Ten Things...

 Be The Best Nanny  released a list of the top ten things your nanny will never tell you.

I decided to respond.


1. Nannies are not your maid.

To a certain extent, nannies feel the responsibility/want to clean up around the areas the child has destroyed but no, we're not maids. This is not the Real Housewives of Miami, we do not clean out your closet. Most of my families luck out because I'm a complete OCD neat freak when it comes to certain things but I have actually been reprimanded in the past for cleaning up. If you expect your nanny to deep clean, you need to have that conversation at the interview. Like cooking, some nannies might not be into it.

2. Nannies need a vacation.

Yes! Here's my issue. I'm "part time" with 2 families but really I see one family 5 days a week (every morning at 6:45am) and the other 3 (normally Tues, Thursday, and Friday). A vacation would be amazing and a possibly once a year paid vacation would probably bring me to tears. It’s easy for nannies to feel a responsibility to your family and not to even feel comfortable asking. Bring it up in conversation with your nanny. Care about their wellbeing... they are taking care of your prize possession.


3. Parents need to discipline your children.

I constantly wish I could say this. My most recent issue is with Lily's time outs... or lack there of. I get it. It’s hard. But when you decide to have kids you need to realize how much work goes into it. A 3 minute time out may take you 30 minutes the first few times but no kid is going to take time outs happily, that's the point. And if you expect me to discipline her 3 days a week, it won't work if you aren't doing it the other 4. Waiting too long to discipline your kids hurts the issue. Others might tell you the behavior is cute right now but let me tell you a secret: next year they’ll me taking behind your back about what a brat your kid is.

4. Nannies want a raise.

Yes, again, in the most logical and respectful ways. After a year, or even 6 months, a raise would be normal in any profession. And if you've added in another child, a raise would also make sense. I hate when parents wait until I bring it up. I'm terrible at money talk. Please just have respect and don’t make me beg for every dollar. I like to give families the illusion that I would watch their kid for free. No one wants to think their nannies are in it for the cash.

5. They see other nannies yelling at — or ignoring — other children.

I've never seen nanny abuse but I have seen nannies either take advantage of a situation or ignore a child. I see nannies regularly taking the child to the park so they can spend the day with their own kids and leave the child in their stroller for naptime causing hell for anyone who wants the kid to nap in her crib. Some nannies are amazing and some suck. I'm amazed at what people put up with from their employees.

6. That Christmas present? They hated it.

I've loved all the presents I have received. They have always been thoughtful. Except for when I got a $15 gift card for a child I was with 30 hours a week that was a living nightmare. I felt slightly under appreciated but reminded myself that I'm lucky to have a job because many don’t.

7. Your kids need more attention … from you.

Again, my parents are pretty great with their kids, for the most part. But I have come home to my boyfriend and said "I just want to yell "spend more time with your kid!!" There's one family I see randomly and they seem to have a nanny working at all times and rarely even see the children. The mother is now pregnant with a second. I'm speechless. A friend of mind is going back and forth on getting a nanny soon for the newborn or being a stay at home mom. I told the father that you have to be ok with knowing that someone else will see all the firsts. If I were their nanny I would lie, or neglect to divulge information, when I thought it was the first. I like parents to experience that rather than coming home and being like “darn, I missed it.”

8. Your kid has a developmental problem.

Yikes. Been here; A few times. It’s very awkward. Definitely not my place to say a word but I usually try to fit it in politely. Even when asked I usually dance around it and recommend seeing a pro.

9. It is not OK when you don't pay on time.

Unless I'm asked ahead of time, this pisses me off. For obvious reasons.

10. Nannies want to be treated with respect.

It’s ridiculous that this is even on the list. But I guess this includes: Sometimes we are uncomfortable. There is a difference between being casual or even friends with your nanny and making them uncomfortable. I have a dad that is recently making me VERY uncomfortable by walking around with no shirt on and constantly standing too close to me. I'm your 25 year old female nanny... it's weird... back off.

I was googling and I found a few sites that covered more NANNY NEVER TELLS... Reader's Digest has a great one!