Some Do’s And Don’ts Of Nanny Etiquette

It is nice to have a nanny to look after your child/children, but it is also necessary that we practice good nanny etiquette while dealing with them. A nanny at home crosses both professional and personal boundaries and it becomes all the more confusing in case of live-in nannies. Here are some dos and don’ts of nanny etiquette.

Some do’s of nanny etiquette: 

• You should ensure that you should pay your nanny her weekly/fortnightly pay in time and according to the agreed terms of the contract.

• If your nanny goes above and beyond the time, ensure that you pay her a tip. This ensures her that you care for her and her valuable time.

• Treat the nanny as you expect her to treat you; do call or text her when you are late in returning home as you would expect her to when she is late.

• Be detailed and specific about job responsibilities making a list of job duties and requirements and details of what is to be done and how.

• Ensure that you offer both positive and negative feedback; if you enjoy the way a nanny handles the children offer a positive feedback. Also ensure you offer gentle constructive criticism when you are not satisfied and want some improvement.

• Ensure that you give notice to the nanny of changes in family schedules as soon as possible; this will help her to adapt to the changes and new schedule.

Some don’ts of nanny etiquette:

• Never compare your nanny with any previous childcare providers; it is not only rude, but also gossip. Most nannies do not want you to talk trash and praise a previous nanny.

• Never beat about the bush or adopt sneaky or passive aggressive approaches to the problem; it is best to communicate openly if there is a problem. 

• Don’t feel insecure and be rude just because the children bond better with the nanny. If you want a harmonious relationship to develop between the nanny and family, bonding is essential; both the children and the nanny know who the true boss is.

• You should never change the agreed terms of the agreement like pay rate, pay days and job responsibilities without the notice of the nanny. The agreement can only be changed on drawing up a new agreement.

To sum, any household that has a nanny should follow the etiquettes discussed; a trustworthy and positive relationship requires everyone to act responsibly and with respect.

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