tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post6106011926916443590..comments2024-03-19T03:27:24.068-04:00Comments on I SAW YOUR NANNY: In other words, "give us three weeks to find a better laundress"Leigh Raymerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210572527823459842noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-3264246149366461882010-07-09T04:07:23.785-04:002010-07-09T04:07:23.785-04:00OP says:
I had my last day with this family yeste...OP says:<br /><br />I had my last day with this family yesterday- go figure- Im such a horrible- but they gave small bonus on the last two checks, a thank-you card with warm feelings, pics of kid, and a $25 gift card to my favorite restaurant- my birthday Tuesday. Guess I did a good job after all. Nice to leave on good terms. I even used them as a reference and start a new job next week- cant wait!!OP saidsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-26923401636525778202010-06-18T02:11:39.152-04:002010-06-18T02:11:39.152-04:00BB,
What area is that?BB,<br /><br />What area is that?Curiousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-63841520429102120572010-06-17T18:32:49.328-04:002010-06-17T18:32:49.328-04:00Lynn,
if you want someone to fold your laundry, h...Lynn,<br /><br />if you want someone to fold your laundry, hire a maid. Great you can do it all for a fam of 5, well guess what? It's YOUR family, it's YOUR responsibility, not your nanny's. YOU chose to have kids, and a house, and all that goes with that, don't pawn off those job duties on your nanny. <br /><br />OP, <br /><br />Tell them, that they are lazy ungrateful, deadbeats, and that their son deserves better. Tell them that if they want someone to cook and clean, that they need to hire someone to do so. Your job title is Nanny, not maid. Tell them to stop being cheap and rude, and to get off their ass' and clean their own house. Your job is the child and anything that concerns him, if they want they can hire a nanny for themselves, then she can clean up after them.Lindseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-35768766126281073722010-06-17T10:55:58.795-04:002010-06-17T10:55:58.795-04:00I am sick and tired of people who want a professio...I am sick and tired of people who want a professional nanny then expect she does housework as well. The housekeepers in my area make 25-30 per hour and they work their butts off. I am a nanny I do not do housework! If I am asked I simply reply with something like, "that's fine let's discuss my hourly rate for housekeeping duties. I know the housekeepers in this area make about 25 per hour so that will be 25 per hour on top of my hourly nanny rate for the hours I do housework." That usually shuts them up about housework. I make sure I research the going rate in the area I work in for housekeeping and I have little trouble finding work. I find people keep their expectations much more reasonable when I am up front about what I will and won't do or tolerate from the beginning. Good luck with your next position!BBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-56644932970889504632010-06-17T08:33:09.818-04:002010-06-17T08:33:09.818-04:00I didn't write the post about being a size 4. ...I didn't write the post about being a size 4. Hence of why I wrote "Repost for Anonymouse".HoHumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-47434954946515403512010-06-17T07:03:35.593-04:002010-06-17T07:03:35.593-04:00Hmmmm....Dad leaves between 4-8 in the morning and...Hmmmm....Dad leaves between 4-8 in the morning and doesn't return until 9 at night? Sounds like he is doing more than working; perhaps Mom knows and they are having marital problems?RockstarMissDeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-77032579709912907612010-06-17T00:01:54.684-04:002010-06-17T00:01:54.684-04:00Like others have said it sounds like it's too ...Like others have said it sounds like it's too late to save this job, but if maybe you can fix things why not try starting the laundry in the morning when the little boy is still asleep? You should have time to switch them to the dryer and work on other chores before he wakes up, and sometime during the morning start them the second time. Then when naptime rolls around you've got the entire hour to fold the clothes.no namenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-49048376948757353732010-06-16T23:32:50.451-04:002010-06-16T23:32:50.451-04:00I am a nanny, but, like CanadianMom, I don't t...I am a nanny, but, like CanadianMom, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the nanny to do some child-related tasks while the children sleep, provided she first gets an adequate break. One hour is generous, even for a longer day. Plus some of these things- like researching activities, etc- requires only sitting at a computer, which should be significantly less strenuous than when the nanny is actively engaging the children. Honestly I don't understand the backlash because C-mom even states that she valued the nanny's love for her children over those additional tasks.Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-92190032897664229592010-06-16T23:20:25.100-04:002010-06-16T23:20:25.100-04:00I have to agree with Bostonnanny said . . . They w...I have to agree with Bostonnanny said . . . They want a SAHM not a nanny. There are more concerned about their house and their clothes than their baby, and the nanny is first concerned about the baby. Hello. She is a nanny.<br /><br />They need a housekeeper who will watch the kid. That is really what they are looking for. They aren't looking for someone to nurture their child. It seems the nanny is the only one interested in that.Villagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08578209959445019807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-7458002469496738522010-06-16T19:47:20.823-04:002010-06-16T19:47:20.823-04:00I am amazed that the fact that anyone is a size 4 ...I am amazed that the fact that anyone is a size 4 has any relevance at all to a post. <br /><br />The grass is always greener on the other side, and everything is relative. <br /><br />In my own humble opinion, SAHMs have it easy. I have never been able to be a SAHM, I have always been a WAHM, and now that my daughter is school aged, I work outside of the home (teaching Preschool) and have a part time nanny for her. I am a single mom. I would LOVE to have nothing to worry about other than my daily chores and my kid. But it is simply not possible. I am her father and her mother. <br /><br />People always like to bitch and moan and complain about how rough they have it, but if you don't have to work and can focus on your kids, it is a luxury. <br /><br />I care for children so that I can support my daughter. I hold other kids who are crying for their moms while someone else is holding my child who is probably crying for her mom so that they can support their child who is crying for their mom. It's rough all over, and some of us don't have a choice but to work. <br /><br />HoHum, I give you a lot of credit: it is very hard to live on one income, and it sounds like you are doing just that. Good for you. As far as being a size four...well...<br /><br />hohum. Big freaking whoop. Good for you for being able to go to the gym every day. Rah. Rah. Rah.working momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-61018444656216102582010-06-16T17:12:07.432-04:002010-06-16T17:12:07.432-04:00Oops! I forgot to add the "don't". S...Oops! I forgot to add the "don't". So it should read that children DON'T have to be entertained 24/7.CS Nannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-75709014513469540492010-06-16T17:09:29.342-04:002010-06-16T17:09:29.342-04:00If I have done all the chores I needed to do, and ...If I have done all the chores I needed to do, and planned for the next day, then you bet I will enjoy the downtime. Because not everyday is the same. Some days my kids will nap 2-3 hours, and sometimes they will nap for 1. I do not feel bad if they nap for 3 hours, and after 1 hour I have everything I need to do done. It is no different than a normal job where everything is done, and it's slow, and you can leave early. I know I am a good employee, and so nope, I definitely do not feel guilty about "trying to ensure that she had as much downtime as possible during naps." I also am one of these nannies that (gasp!) believe a child has to be entertained 24/7 and so I get some of the cleaning/prepping done while they play.CS Nannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-17740815069758884532010-06-16T17:06:13.218-04:002010-06-16T17:06:13.218-04:00Repost for Anonymous:
Prep snacks? Do chores? 1 ...Repost for Anonymous:<br /><br /><br />Prep snacks? Do chores? 1 hour for a break out of a 11-12 work day! Funny Candian mom, I bet you leave YOUR job early to run errands, get your hair done, or manicures. Or take days off to "get things done." So if you are going to nail a nanny on the cross for wanting a much needed break like nap time, and you feel you can do better then why don't you stay home and raise your kids?? Because in my experince people like you have a lot to say and have strong convictions on how a nanny should act/be, but yet you do not follow the same strict structure. How about YOU make your childs meals for a change! YOU do your childrens laundry, YOU clean YOUR home, YOU run out for diapers when YOU run out.<br /><br />Look I used to be a nanny and now I am a mother myself and the reason I stay home is because I am brave enough to understand I would always be unsatisfied and I know nobody can raise MY child better than me! Yes, money is tight and we have to be far more creative with out budget but we still are able to live healthy, full and HAPPY life! I do not have a nanny or a sitter that comes so I can "run errands," (code for I cannot do this full time or multi task,) I do not have a cleaning lady, landscaper, or PA. And yet I am able to get all my chores, grocery shopping, work out 5 days week( and no I'm not fat, Im a size 4 have been my whole life,) make homemade meals from scratch (I make breakfast & lunch 7 days a week & dinner 6 nights a week,) errands, and anything else my family, life or house need and still able to give my child unconditional love, undivided one on one time, teach her everything that is vital and needed.<br /><br />It's not always easy and it is a lot of work but I chose to have a marriage, a child, it is up to me and my husband to make that work. I do not complain, nor do I pass the responisiblity of my child's care when I am busy on to my in laws, parents or sitter. Your children have only one childhood there are no do overs!! So quit placing the blame and complaining and be a parent! And if you have such high expectations of your nanny you should know your children have high expectations of YOU!<br /><br />Jun 16, 2010 4:39:00 PMHoHumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-79474117354738392672010-06-16T16:46:47.671-04:002010-06-16T16:46:47.671-04:00If the true and only problem is the laundry, you c...If the true and only problem is the laundry, you could try to take care of it while your charge is awake and make a game of it. I really liked World's best nanny's suggestions (btw I can't believe that a mother would be stupid enough to think her child above 'menial tasks').oh wellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-51327610147751317222010-06-16T13:26:21.504-04:002010-06-16T13:26:21.504-04:00CS Nanny - I'm sorry you find my mindset irrit...CS Nanny - I'm sorry you find my mindset irritating and insulting, but I assure you I respect the work nannies do and I tried very hard to be a fair employer. I certainly did not say that nannies don't deserve a break during their work day! When we employed our nanny we made it clear that we expected her to take at least an hour break during naptime, and she was indeed able to do so every day. But I think if a nanny is at the employer's home for 8 hours a day with no O/T, as our nanny was, and the children nap for 2 or sometimes up to 3 hours, it is a bit cheeky to regularly take almost that entire time as break when there are other things that could be done, especially things that would be of benefit to the children such as planning arts & crafts projects, researching new recipes for lunches, finding fun kids programmes and planning special outings (our requests for her to do this went largely ignored). Alternatively, she could have done more activities with the kids while they were awake and left the snack & lunch prep, cleaning up after lunch etc until they were asleep, but honestly I think she was trying to ensure that she had as much downtime as possible during naps. I know a nanny's break is not the same as for some employees who can go out to a restaurant or bank etc., and I am aware that the nanny is still there for the children if they need her as long as she is in the house ... but does that mean she should do nothing else while the children nap even if she has already had an hour-long break?CanadianMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-70579939980990294692010-06-16T12:44:05.081-04:002010-06-16T12:44:05.081-04:00It's hard to make a judgment on this without h...It's hard to make a judgment on this without having both sides of the story. On the one hand, there's only one child, it seems like it shouldn't be that hard to get the laundry done (and would the parents really know if it didn't go 2 rounds in the dryer, as long as it was dry?). On the other hand, I have seen some pretty active 2-year-olds (and OP said he just turned 2) who need constant supervision, which would make completing household chores a bit of a struggle.nanny2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-6655711423639505652010-06-16T10:13:22.906-04:002010-06-16T10:13:22.906-04:00They are overindulged, entitled poop heads. Peopl...They are overindulged, entitled poop heads. People like that are the reason greed runs rampant in our society. Peace out while you still can.lovesthegirlsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-71447030480695958412010-06-16T09:42:30.628-04:002010-06-16T09:42:30.628-04:00I do their children's laundry once a week, as ...I do their children's laundry once a week, as well as doing general light housekeeping (sweeping, mopping, etc). I do most of the housekeeping while the kids are awake, as well as throw the laundry into the wash/dryer. I then fold everything either while they are sleeping, or start before they go to sleep. I work long days, and if I was in any other job, I would have at least a lunch break. Why should I have to work 10-12 hours straight? Mindsets such as CanadianMoms are irritating and insulting. Just because I work in someone else's home does not mean I do not deserve a break, too.CS Nannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-22076095115660036572010-06-16T09:06:22.635-04:002010-06-16T09:06:22.635-04:00I personally don´t think this is a fireable offenc...I personally don´t think this is a fireable offence unless they´ve asked you repeatedly to do the laundry and it just wasn´t getting done. With all of my last 3 jobs I washed, dried, folded family laundry, kept all of the rooms clean, did the dishes, and still made sure that the children were well taken care of with enough attention and love. We went to the park, played games, read stories etc.. Not to mention the last family had a 3 week old and a 15 month old when I started, the older child with a severe language delay and we spent a good 15 hours per week in different therapy sessions. <br /><br />Bottom line is they´re not asking anything unreasonable of you and I don´t think its neglectful to fold laundry with a 2 year old playing alone. <br /><br />Also depends on how much they´re paying you, I was making quite a bit but if somebody had asked those things of me for say, $10/hr it would be a different story.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313003219248936347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-87971721690354063822010-06-16T06:59:32.195-04:002010-06-16T06:59:32.195-04:00I am a nanny as well and it seems like most family...I am a nanny as well and it seems like most family really dont care to keep the house tidy because they leave it for the nanny. But what you should do next time (since this one seems like its over) is to have the child/children clean up with you. It can get irritating when you just organized something just to see it a mess the next day. Also laundry should never be left for the next day because the clothes get wrinkled. In my experience, I can tell you that I never folded clothes while the kids where taking a nap because by the time you are finish they are awake and you haven't had time to rest your wary feet. I would fold clothes in the presence of kids and have them do an activity that requires them to work on their own (kids need that as well to develope their own independence) In fact when you do laundry in front of children, they also want to do it too, that teaches them responsibility as well as a great skill for when they are older. So I dont agree with Sarah on that one. Please rest assured,good nannies are hard to find and the family wont know what they got until you are gone.Patnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-20404836311568654412010-06-16T06:31:41.111-04:002010-06-16T06:31:41.111-04:00OP Says
When I hired in my main concern ws only t...OP Says<br /><br />When I hired in my main concern ws only the baby. Now because the "work" all the time on their computers- they are lazy and I notice almost everyday that they "have" to work and not spend the extra time with their son. If fact, his dad is purposely gone before the baby wakes- he is unable to leave when the baby wakes- I wonder why- maybe because he sees the baby once a week. Maybe. He starts work early and (b4 8) and gets home late (I leave 630-7) or so. He works till at least 8,9 o'clock at night. And dad had the most complaints.OP saidsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-53883170233437564302010-06-16T05:41:36.984-04:002010-06-16T05:41:36.984-04:00The child is around 2? Is he at the age he wants ...The child is around 2? Is he at the age he wants to help? Give him a damp sponge and let him go to town with wiping things. Making folding laundry into a color matching game with him, or a who does this belong to game, or let's count all towels I've folded! Try to turn it into a game involving the child!<br />There is more than one way to de-fur a feline!<br /><br />Oh! I did have one mom tell me that she didn't want her child learning "menial tasks." I told her to take advantage of the wanting to help stage now 'cause someday she'll be 15 and not want to help with anything!world's best nannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-13716288281325221392010-06-16T05:17:05.542-04:002010-06-16T05:17:05.542-04:00OP, from to what you've said, unfortunately it...OP, from to what you've said, unfortunately it sounds like your employers have made up their minds. You need to start seeking other work now, and please ensure with your next family that all of your duties are clearly outlined and agreed upon (better yet, get a contract) before agreeing to the position! It's very important that your job duties fit with what you personally feel comfortable doing, and feel you can handle. You sound absolutely wonderful, in my opinion, what this family really requires is a nanny AND maid/housekeeper. Several previous posters mentioned that there is simply no pleasing certain people, and I have to agree - from the information you have given, their expectations do sound unreasonable. I also have to wonder if there is something else bothering them that they are not being forthright about (I too, found the statement about you being ungrateful odd and out of place). The best advice I can give you, is to start looking for a new job and ensure you choose a family that truly is seeking a nanny (verses a "house bitch" as Phoenix so accurately put it). If you need closure, ask to sit down and discuss what happened with this family (so you'll have the knowledge in the future) but, I must warn you, they are coming across quite cold and might simply pick you a part. Don't take it to heart, there are plenty of parents that would die to have a nanny as dedicated as you sound!N is for nanny M is for maidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-90394062284665379302010-06-16T04:13:38.851-04:002010-06-16T04:13:38.851-04:00Nom de Plume - you could have gone without the con...Nom de Plume - you could have gone without the condescending attitude. Now the whole thread will be derailed.what thenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-87385000898643199992010-06-16T01:25:21.853-04:002010-06-16T01:25:21.853-04:00We are nannies, first and foremost. Our jobs stop ...We are nannies, first and foremost. Our jobs stop at the end of the child's mess. That doesn't mean we won't clean up occasionally should a pet make a mess or parents are swamped, but we are not cleaning people. There are services for that.<br /><br />OP, do us a favor. Next job, honor yourself. Limit yourself to what you should be doing, caring for the child only. <br /><br />As for the SAHM, good for you. Try walking in a nannies shoes. If you don't feel like doing something, you're at liberty of not doing it. We are not. We hold ourselves to a higher standard. Parents rarely do I've noticed.Nom de Plumenoreply@blogger.com