Since I started working as a nanny in the 1990's both nanny agency staff, my employers, and nanny friends have recommended that I schedule weekly meetings with the parents.
The idea is for the nanny and at least one parent to meet weekly without the children present as an opportunity to talk to one another about the children or any issues that come up about the nanny job. Although most meetings are simple and brief, the idea is to bring up any issues during that time each week.
I think the idea of a weekly meetings is terrific but I have never followed through and actually had a weekly meeting with parents at any of my seven nanny jobs.
Do you have regularly scheduled weekly (bi-weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly) meetings with your employers?
5 comments:
Great concept never works! We get too busy and never seems to work out. We only sit down to talk if parents happen to work from once in a blue moon.
Say we will but never do
Once a week is too much, IMO.
We use e-mails or talk in the a.m./p.m. or on the phone when they check in, but it's always quick, little things.
We do have 3/6/9/12 month -more in depth- sit downs to discuss any issues and how things are going.
I have it written into my work agreement that we will do a formal written job performance review at 3 and 12 months (at 12 month point we will re-new/re-neg. contract and at the time I will be given a bonus and raise.
It's really helped us to resolve any issues quickly as, they are first-time parents, therfore, I am their first nanny and they are still adjusting and learning what they want out of a nanny, and how they want to raise their child.
I hear this all of the time! It's a great idea but it never works because when the parents get home the kids need their attention. People recommend meeting before or after work but that is annoying because it's on my time then.
If you have a micromanaging or critical parent it is advisable so they can "bite their tongue" until the weekly meeting. But I'm not sure if it's realistic.
I have read about weekly meetings and been told to have weekly meetings more times than you possibly could know. I think it's a great thing. I don't think it's realistic. I have been a nanny more than 25 yrs now and never worked out even when we said we would do it.
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