High5 Friday – What Does an Employer Really Want?

As a follow up to last week’s High5, I’d like to venture out and say my opinion of what a Family/Employers really want! Now, please Nannies I know that we will all feel particular and differently on this issue. That is why it is so important to find the family that is a “fit” for you. Over the years of Nannying and Babysitting for many families, I have put together this High5 on what I think are the top 5 things an Employer wants…

Parents want to be kept in the loop. Whether they are gone in Hawaii for the week or working downtown, caring parents will always have their children on their mind. As you spend time with the family, you will find out how much communication and how often it is expected. While I always encourage a Nanny Log – notes about food, medication, activities, etc – there is so much more that you can do to include the family in the children’s day. With today’s technology it is easy to keep in touch. Make a short call when appropriate or send a text of a cute thing the child did. Send a picture or two of the fun you are having. Share the little joys or challenges with with the family in the way that it may benefit the family.

Trust is so important, on both sides. Parents want to know that you will do what you said you would that you are being true with your words. I recently spoke with a family that were letting their Nanny go because they simply did not trust her. She had broken an expensive vase and hidden it rather than telling them. The parents found the vase and wondered if a Nanny was not honest about something this unimportant, how could they be sure they were always getting the truth about their kids. While I do not know that Nanny, I am sure that this could have been a simple mistake, but unfortunately their trust was broken. Trust is more than just being honest. If a Nanny is dependable, parents learn to rely on them. This can be played out by simply being on time and following through. One thing that is different from most other jobs is the issue of showing for work even being sick or in bad weather. At my previous job in youth ministry, I could come in late/flex my schedule and even work from home if I had a migraine (which I get pretty often). As a Nanny, If I don’t make it into work it really affects the parents and their work. In this example, if I came in late to work every time I woke up with a migraine, I would probably lose my job. Of course, I am not saying to always go to work when you are sick or the roads are dangerous, just to be aware how this affects the family and try to be dependable for them. If you are a new Nanny think about how the family needs to rely on you. Do what you can to limit your absence.

Most families expect the Nanny to do some light housework along with their childcare duties. I have heard so many frustrated Nannies say…”I am not a Housekeeper!” And where this seems to be a heavy place of contention, it just goes with the job. Let me give one suggestion here. Set up clear, specific duties ON PAPER, when you start a job. There are endless jobs that can be considered in “light housework”. Issues can come when parent may be thinking one way and you another. Many times duties are added or all of the sudden expected without conversation. When you have the list in writing you can always come back to that. Another thing, be honest about what you are uncomfortable with. One Nanny I know said at an interview “I don’t do windows!”…and you know what? She doesn’t. A different Nanny used to show up to work each Monday to all the families’ laundry piled in one heap on the dining room table. She felt uncomfortable folding the unmentionables of both of her bosses. If there is something you are uncomfortable with, speak up. Also, look for unique ways to be helpful. I try to do little extra things every so often. I must warn you to shake it up on the extra stuff, though. If you start “helping” with something on a regular basis, you may have added it to the list yourself.

I think that parents like to see new ideas, new field trips….new fun! Parents feel good when they know that their children are happy. One family I Nannied for would take trips pretty often. At times I would be at their house for a week at a time. When the weekend came, I would plan creative nights of fun to keep busy, and their minds off missing their parents. They loved being able to choose the movie and the restaurant (although it always ended up being Skyline) – so we did “You Get to Choose” alot. One Halloween we created a haunted house for all the neighborhood kids that lasted for hours into the night. Another time we had a dance party in the kitchen. The kids were busy, happy, and ended up tired – instead of bored and weepy. Not only that but the parents felt at ease.

Last but definitely not least, I would say that parents want their caregivers to simply love their kids. This is probably the easiest for most of us because we don’t really have to think about it. You have chosen this as your career, you better LOVE KIDS! [If you don’t love kids get a new job!] When you genuinely love the kids in your care, they are a priority. You desire not to just do a job, but to impact the lives of these beautiful children. You feel the value of teaching and training. You sacrifice. You treat them like you would your own.What else could a parent want?

I’d love your additional thoughts of what you think a Employer/Parent wants!