A Nanny’s Role For Children

The role of a nanny is to be the person who accompanies, comforts and cares for our children when we are not there. It is important to choose someone who shares our values.

More and more families are made up of parents who both work outside the home. The balance between work and family life is truly a challenge. Parents must leave the care of their children to another person. This is where the role of a nanny becomes very important, and he becomes almost another member of the family.

The role of a nanny

When the time comes to return to the workplace, there are several options when it comes to child care. Many families decide to hire a caregiver or nanny to take care of their children. The primary differential advantage of a nanny over a kindergartener is personal attention. 

Because of this,  a nanny becomes a very important figure for children. It is a person our children share their daily lives with. The nanny listens to them, reassures them, and provides emotional support. Furthermore, they feed the children and care for their wounds. Sometimes, they even bathe them and put them to bed if their parents are not home yet.

The bond that children form with their nanny can be very strong and beneficial for them. If there are healthy, emotional bonds, children’s self-esteem will grow  and it will help them become more social people. It will also make periods of parental absence more bearable.

How to choose a good nanny

Taking into account the importance of a nanny’s role, it is appropriate to reflect on the qualities that this person should have. The caregiver will have an essential place in our children’s lives.

Many families hire the same person to take care of the children and the household chores. This implies, in general, that the person does not have specific qualifications under childcare. If you have the means, it is always more convenient to separate both tasks and choose a caregiver with training in psychology, pedagogy or early childhood education.

The person in charge of childcare should have adequate knowledge,  especially when the children are young or when they have special needs. Ideally, the nanny should  be able to understand the developmental stages of children  and accompany them in the best possible way as they go through each stage.

Shared values ​​between the parents and the nanny

Another fundamental factor to consider when choosing a caregiver is to make sure that the  person shares one’s values ​​and vision when it comes to how to raise children. At the very least, this person should respect your upbringing and your norms. This consistency is essential for the little ones so that they feel more secure and happier.

The following are some of the most important values ​​that the ideal nanny should have:

The role and democracy of a nanny

It is crucial that this person  offers your children the opportunity to make decisions and reach agreement,  instead of imposing. For example, giving siblings the freedom to choose and negotiate about which games they want to play together. It will  create a more confident and confident character  in them.

Empathy

When it comes to filling the role of nanny,  the right person needs to be able to accompany your children emotionally  when they are having a hard time. A nanny must be someone who is involved and who manages to make children feel heard, valued and loved.

Positivity is one of the essential values ​​when it comes to the role of a nanny

It is preferable to  approach children with a positive attitude, and tell them what they should do,  rather than what one does not want them to do. “Can you please put your toy in the box” instead of “Do not leave the toy lying around”.

Furthermore, if the orders are accompanied by explanations, it will help the children to  act on the basis of conviction rather than blind obedience. “If the toy is lying on the floor, someone may step on it and destroy it.”

Self control

An irreplaceable quality when dealing with children is to be calm and patient. You need  a caregiver who does not lose his temper when a child has a tantrum. One that gives children space to express themselves, and makes them fall down again with  respect and without shouting. 

The interview with the nanny is the perfect time to find out if the person who wants to be your nanny shares these important values ​​with you. Ask about everyday situations to know how this person would respond and,  most importantly, pay attention to the details of previous jobs. A person with a calling will speak with feelings and love about previous families.