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5 THINGS FOR PARENTS TO LOOK FOR IN A NANNY!

Very few topics elicit more attention from parents than those involving the care and safety of their children! Add a newborn into the mix, and voila, parents are all ears. Whether first-time parents or parents with multiple children, childcare is the great leveler! If ever you want to test this theory, bring up childcare at the next party, and you will be there for numerous lengthy dissertations on the subject.

LET’S BE HONEST

Deciding to leave kids while parents go to work is one of many crucial choices to make. The next million-dollar question a parent will ask is, “Who will watch our precious children?”  There are so many great options for childcare, so one must weigh the pros and cons for their family. What seems right for one family won’t always work for another. The sheer magnitude of these decisions can strike fear into anyone’s heart.

Hiring someone to care for a child can be an emotionally charged situation. There may be preconceived notions based on a parent’s upbringing, societal norms, and sometimes even a lack of cohesiveness from the parents. Parents should agree as much as possible with such a weighty decision.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

            Once the parents have combed through the viable options and settled on a nanny, there are many questions to answer. Do you hire an au pair? If so, from where? Do you hire a live-out nanny? Does mom and/or dad continue to work from home or go into the office? The gravity of these questions is immense because hiring a nanny can and will change the dynamics of one’s home life in many ways.

            Here are some things to consider when hiring a nanny. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but instead some of the most important factors to consider. These questions must be discussed honestly and openly between parents.

1. If the candidate uses the fact that they helped raise younger siblings, please have them elaborate. Many of us grew up with younger siblings but had little to do with raising them. Also, having little ones in the house when the nanny was also a youngster is different than helping to raise them. This would be like saying you know how to fix cars because you drove one as a teen. However, many incredible nannies received a ton of hands-on training from siblings who came when they were older. This can be a huge advantage!

1. During the interview, it is always a great idea to ask why a prospective nanny loves kids, along with some examples. For example, if they say, “I love kids because they are so funny,” you could ask them if there is a time that stands out to them that a child was funny. This opens the dialogue and moves toward a more conversational and less Q & A style of interviewing. There is nothing wrong with this style per se; it’s just hard to pick up on the nanny’s personality this way.

1. This is a BIG one! If you have a no TV. Policy, or if you will not allow the nanny to take the kids out, please discuss this. Some nannies are under the impression that they will be out and about all week with the child/children. They might have a friend who nannied kids who never stayed home. They were out and about having fun every day. Imagine their surprise when they discover they will be spending the bulk of their time at home. Let’s face it: spending day after day at home can make for long days. It is so much better to find out before hiring if a nanny is uncomfortable with this.

1. Please have a conversation with your nanny candidate about whether this job is a placeholder until something better comes along or if they want a career in childcare. There is nothing wrong with being a nanny for a season, but you want to know this upfront and weigh the cost. Your kids will get attached, and you will be right back in the hiring process if you don’t find this out upfront.

1. One quality that could impact your family in all the best ways is if the nanny is willing to take a class or read suggested literature on childcare. Many nannies have already taken classes, which is awesome. There are so many classes, lessons, or books they could take and read that will keep them up-to-date on training and fresh on ideas. Most professions have some sort of continuing education, and childcare should be no different.

One Last Thing!

As I mentioned earlier, this is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it will get you moving in the right direction. The most important thing to remember is to always, ALWAYS trust your gut! If you don’t have a good feeling about something, ask questions. If you still can’t shake that gnawing feeling, you must trust yourself! You know what is best for your children!

If you have decided that a nanny is what your family needs, please follow the link  https://www.momsbestfriend.comto take the first step in finding an incredible nanny. They have over 30 years of experience in placing high-quality nannies with high-quality parents. Let them put your mind at ease!

written by Melissa Dobbs