• 问：我是住在洛杉矶尔湾的华裔，由于老公的工作问题，需要分开两地，自己一个人需要带两个孩子，想找个住家保姆，问问大家应该注意什么，有没有什么经验分享。我主要担心孩子的安全问题，害怕我送老大上学的时候，老二在家哭闹遭保姆嫌弃。我的脾气好，比较单纯，怕保姆欺负等等类的。

    Question: I'm a Chinese woman living in Irvine, Los Angeles. Due to my husband's work, we need to live separately, and I need to take care of two children on my own. I'm looking for a live-in nanny, and I'd like to ask for advice on what to look out for and if anyone has any experiences to share. My main concern is the safety of my children. I'm worried that when I take my older child to school, the younger one might cry and annoy the nanny. I have a good temper and am quite naive, so I'm afraid of being taken advantage of by the nanny.

    答：在尔湾聘请家政保姆，首先你要找一个靠谱点的家政公司，其次就是面试阿姨，看看脾气怎么样，有没有带过宝宝，之前是因为什么原因下户的。找好阿姨后一定要试工，觉得相处得来再留下，不喜欢宝宝的阿姨总会在细节之处暴露出来，对宝宝不耐心、对宝宝大喊大叫的基本可以淘汰了。

    如果你的脾气比较温和，建议找个同性格的阿姨。若你不放心阿姨，可以在家里的公共区域和宝宝的房间装上监控，当然可以提前告知阿姨家里有监控，一方面是让阿姨有心理准备，若是介意，可以再换阿姨，另一方面是警告，提醒阿姨规范自己的行为。

    A: When hiring a nanny in Irvine, first you need to find a reliable domestic service agency.  Secondly, you need to interview the nannies to assess their temperament, experience with children, and reasons for leaving previous jobs. After finding a suitable nanny, it's essential to have a trial period. Only keep the nanny if you feel comfortable with her; nannies who don't like children will always reveal themselves through subtle details.  Those who are impatient with children or yell at them should be eliminated.

    If you have a gentle temperament, it's recommended to find a nanny with a similar personality. If you are still concerned about the nanny, you can install surveillance cameras in the common areas of your home and the baby's room. Of course, you should inform the nanny about the cameras beforehand. This serves two purposes: firstly, it prepares the nanny mentally, and if she objects, you can find another nanny; secondly, it acts as a warning, reminding the nanny to behave appropriately.

    下面说说面试阿姨，以及与阿姨相处的经验分享

    首先，注重的是人品。这点非常重要，一个人的品德怎么样，就决定了她做事做的怎么样。有的保姆面试的时候特别会说到了客户家做事情一点都不是那回事，做事情偷奸耍滑、糊弄了事。做人的基本原则，要有爱心，有责任心；做事要细心和有耐心，只有真心付出正确认识自己的职责，客户在家跟不在家是一样的工作心理，才能把家务做好，把孩子或老人照顾好。

    第二，就是要身体健康，因为保姆要跟家人一起生活避免不了很多的接触，细节性的带有传染性的小问题也不能有 比如灰指甲 皮肤病等等都必须注意。还不能有什么不良习惯，这个是必须的。对于习惯问题的话，因为很多是保姆是来自乡下，农村，很多的习惯可能与城里的你是格格不入的，特别是一些恶习与不良嗜好，就千万要注意了。比如讲究卫生啊言谈举止啊等等都会对家人尤其是孩子的成长 生活有很大的影响，自身很爱干净 会打理家务的保姆会给客户家营造干净温馨舒适的环境，会把客户家安排的井井有条妥妥当当...

    Below are some tips on interviewing nannies and sharing experiences on getting along with them.

    First and foremost, focus on character. This is extremely important; a person's character determines how well they perform their job. Some nannies are very good at talking during interviews, but once they start working for the client, they are completely different, being lazy, dishonest, and doing a shoddy job. Basic principles of character include having love and responsibility; being meticulous and patient in their work. Only with genuine dedication and a proper understanding of their responsibilities, maintaining the same work ethic whether the client is home or not, can they do housework well and take good care of children or the elderly.

    Secondly, they must be healthy. Because nannies live with the family and inevitably have a lot of contact, even minor contagious issues must be avoided, such as fungal nail infections or skin diseases. They must also not have any bad habits; this is essential. Regarding habits, many nannies come from rural areas, and many of their habits may be incompatible with those of city dwellers, especially bad habits and vices, which must be carefully considered. For example, hygiene and manners can greatly affect the family, especially the children's growth and life. A nanny who is clean and good at managing household chores will create a clean, warm, and comfortable environment for the client's family, keeping everything well-organized and tidy.

    第三，就是沟通问题。一大部分保姆可能来自农村，没经过专业培训，不怎么会说英语，有时候会鸡同鸭讲闹笑话，这就不要考虑了。与保姆沟通的时候最好不要用英语，普通话为主，避免很多沟通上的问题。如果沟通都有问题了，有时候，你讲的是一个意思，保姆理解的是另一个意思，做出来就达不到预期的效果，而且会伤和气。

    第四，就是要在日常生活中充分尊重保姆。虽然在你家当保姆，在古代是叫下人，但是，在美国，人格的尊重还是很重要的，只有你尊重保姆，给他一些温馨的恩惠，同样，他们都是很朴实，朴素的人，一定会给你很好的回报。忌讳有的人，家里出了随便一点事，就怪罪保姆，这是很不科学的。譬如说，家里丢东西，第一时间怀疑保姆所为。这种行为真的很让人无语。

    Third, there are communication issues. A large proportion of nannies may come from rural areas, lack professional training, and don't speak much English.  Sometimes, misunderstandings arise due to language barriers, leading to awkward situations. It's best to avoid using English when communicating with the nanny; use Mandarin Chinese instead to prevent many communication problems. If communication is difficult, you might be saying one thing, but the nanny understands something else, leading to unsatisfactory results and strained relationships.

    Fourth, it's crucial to fully respect the nanny in daily life. Although they work as nannies in your home, a role historically considered subservient, in the United States, respect for personal dignity is very important. If you respect the nanny and show them kindness and consideration, they, being generally simple and honest people, will surely reciprocate with excellent service. It's unacceptable to blame the nanny for every little problem that arises in the house. For example, immediately suspecting the nanny when something goes missing is completely unreasonable and unfair. This kind of behavior is truly appalling.

    人口多的家庭要避免多人指挥，保姆不知道该听谁的，最后搞的都不满意，这样的客户家保姆也是呆不住的。 最后，还提一点，很多人请保姆就感觉自己可以当甩手掌柜，孩子教育问题也让保姆来做，亲啊，殊不知保姆的知识水平与素养怎能跟您比。教育孩子还是要自己亲自做比较好，毕竟保姆只是来帮忙分担咱们一些实在忙不过来的事务等等... ...

    In families with many members, it's important to avoid having multiple people giving instructions to the nanny.  The nanny won't know who to listen to, and ultimately, no one will be satisfied, and the nanny won't stay in such a household. Finally, I'd like to add that many people hire a nanny thinking they can completely delegate all responsibilities, even entrusting the nanny with their children's education.  But dear friends, consider that the nanny's knowledge and upbringing are unlikely to be comparable to yours. It's best to handle your children's education yourself, as the nanny is only there to help with tasks you simply don't have time for...