Every year experts weigh in on what to do for those people in your life who care for your children. It is a tricky business for some, when a nanny is really part of your family but she is also an employee. Here are some great ideas!
1. Give her a small percentage of your holiday bonus. An employer once told me that she couldn't have earned this bonus without me and so she shared it with me. The words meant as much as the money- but nothing says love quite the same as cold hard cash!
2. Give her an extra week's pay.
3. Make sure the kids make something for your nanny. Or have a special picture of the nanny and kids framed. Make a video of the kids talking to you about the nanny and all the nice things she does for your family. Every mom treasures those homemade gifts and the nanny does too.
4. Give her a day or two off around the holidays - don't count it against her vacation.
5. Really think about your nanny's interests and hobbies. I would rather have something meaningful to me than an expensive piece of jewelry that I will never wear.
6. Give her the use of your vacation home or frequent flier miles! She won't care that you didn't spend a time- everyone loves to travel.
7. If you aren't sure what to get- give a gift card or cash. There are loads of stories in the nanny world of thoughtless gifts that employers gave the nanny. I don't think families mean to do this- but if you can't think of something that really seems to be special- give a gift card with a personal note of thanks.
It all really boils down to this, nannies want to be thanked and appreciated. They don't stay in this profession for the money, they do it because they love the kids and they are good at helping out the family. Make sure you take the time in this season to let them know you care about them.
Friday, December 07, 2007
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