Being a first time mom can be challenging! Getting a nanny can safe you  a lot of stress. But this doesn’t happen by  accident or mere wishful thinking. You must have a specific plan and design.

 

They are certain things you must look out for especially if you are a first time mom and you are desperately in need of a nanny .

 

In this article, we have shared some important things to look out for  before choosing a nanny for your baby. We hope this helps

 

Let’s dive in!

 

As Far Back

 

Having a nanny in the family is not new, you are not the first person doing it. It goes as far back as the 19th and 20th century right in the households of colonial master .

 

A nanny was known as a “nurse”, typically a female, found in higher-income homes either hired or were slaves. Today, modern nannies, like other domestic workers, may live in or out of the house, depending on their circumstances and those of their employers.

 

Nannies in colonial societies spent their lives in the homes of their masters, often from childhood till old age, taking care of more than one generation (depending on the duration of the post). It was not uncommon for these nannies to be brought along with the family when these colonial officials were posted either back to Europe or to another colony

 

In colonial India, a nanny was known as ayah,  amah in Chinese and baboe in dutch east indies . (It has always been a part of the human society). Even Rebecca in the Bible had a nanny.

Now, the  society we are living in today is more demanding than usual. Parents have to work twice as much to provide/ cater for the wellbeing of their household. Thus, giving them less time with their kids.

 

If you are reading this blog and you think you need a nanny, then you should go for it. You are not the first person, so don’t feel guilty.

 

Choosing A Nanny

 

Choosing a care provider is one of the most important choices you make for your kids early on. The people your child is around strongly influence the way they see the world and the place they find within it. I have compiled some tips for finding a nanny.

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As stated earlier, you don’t get a good and faithful nanny by accident or wishful thinking. You have to design a plan to effectively guide  decision

 

The first  question you are most likely to ask is, “Where do I find a great nanny/sitter?”

 

The answer is: there are a lots  of places with good  nanny suggestions. They include friends, family, co-workers, social media groups, even professional nanny companies. There are also websites you can check out . For example: sittercity.com and care.com

 

 On the websites specifiwwcally designed for finding a nanny, they’ll make it pretty easy for you to navigate through all the steps. They’ll allow you to create a profile, create a job posting and filter through applicants, then set up in-person interviews.

 

From there, you can do a paid trial where the nanny watches your child for just an hour or so while you’re still in the house so that you can make sure you feel comfortable.

 

Here’s a little  secret, though. It’s not about where. It’s about how. It doesn’t matter what site you use or what friend makes an initial suggestion. Whatv matters is the  process you go through to attract, evaluate and hire potential candidates.

 

Below  are four  things you must do before hiring a  nanny. Number 3 is my favorite

 

Four  Things  You  Must Do  Before Hiring A  Nanny

 

• Outline Your Needs ( Be specific and Detailed)

If you are searching for a nanny online, via social media platforms and website, you would have to Create  a job description with everything that matters to you well spelled out. This is to ensure that the standard of applicant is raised from the get-go and you don’t attract people that aren’t a good fit.

 

Below is a job description template you can use

 

“My husband and I are currently pregnant with our first baby and are due with our little girl mid-October. I will have about three months off work and then will go back. We are looking for a great nanny to care for our little one at our home on the days I work. We need someone sporadically starting in October and consistently starting in January. In mid October-mid January, it would be for babysitting, to get to know us and her, so I can get a break some days and so I could fill in at my work some days if needed before I officially go back.

 

We could work out what would work for your schedule but we don’t have specific guaranteed hours in mind. Starting mid-January, it would be part time guaranteed 2 days per week (the days I am working, which are Tuesday and Friday) plus whatever works for both parties for extra babysitting/extra days etc. We’re looking for someone that could for sure commit to working with us until our daughter is one but possibly for longer depending on our needs plus your needs.”

 

If youe are asking your family members and friends to help you get a nanny, ensure that your requirements  spell out  and understood as well.

 

•  Present Yourself In An Attractive Manner  By Prepping Ahead

The way you present yourself in the site of your potential nanny is very important.

 

If you want to appear professional you should get a contract and design a visible plan. For example, you don’t start planning for  a nanny two weeks to your delivery time. You had nine months of pregnancy to plan that. You don’t want to appear unprepared.

 

• Weed Out Those That Dont Measure Up

Feel free to weed   out applicants who don’t present themselves well . Those who don’t have the experience you’re looking for or who don’t fit your style.

 

This is why, we recommend you start your search early. If you start your search early, you’re more likely to allow enough time to find a good pool of applicants to choose from.

Sometimes, when you meet someone in person, it becomes even more clear that they are right (or wrong) for you. Use your instincts to make your final decision. Cross check references and recommendation

 

• Be Real About The Things That Truly Matter To You In A Nanny

You should be open to share with your nanny your requirements and needs. Make it very clear to them from the onset. Look out for the following qualities

1. Someone whose intuitive and confident

2. Someone who really loves the your kids

3. Someone with an understanding solid child development

4. Someone you actually liked.

Finally
Being a first time mom  is a beautiful and challenging experience. Planing for a nanny ahead of time will hello you ease into this beautiful journey