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--------------------Nanny Net
News------------------------
A newsletter for Parents, Nannies and
Agency
Owner
s
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Vol. 3, No. 8
September 2002
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Deborah Smith, Editor
Parents With Nannies, Inc.
Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com
This newsletter is distributed by subscription only. If you
wish to unsubscribe, you can find instructions at the end of
this newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
-----------------
> A
Note from the Editor
> Sweepstakes
> Ask
the Experts
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A
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Hello Everyone,
This issue is a little
different in that we are in search of information rather than
disseminating info for the most part.
We are in the process of putting together several helpful
articles and would like your input.
The first article is on
Battling Burnout. Burnout
is such a common complaint among many nannies and families, we’d like
to offer tips on how to keep things from getting boring, how to make
each day new, how planning helps make the work week flow better, etc.
If you have some helpful tips or feedback on keeping things
interesting and exciting for nanny and kids, please share your stories
by emailing me at Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com.
We have a great Ask the Experts Q & A on this topic in this
month’s issue if you need ideas right now.
The second
story we are working on was born out of a news report I caught the tail
end of last week The
report claims that over 4000 nannies are out of work in the
US
and that those who are working are settling for much lower wages.
This took me by total surprise and I like to think that I have a
finger on the pulse of the nanny industry.
It would really be helpful to hear from nannies, agency owners
and parents on this one. If you have also seen the report and know where
I can access a story online, please write. Personally, have you seen a
substantial decline in nanny jobs since 911 and the economy slow down?
What has been your experience?
Deborah Smith, Editor
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August
Sweeps
The winner of the 2003 “Look What I Did Today”
Infant/Toddler Journal is Georgiana Teide of Logan, UT.
Congratulations
Georgiana. You’ve won a terrific journal
that allows childcareproviders an easy way to more effectively
communicate the daily activities of the children in their care. Enjoy.
Enter
here: http://4nanny.com/Sweepstakes.htm
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Ask the
Experts Q & A
Q: How do you know if your Nanny is getting burn-out?
She's been with us for two years and my son is four now. She has always
been strict about cleaning up and not making a mess but now it seems
that consumes her whole day. If my son gets out a toy after she picked
all the toys up she gets angry with him. She doesn't seem to be having
fun or being silly anymore. In the past it seemed like she enjoyed her
job
more. When I've asked her about this she says she doesn't feel
appreciated
any longer and if I want to fire her I should just do it. This took me
totally
off guard. We are scheduled to have a meeting next week and I'm not
sure how it will progress. What factors do I run into if I have to
replace a nanny
considering my sons age? Please, any advice is appreciated.
A:
Well first of all, if your nanny made a statement like "If you have
to fire me just do it, there is obviously a problem there that she is
not talking about. If your nanny has been good with your son and you
want to keep her, then I suggest that the two of you have a heart o
heart talk.
Ideally, a meeting like this would take place on neutral territory while
your son is with a baby sitter or relative so that you can focus your
attention on the relationship between you and your nanny.
Sometimes it is hard for nannies to realize that their job changes as
your child changes and grows. Maybe your nanny just needs some
inspiration for fun things to do with 4 year olds. Maybe you could let
her take your son to a craft store or game store to find some age
appropriate activities that they would both like to do together. Does
your nanny work a lot of hours? Does she have a life beyond her job?
These are all things that affect a nanny's happiness on her job.
Your nanny should really be teaching your four year old how to help
clean up his messes instead of doing it all for him. If he helps, he
will learn that when you make a mess you clean it up. I believe that
these are the kinds of things that nannies teach whether they intend to
or not.
If your nanny says she does not feel appreciated, then you need to talk
about it and maybe come to some resolutions about how you can let her
know she is appreciated. Sometimes just a simple inexpensive gift goes a
long way to letting your nanny know that you realize she is important to
your family. Have you ever taken a picture of your nanny, maybe at the
beginning of the day as opposed to the end, when her make up is fresh,
her hair is combed etc, with your son, and framed it for her? This is a
lovely way to say "We know you are an important person in the life
of our child"
If you talk, and conclude that your nanny does not want to be there
anymore, then it is probably time to find a new nanny for your son.
A new nanny is traumatic for a child at any age but hopefully you can
have a peaceful parting and transition a new nanny in gradually if you
and the nanny decide to part ways.
Do you intend to maintain a relationship with the old nanny if she
leaves?
Do you think that you can come to a mutual agreement about her notice
etc?
If you can make this a positive event for your son, it is better for
him, but the fact of the matter is that partings are often emotional and
not happy events, and my advice is to take the high road as much as you
can. (I would give the same advice to a nanny, regardless of the
circumstance)
There is a lot more that I could say on either of these subjects, so if
you would like more advice once you talk to your nanny and figure out
which direction you are going, feel free to write again.
There is a tip sheet for leaving a family at www.nannyassociation.com/leaving
There is also a tip sheet for communication at www.nannyassociation.com/communication
I hope this is helpful.
Please let me know how it all works out.
Sincerely
Glenda Propst
Join
NAN
!
"run
by nannies for nannies...since 1992"
www.nannyassociation.com
_______________________________________________
Ask the Experts
Q: Could you
please tell me what is the best way for a young toddler to warm up to a
new nanny. Especially if people that the child knows is always
around such as grandma and the maid who already know the baby.
What if the baby is taken and comforted by a familiar face whenever
he/she cries? Will the toddler ever adjust to a new nanny?
Please help I am having second thoughts.
A: The new nanny should be gradually introduced to
the Toddler. If the Toddler is having trouble adjusting, don't try to
force yourself on him. Let him come to you in his own time.
You might try finding something interesting to play with and see if he
will approach you. When he does, try to give him his space to warm up.
Try to spend some time alone with him but talk to the parents and let
them know that if you are going to be taking care of him, you need to
learn how to deal with and comfort him when he is crying.
He will never transition if Grandma and the Maid swoop in and
"rescue" him.
You need to talk to the parents about the authority you need to have
over this situation. After all, if they are not going to let you do your
job, what is the point of you being there?
Have you planned some special things to do with the child? If not, you
might want to think about a nature walk, or an outing to the park, or a
simple craft project.
Toddlers love to take a small bucket of water and a paint brush and
paint. It entertains them and it is a "no clean up" mess.
You might want to go to www.kidsdomain.com and check out age appropriate
crafts for that specific age group.
It sounds like you might be the new kid on the block. It is very
important to establish communication with the parents early on.
In last month’s nannynetnews, there was a communcation article. You
can visit the website at 4EverythingNanny.com to read the past issue.
I hope it helps.
Let me know how it is working out.
Glenda
Propst
Join
NAN
!
"run
by nannies for nannies...since 1992"
www.nannyassociation.com
______________________________________________________________
Q:
I am trying to find out the tax situation for a nanny who will
live out and will be earning approx. $200 per week for 25 hours in VT.
I don't know if I am supposed to take taxes out and if so what? I
am pretty sure I have to pay unemployment tax but am not sure how much?
A: You are
right - you have payroll and tax responsibilities when you hire a nanny.
You are required to obtain federal and state household employment tax
ids. You must withhold taxes each pay period from your nanny's pay
- social security, medicare, federal income taxes, state income taxes.
You must also pay employer taxes - social security, medicare, federal
unemployment tax, state unemployment tax - which total 10% over and
above you nanny's salary. You must remit all taxes for you and
your nanny quarterly to the state and IRS along with the appropriate
forms. You can also take advantage of a tax break, The Dependent
Care Account, which will save you between $2000 - $2500 annually.
The process is somewhat cumbersome, unfortunately, but we offer a
service to take care of it cost-effectively. If you have
additional questions about the process, please feel free to give us a
call.
Stephanie Breedlove
Breedlove & Associates
(888)273-3356www.breedlove-online.com
_______________________________________________________
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