorities at all times during her shift.
ReplyDeleteA bad nanny is one who considers childcare "easy money." She is only doing childcare because she has been told by others that she can make an easy $15-20/Hr by just sitting on the sofa watching movies. She grunts when she has to prepare food, change a diaper or take the child on an outing. She hardly interacts w/her charge(s) and usually watches the clock all day, trying different ways to kill the time.
MissDee... I am also a nanny in the chicago area, its pretty interesting here.
ReplyDeleteAs most have stated a good nanny is someone who really enjoys what she does, learns from them as well and teach them, and treating them the way you would like to be treated. I also work 50 hrs and I have three charges currently. I know that I am doing a pretty good job because when the relatives come to visit they are always saying how well be have the boys are, how polite they are, or how nice they are.
A bad Nanny would be Phoenix or Miss Mannah.
ReplyDeleteJust sayin'.....
Op, the fact that you're concerned about whether or not you are doing a good job is an indication, to me at least, that you ARE a good nanny.
ReplyDeleteBad nannies don't give a rip about their job performance. They don't care about the kids, the parents, or the house they work in. they are there to put in their hours and go home after they cash their paychecks.
Good nannies are involved and interested in their charges. They like their bosses, and respect their work houses. they look for ways to nurture their charges by helping them develop emotionally, physically, and intellectually. They love what they do because their job impacts a little bit of the world.
Mrs Billy...Phoenix is not a nanny, she's said so on here. I just started a new nanny job yesterday and so far I'm completely happy with it, and I haven't had any complaints in the past. So unless you're a former employer who is stalking me, I suggest you not defame my character by saying I'm bad at my job.
ReplyDeleteWhy would I be a bad nanny? Please explain that to me as I am so interested in knowing how you know EXACTLY how I am with children because you have been observing my behavior with children for my entire life. That is a really stupid comment to make. And what makes you think MissMannah would be a bad nanny. She has never said anything that I feel would even make her a bad person in general. Why on Earth would you say something like that? I in turn could say that I think you would be a bad nanny because you would teach children how to make assumptions, be judgemental, and accusatory. You would make children think its ok to point fingers and name call. At least I gave you examples. I don't think you should even be around adults.
ReplyDeleteMiss Mannah: how can someone "defame" you when you weren't even famous to begin with? We all use anonymous monikers on this website anyway so unless you are brave enough to post a pic (like Someone's Nanny or Just My Two Cents..) no one can defame you. How ridonkolous.
ReplyDeletePhoenix: Don't take offense. Really. You just sound like you need some medication and until you get it, you shouldn't be working as a Nanny for ANYONE.
I'm not a nanny nor do I ever want to be one. MissMannah already told you that. And what about my character makes me seem like I need medication? Because I tell it like it is. OMG someone who is honest and confident. They must be crazy.
ReplyDeleteYou've never heard the term "defamation of character"? Maybe your moniker is anonymous, but mine is not. You're making me think I ought to change it now, if I'm coming off as such a "bad nanny."
ReplyDeleteMissMannah : I don't think that you are a bad nanny or even a bad person. But what do I know I need medication.
ReplyDeleteMiss Mannah? Why don't you put up a pic? Nanny Megan, Someone Else's Nanny, Just My Two Cents, etc..do it. Are you scared? Or do only the pretty people post pics???????
ReplyDeletePhoenix and MissMannah--
ReplyDeleteIgnore Mrs. Billy Lamar. They are simply hoping to get a rise out of you and they've succeed. I know it can suck to be the bigger person and turn the other cheek, but just ignore them.
Let me put things in perspective: three weeks ago, I held my best friend's hand as she buried her nine year old daughter. Nine years old and a cerebral hemorrhage snatched her away. It was fifteen seconds from the time she said "My head hurts" until the time she was gone. No true goodbyes, no final closure, she was just gone.
My point is, your life can change in an instant. Don't worry so much about what other people are saying and doing, especially people who have no idea who YOU are. So, ladies, in essence, let Mrs. Billy Lamar gloat and feel like they've won because, really, in the course of a lifetime, what does it matter?
I like to envision people who troll places like ISYN as actual trolls. I have a fabulous mental image of Mrs. Billy Lamar, complete with warts and chin whiskers!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I will take the troll image and run with it. I can't also accept her letting her think shes won only if she can prove a valid argument. So far she has just been accusatory with no real proof to back up her claims. It is in essence retarded. So against all my increasing desire to debate which seems to be my nature I will throw in the towel and hope that is lands on the ugly face to cover up what is... Mrs. Billy Lamar.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phoenix, but don't worry I wasn't taking her seriously. I was being facetious when I said I was coming off as a bad nanny. I know who I am.
ReplyDeleteTeacher, I am so sorry to hear about your friend's daughter. I can't imagine what she is going through right now. I'll admit, I've probably been a little crazier than usual this week. I lost a very good friend on Sunday for senseless reasons and I wasn't able to go to her memorial service, which makes me even more angry. So yeah, mental health isn't my strong suit right now and getting into debates with trolls probably isn't the smartest choice.
I think I look like a troll. However, I try not to act like one.
ReplyDelete