Nannies are a wonderful addition to many homes with busy parents, multiple children, and challenging schedules. Nannies specialize in caretaking and helping out with child duties around the house. But just like any relationship, your relationship with your nanny could feel strained or problematic at times.
To help you identify nanny issues early on to solve or prevent them, here is a guide to five common nanny issues and how to handle them.
1. The Issue of Kids Not Liking Your Nanny
Not every personality meshes well at first, not even in relationships between kids and household staffing members. One of the most common nanny issues is kids who don’t like their new nanny, which can be the result of resistance to change, feeling afraid, or because of your nanny’s demeanor.
First, figure out what the real problem is to rule out any concerns about your child’s safety. Spend some time alongside your nanny and your kids to see how they interact and when conflicts arise. Be honest with your nanny about your child’s reaction and brainstorm together about what can be done to improve the relationship.
2. The Stay at Home Mom with Nanny Relationship
Stay-at-home-moms who need a little extra help around the house often hire nannies to help take care of multiple children, provide specialized attention, or to just get a much-needed break from time to time. Yet it can be difficult to watch a nanny take over traditional “mom roles,” especially if you compare your skills to the nanny’s.
Moms should do their best not to micromanage nannies because this behavior undermines the nanny’s skills and is counterproductive. Always keep the lines of communication open between you and your nanny to establish who does what and how to make life easier and better for the whole household.
3. The Baby Prefers Nanny to Mom Issue
More often than you might expect, babies may gravitate more towards the nanny than the mom, which is very difficult for a new parent to handle.
Talk to your nanny about how you feel and suggest reinforcing the connection between mom and baby by mentioning mom in conversations and having photos of mom around the house. As a mother, make a point to spend quality time with your baby when you are home so that you both feel more connected on a daily basis.
4. Nanny Child Separation Issues
Nanny child separation issues may arise when it’s time for the nanny to be relieved of her duties as well. Children may cry or throw a tantrum because they miss their nannies or don’t want them to leave. Meanwhile, separation anxiety can work the other way when children are overly attached to their parents and don’t want to be left alone with a nanny.
This behavior is normal and natural, and it can often be reduced if you strategically plan departures while children are distracted and having fun. Talk to your child about what leaving for a while means and reinforce that it is only temporary.
5. The Issue of How to Let Your Nanny Go
Trust is of utmost importance when it comes to nannies, and if you can’t trust your nanny, it may be time to find a new one. You also may be struggling with a nanny who is always late, unreliable, or who doesn’t mesh well with your kids. Yet the issue of how to let your nanny go is often a difficult one.
Make sure to tell your kids about your plan to fire your nanny so that they aren’t caught off-guard. If your nanny did nothing wrong and it is simply time to move on, you may want to share this news with your nanny in the room so that the relationship is ended on good terms. Tie up any loose ends with your nanny, consider having a goodbye celebration, and stick to your intuition.
If it’s time to find a new nanny to work with your family, contact Household Staffing International to find the very best candidates in the industry.
If you’re a nanny looking for a new position, check out our nanny job interview tips!