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Do parents expect too much from their Nanny ?
As a first time Nanny I have found it sometimes difficult to complete all required tasks for my family, as happens with children, the day never seems to go as planned no matter how organised you are. The family that I work for are understanding of this and as long as the children are happy and well cared for don’t have a problem if the washing isn’t folded or the dished aren’t put away. However speaking to other Nannies at the playground not all families are as kind and forgiving as the one I work for.
I was just interested if people had any stories they wanted to share and offer advice on how they dealt with difficult situations.
Also just to remind parents that Nannies do the best that they can and that just because it is their job not everything can be done in one day. Sometimes children just need to be cuddled so the washing will have to wait
I was just interested if people had any stories they wanted to share and offer advice on how they dealt with difficult situations.
Also just to remind parents that Nannies do the best that they can and that just because it is their job not everything can be done in one day. Sometimes children just need to be cuddled so the washing will have to wait
Views: 18
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Berardi on -
I agree it is totally children first, washing can wait.
I am very lucky, i work 4 kind people who only want their children looked after no washing cleaning etc, just bathe kids play feed etc!!!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by April Lorrie on -
Advice rom one who has been in the childcare industry a very long time.....say these things to prospective employers up front....ie "The children will be my first priority, I will endeavour to complete as many other tasks as I can however if the children need me, the other tasks may have to wait." Sometimes people have much higher expectations of another's ability than their own....very few mums can get everything done everyday and still spend really good quality time with the children. In my own case, I have a system which until the new bub came into care worked beautifully.....now it seems as though I never get every room looking great all on the same day!
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Permalink Reply by lulu on -
Oh boy can I relate! I worked as a Nanny for 10 years before becoming a FDC provider, and I had some terrible experiences. Mostly when I first started out and had little experience though. I was in many jobs where the emphasis was on having the house clean first, caring for the children second. After a couple of years though, I met other Nannies and realized it doesn't have to be that way. I realized that I need to make sure I am working in an environment where I am appreciated for my child care skills and the fact that the parents were coming home to happy healthy fulfilled children... not my ability to fold hospital corners on beds or clean windows. After a few years I got to the point where I felt like I was interviewing the family as much as they were interviewing me. If it became clear that the family wanted an emphasis on cleaning and not the children, I would politely thank them for their time but let them know that I don't think the role they are offering is the sort of position I was looking for. If they pressed the point I would recommend they re-advertise their role as a Nanny/Housekeeper position so they get applicants who are happy to make cleaning a priority. Luckily for me, the last 7 years of my Nannying career were fabulous. I found families who's parenting standards and priorities were the same as mine, and as they were such lovely families, if there was a load of washing that needed doing, or dishes that needed putting away, I nearly always found the time to get it done for them. But if I couldn't, I knew it wasn't an expectation anyway so I never had to feel as though I'd let them down.
If I were to meet a Nanny starting out now, I would strongly recommend that they be very careful about who they work for and make sure they are not just going to be glorified cleaners. We are child care professionals and deserve to be treated as such!
Lulu x
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Linsley on
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Before I worked as a Family Carer I too worked for a wonderful lady who had recently become seperated from her husband with one baby and a 2yr old.How lucky was I no house chores just look after the children but as they both slept so much I would do some washing and the dishes tidy up get some milk etc if she had run out I stayed with her until I was about to have my baby. Wonderful lady But sadly some parents do expect too much a lot of the time they themselves wouldn't do what they expect. So you have to be a bit careful who you work for and remember that you are just as important to them they need you they really do.!!!
Melissa Berardi said:I agree it is totally children first, washing can wait.
I am very lucky, i work 4 kind people who only want their children looked after no washing cleaning etc, just bathe kids play feed etc!!!!!!!
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