Starter Nanny Tips

Don't you wish that you had a Fairy God Mother (F.G.M.) ? Someone who would tap you on the shoulder/bash you on the head and try to warn you before you get in WAY over your head. I sure as heck wish I did, not that I would listen to her, I of course know EVERYTHING!
When I decided to become a nanny I didn't go into it with eyes wide shut, but I may as well have. I had no idea what I was getting into. I just figured that my skills and natural talent at child care would be enough to carry me to a great family where I would spend my days playing and teaching children from my infinite wealth of knowledge.
HA! I pretty much got eaten alive out there! My first 'real' nanny job was a placement in England (yes I went international!) with a family that was obviously used to hiring nannies. I interviewed and they all but jumped on me to ensure that they would get me. (They could probably smell the naivete off of me from 500 miles away!)
I knew within a month that I was nothing more than chum in a house full of sharks. This came to me as the 8 year old boy (as tall as me!) shoved me across the room and I responded with 'Please don't push me ---! I don't like it and it hurts my feelings. If you do it again I am going to have to put you on the naughty step.' He looked at me like I was a joke (which I kind of was) and walked away to do what ever he wanted to do.
I finally left after being asked to clean up the urine of said previous boy after he decided he didn't 'feel' like peeing in the toilet. (Rolls Eyes) I gave my notice that day and checked it under lesson learned.
So I am here to be someone else' F.G.M. Here is a list of things I have learned over the past decade. (Trust me I am sure that there are more things I have yet to learn!)

1) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
2) Ensure that the hours are listed and that any over time is paid.
3) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
4) Advertise only what you are REALLY willing to do (ie. If you can't picture yourself cleaning the whole house every week don't say you are willing to do so)
5) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
6) Realize that just because you are great with children doesn't mean you are great with all ages. You could be great with school age but the concept of sitting around with a baby that doesn't do anything could bore the pants off of you or vice versa.
7) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
8) Ensure that you get confirmation of the exact number of children you will be taking care of and that if more are added you WILL be paid for them.
9) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
10) Have a contingency plan in case that 'perfect' job becomes not so perfect (even if that means a plane ticket home, or emergency money in case you need to leave in the night and can get a hotel room)
11) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
12) Speak your mind. If something isn't right, let the family know right away.
13) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
14) Be in control of the situation. Don't let the children 'smell' your fear... if they do you are toast!
15) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
16) If you live-in please ensure that your 'quarters' are up to what you expect (do you need a private bathroom? television? larger bed?)
17) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
18) Don't get sucked in with their 'like a part of their family' ploys. Although there are some legitimate families out there, most of them use this ploy to get you to do 'little' extras for them since you are 'part of the family' while ensuring that it doesn't cost them anything.
19) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
20) While it is always good to get bonded with the children under your care, it is healthy to step back at the end of the day and realize that in the end it is just a job.
21) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
22) Taking time for yourself will help to stave off burn out symptoms.
23) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
24) Always avoid gossiping about your employers (word always gets back around)
25) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
26) Don't be afraid to move wherever a great family is, they are few and far between.
27) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
28) Unless there is a desperate reason to leave the family, staying at least a year at each position shows future employers that you have 'staying' power.
29) ALWAYS GET A DETAILED CONTRACT!
30) References are important, having between 2-3 reliable job references will help you breeze through the interview process.

In case you haven't noticed or are totally clueless I tended to repeat the importance of detailed contracts. I am only now realizing what can happen when you don't have a detailed contract and let me tell you that it ain't pretty! What it means is that the family does not have to stay within a certain boundary. They tend to 'job creep' you, (ie. slowly adding more and more jobs to your plate) and are rarely home on time without the benefit of overtime payments.
If there is only one thing you take away from you F.G.M. then please let it be the contract. Everything else can be learned pretty painlessly... but the contract will rip your heart out.

Have a great weekend!

Next Blog's Topic:
How-to Write a Contract.

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