April 26 11

We picked up our new nanny at 3pm. She got into the car and she was just as sweet as I remember her from the initial interview. The kids were all aflutter with stories and questions for her. I could barely get a word in edgewise. We pulled up the driveway and brought her suitcases inside. I gave her a quick tour and showed her the important things – how to use the dishwasher, the vacuum, the washer and dryer.

And then….

I offered her a coffee and we sat down at the table to drink.

How had I forgotten how to be an employer? How is it that I was more comfortable having a coffee date with my new nanny than putting her to work on my kitchen that so desperately needed some TLC and some scrubbing? How is it that I couldn’t bring myself to tell her what to do? I mean, this is the person I am paying to watch my children and clean my house. It’s her JOB. I went upstairs to HIDE regroup.

And then I came downstairs with The Orientation Booklet that I put together for her. I mean, I remember getting one of those for my last job, why shouldn’t NannyCora get one too?! Inside I included information about my children; their names, birthdays, likes, dislikes. I included names and numbers of friends and family. I included a sample of a daily schedule; weekly schedule; monthly schedule. I included healthy after-school snack ideas. I included maps of the neighborhood and places to visit. I included my expectations of her as an employee.

I put a magnetized notepad up on the fridge; it’s a place for her to put notes, a place for her to tell me what foods she likes to eat and what supplies need replenishing.

I left her alone with the three kids to get acquainted. I listened from the top of the stairs to hear them chatting about Passover and the movie Rio and Emily’s guitar lessons and her role in Hairspray. There was lots of gabbing and lots of giggling.

I had her assist while making dinner so she could learn to cook one of our once-a-week family staples.

After dinner I went upstairs to bathe the two younger kidlets. When I came downstairs, I walked into a completely spotless kitchen.

After that I went upstairs to talk to my children. “Mama. We REALLY like NannyCora.”

Perhaps I *am* doing something right after all.

But I am still offering her a coffee tomorrow morning.

 

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  1. She sounds perfect! Just don’t let her go to the park. 🙂

    Comment by alison on April 26, 2011
  2. hahah Alison…I totally told her her the nanny snatching story so she doesn’t get any ideas! hee!

    Comment by ali on April 26, 2011
  3. Yay for your new nanny! I’m a little envious. 🙂

    Comment by Loukia on April 26, 2011
  4. I think that makes you a great employer.

    Comment by Tamara on April 26, 2011
  5. We went through the live-in caregiver program too and we treat our live-in nanny like family.

    In fact, she and I had a drink last night after the munchkin went to bed.

    And I was not nearly so organized as putting together an orientation manual – I just printed out a copy of our babysitter instructions, hand wrote my new work number on it and pinned it to our kitchen cork board.

    Comment by Nicole on April 27, 2011
  6. awesome, you must be breathing a huge sigh of relief! Does she live-in or just arrive right in time for morning coffee? I need a nanny lol!!

    Comment by Sarah on April 27, 2011
  7. Yay for NannyCora!

    Comment by Kristabella on April 27, 2011
  8. When I was a kid my mother and our housekeeper used to sit at the kitchen table and have coffee and cigarettes. It’s hard to employ people in your home — it’s tough to know where to draw lines, but there’s nothing wrong with sharing coffee and a chat. Hope your new nanny works out.

    Comment by feefifoto on April 27, 2011
  9. Awww…I think you’ve found a great fit!

    And sitting with her and being friendly in true Ali style is the sign of a GREAT employer. 🙂

    Comment by Angella on April 27, 2011
  10. I need a NannyCora.

    Comment by Mama Bub on April 27, 2011
  11. I love that you gave her an orientation booklet – such a great (& totally helpful) idea.

    Nothing wrong with a cup of coffee with your new nanny, its a great way to get to know her. I hope things work out.

    Comment by monstergirlee on April 27, 2011
  12. Sounds like the best of both worlds! yay for the new nanny!

    Comment by Sensibly Sassy on April 27, 2011
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