Nanny Diaries: 5 Things Your Nanny Wishes You Knew

Our blog from Tried and True Nannies and Sitters is designed to be a resource for families and nannies alike. We’re passionate about creating positive, well-functioning nanny households throughout the Nashville area and beyond, and part of this involves sharing knowledge and insights with families. That’s why we’re so proud to bring you our new blog series: Nanny Diaries. This series focuses on giving parents a peek into what it’s like to be a nanny, giving you perspectives that can help any family have a better, more collaborative relationship with their nanny.

To kick off this new series, our nannies are sharing 5 things your nanny wishes you knew…and these tips could make any family’s life easier.

• I Truly Care About Your Kids, But This Is My Job Too

Many parents assume that because child care is their nanny’s job, the nanny sees their kids as simply work tasks and that we don’t think about their kids when we clock out. In reality, we do love your kids! Nannies develop special bonds with the kids we care for, and we genuinely want the best for them.

Keep in mind, though, that this is still our job. As much as we love your children, we can’t work extra hours for free or take on tasks that weren’t part of our nanny agreement.

• Clear Expectations are So Important

Many nannies have worked for several different families in the past, and every family’s nanny arrangement is different. There are differences in the child’s schedule, the rules of the house, what tasks the parents expect their nanny to take care of around the house, and so on. For that reason, it’s so important that we have a clear and upfront discussion about both of our expectations. I want us to be able to work well together, and this type of honesty and transparency is important in helping me do my job well.

• I Have Expertise to Share

A nanny is so much more than a warm body to supervise your kids. We’ve invested in becoming experts in childcare. Not only do we have experience with kids of many ages with a wide range of needs, but nannies typically have significant training in childcare.

Ultimately, you’re the parent and you make the decisions for your child, such as how to talk to them about an issue they’re having at school, how to potty-train them, how to get them to stop using a pacifier, and so on. Your nanny, though, could have fantastic knowledge to share and advice for the parenting challenge you’re facing. Nannies don’t want to step on parents’ toes by offering advice when it’s unwanted but remember that we are here to help, so please feel free to ask.

• Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Nannies do this job because we love and we love caring for children. No matter how much we enjoy it, though, this job is exhausting. Not only does it take a lot of energy to care for kids full-time but we carry a heavy emotional load too because we bond with your children and want so deeply for them to be happy and successful. All of this adds up, and it’s easy for nannies to burn out.

Because of this, a simple show of appreciation for our work every so often goes a long way. We’re highly dedicated to our jobs and to your family, and it’s always refreshing to know that it’s appreciated. Gestures like a gift here or there, a small bonus, or just a heartfelt “thank you” from parents tells us that our efforts are worthwhile.

• This Is My Full-Time Job, So I Need the Benefits of Any Other Full-Time Job

Families who hire nannies often don’t truly think of themselves as employers, but that’s exactly what you are. Particularly when you hire a full-time nanny, please remember that this is your nanny’s only or primary source of income. Your nanny needs all the same benefits and essentials she would get from any other full-time employer – like paid time off, health insurance, and a livable wage – for her to be able to work for you.

At Tried and True Nannies and Sitters, we’re honored to be able to help Nashville families and nannies come together to keep their children safe, healthy, and happy. The insights above can help you have a more positive and productive relationship with your nanny for the benefit of your kids, and we look forward to bringing you more insights in our Nanny Diaries series that will continue to do this. In the meantime, if you’re looking for the right nanny or sitter for your family, contact Tried and True Nannies and Sitters today.