5 Things That Will Help Your Nanny Thrive
Let me be blunt. Being a nanny is a super weird job. It can be really rewarding, or it can feel like “oh my gosh — get me out of here — I’m trapped!” and it doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot of in-between.
Here’s how to avoid making your nanny run for the hills and how to instead create a long lasting relationship that will be both enriching to your life and theirs, too.
1. Compatibility
First things first, when you and the potential nanny met — did it feel like two wine glasses clinking together in celebration? No? Move along. In this kind of work, a connection is vital.
Of course, a layer of professionalism should still be there, but you really want to make sure that you could be friends, too. If there’s connection, there’s trust and trust is important.
Hire someone you can laugh with because your nanny will be your co-worker, your friend, and your teammate.
2. Teamwork
Nannies don’t expect families to function perfectly. The truth is, we’ve seen it all. We’ve seen a little bit of crazy and we’ve seen a whole lot of good, too. Let me stress that good doesn’t mean perfect.
We expect your kid to yell at you, to yell at us, to lie on the floor screaming, to try and break out of their car seats, we expect our hair to be pulled, and glitter to be thrown in the air.
However, we also want to see how you parent. If your little one starts yelling at your nanny and you stand by and watch, it’s going to make your nanny feel isolated and unsupported.
While we can handle the screaming toddler, watching a parent discipline their child not only shows us that you respect us by correcting their behavior, but it also shows us how you want us to discipline. These moments are very educational for everyone. We will lead by your example.
It’s important to note that we will not think you’re mean. We are not judging you. Most likely, we will think you’re a badass and it will help us grow as caregivers.
Having open conversations about what works for your kids and what doesn’t is vitally important, but also be open to what your nanny suggests too. Like I said before, in a way, you are co-workers. You have to work together to create a consistent environment for your kids.
3. Acknowledgment
For the love of Peppa Pig, please talk to us. We have been at home all day with the little ones and it is so nice to talk to adults about adult things. This is why an authentic connection is so important.
Nannies can start to feel isolated because they are around kids all day. That’s not to say we don’t love spending lots of time with them, that’s why we chose this career, it is just so important to be acknowledged, to be seen, to be heard, and to be told thank you.
4. Freedom
Something that can help your nanny not feel isolated is letting them go places with your kids where they can be around other nannies. Letting them go to the library, to the movies, out to eat, out to the park, just getting fresh air is good for everyone!
I acknowledge it can be scary letting someone else drive your kids around, but that’s why you pick a nanny you trust.
Something that has been helpful for the families I’ve worked with is having your nanny check in with you. When leaving your house, ask your nanny to text you that they are heading out. When they are on their way back to your house, ask them to do the same.
Finally, since this is a career, nannies need sick days and paid time off, too. Nannies need breaks. They need to chill. They need to get away so they can come back to you and your babes clear headed. Along with sick days, mental health days should be included in this, too, so your nanny doesn’t get burned out.
5. Relationship
Don’t be afraid to open up. We love to know how your weekend really was, not just the “Oh, it was good” answer. Did the kids go crazy? Did they flip a table? Tell us! Like I said before, there is no judgment. There are no perfect people and guess what? Your kid will likely flip a table with your nanny and knowing they did it with you, too, will make us feel less alone in the table flipping.
Here’s the thing.
If you love us, we will love you back. It’s that simple.
Teamwork, acknowledgment, and respect of our time go a long way. I’m forever loyal to the parents and babies I’ve had the honor of watching grow over the last few years and I wouldn’t change it for the world. They are a part of my family now and that means everything to me.
