Getting a total knee replacement was the best upgrade I’ve ever made. I went from a creaky antique knee to a high-performance model in just a few hours. Working as a nanny with a bad knee had become nearly impossible. Stairs had become my mortal enemy, playgrounds felt like painful obstacle courses, and even a […]
10 Things to Do When You Lose Your Nanny Job
October 31, 2023 Leave a Comment
Getting laid off from a nanny job is always stressful. Losing income is scary when you have bills to pay. Missing the children can be devastating. The best way to pay bills until you find a new job is to apply for any state benefits you are entitled to. The best medicine for missing a […]
Importance of Last Impressions for Nannies and Parents
August 27, 2020 Leave a Comment
Respecting Professional Boundaries Years ago Sue Downey of Nannypalooza wrote “Taking the High Road When Leaving a Nanny Job” I published on my web site. She explains nannies should remain professional and give proper notice at their job because the last impression nannies make when leaving a job will be the memories parents remember most […]
How Nannies Should Respond When Someone Asks, “When Are You Going to Get a Real Job?”
May 28, 2018 Leave a Comment
“Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” — Harvey MacKay After working as a nanny for 25 years I know all to well that much of our society does not value nannies. As with most jobs in childcare in the United States, nannies are often undervalued. The […]
I am a Nanny, Not a Marriage Counselor
June 20, 2016 Leave a Comment
Parents: Don’t Complain About Your Spouse to Household Staff There is nothing more uncomfortable for a nanny then to hear a parent employer complain to them about their significant other. All marriages have ups and downs. All couples argue and annoy one another once in awhile. And even when parents don’t openly air their grievances […]
Be Humble and Stop Bashing Your Employers
June 3, 2016 Leave a Comment
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 […]
Do the Kids You Care for Talk-Back?
January 10, 2015 Leave a Comment
How to Respond to Disrespectful Behavior I confess when a teen talks-back it enrages me. I know it’s normal for youngsters to whine and for tweens to be moody so why do I have so much difficulty dealing with a teen that talks-back? I typically react emotionally wanting to defend myself and I am ashamed […]
Reduce Stress by Not Overreacting
March 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Nannies Help Reduce Parental and Child Stress When adults are stressed-out, the kids in their care get stressed-out. Raising a family is stressful. When nannies help parents, they help reduce both their employer’s and their charges’ stress levels. Stress in children can be detrimental to a child’s health and development. The body reacts to stressful […]
Nannies and Kids Need the Parents’ Help with Homework
March 4, 2014 Leave a Comment
Nanny Confessions: I Need the Parents to Help with Homework Too Obviously when working as a nanny I must ensure that the kids in my care do their homework. But, I confess I resent it if I am the only adult helping the kids with their homework. I confess that I need the parents support and […]
Hurry Sickness, Time Stress and Rushaholics
February 25, 2014 1 Comment
Nanny Confessions: Relaxing the Grip on Time I confess, when working as a nanny I often feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to do all I need do at my job. But, it isn’t healthy for me, or the kids I care for, to be burdened by time pressure. Being around tense […]
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