A nanny can be a tremendous help to your family and have an important place in the hearts of your children. Your nanny will have an influence on how your children behave, so you want to make sure they respond well to one another. She will also be spending a great deal of time with your children, and they may be somewhat suspicious of this intrusion into their lives. How you introduce the nanny to your children helps set the tone for a close and meaningful relationship and allows their trust to grow.
Step 1
Schedule a time with your new nanny to meet your children. According to Ronald R. Capps, author of "A Parent's Guide to Locating Responsible Child Care," you should set up a time for the nanny to come to your home so your children feel comfortable in their environment and more willing to open up to her. Your nanny may also be more open if she is able to see the children on their own turf.
Step 2
Get down to your children's level, and tell them the name of the new nanny and have them tell the new nanny their names. Susan Carlton and Coco Myers, authors of "The Nanny Book: The Smart Parent's Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky in Between," write that the relationship between your nanny and your children will be an important part of their growing up years. Formal introductions will establish a line of respect and will let your children know that the nanny will be in charge.
Step 3
Allow the nanny to interact with your children for a short amount of time. Your children will likely warm up to the new nanny faster if she begins forming a relationship right away, says Capps. Encourage them to play a game or do a puzzle so they have plenty of time to talk and work together. Watch a few minutes of the interaction to see if your children respond well to the nanny and to see whether she responds well to your children.
Step 4
After the nanny leaves, have a family discussion to see what everyone thinks of the new nanny. In order for a nanny/child relationship to form, the children must respect and like the person taking care of them, reports Capps. Carlton and Myers add that you need to feel comfortable with your nanny. Get input from your children to see what they thought so you will be at peace when you leave your kids with someone else.
Step 5
Consider a trial period to let your nanny and children get to know one another. Capps recommends offering her a position for a month to see how she gets along with your kids. This introduction time will give your children the opportunity to form a relationship with their nanny that can last for a long time. You may discover that the nanny is not a good fit for your children, and a trial period will allow you the chance to look for someone new if she does not work out.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask for feedback from your nanny, as well. See what would make her feel more comfortable forming an attachment to your children.
- If the introduction fails, you should consider choosing a different nanny or trying again in the future. You should never leave your children with someone they are not comfortable with.
References
- "A Parent's Guide to Locating Responsible Child Care"; Ronald R. Capps; 2007
- "The Nanny Book: The Smart Parent's Guide to Hiring, Firing, and Every Sticky in Between"; Susan Carlton and Coco Myers; 1999
