Be Humble and Stop Bashing Your Employers

Keeping a Humility Checklist

Your attitude directly affects your job performance. Although you can’t be expected to enjoy all of your job duties, when you find yourself complaining to yourself or others about your job, it’s good to remember it is better to be employed than not. Whenever you find yourself complaining or resentful about your employers or job,  it’s important to change those feelings and create a positive outlook.

Sadly, I’ve noticed on most Facebook nanny groups caregivers not only think their opinions are more valuable than other nannies, but seem to nit-pick the parents that employ them. To be the best nanny you cannot waste your time being mad at, or criticizing, your employers.

If you have problems at your job you must go to the source — your employers. While asking for general support and advice from other nannies on social media, and elsewhere, can be helpful, bashing parents to others isn’t an effective way to fix the issues at your job.

It is difficult when the parents have a different child-rearing style than you. Be it sleeping techniques, discipline, or how to potty train the children, nannies must always be humble and remember that we are the employee, and not the parents. You must always respect the parents child-rearing preferences.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you consider some of the job tasks you are asked to do demeaning or beneath you?

2. Do you place the needs of the children in your care above your own?

3. Do you encourage the parent and child bond in the home you work in?

4. Do you compare your job to other people’s jobs? Your pay? Your benefits? Your job duties?

5. Do you share the successes of the children with the parents, or do you claim them for your own? Do you say “We potty trained him” or do you say “I potty trained him?”

6. Do you vent to other people about your employers or your job? 

7. Do you follow the parents’ directives even if you would raise your children differently? 

8. Do you respect the family’s privacy? 

Nannies with a strong work ethic put the needs of the children in their care before their own. They do whatever it takes meet the children’s needs, from changing diapers to cleaning up after a sick child, and always in a respectful way. Nannies with a strong work ethic take pride in themselves and in their work, but are not arrogant or boastful about their accomplishments. They are willing to share the success with all of the people who contributed to it and allow the parents to shine, perhaps even when they should shine brighter.

And I strongly feel, nannies who are able to not judge the parents too harshly and remain humble are happier and more successful employees.