Monday, August 9, 2010

NANC Blog: You know you're a nanny when.....

NANC Blog: You know you're a nanny when.....: "You know you're a nanny when...... ...you have a fairly authoritative, slightly scary 'nanny voice' and it can stop everyone around you in ..."

Monday, July 26, 2010

Is that where I am going to sleep?

Okay,

So I was watching "Bethany is Getting Married" on Bravo Thursday night and there was a part in the episode in which a friend of hers brought over her month old son and her baby nurse aka Newborn Care Specialist and the two friends were enjoying each others company and the baby nurse just observing the conversation and keeping an eye on here lil one. Well the mom of the baby was like this women was a god send and Bethany has to have a baby nurse or NCS before her baby comes home and how she was going to steal this women from her friend. Okay so the espd continues to play out and Bethany is hysterical because she wants to make sure the baby nurse is in place b4 she gets home and of course her hubby is like his parents will be there and she is like okay "AND"!!!

So baby nurse arrives at house and Bethany's assistant is so overjoyed that she is there to rescue her from all the baby issues. The Baby Nurse walks in ans says looking at this let out white love seat "Is this where I am going to sleep?" and assistant says proudly yes!! If looks could kill u could tell this women was very displeased and appalled by her temporary living quarters.

Okay let me get this straight the women that came highly recommended and with probably a long list of previous clients and who is going to be your savior to help you make the transition into mommyhood and help your baby get on schedule, does sleep training for your baby and does all the child related care for you so you can sleep and continue your busy life, is going to sleep in a room with nothing in it and on a pull out couch and you think that is satisfactory!!! GET REAL BETHANY!!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

New Nanny Novel

So I was reading the new Essence Magazine(August 2010) and I came across a new Nanny Novel a brief description of the book was written by Patrik Henry Bass and describes the books like this:


"Lori L. Tharps probably didn't set out to write a modern day horror story. but her first novel Substitute Me (Atria $15), might haunt you for days. In Plausible plot twist, her heroine Zora Anderson 30, accepts a job as a nanny for Kate and Brad a White Couple straight out of a Lands End catalog. When Kate returns to work after maternity leave, all hell breaks lose at home. Both of them increasingly look to Zora for strength, for support with love- although one of them feels latter emotion more strongly than the other."

The book can be found on www.amazon.com and is due out some time in August. I think it will be a fun read for those raining days that the baby or the children are napping and you want to kick back and relax in between washing bottles and folding laundry!!!!!

Shabbat Dinner Invite

Well,
Today I went to spent a couple hours with a family I might consider to work for. They have baby #4 coming on August 3rd via C-Section, if mom makes it. The kids are a lot of fun they are 7,6 and 2, we had a blast today playing with our make believe swords we made out clicks. The 2 year old made me a pretend grill cheese with coffee in her kitchen "very yummy" I got a chance to meet the current Nanny and she was friendly and we got a chance to chit chat while mom took a much needed nap. The one thing I do like about this family is they seem very genuine in their need for some help get themselves organized and really need some help with the kids. They are and observant Jewish family and the house decorum is very simple and observant of their religion. The kids and I talked about Shabbat and the invited me to a Shabbat Dinner and Hanukkah Party!!! Mom and I talked a little bit more about salary and we ironed out some more details. It was good day!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

I have decided to decline your offer

So I decided to call the other family I discussed yesterday about declining their offer for employment and that didn't go well at all.

Family: Hi Shaun how are you I hope your calling with some good news for us!

Me: I am well thank you, I think you have a great family, after careful thinking I have decided that I would like to pursue a different opportunity, I wish you the best of luck of with your search and thank you for offering me the opportuinty to be a part of your family.

Family: May I ask why you have declined our position? Is it the money?

Me: No,its not the salary I just decided to pursue another opportunity, I am very sorry!

Family: Well we turned away a lot of other people in hopes you would accept our position, this is very unprofessional and you could have given us more notice.

Me: Again I am sorry good luck to you and thank you for your time. (I hang up)

>>>RING<<<

Me: Hello

Family: Yes, Shaun this is_____

Me: Yes, how can I help you?

Family: Does this have anything to do with us not letting you speak with our current Nanny?

Me: Like I said I am sorry , but I have decided to pursue another opportunity!

Family: To be honest with you she doesn't know we are looking and we thought it best not to tell her until we found someone.

Me: Well, I think its unfortunate that you have made this decision not to inform your current Nanny that you are not happy with her for what ever reason you may have, and like I said I have decided to pursue another opportunity and I think you should tell your Nanny that you are unhappy with her and that you are looking into other options so she can prepare herself that she is going to be unemployed and start looking for another position. Thank You again and good day!!!


Okay tell me why it is so hard to accept when a Nanny decides not go with your family, I was very professional and polite. I could have been really rude and gave my real reason for me declining, but that would have been unprofessional.

Rule #1 Parents when you are looking for a new Nanny to replace your old. Tell your current Nanny you are looking to replace her and talk to her about your concerns and see if they are rectifiable. Yes, you may have a 50/50 chance she will leave before you find someone to replace her, but eventually your going to run into a Veteran Nanny who will ask to speak with your current Nanny as a reference for the family and if you ignore her request or don't even address the issue it sends off a MAJOR RED FLAG to her.

Rule#2 Just because a Nanny declines your position, don't take it personal she just saying she doesn't feel like its a good fit for her but may be a good fit for someone else.

Rule#3 Keep in mind if you like a particular candidate there is probably another family that likes her just as much, so make sure you have 2-3 other candidates as runners up for your position if your favorite declines.

Rule#4 Make sure you are offering an competitive salary and benefits according to your area and never ever ever quote "DAY CARE" rates, Nannies I repeat don't work for "Day Care Rates"

Rule#5 Make sure what you quote a Nanny is the NET salary and not the Gross and if your not sure check out www.gtm.com and use the Nanny Tax Calculator!!