Nanny Confessions By Stephanie Felzenberg Nanny, Editor How to Be the Best Nanny Everyone is on a budget, or at least should be. Although there is often a stereotype that parents that hire nannies are wealthy, some parents that hire nannies to care for their children are struggling to make ends meet. But, nanny employers should […]
Nanny Confessions: Give Nannies the Credit They are Due
May 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
A Little Praise Can Go a Long Way My nanny confession today is that a little praise can go a long way. I confess when employers forget, or choose not to, credit their nannies for their hard work to others, it can create resentment. It can hurt employees’ feelings when they aren’t given the credit […]
Nannies Don’t Want to Clean Up Their Boss’s Messes Monday Morning
April 23, 2013 1 Comment
Nanny Confessions By Stephanie Felzenberg, Nanny and Editor of How to Be the Best Nanny Nannies work in a service industry and they are at-will employees. Although caring for children is their priority, it is normal for nannies to do some housekeeping, even if they do not want to. The best nannies try to keep […]
I Like Keeping Kids in a Safe Nanny Bubble
April 16, 2013 1 Comment
Nanny Confessions: Don’t Talk to Kids About the Boston Bombings Unless They Ask I am so thankful that my employers don’t allow their kids to watch television while I am working. Yesterday, I had a great day with the kids. We went on playdates, to classes, and to sports practice in the fresh Spring air. I […]
Nanny Confessions: It’s Easy to Misinterpret Notes
March 19, 2013 Leave a Comment
Communicate Face-to-Face, Not in NotesBy Stephanie Felzenberg, Nanny and Editor of Be the Best Nanny Newsletter Nannies are encouraged to record what happens during their work day in a daily log. But, if nannies don’t choose their words wisely their written comments can be misinterpreted as judgmental, condescending, or patronizing (not the tone an employer […]
Nanny Confessions: Bringing Up Problems to Parents
March 12, 2013 1 Comment
Should Nannies Offer Advice to Parents Before Being Asked for Advice? By Elizabeth Hawksworth I was speaking to a friend about how hard it is to bring up potential concerns to parents about their kids. My friend thought a child appeared to have torticollis and she was asking me if I would say anything to the parents […]
Nanny Confessions: Be Honest When Your Child Is Sick
March 5, 2013 1 Comment
How Many Paid Sick Days Do You Get Each Year? By Elizabeth Hawksworth I have had a bad tooth infection this week and it reminds me of all the times I have looked after children when I felt under the weather. I always let my employers know if I am really sick because I might […]
Nanny Confessions: I Don’t Like Children’s TV Shows
February 26, 2013 3 Comments
What are Your Favorite and Least Favorite Children’s Television Shows?By Elizabeth Hawksworth Unless it’s raining or a child in my care doesn’t feel well I do not turn the television on while working. There are many other things I can be doing with my charges, like crafts, reading books, going to the park, or playing […]
Respecting Professional Boundaries for Nannies
February 25, 2013 7 Comments
You are a Nanny, Not a Family Member When the nanny-child-parent relationship is satisfactory for everyone it is easy for parents to praise their employees and affectionately call them “members of the family.” But, the reality is that being a nanny is a job. To keep nannies hard-working, reliable, and respectful of the employers’ wishes, […]
