Great Ways to Introduce a New Nanny to Your Kids

As a working mom, a full-time parent of two and a social butterfly, having a plan for taking care of my kids is a must. Of course, they always come first, and as far as priorities go, I’ve never found it difficult to take as much time off as necessary to dedicate myself only to them, like when my son had the measles and my daughter had an ear infection.

But as much as I like developing my career and going for a cup of coffee with my best friend from time to time, it’s always been an extremely difficult choice for me, emotionally, to let my kids spend several hours with a nanny, especially if it’s a new person in our home. So, I’ve come up with a few simple strategies on how to make this transition as smooth as possible, both for my kids and myself!

Introduce Nanny to your Family

Baby Steps

My baby daughter is five months old, and her habits are pretty much set in stone. Still, when I want to leave her with a new nanny, I know that I have to treat it like a process. At first, the three of us would spend some time together, so that she can get used to the nanny’s voice and associate her with a positive atmosphere. Then, I would gradually let the nanny entertain her, change her or even try to feed her while I’m still there, holding her at first, or occasionally playing with my daughter’s hand or foot because it helps ease her into feeding time when she gets fussy.

With a step-by-step approach, you can see how your baby is adjusting and make changes whenever needed. Now I know that if I spend a few minutes in the room together with her and the nanny just before I leave, there will be no problems.

Babywearing

I started wearing my firstborn as soon as I could, and I’ve been in love with the feeling ever since. But I have to admit, when the time came to give our nanny my favorite baby carrier, it was a big deal for me, as up until then, only my husband and I were the ones using it. Much to my surprise, sharing my sling with the nanny actually helped simplify the transition, because it was much easier to nurture that necessary closeness. It will allow for a secure attachment that helps your child relax with a new person.

Her first babywearing went very smoothly as I was in the room with them, and I would always recommend being there for these first moments, to ensure that your baby is handling everything well. Plus, you can give useful tips to the nanny on how your baby likes to be worn and which positions suit them best.

Talk is everything

Explaining to a toddler that a new nanny starting

As for my older one, he was three and was already able to express his preferences when we were about to introduce our new nanny, so it’s best to include your child in every step of the process. For us, that meant explaining why that was needed and letting him know that his opinions count, which helped in the long run because he felt as if he was the one in charge as much as we were. While you should be the one making the ultimate decision, the transition will be much easier if you allow your kids to feel included. The moment that you see he is sharing his beloved truck with a nanny or that she’s helping him to organize his favorite toys, you’ll know your job is done.

 

 

Rules are also a big part of the story because kids sometimes tend to see this as time-off from parents, but if this is not your first nanny, then all you probably need is a gentle reminder to make sure they understand how important it is that they stay well-behaved.

Special Nanny-Time

While you’re still spending time with your kids and the nanny, you can introduce a few toys, games and fun activities that will be associated with nanny-time. That way, your kids will look forward to the time they will spend with the nanny, and it won’t be a complicated, slow process.

Because kids are also creatures of habit, nanny-time should respect the already established routines you have with your kids, and that way, you will help them feel comfortable and undisturbed, and it will reinforce their trust and bond both with you and the nanny.

 

As any mom knows, finding the right nanny and introducing her into your daily lives can be tricky, but with a few simple habits, you can ensure that your kids and you are handling the transition smoothly and you can finally relax knowing that your baby is in good hands!

 

Author Bio

Zara Lewis (Twitter: @ZaraELewis) is a mom, fitness & yoga enthusiast, caregiver to her mother in-law and a regular writer for High Style Life. She is devoted to implementing healthy life habits in every aspect of life of her family and friends. She loves to share her parenting tips and is always open to learning some new skills, because she sees her parenthood as going to school forever. She enjoys traveling, hiking, cycling and baking.

 

 

 

 

 

Read other posts from this child care and nanny series.