How to Have a Great Relationship With Your Nanny
Tips on how to have an excellent relationship with your nanny.
Nannies have the unique job of becoming intertwined in a family’s life practically overnight. While having someone become an integral part of your family so quickly can be something to get used to, it’s important to build a great relationship with your nanny from the start so your relationship can flourish for years to come. Here are a few things to prioritize that will put you on track for having a successful family-nanny relationship.
Communicate
You know what they say, communication makes the world go round. This point is proven time and time again with all relationships in our lives. It’s no different with nanny-parent relationships. Parents and nannies must communicate every aspect of a child’s life, including behavior, schedule, activities, and so on to ensure everyone is on the same page. Unclear expectations can leave seeds of doubt in both parents and nannies minds, leaving more questions than answers.
The solution?
Communicate any questions or concerns that come up and give consistent mutual feedback to your nanny. Being diligent about communication and making it known that you expect the same from your nanny makes for a comfortable and respectful environment where everyone feels that they can be heard.
TIP: Monthly Check-ins
Whether you schedule them in or let them happen naturally, making check-ins a priority will allow you and your nanny to give regular feedback. This ensures that everyone is heard and respected. Also, make sure to bring up any concern in a constructive way and your nanny will likely follow suit. Your nanny will thank you for consistently creating a safe environment to work out any miscommunication.
Adhere to the Contract
A big part of a successful nanny relationship is a thorough contract or employment agreement. Having a signed contract will help mitigate any conflict or answer any questions prior to a difficult or confusing situation. Not sure if a day off is paid or not? Check the contract. Unsure if you can ask your nanny to complete a specific task? Check the contract. Ideally, a contract will be drafted and signed before your nanny starts the job. That way, everyone has an opportunity to review the terms and agree at the outset of the job. If you need help drafting a contract, the Your Nanny Now Hiring Guide can help!
Respect Boundaries
Boundaries create a sense of balance and unspoken respect between nannies and families. Having clear boundaries helps reduce conflict, gives a sense of security in knowing what lines will not be crossed, and lets you both know what to expect out of each other. Respecting a nanny’s boundaries will quickly build trust and give your relationship a stable foundation.
You can show your nanny you respect their boundaries by:
Letting them go home at the correct time every day.
Having a backup or weekend babysitter available to cut down on asking your nanny to work outside of typical work hours.
Not overstepping when they’re enforcing a rule or boundary with your child.
Paying them on time.
Not consistently adding on extra household tasks and errands.
Respecting their privacy.
Show Appreciation
If you are impressed by your nanny’s performance, tell them! Words go a long way when it comes to improving confidence, and giving your nanny confirmation that they’re doing an incredible job can put any doubts they have to rest. We all strive to be perfect in some areas of our lives, and considering nannies have the important job of helping raise children, it’s nice to feel supported and told they’re doing a great job from time to time. If it’s your nanny's birthday or it's a holiday, consider showing a little extra appreciation by giving them a gift in the form of cash, a gift card, a present, or even a heartfelt note! Your admiration will not go unnoticed and will help your nanny feel like a part of your family.