Posts in Why Nannies Quit
Ask Brooke: How Much Housework is Too Much?

How much housework is too much to ask of your nanny? When does it cross the line from being helpful to being taken advantage of? -- Anonymous

This is a tough question to answer because it's subjective. What one might deem as too much housework, another might feel is fair. That being said, I do believe there is a general industry standard when it comes to this and if a nanny is doing more than the industry standard, they should genuinely consider giving themselves a different title, such as housekeeper/nanny or nanny/personal assistant (which should include a pay raise).

Read More
Advice, Ask Brooke, Communication, Nanny Expectations, Nanny Pay, Nanny Roles, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, daycare, early childhood development, job creep, live-in nanny, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny appreciation, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny duties, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny roles, nanny standards, parents, working moms Comments
This is How a Nanny Share Actually Works!

Here's the deal, I love the idea of a nanny share in concept, however I have never accepted a nanny share job offer because the parents and I have always differed on what exactly that concept is. I have yet to meet a parent who fully understands how a nanny share should work. I know that there are amazing parents out there who know the true definition of a nanny share and do it correctly, but they are few and far between.

Read More
Advice, Communication, Nanny Expectations, Nanny Pay, Nanny Roles, Resources, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, early childhood development, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny appreciation, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny duties, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny love, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny roles, nanny share, nanny share pay, nanny shares, nanny standards, nanny vacation, parents, working moms Comments
Saying Goodbye: A Nanny's Perspective

As a nanny, saying goodbye to a family is one of the most stressful and difficult things to do. Because the nanny-family relationship is both professional and personal, it's emotionally very hard to give notice. It can even be difficult when the nanny has every right to quit due to mistreatment and/or being taken advantage of. I say this with personal experience. Quitting my nanny jobs has NEVER been easy and I've cried just about every time I've done it.

Read More
Advice, All The Feels, Communication, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, early childhood development, live-in nanny, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny family, nanny love, nanny problems, parents, working moms Comments
Featured Friday: Nanny Of The Week -- Lindsay

TGIF everyone!! This feature is extra special to me because Lindsay is a close friend of mine. We randomly met at the park one day while with our nanny kids and have quickly become amazing friends. She is awesome, hard working, genuine, and a talented singer. She's new to the nanny field, but still has valuable things to say as well as some crazy stories. So, read on to learn more about her!

Read More
Featured Friday, Nanny Expectations, Nanny Roles, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, early childhood development, featured friday, late parents nannies, live-in nanny, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny appreciation, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny duties, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny love, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny roles, nanny standards, parents, working moms Comments
For Goodness' Sake, Please Turn On Your AC!

This article idea was pretty impromptu and came to me as I was perusing the many nanny Facebook groups just two days ago. I was shocked to see so many nannies talking about how the parents they work for won't turn on the air conditioning or keep it set at a really high temperature during the day. These posts are especially frequent on Facebook right now because of the heat wave in California and Arizona. One nanny reported the house being 90 degrees inside. Another nanny showed a photo of the thermostat set at 85 degrees and said she wasn't allowed to change it because the dad pops in unexpectedly from time to time.

Read More
Advice, Communication, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, early childhood development, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny standards, parents Comments
Nanny Overtime: Pay Up Or Get Sued

Oh overtime. How I love you and hate you at the same time. I love you because I work hard and I deserve it. I hate you because so many parents ignore their LEGAL obligation to pay it, so I'm stuck deciding whether or not to risk my job by bringing it up or quitting my job because after bringing it up, they still refuse to pay it. And then I'm stuck deciding if I should sue the parents who did it to me -- which would then forever tarnish the relationship, and I love the kids so much. But it's money I deserve. Money I worked hard for. And more than that -- it's about justice. If a family did it to me (someone who very vocally laid out the laws to them and provided them with sources on nanny overtime), they surely are continuing to do it to the nanny after me and will continue doing it to all of their future nannies -- again and again -- until someone says ENOUGH.

Read More
Advice, Communication, Nanny Pay, Nanny Taxes, Overtime, Resources, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny family, nanny overtime, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny standards, nanny taxes, overtime, parents, working moms Comments
Wait. Am I Taking Care Of Your Child Or You?

Nanny

noun | [nan-ee]

1. a person, usually with special training, employed to care for childrenin a household.

It's interesting. Just google the definition of "nanny", and nowhere does it say a person who is employed to care for adults in a household. Yet oftentimes, that's exactly what nannies end up doing. Yes parents, I'm looking at you.

Read More
Advice, Communication, Nanny Expectations, Nanny Pay, Nanny Roles, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, job creep, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny duties, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny roles, nanny standards, parents, working moms Comments
Yes, Your Nanny Should Get Paid To Do "Nothing"

"My nanny has it good. They basically get paid to sit around for 2 hours while my baby naps everyday."

"My wife and I need a sitter this Saturday night. The kids will be asleep the entire time so it's an easy job. Because of this, will you reduce your rate?"

"Since you're only going to be feeding the kids and putting them to bed, can we pay you your usual rate for while they are awake, and then half your rate for when they are asleep? Ya know, because you really won't be doing anything except watching netflix...it's easy money."

Read More
Advice, Favorite, Nanny Expectations, Nanny Pay, Nanny Roles, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselbabysitter, babysitting, childcare, early childhood development, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny appreciation, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny duties, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny pay, nanny problems, nanny roles, nanny standards, parents Comments
Hermits: When Nannies Can't Take The Kids On Outings

One of the main perks of having a nanny is that your child is able to get out and do things. Your child can go on play dates, go to the zoo, story time, music class, etc. Nannies are the most expensive form of childcare and this is one of the luxuries you are paying for when you hire a nanny. If you have a nanny and don't allow them to go anywhere, I honestly have to ask why you have a nanny at all? You would be better off putting your child in daycare. That way, at least your child is getting the socialization that is so vital for early childhood development and you're also saving yourself a lot of money.

Read More
Advice, Communication, Early Childhood Develo..., How Kids Learn, Socialization, Uncategorized, Why Nannies QuitNanny Counselchildcare, early childhood development, how kids learn, mannies, manny, nannies, nannies quitting, nanny, nanny advice, nanny advocate, nanny communication, nanny counsel, nanny expectations, nanny family, nanny problems, parents, socialization Comments