How to Know When a Nanny Is the Right Fit for Your Family

There’s no question that choosing a nanny is a critical decision. This person will become a part of your family and will be fundamental in your kids’ growth and development. How do you know when you’ve found the right fit?

At Tried and True Nannies and Sitters, that’s a question we hear so often from our clients, and we gladly guide them through the selection and hiring process. But what is it that you should be looking for? There are several important signs that you’ve found a nanny who is a fit for your family.

• You Share Parenting Values

When you’re interviewing a nanny, be sure to talk about your parenting philosophy and your ideals regarding how kids should be raised. This includes things like how permissive or discipline-focused you are, the environment you want to create for your kids, your priorities for your kids’ childhoods, and so on. It’s important that kids have consistency at home and know what is expected of them, and when you and your nanny are on the same page about these fundamental principles, it will give your kids that consistency and stability they need.

• Your Kids Get Along with Them Quickly

A large part of whether a nanny is compatible with your family is how she and your kids relate to each other. Of course, this relationship develops over time and only time will tell in some cases. But if you introduce your kids to a potential nanny and you notice that your kids feel at ease with her fairly quickly, this is a good sign. That’s why it can be helpful to introduce your kids to potential nannies during the nannies’ interviews.

• You Have the Same Role Expectations

Every family’s relationship with their nanny is unique. Just as each household has its own dynamics in terms of the roles each person plays in the family, the role of a nanny will vary from family to family too.

In some families, the parents want to hold the sole authority and give the nanny clear instructions about what to do and when. In other cases, the parents want the nanny to take more of a lead on the children’s care, and in other cases, the parents want a more collaborative relationship with their nanny. It’s important that you and your potential nanny have the same expectations of what role she will play in your family.

• They Have Experience with Similar Situations to Yours

As every parent knows, no two kids and no two families are exactly alike. Still, you want your nanny to have experience with children and circumstances like yours. For instance, you want them to have experience with kids who are your children’s ages, kids who have the same developmental needs as yours, or families who have similar lifestyles to yours.

• You Communicate with Ease

Communication is truly vital between parents and their nannies. You need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with each other, and this often comes down to whether your communication style and your nanny’s are compatible. Pay attention to this during the interview and the hiring process with a potential nanny. Are there issues with either you or the nanny misunderstanding the other or talking over the other? Or are you able to communicate smoothly and clearly together?

• You Have That Gut Feeling

Remember, the nanny you hire will be an important part of your family. To some extent, you just need to feel in your gut that this is the right fit. Much like dating and friendships, you can often tell soon after meeting a nanny whether you have a natural chemistry together. Trust your instincts!

Finding the Right Nanny for Your Family

We won’t mince words here, it’s not always easy to find a nanny who’s a good fit for your family. That’s why we’re here! Tried and True Nannies and Sitters is Nashville’s premier nanny placement agency. We’ll not only develop a clear understanding of your needs and source the top candidates for your family but also guide you through the process of deciding who is the best fit for your needs. To get a knowledgeable helping hand, contact our nanny agency today.