Children Can Do Chores

Contributed by Pat Cascio, Morningside Nannies, Houston, TX.

Houston’s FOX 26 News called me on the 6th of May and asked if I would do a segment on getting kids to do their chores. I sent emails to a few of my International Nanny Association friends that are professional nannies in various cities across the nation asking for their advice. They shared wonderful ideas with me on the techniques that they found to be most successful. This article is based on my experience as a mother of four daughters as well as the advice of six very wise nannies. (See credits below.)

Where to Start
First of all, as a parent or nanny, you must set a good example. Do you have a place for everything and everything in its place, or do you drop your purse or keys on the first surface you find when you walk in the door? Do you leave unopened mail lying around for days on end? Do you drop your dirty clothes on the bedroom floor or on a chair every evening? Are your shoes left in front of the sofa over night? Is your glass left on the end table? Are you too tired to clean up the dinner dishes before going to bed? Do you throw a load of laundry in the washer when you realize that you need a certain item the next day? Do you leave clothes as they come out of the dryer in a heap until you get around to folding the laundry? Do you let the old newspapers pile up on the floor rather than putting them in the recycle bin?

Read more about Children and Chores at the Morningside Nannies blog ....

How to Impress

by Pat Cascio, Founder and Director of Morningside Nannies, Houston, TX. Former president of the International Nanny Association and APNA’s 2008 Agency of the Year

Professional nannies take workshops on salary, benefits and contract negotiations. They discuss child development theories, how to best handle a colicky baby and how to manage the unmanageable child.

I am not a child care expert but I am an expert nanny interviewer! I have employed nannies and I have been interviewing three to six nannies a day, five days a week, for the past 26 years and I know what impresses me and my client families. So here are some tips based on my life experience.

GETTING PREPARED FOR THE INTERVIEW:

Call your references and verify that the phone numbers you have for them are current and ask their permission to give their phone numbers to nanny agencies or potential employers. (Out of respect for your past employers, ask parents to hold off calling references until after your initial interview. This will prevent your references from getting burned out from answering the same questions over and over.)

Make sure your resume is up to date and that there are no typos or errors.

Get your portfolio updated or gather letters of recommendation, photos, or anything else that you want to share with the interviewer.

Map Quest the location to make sure you’ll be on time, you might take a trial drive by.

Plan what you are going to wear and keep in mind that you want to look like a professional nanny.


INTERVIEW DON’TS:

Don’t wear clothing with stains, wrinkles, or anything that is too tight or shows your midriff.

Don’t wear rubber flip flops.

Don’t expose tattoos or unconventional piercings.

Don’t wear excessive make up or fragrance.

Don’t show up with chipped nail polish.

Don’t bring a drink with you.

Don’t bring your cell phone to the interview.

Don’t chew gum or suck on a mint.

Don’t slouch in your chair.

Don’t use slang or profanity.

Don’t refer to a child as a kid.

Don’t talk negatively about past employers.


INTERVIEW DO’S

Introduce yourself with a warm smile when you arrive.

Use the proper title(s) of the individual(s) you’ll be meeting with: Ms., Mrs., Mr., or Dr.

If the children are present greet them or offer to hold the baby (after washing your hands.)

Be prepared with questions about the job: schedule, duties, etc. Ask what they are looking for in a nanny.

Ask if the children have any special needs, temperament, favorite toys, or allergies, etc.

Sit straight up, show interest and allow the interviewer to lead the conversation.

Be respectful, warm, sincere, and responsive.

The first interview is for getting to know one another and seeing if it is a fit for both of you. It is not the time for negotiating salary, benefits, etc.

Thank the interviewer for their time.

Send a thank you note within 24 hours.

MEMORABLE EXAMPLES OF GREAT INTERVIEWS:

During an initial interview, one nanny clinched the job because the parents were so impressed when the nanny asked if she could be the one to change the baby’s diaper. That absolutely wowed them!

Early one morning a mom client called and said we have to hire Susan. I was thrilled to hear how excited she was and asked about their meeting. Mom explained: “My four year old son sat as close to me as he could all through our meeting. He didn’t say a word to any of us. I was concerned that we will never find anyone that he will accept. Our interview drew to a close and just before we said goodnight, Susan said to my son ‘I hope you like chocolate chip cookies, because I love to bake them.’ Still there was no response and I was feeling pretty embarrassed. We walked her to the door and after she left my son said: ‘I like her, can she be our nanny?’”

My best piece of advice for successful interviewing is to show you are warm, safety conscious, child-centered, and love your chosen profession. Save the job negotiations for your agency to handle. Money talks can sour a good relationship.