When finding reliable childcare, the caregiver’s personality and emotional connection with your kids matters almost as much as their punctuality and organization. Childcare isn’t only about hiring someone responsible. It is about inviting another adult into the dynamics of your family, and the problems arise when the parents disagree about which qualities matter most.
In today’s story, a couple has employed a 21-year-old nanny for almost two years to take care for their three children. The nanny is described by the mom as chaotic but affectionate, creative, and deeply loved by the kids. Sometimes, a caregiver who looks imperfect on paper can still understand the kids better than someone with a perfectly organized schedule. In just a couple of weeks, this nanny organized a lot of creative activities with the children, from throwing a birthday party for their dog, to conducting a supervised driveway sale with the children’s toys and snacks, to offering spontaneous fast-food stops. The kids had a great time, we can’t deny it. Those stories sound pretty memorable.
But the father is not that happy with this nanny. He is uncomfortable with the general unpredictability of the nanny’s activities and insists that they need more structure. He doesn’t agree with the spontaneous fast-food stops and he felt uncomfortable about her forgetting the kids’ swim class. But the mother refuses to replace the nanny because the children are happy, and their school responsibilities get completed. So who is right here?
It’s not a question of right or wrongs but a negotiation between the parents to define what they think an ideal nanny should be like. They both want the best for the kids, but they should establish their nonnegotiable rules, and give the nanny an opportunity to follow them. Childcare is usually a two “yes” decision, so both parents need to trust the person responsible for their children. And although this nanny’s adventures were harmless and sweet adventures, other activities can raise reasonable questions about healthy habits, supervision and clear communication.
Author: Kayitsi.com
