Parents, particularly first-timers, can find it difficult when they reach the need to return to the lifestyle they enjoyed before the birth of the cherished addition/s to the family.
Part of that difficulty involves making arrangements for their children when they decided to return to work. While some will take the regulated child care centre path, others will find it more appropriate and preferable to hire a qualified care worker to look after their children in their own homes.
The nanny option in Brisbane can be more inviting because it provides the young ones with a familiar and stable environment, and allows them to build trust with the person who is caring for them while their mum and/or dad are at work.
Parents often find a nanny a better option because it allows them more control in appointing the person they are going to trust with their little ones, and more flexibility to fit in with family and work routines. A nanny can be hired to attend the home when required, or be provided with accommodation as a live-in support, as is so often the case overseas.
They can undertake basic babysitting/child minding duties, help with homework and chores, or provide transport to get the children to, or collect them from, appointments and school.
But once you have done the interviews and selected the nanny you feel most comfortable with, a new difficulty arises in establishing a working relationship that is good for both the family and the care worker.
When families hire a nanny, they can find themselves navigating a whole new world with unspoken rules, expectations and dynamics. But with just a little bit of thought and understanding from both sides, it won’t be long before parents and their nanny will fall into a healthy working relationship that benefits the parents, the care worker and, most importantly, the children.
So what are the most important things to remember when working with a nanny for the first time? Here are some useful tips.
Try not to be jealous
It’s easy to feel a twinge of jealously of the nanny when you leave your child behind. Try not to, because you will always be mum or dad, no matter how often they spend with their carer. If possible, try to visit home during working hours in the early days, and taper off as everyone gets used to their new situation.
Two “mums” in the home
Some mothers worry when their child calls the nanny “mum” but this is a good sign. It shows your child is bonding with the nanny. A professional nanny will use these occasions to gently correct the child, start talking about you as “mum” and help them understand the two relationships.
Avoid familiarisation with Nanny
The longer a nanny works for you, the greater the temptation to start treating her or him as a part of the family. They are not! It is not necessary to rotate nannies on a yearly basis, but always remember your relationship is professional and not personal. A good nanny will put professionalism above any intimacy.
Hire a cleaner if you need one
Most nannies will cook, clean and do laundry for your child but this does not make them the family cook or cleaner. There is a clear line between a housekeeper and a nanny. Remember the duties you assign your nanny should always be child-related.
Communicate
Talk about issues. Be open with your nanny about what you expect from them, and let them be open about what they expect from you. Talk about holidays, and whether you are going to need a nanny when you are on leave, or after hours, and make arrangements to cover sick days.
A professional carer helping you with your family can be a wonderful experience. With the right approach to recruitment, employment and communication, a nanny will be a welcome addition to your family.
To find a perfect Nanny for your family contact Charlton Brown: www.charltonbrown.com.au
This article was published in Issue 16 of our print magazine, June/July 2016.
