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 […]
Many Nannies Show Up for Work, Even When Scared of Being Infected During the Coronavirus Pandemic
April 6, 2020 Leave a Comment
I need an income. What are people not understanding about that? In late March into early April, 2020, How to Be the Best Nanny Blog asked 256 nannies about their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. We learned there is a lot of fear and confusion for many nannies experiencing shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders during the […]
Nannies Show Kids How to Apologize
October 7, 2019
Apologizing to Children We all make mistakes — plenty of them. As nannies we are important role models for the children in our care. It’s important for us to confess and to apologize to children when we make mistakes. Doing so teaches children to do the same. It’s not enough to just say we are […]
Would You Work for a Family that Has Guns in their Home?
August 8, 2019 1 Comment
There seems to be no more hotly debated topic in America at this moment than gun control. No matter a nanny’s opinion on the topic, the reality is that an estimated one-third to one-half of American homes with children have firearms in them. It is a real safety issue for children. All nannies should be […]
Why Kids Don’t Listen When You Say “No”
December 10, 2018 Leave a Comment
Don’t Allow Kids to Negotiate In the book, Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction author Catherine Pearlman explains that giving attention to children doesn’t necessarily mean happier and healthier kids. Selective ignoring bad, attention seeking behaviors helps minimize or eliminate the unwanted behaviors and increases […]
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 […]
What Nannies Should Not Lie About
November 19, 2017 Leave a Comment
Being Open and Honest is Essential to Being Hired and Maintaining Nanny Jobs Of course everyone tells white lies and withholds information at times. There is no point in being brutally honest with people if it will ruin relationships or hurt their feelings. But, being open and honest is essential when job searching and to […]
Being Flexible Vs. Job Creep
September 26, 2016 Leave a Comment
Respecting Professional Boundaries Being flexible and having an attitude of helpfulness is essential to being a successful nanny. But, when pitching-in becomes expected and nannies do more and more chores increasing their job duties, without extra compensation, they often burn-out and become resentful. When employers commonly require increasing amounts of work, relative to the normal […]
