Your nanny is a valuable part of your family unit. They provide love and care for your children while you’re away and the trust you have for them is deeply personal. So, if your nanny starts showing signs that they are not happy, or that there is discontentment in the job, it may be confusing and upsetting for you. Here are some signs that your nanny is not content and some ideas on how to fix that.
#1: Behavior changes.
If your nanny starts showing up late, disengages from her work, or is irritable more often with your children, there may be a problem with discontentment that needs to be addressed. Perhaps the nanny is struggling with something outside of work, but if you are concerned that it is impacting her behavior in their nanny role, you should start a conversation right away.
#2: The nanny is distracted.
If you have noticed that your nanny is distracted all the time, or you have had friends share that they have seen the nanny distracted or disengaged while at the park or in public with your children, this could be a sign that they are checking out and discontent in the job.
If you notice unusual behavior from your nanny, the first step is to address it in a heartfelt – not aggressive – conversation. Be open and willing to hear what they have to say. Sometimes, they may not be content with the wages and benefits they’re getting from you and a discussion about salary and a raise needs to happen. Perhaps the schedule and demands that you have put on the position are too much – this also needs to be discussed right away.
There are a variety of different scenarios that could cause discontentment with your nanny, and if you don’t work on resolving them, you could risk having them quit completely. This would put you back to square one of interviewing a new nanny and introducing them to your family, which is a lot of work, and disruptive to your children.
So, to help avoid nanny discontent, do what you can to express your utmost gratitude and appreciation for the work your nanny does. Be sure to treat her with respect, offer fair and legal compensation, and commit to having an open door for concerns and communication. The result is a happier, more content nanny that is willing to give their best to your children and your family for years to come.