Archive

Why are we having a great year when nanny databases provide large numbers of “nannies” online? One simple reason: We provide quality, not quantity. Many of the agencies who provide quantity are struggling. The agencies who provide quality are thriving. Here’s what we’ve seen since the advent of the nanny databases: *We saw a decline […]

Pitfall #1. Not doing your homework: believing you’re saving time and money by jumping to hire a nanny who looks good on the surface. Most parents know that a “revolving door” of nannies is detrimental to their child’s emotional health and wreaks havoc on the whole family. But parents who are conducting a nanny search […]

Pitfall #2. Neglecting to look at the job from the nanny’s point of view. To attract and keep a great nanny long term, the family needs to consider her needs as well as the family’s. Although the economy is not as strong as it used to be, good nannies are still in high demand. Parents […]

10) A Parent’s Unexamined Ambivalence Regarding Going to Work Rather Than Staying Home with the Child This is a sensitive and complex topic. Hiring a nanny to care for a child is a very personal decision that no one outside of the parents can fully understand. Only the parents can judge whether this is the […]

9) The Nanny Has Too Much Responsibility for the Child. In Some Cases There Is Not Enough Involvement on the Part of the Parent. Very few parents, (if any) set out to turn over the role of parent to the nanny. These situations are relatively rare, but we sometimes see them, especially when the parent(s) […]

8) General Lack of Respect and Consideration Sometimes a family is so immersed in the demands of working and raising children that they neglect to treat their nanny with respect and consideration. Some of the most important points to keep in mind when employing a nanny are: Respect the nanny’s schedule. Give her plenty of […]

7) Poor Relationship Boundaries Between Family and Nanny. Boundaries are a uniquely sticky topic when it comes to nannies. Most families tell me they want their nanny to be a “part of the family”. After all, the nanny will be caring for the most important person in their lives. Nannies also love the idea of […]

6) The nanny is overworked. Some families try to obtain high quality, education-minded childcare and heavy housecleaning from the same person. This is especially common in live-in positions, but it also occurs in live-out positions. I frequently need to explain to families that being a great nanny and being a great house cleaner require two […]

5) The family underpays the nanny. Nannies are typically not very good negotiators. The best nannies are in the childcare profession because they truly love children, not because they’re hoping to make a lot of money. However, they need a secure income so they can practice the profession they love. Nannies are frequently not highly […]

4) The family micro-manages the nanny. Although economics dictate that many families need to hire childcare, not every family is a good candidate for employing a nanny. Every parent initially has reservations about leaving their child in the care of someone else, and it is true that no-one, not even the best nanny, can be […]