You鈥檝e finished your search and have finally hired the best-fit nanny for your family, but where do you go from here to ensure that you develop the best possible nanny relationship ongoing?

Honeymoon Period

In every new job, both the employer and employee will be trying to make the best possible impression. Venturing into new territory will mean that the nanny may try different approaches and end up keeping some, while changing others. Adjusting to the expectations of the job and forming a bond with the children and family will take time. Rome, the perfect romance, and a long-lasting nanny relationship aren鈥檛 built overnight (or in two weeks); be patient and realistic.

Don鈥檛 Sweat the Small Stuff

You hired this professional for a reason. That being said, she鈥檚 human. She may do things differently than you do, or would do. That doesn鈥檛 make them wrong. People have diverse ways of handling children. It鈥檚 easy to pick up on these variances, especially in the beginning, but try to be respectful and give your new nanny the space she needs to blossom in your household. Carefully weigh what really matters. Certainly, something involving a safety concern or a personal boundary you鈥檇 communicate about, but if she gets your child dressed in another order than you do or has a varied teeth brushing routine, it may not be worth worrying about. In fact, many parents comment on how much they鈥檝e gained from having another adult around, with years of childcare experience, who second handedly taught them a great deal, if they were open-minded and willing to see other methods through this lens. At the end of the day, if your children are well cared for and you trust her, then that speaks volumes.

The professionals at 屌毛成人导航personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in聽St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized 聽approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at聽tlc@tlcforkids.com聽or Call 314-725-5660.

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Live-Out
The live-out caregiver typically comes to your home for a 9-10-hour day, 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., five days a week. You and your live-out caregiver will arrange a set weekly schedule, with weekend care arranged separately. It is the responsibility of the nanny to provide her own transportation to and from your home. The beauty of this arrangement is that your nanny will have a life of her own when she leaves her job. This allows her to relax and rejuvenate before her morning return. The live-out nanny may cost a little more, but she is generally more independent and fulfilled with her personal life outside of the job. Live-out nannies consist of full-time, part-time, after-school and summer nannies!

Live-In
Live-in caregivers are generally on duty 10-12 hours, day five days a week, and an occasional evening. They eat meals with the family and share in the cooking and cleaning up duties. Be assured that nannies will expect most nights and weekends off unless previously arranged. Most live in nannies require a private living space, use of the family’s car, and specific hours on and off duty. You will also need to discuss visitors for the nanny and any quiet times or a curfew. Both you and your nanny may have to make concessions. It is your house and you have the right to set reasonable rules. Live in nannies can help out with emergency babysitting and depending on your personal preference can become a big part of the family. Keep in mind that your nanny does have a life beyond your job and she is not at your beck and call. While it may seem convenient and less expensive to hire a live in nanny it is harder to keep the relationship professional. It may be difficult to spending so much time together under one roof.

Shared Care
A less talked-about yet more economical alternative is shared care. This situation involves one nanny and two neighboring families. The nanny works in one home and might spend part of the day at the other home. The nanny cares for both families’ children in one home. Before you and your friend or neighbor decide to share a nanny, discuss and agree upon a philosophy for child care. You need to discuss exactly what each of you will want the caregiver to do on a day-to-day basis. And realize when hiring this nanny that she must be able to handle all types of personalities in order to please two families at once.

Family Assistant
A growing area of care is the nanny manager / family assistant. These are nannies caring typically for older children who still require care, but are in school full-time. Family assistants take on tasks helping around the house, errands, meeting with vendors, scheduling appointments, meal prep and more. They do not provide cleaning other than maintaining work areas, or in between regular visits of a cleaning person.

The professionals at 屌毛成人导航personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in聽St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized 聽approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at聽tlc@tlcforkids.com聽or Call 314-725-5660.

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1) Why did you decide to become a nanny?聽

The short answer is I LOVE kids!!! I’ve babysat since I was a teenager and have always loved hanging out with kids.听 When I went to college the best choice for me was a聽degree in early childhood education!! I have worked in church preschool programs, in day cares and really enjoyed teaching kids about the world helping them grow and learn. Then I did respite for kids with autism and it was one on one and I really enjoyed seeing the difference I could make for that one family. And I liked聽 getting to know and interact with parents to support and encourage them too. In July it will be 6 years ago that I started looking for a nanny job and I got as far as putting in an application at TLC.听 I was hired and had a set of twins for two years! I’ve done both the temp and full time permanent side of TLC.听 I’m currently with another family that I got through TLC and have been with them for 2 1/2 years so far!!

2) What鈥檚 your favorite thing about being nanny?

Seeing the daily changes milestones and growth of the children and being a help and support to the parents

3) What fun activity are you forward to doing with your charge(s) this week?

Swimming, the library and story time. I’m sure at some point there will be a request for Grant’s Farm which is her current favorite place! We also聽love the zoo and going on playdates at friends’ houses or the park or having friends come over聽 and play.

4) Where do you get your ideas for creative activities?聽 What鈥檚 your favorite craft?

Some of them just happen.听 Like yesterday we didn’t have a set plan. I had聽thrown聽out a few ideas聽and the dad suggested a splash pad.听 The little girl thought it was so fun to pull me close to the water and try to get me wet! Most of the activities for art or sensory I get from my days at working in day care and some from the internet. I can’t pick one favorite craft.听 Right now the little girl is really into finger painting and we like to use different things like a cotton swab or crumpled up paper or rolling a car through the paint.

5) Do you follow any blogs, websites to share with other nannies? 聽

I don’t really follow any.听 There is a nanny playgroup on FB that we would love for more people to join!聽 We would聽like to be more involved with meet up groups or something but I’m not the best at suggesting things.听 I’m more of a spur of the moment, “oh, we are doing ______ if anyone wants to join us” which doesn’t usually work too well.听 But if someone planned or put it out there for a playdate we would come if we can!

The post Nanny Q and A With a Featured TLC Nanny appeared first on TLC Family Care.

If you have a child that is suffering from聽separation anxiety here are some things you can do to help.

1. Start a countdown.聽 Whether it鈥檚 starting school, the first day with a new or babysitter or going to a new daycare.听 This will help them get used to the idea that you are leaving.

2. Prepare them as much as possible.聽 If they are starting school try to visit the classroom and teacher ahead of time.听 Or meet some of the other students.听 Let your child know what will happen during the day so that the fear of the unknown doesn鈥檛 take over.听 If it鈥檚 a situation where mommy and daddy聽are going to work have the over a few times before her first day,

3. Don鈥檛 exaggerate the good-bye.聽 Everyone(teachers, psychologists and聽nannies) agree聽鈥漝on鈥檛 drag out your good-bye.听鈥� Say a quick聽farewell and assure them that you will be back.听 Lingering or showing any hesitation shows your child uncertainty.

4. Don鈥檛 tell your child you will miss them or go overboard on your reunion.聽 If a you talk about how much you missed them your child might feel guilty about leaving you.听 Not the feeling we want on a first day!

It may take time for your child to get used to the separation.听 If聽the fear doesn鈥檛 go away after 4 weeks it鈥檚 time to consult an expert.

Both my girls have separation anxiety.听 My oldest is coming out of it and feeling more comfortable when I leave her places.听 However, my middle child just started kindergarten and she is having a VERY hard time with me leaving her.

If you have any tips on how to help with separation anxiety please share them with us.

TLC For Kids, Inc聽has been聽St. Louis鈥� premiere nanny and babysitting agency聽 for over 25 years.听聽 TLC For Kids dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutor鈥檚, newborn care specialists, sitters and more.听 Reach us at info@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.

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