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Being a nanny can be incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging. Nannies get to experience many of the same ups and downs as parents, except they also have a unique set of job-related challenges on top of it all to deal with.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We spoke to a few professional nannies\u2013who have 34 years of experience between them!\u2013to learn about the toughest parts of being a nanny. With this insider info, parents can help make the experience successful and that can lead to happier nannies, happier kids, and, why yes, happier parents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 3 biggest challenges of being a nanny\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n When parents and nannies are not tied to the same parenting style it can quickly lead to frustration, not to mention confusion for kids. \u201cBeing on the same page is essential to creating a happy, healthy nanny-parent relationship,\u201d says Dolores McComb, who has been a professional nanny for over 10 years to families in Brooklyn and Long Island. \u201cAt the end of the day parents always get to choose how to handle their children, but when you don\u2019t agree <\/span>consistently<\/span><\/i> it can be tough.\u201d To minimize this challenge, parents should discuss their parenting philosophies in the interview process and set ground rules early. Nannies also need to feel comfortable following the chosen parenting style and find out if there is a place for their own approach to be integrated into the family\u2019s framework.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Similar to the above, it can be challenging for nannies to constantly be aware of and align their actions and responses with what the parents would do. \u201cNannies have their own boundaries, intuitions and needs,\u201d says Kristen DelMar-Cain, who\u2019s a full-time nanny for over 15 years to families across New York City, \u201cso addressing a child\u2019s needs according to everyone’s desires, while managing and respecting your own, can be very challenging to execute.\u201d For help navigating these situations, DelMar-Cain recommends a nanny support group. \u201cMy network has helped me work through day-to-day challenges, and figure out how to be an extension of the family I\u2019m working for.\u201d<\/span> As nannies care for more and more children throughout their careers, they gain a lot of experience. While this is often seen as a plus for parents, the flipside is that sometimes nannies have more experience than the parents do. When it comes to sleep training, starting solids, potty training, setting limits and more, nannies with significant experience may feel there\u2019s a faster, easier, or more successful way. \u201cI believe parents should always have the opportunity to experience and learn as they go\u2013even if I don\u2019t agree or find it frustrating,\u201d says Izabell Kole, a Brooklyn nanny with 9 years of experience and two teenagers of her own. \u201c<\/span>Afterall, we have the same goal: a happy, healthy, well-balanced child.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n READ NEXT: Why Nannies Quit\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Other common challenges for nannies:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n When parents ask their nanny to adopt a new rule or routine or to help break a habit, it can be problematic for nannies <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> kids when they don\u2019t also do it themselves. For example, if parents expect a nanny to only allow a child to have a binky at naptime, they need to not give in at the breakfast table themselves. The solution starts with parents\u2019 commitment and communication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When you’re a full-time nanny for a family the work doesn\u2019t wait for you if you need a day off and there usually isn\u2019t anyone trained to jump in and cover you without some impact on the kids\u2019 and parents\u2019 day. This may leave nannies feeling torn about taking a sick or even a vacation day. \u201cI\u2019m guilty of putting off my own appointments or personal needs because I don\u2019t want to disrupt the routine,\u201d says McComb. Having a backup plan in place for inevitable time off will help everyone feel more comfortable when the need arises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When nannies quit <\/span><\/a>it can be for a variety of reasons, but none of that changes the relationship they\u2019ve developed with your kids. Saying goodbye after spending so much time with your little ones every week can really take its toll. \u201cIt\u2019s hard knowing most of these kids I\u2019ve cared for won\u2019t remember the bond we shared and how much I\u2019ve grown to love them,\u201d says McCombs. To manage the transition for both kids and caregivers, parents can look to create opportunities for them to stay in touch through calls, cards, or even visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trying to find your next nanny?<\/span><\/i> Visit our <\/span><\/i>nanny boards<\/span><\/i><\/a> to hire a professional nanny in the NY area.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n1. Syncing parenting styles\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Striking a balance\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n3. Having more experience\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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