So, it’s time to go back to work after having a baby. While some of us may have the luxury of grandparents to look after our children while we’re at work, some of us may have parents living in an assisted living facility, or who live too far away to help. As such, many parents find themselves looking for a nanny.
Since there is nothing more precious than our own children, it’s understandable that you want to make sure you choose the right person. And although it may seem like no one could possibly be good enough to look after your bundle of joy, the truth is that there are plenty of qualified people out there if you know what to look for. To help you throughout the process, here are some of the most important tips for finding the perfect nanny or confinement nanny for your family.
Require Experience and Certifications
It doesn’t matter how nice someone is— you want to make sure that they have experience caring for children. Besides experience, which can range from previously nannying, to being a parent themselves, they should also have certifications like CPR training. These kinds of certifications will help you rest at ease knowing that your child is in good hands should an emergency arise.
Check References
All too often we skim over references on a resume taking someone’s word for it. However, when it comes to nannying, one of your best resources can be families that they’ve worked with before you. Don’t be afraid to call them and ask them what their experience was like working with this person.
Ask all the right questions, and while you’re at it conduct a background check. Unfortunately, there are plenty of criminals out there, and you can never be too sure.
Anyone with a clean record will not have any objection to this as it’s perfectly acceptable when you’re putting your children’s lives into their hands.
Ask About Discipline Style
Discipline style is a critical part of making sure you found the right match. Ask them what they would do in certain scenarios such as a child who throws a tantrum in the middle of a grocery store, or a child who refuses to go to bed. If they have the same discipline style as you, then chances are they’ll be a great addition to your family.
Otherwise, if you’re lacking discipline yourself, their methods may be beneficial to help establish healthy boundaries with your children.
Choose Someone You Get Along With
Someone can have the greatest resume and experience in the world, yet, if you don’t get along with them what’s the point? Ultimately, this is someone you’re going to be introducing into your life, so it should be someone you get along with.
Notice how your conversation flows, and whether they seem at ease. If you hit it off, this is a great indication that they’ll hit it off with your kids too. Most importantly, it’s important that you measure how your kids feel around this person. If they like them and they fit all the other criteria, then you found the perfect nanny— congratulations!
