Tips For Building A Successful Relationship With Your Nanny
You’ve hired someone (or are about to) who will be caring for your children. It’s important to create an open, honest environment and make the relationship as successful as it can be. So, we’ve complied a few tips:
- Have good communication. Be open with your feedback. Be honest yet tactful. And don’t let things fester. If there is an issue, address it quickly and respectfully.
- Write things down. We recommend having a work agreement to ensure that everyone is on the same page from the very first day. If situations arise, it’s helpful to have a previously agreed upon contract to refer to.
- Pay your nanny well and on time. These are the people who are caring for your children–your most precious gifts. They will be with your kids day in and day out, so compensate them generously for their time. And remember to pay on time. Spell out the terms of their salary — including future raises and bonuses (yes, they deserve those too) — and their pay schedule in your work agreement.
- Be kind and generous but keep professional boundaries. Always be welcoming and inviting with your nanny, but avoid telling them too much about your personal life or asking them for intimate details about theirs. They may very well become “like a family member,” but make sure you aren’t putting them in an uncomfortable position.
- Remember to have constructive conversations away from little ears. Your child will likely think their nanny hung the moon, so be sure to speak highly of them in front of your child and keep any constructive discussions in private.
- Give your nanny autonomy and space. You may be anxious to leave your little one, but you’ve hired a great firm to find a great nanny, so please don’t hover or breathe down their necks. They are skilled professionals and can handle the job. A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want your boss to do it to you, don’t do it to your nanny.
These are just a few ideas to help you successfully navigate this new, important relationship. Your nanny is a huge asset to your family, so make sure they always feel like they are!
If you are looking for a nanny, newborn care specialist, private educator, personal assistant, or household manager, we’d love to hear from you!
If you feel that you have what it takes to become a nanny, newborn care specialist, private educator, personal assistant, or household manager, reach out to us.
