The Nanny you hire plays an important role in the development of your child or children. Your Nanny will want to be sure he or she remains consistent with your approach and preferences, so working collaboratively with your nanny is extremely imperative.
Here are a few important topics to think through and to address with a potential employee:
- Discipline
- Screen Time
- Behavior
- Patterns and Habits
- Education
- Health and Diet
Before meeting with a prospect, ask yourself the following questions:
- How do you see yourself raising your children with regards to these, and other important, topics?
- Do you have strong opinions about anything in particular? If you do, mention it! It would be even better if you bring it up in the working interview.
Addressing these topics head on will enable a Nanny to go into your job with his or her eyes wide open. If there were an aspect of your job a Nanny cannot overlook or work with, it would be better to know that before you offer him or her the job. As much as you are interviewing a Nanny, he or she is interviewing you too. Let them make an informed decision!
Reevaluate your decisions and beliefs over time
It is important to note that your preferences are likely to change over time, so regrouping and checking-in regularly is very important. What worked for an infant will not necessarily work for a toddler and import characteristics about a Nanny will likely be different as your child ages.
Both parties should be flexible and adjust based on your child’s needs.
Important reminders when considering how to work collaboratively with a Nanny
No one can parent just like you, which is not a bad thing, but if you want your Nanny to follow your rules and guidelines, train him or her in accordance with your preferences. Even the best Nannies will need guidance in their new job and it’s impossible for someone to have the exact same beliefs and practices you do.
We hope these reminders will help you to work collaboratively with your nanny and to maintain an effective partnership.