Would giving the family and children a parting gift be appropriate? I have been with them for ten months, and even though I worked every other weekend, it was part of my life. I am going to miss the kids and this family.It's going to be weird not getting up on weekends to go to work-I will have my weekends back, but let's be honest, I got ahead on my bills with the extra money I was making. I understand being a nanny can be risky, as you never know when you can lose a job due to a parent losing their job or like in my situation. This family was very fair with my hourly pay, and very generous as well. I'm hoping to find another family like them who needs weekend care in a similar situation.
9 comments:
I think it would be appropriate to give a parting gift. For the children depending on age if you have a picture of all of you together you could frame it & give it to them and/or a stuffed animal. For the parents maybe a photo album of the kids doing activities while in your care. Good luck with your future endeavors.
Agree with Jaxx
I like the photo album idea for the parents. For the kids one of those hallmark books where you can record your voice reading the book that way they can listen to it when they miss you, also a stuffed animal would be sweet to go along with the book. If you think you're going to miss the kids you could also include a nice card mentioning that you'd be willing to provide a free date night/day to them, that way you can visit the children. I also think a nicely written card to each child would be sweet as well. You can even frame the card with a picture of you and each of them individually so they can always remember you. Also, with one of my older charges that I was with from 6 weeks to 3.5 years I still invite her to the movies, lunch, the zoo etc to keep the relationship going and I pay for it and don't accept any money from the parents for the time I spend with her. Good luck with your next job! Having to leave a nanny job that you really love is the absolute worst part of being a nanny.
Or instead of a card you could write a sweet note in the inside of the book. If you have something sweet you always tell the kids make sure to include it. I always tell my charge, "I love you more than everything times two!" because she always tells me, "I love you to the moon and back two times" (She's two so she thinks two is the biggest number ever) so that would be something I'd include. :)
Neat ideas Kara! I also thought maybe a tie blanket for the kids. If they are around 4 years they can even help. You can google or you tube it for directions. Super easy quick and fun.
Jaxx
I think a small but thoughtful gift is totally appropriate if you wish to do so. A nice card of appreciation to the parents and a gift the children can remember you by! I love the girls I watch so much that I am already dreading the day they tell me they don't need me anymore, and I still have at least 2 years with them (hopefully!)
Rebeca, I totally get you!! I'm dreading it too!! My charge (brightest star in my life) is about to turn 3 and I've been with her since she was 1 and I've taught her everything. She calls me, "Mommy Nana" or "sissy" (because she's Elsa and I'm Anna so we are sisters). Our bond is so strong and just indescribable...I'm sure you get it! I'm dreading the day and I fear it may be coming soon. This family is the best I've ever been apart of and I know I'll never get anything better or even comparable to this family. It's the worst part of being a career nanny!!! My husband always tells me, "don't get too attached" when I start a new job because he knows what a wreck I turn into when I'm no longer needed but how can't you get attached!!! I only watch babies/toddlers so it's as if I've raised them...it's so hard! I do always stay connected though, I invite my past charges to the movies, zoo, lunch, park, etc to make sure I'm always in their lives. They all have earned and taken a piece of my heart.
Leaving a child you have grown to love is the hardest part about being a nanny. When this happened to me for similar reasons (financial problems), I used my one day off a week to see my former charge (without pay) to help him get acclimated to his new reality. I gave him a picture of him with me as a parting gift and told him I would always love him.
It worked out well for all of us. It was a sacrifice on my part to give up my only free day but it was worth it to me as my former charge was able to handle the transition more easily.
All the best to you, Nanny.
PS For extra money I was able to get a GREAT weekend job along with getting a wonderful full-time position at eight dollars more an hour than I was earning with my former charge.
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