I was checking my Google alerts when I came across this article, I Don't Like Spanking My Kids, But I Do It Anyway. (She mentions her new full time nanny so it showed up in my mailbox. She’s not someone I would normally read.) The gist is all in the title; she doesn’t “like” to spank but she does out of what she sees as necessity. Now I am 100% against spanking. No exceptions. I don’t think hitting a child ever teaches them anything helpful. However I’m also a big supporter of … [Read more...]
We’re Going Through a Rough Spot
A nanny / family relationship is similar in many ways to a marriage. Things start our wonderfully and pretty much stay that way throughout the honeymoon period. Then real life sets in and some of the shine wears off. Not every expectation is met, feelings get hurt, hot buttons get pushed, each party is at times selfish, clueless and annoying. And like marriage, this is normal. It doesn’t mean it’s time to break-up, it doesn’t mean you made a bad choice, it doesn’t mean it’s never … [Read more...]
Nanny Bonuses: The Nanny’s Perspective
It’s that time of year again. In the past week I’ve read 8 or 10 articles giving advice on the end-of-year bonus or tip for your nanny. (First thought: it’s never a good idea to use the word “tip” when talking about the person who cares for your child every day.) But the nanny bonus isn’t as simple as picking a number that seems about right, writing a check and sticking it in a card. Most employers would be surprised at how much the nanny bonus impacts the long term success of the … [Read more...]
Accept, Talk, or Walk: Deciding What To Do In Emotionally Charged Situations
You find yourself facing a situation that you know you should do something about but you’re just not sure what. It could be with an inconsiderate family member, a selfish friend, a disrespectful employer, an over-the-top demanding client, a good-hearted but snail's paced contractor, or any number of types our lives intersect with every day. Or it could have nothing to do with the other person and just be a situation that pushes your buttons. You know, those things we’re hyper-sensitive to … [Read more...]
