Making Communication Easier with Your Nanny

Hello, from Lone Star Nannies!

You’ve gone through the vetting process, interviewed a few nannies, and have found the perfect fit for your family. Now what? At Lone Star Nannies we want to be there for you every step of the way, not just until you find the person you’re looking for. While we understand that nannies are seen as contractors or household employees, we recognize that choosing someone to care for your children is only the beginning of a longer-term relationship. Whatever your expectations about welcoming a nanny into your home may be, communication makes a significant difference in your experience. As you establish rapport with your new nanny, check out the following resources to help make communication as smooth as possible…

COMMUNICATION

Centralize

With so many ways to share information today, it’s no secret our brains feel scattered as parents! Somewhere between all the group chats, e-mails, and text messages, we know we had a message from our nanny somewhere… Enter “Daily Nanny”, an app that allows you to centralize all communication with your nanny to one place. Find it hard to share schedule details, napping preferences, or instructions. With so many apps out there, this one is worth checking out here or looking up in the App store. Notable features include tracking shifts (including overtime), maintaining financial records, creating calendar events, uploading photos, group messaging, and documenting information about your child’s health. This isn’t an App you’ll find anywhere else.

How Much is Too Much?

We all have different communication styles. Some parents like receiving photos while they’re at work and others would rather touch base for a few minutes when they get home. Before you dive in to doing life with your nanny, make sure you’re on the same page about how much information you want throughout the day. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, your nanny needs to know how often (and under what circumstances) you’d like updates. If you’re concerned that communication styles might be an issue, consider taking a quiz such as the Communication Styles 2.0 free assessment or search for another test (such as the Working Genius or the free DiSC Assessment) that will help you better understand yourself and/or others. 

Check-Ins

Creating a rhythm of weekly or monthly check-ins is one way to ward off potential conflicts and connect with your nanny. Etsy has lots of templates to guide your conversations such as this Nanny Binder download. Having a template can help maintain a level of professionalism while welcoming a nanny into the inner workings of your family. Use the same template each time you meet to track growth or provide structure to your relationship.

If your mind is filled with calendar events and to do lists, we hope these resources make organizing your thoughts a little easier. Parents and nannies juggle a lot of information in their brains, and it can be a challenge to learn how to establish norms for communicating. At the end of the day, better communication has the greatest impact on your kids.

We’re passionate about helping the relationship between you and your nanny succeed. When a family unit is properly supported, it strengthens the local community. Which means that building a solid foundation starts with you and the family you build. In words attributed to Mother Teresa, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” At Lone Star Nannies, we believe there is no greater means of communication than the love you bring to your children.

With care,

Lone Star Nannies