Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Standards: Have you set them?
The vast majority of families are quite satisfied and content with their nanny arrangements. There are some families, however, who never seem to get the right match.
I hear a litany of common complaints. Do any of these sound familiar?
I often ask the family "Does your nanny have a written job description? Does she have a clear list of childcare and housekeeping responsibilities? Does she know what your standards are?" All too often the family 'assumes' that the nanny just 'knows' what is expected of her.
If you find yourself in a less than satisfactory arrangement, consider what you can do to either repair the situation or to find a more satisfactory arrangement going forward. Take the time to work up the job description. Articulate what is important to you. Establish your standards. Check them for reasonableness - or better yet have a friend or colleague whose opinion you trust check them for you. Communicate. Correct you employee when standards are not met. Praise your employee for a job well done.
I hear a litany of common complaints. Do any of these sound familiar?
- Our nanny spends so much time watching TV and never gets things done.
- It is so discouraging to find dried clothes left in the dryer every day (or dishes in the dishwasher). Why can't our nanny finish the task?
- I love it that our nanny does crafts with the kids, but there is always such a mess to clean up later.
I often ask the family "Does your nanny have a written job description? Does she have a clear list of childcare and housekeeping responsibilities? Does she know what your standards are?" All too often the family 'assumes' that the nanny just 'knows' what is expected of her.
If you find yourself in a less than satisfactory arrangement, consider what you can do to either repair the situation or to find a more satisfactory arrangement going forward. Take the time to work up the job description. Articulate what is important to you. Establish your standards. Check them for reasonableness - or better yet have a friend or colleague whose opinion you trust check them for you. Communicate. Correct you employee when standards are not met. Praise your employee for a job well done.
