Nanny / Employer Communication is critical to ensure the longevity and happiness of the working relationship. Conflict, resentment and frustration can build up if communication lines are not kept open and issues are not dealt with effectively. Without communication between the two parties, the relationship will fail.

When a new nanny starts with a new family it can take time for both the nanny and the family to get used to each other’s ways of doing things. The settling in period takes some time for both parties, and compromise may be necessary on both sides.

Here are some important guidelines for communication with your nanny to get your relationship off to a good start –

• Schedule morning and evening debriefing routines.
• Ask your nanny to maintain a daily diary / log of main activities and happenings – Rockmybaby® has a nanny diary you can purchase which will allow you to keep track of the child’s / children’s day – contact tanya@rockmybaby.ch to order one.
• Have a daily check-in time via phone or email / whatsapp.
• Hold a weekly or monthly meeting in a quiet area with no interruptions.
• On the agenda for these weekly meetings should be children, job tasks, expectations etc – both parties should be open and share their feelings and opinions in a diplomatic way. Both parties should feel comfortable and respected in sharing their feedback with each other. Be as honest and open as you can focusing on positives and areas of improvement in a diplomatic way.
• It is best to always be open and direct in your communication and don’t expect your nanny to read between the lines.
• Be supportive and empathetic when discussing more sensitive topics with your nanny like areas of development. Remain calm and do not show anger or be disrespectful in any way. Always keep communication professional.
• Communicating around serious issues should be dealt with effectively and in a timely matter, so as not to let resentment and frustration build up.
• Be an active and good listener.
• Communicate how grateful you are for your nanny and her work and once in a while give her an unexpected bonus, time off or small gift to show your appreciation.
• Praise her for the work well done – saying something kind or highlighting what she does well will go a long way to building a positive relationship
• Be prepared to compromise on less important areas and be open to the nanny’s suggestions and ideas.

Remember that you have an employee-employer relationship with your nanny.

As much as your nanny might feel like part of the family, this is an employer / employee relationship at the end of the day. Always make sure your expectations are clear from the outset to make sure there are no misunderstandings, and have respect for her time off, the contract and duties.

The most successful nanny/employer relationships are where there is a mutual respect between both parties. The nanny / employer is unlike any other employer/employee relationship as she becomes part of your family. It is important for nannies to feel valued and for you to feel heard, hence ongoing communication is critical. With the right amount of attention and care, you can nurture your relationship to be one of the most important ones you will have for your family.

For you nanny recruitment needs, please contact Tanya at tanya@rockmybaby.ch – www.rockmybaby.ch