How do I fairly discipline the kids I nanny for?

Question

I don't like the style of parents who are always nagging and punishing their kids, so how I can I show these kids that they need to take me seriously (i.e. not jump all over me, pull my hair, etc.) without being overly strict?

Answer 1

You can't be these kids' friend. That is not what you are paid to do. You need to be firm and get them to behave, timeouts, take away toys or privileges, what ever you need to do to make them understand YOU are in charge. Only when they know their boundaries and what consequences they will have for their actions can you relax and have fun with the kids. Believe me, I've worked in public school, private school, preschools, after school care, and now my own home day care and being firm up front and letting the kids know what you expect from them is the only way they will respect you, trust you, and take you seriously. After they understand what will happen if they misbehave or push those limits, they are less likely to do so and you can trust them not to take fun activities too far. A little rough housing is no big deal, I get on the floor with the kids I watch and they climb on my back and we have tickle fights, but they know pulling hair is off limits. Be firm, YOU are in charge. Repeat to yourself to help you remember, "I'm being paid to be a nanny, not a friend, I'm being paid to be a nanny, not a friend."

Answer 2

As a former nanny, you are in a tight spot! You have been hired to care for these kids while the parents are unavailable, and in agreeing to the job you have agreed to follow their parenting wishes. However, it sounds like these kids have the run of things and that has to stop. Before you do anything to the kids, you MUST sit down and talk with the parents. Tell them that you need help because when the parents are unavailable, you have no means to discipline the kids when they act out. Tell them exactly what the behaviors are and then work out a plan. Not knowing the ages of the kids, you may want to consider warning cards or charts, with a mark for each time they fail to listen. Have a list of privelages they will loose (TV time, a trip to the park, etc.) if they get a certain number of marks a day. As they start to learn, start a second chart where they get a star for good behavior and a list of rewards (extra trip to the park, first choice of a DVD, making their favorite dinner) they can earn. The parents MUST support you in this or it will never work. You will have to be firm with the parents and with the kids.

If, however, the parents refuse or are aware of the behaviors already and doing nothing about it, you may need to consider ending your employment with them. If you are contracted to them through an agency, inform the agency of any discussions on this subject. If things do not improve, ask them to mediate for you and to find out what you can do to end your contract early. If you signed a contract independently, or have no contract at all, start looking for a new position and inform the parents of your plans and why. When applying for another position, be honest with the prospective employer and tell them exactly why you are leaving. Give your current family sufficent notice to find new child care.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I was a camp counsler and had little rascals that did the same stuff.. and its hard cause you cant disipline them cause they are not yours.. what I did was this.. little kids want to be all grown up ao I would say.. ya'll are acting like babies, and tell them that big kids no better not to do the things your doing... make sure you let them know that they are not big boys and girls.. Then what i did was say this to them " Your mom told me that the next time you acted like a baby to put a pacifier in your mouth, and really do it.. The little kids I did this too... sat in a corner with a pacifier in their mouth, and then when corner time was up they said they were sorry to me and didnt act up... but that worked in my case.. and P.S. the parents of the kids I did this too thought that idea was great.. I was firm with kindness, and got the point across

Answer 5

if they're pulling your hair, that's pretty bad.. I'm sorry, but you need to be strict to end that sort of behavior.. if I had a nanny, and I found out my kids were pulling her hair, those kids would be writing sincere apology notes to her..

Answer 6

If you are a nanny and don't know how to discipline kids then you are in the wrong vocation.

Answer 7

You are going to have to discipline them when they are bad. I mean if you don't think what htey are doing is wrong dont discipline them for it. But don't let them get away with somethin gonce or they willa lways do it

Answer 8

Well what you can do is take away all their fun activities such as playstation or any kind of video game they have and the computer,phone, cell phone or any other accesory they have.

Answer 9

Low tone eye level to them and tell them that this is their warning. then tell their parents. also ask the parents what they do to punish them because then there will be consistancy

Answer 10

Be firm, yet respectful. Show them that every action has a consequence. Most importantly, be consistent. They will learn pretty quickly that they have no choice but to listen to you.