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'Back in the day', when our Moms or Grandmothers were raising a houseful of kids, the thought of live-in childcare was a far-off dream. But today, lots of new Moms find that hiring a trusted nanny to join the family provides flexibility and peace of mind.
Pro's of live-in childcare
A nanny, helping out in your own home, can make life easier and more comfortable for the whole family. Here's why: |
- Whether you're spending an afternoon at the mall, or returning to work full-time, your child will remain in a familiar environment, no matter how long you're away from home.
- Nannies also provide a more familiar person for your child to grow up around, making your absence a bit more comforting while you're out.
- Live-in caregivers can often work more flexible hours than outside caregivers - helping to keep your stress levels down - especially if you have to leave the house early or work late unexpectedly.
- It makes leaving the house a little easier - at least what you're carrying. You won't have to pack diapers, foods, toys, or extra clothes to take with you.
- Your nanny may perform light housekeeping duties throughout the day, allowing you to spend precious time with your little one when you're home.
Did you know?
You may hear "nanny" often referred to as "au pair", which is French for "equal", implying that your nanny should be welcomed into your home like you would an extended family member. |
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Other considerations
As with any important decision, choosing a live-in nanny can pose a few challenges:
- Finding just the right person to take care of your little one can be difficult; you may have to interview and check references of multiple applicants before finding the best fit for your family.
- Leaving one person in charge of your child (as opposed to daycare where there are usually two or more adults) may make you uneasy.
- If your nanny becomes ill, you'll need to find someone to take care of your child.
- Live-in childcare can be more expensive than day-care or care in another person's home. As a nanny's employer, you will also need to manage taxes and follow government employment regulations.
- Having another adult living with the family does not appeal to some parents.
- A rivalry may develop if you feel that your child is becoming more attached to the nanny than to yourself.
- Your baby will not have the same amount of contact with other children that daycare offers.
Nannies and au pairs
Though people often use the terms "nanny" and "au pair" interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. A nanny is generally someone, young or old, foreign- or native-born, who has undergone some child-care training. An "au pair," however, is often a young, foreign-born person who comes to this country and stays with a host family as part of a cultural exchange program. In exchange for room, board, and income, the au pair works up to 45 hrs/week caring for the children.
Choosing the right person for your family
When it comes to caring for your family, you should feel confident that you've made the best possible choice. Most nanny placement agencies pre-screen applicants, so your choices will be more selective. But be sure to do a complete background check on each applicant as well as a thorough interview.
When choosing a nanny, check:
- Previous employment, including child-care experience.
- Education, including any child-development training, CPR, and first-aid courses.
- Views on discipline and appropriate playtime activities.
- Health status.
In addition, check to see if the applicant has a criminal record, and always check references.
Interview pointers
During the interview, set up the job parameters and expectations first. Watch to see if your potential nanny is a genuine, happy person who loves children and will care for your family with the warmth, concern, and expertise you'd expect. Finally, never discount your gut-reaction; you know when something doesn't feel right, so listen to your instincts - and your heart. |
