CHILD CARE DEBATE
THE CHILD CARE DEBATE
OMG! It's positive you are going to have a baby. Your heart is racing, your face hurts from smiling so hard and you get those familiar butterflies of excitement in your stomach. Then your thought process begins, and sometime during this moment you think eventually I am going to need a nanny, no maybe daycare wait no I'm quitting my job. WAIT!
I am a mom, who had been a nanny for years. I switched careers and became a stay at home mom/author, then as of a month ago I put my daughter into daycare. Yes I have experienced it from every angle, so let me give you a little insight.
THINKING OF A NANNY
The choice to get a nanny is a big one and one of the most personal relationships you could ever have. To be clear a nanny is not a babysitter. A babysitter ensures your little one is safe, and entertained in your absence, a nanny ensures not only your little one's safety and entertainment, but they also see after the entire wellbeing of your little one. Their personal and social growth, ensuring that milestones are met. Daily shaping your little one to be well mannered, well spoken and making sure that their basic educational needs are met, so as to ensure a smooth transition into school. Yes....a Nanny is essentially an extension of you, so let me add they must also be caring, loving and patient. That's why your choice should be thought through in entirety. If you should go the route of a nanny sit with your partner or with your support system and talk it through. Research the financial cost, what your focus needs are, the length of time you need child care and your flexibility in the event your nanny falls ill or needs a personal day.
NANNY COST AND WHAT IT COVERS
In terms of cost, having a nanny could work out cheaper or more expensive, depending on what you are comparing to and your ideal start rate. To my knowledge, the basic start rate in Jersey City currently is $15 an hour for the care of one child. Usually, a family typical needs 8-10 hours of care, which includes taking care of all your little one's needs (changing, napping, feeding, entertaining, encouraging, independent play for self development, etc.), tidying up after baby, cleaning of bottles and toys, taking baby out when the weather is good, attending any scheduled classes, organizing play dates and in most cases, wash and organize your little one's laundry. These are the basic physical needs that a nanny fulfills along with the emotional support she lends when you are away.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT APPLICANT
Now it’s time to review applicants and contact any references. Be sure not to skip this step, it’s always important to get insight from someone who has personally worked with your prospective nanny . Then the interview follows, during which time you can get a sense of who your possible nanny is (Remember your parental instincts). Might I also suggest that your little one be present for the interview if possible. Taking cues from your little one and watching the initial connection could be a game changer.
*SIDE NOTES*
***Also, please use the interview to highlight all that you wish your nanny to do and what you expect from them.
***Please make sure to find out what she is comfortable with and her views on childcare.
Asking her for input shows an interest in her views and establishes a form of respect for her as a person and
experience as a nanny (No one wants to feel like just the help).
***Your nanny should also be respectful of your family and home.
From there all that is left is to choose the right applicant and begin the process of connecting with and bringing this new addition into your life and home.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Having a nanny has little to no downsides. A great nanny is professional, loving, caring and trustworthy, but there is one thing you should think about. A nanny is a person, whose life is not much different from yours. She has personal appointments, a family, she could get sick and unforeseen circumstances can come up. What differentiates your job from hers is that where you are a part of a workforce, she IS the workforce. So when you need a day or get sick, where your absence will be felt at your workplace there is a team behind you to handle the workload. A nanny’s absence, too often throws the family into panic mode, seeing that with her not there someone needs to take a personal day or take off without pay. This is why I mentioned earlier that you need to really take a good look at your ability to get emergency child care should something happen. An unforeseen illness, family emergency or an accident are all things that things can happen, so don’t be caught off guard *be prepared*.
Summing up, a nanny brings a one on one relationship that is ultimately priceless. You will have someone outside of family to gush about your little one daily, and someone who is more than willing to guide you through any uncertain patches . Your little one will form a healthy bond with someone that will make them feel as safe and happy as they possibly could without you. Someone who knows how to reassure them that you will be back when they miss you. Someone who comforts and soothes during the inevitable transition episodes and someone who doesn't mind booger filled shirt shoulders. Someone who will guide and protect them, all from the comfort of your home. Ultimately a nanny will prove to be and ally to both you and your little one.
OMG! It's positive you are going to have a baby. Your heart is racing, your face hurts from smiling so hard and you get those familiar butterflies of excitement in your stomach. Then your thought process begins, and sometime during this moment you think eventually I am going to need a nanny, no maybe daycare wait no I'm quitting my job. WAIT!
I am a mom, who had been a nanny for years. I switched careers and became a stay at home mom/author, then as of a month ago I put my daughter into daycare. Yes I have experienced it from every angle, so let me give you a little insight.
THINKING OF A NANNY
The choice to get a nanny is a big one and one of the most personal relationships you could ever have. To be clear a nanny is not a babysitter. A babysitter ensures your little one is safe, and entertained in your absence, a nanny ensures not only your little one's safety and entertainment, but they also see after the entire wellbeing of your little one. Their personal and social growth, ensuring that milestones are met. Daily shaping your little one to be well mannered, well spoken and making sure that their basic educational needs are met, so as to ensure a smooth transition into school. Yes....a Nanny is essentially an extension of you, so let me add they must also be caring, loving and patient. That's why your choice should be thought through in entirety. If you should go the route of a nanny sit with your partner or with your support system and talk it through. Research the financial cost, what your focus needs are, the length of time you need child care and your flexibility in the event your nanny falls ill or needs a personal day.
NANNY COST AND WHAT IT COVERS
In terms of cost, having a nanny could work out cheaper or more expensive, depending on what you are comparing to and your ideal start rate. To my knowledge, the basic start rate in Jersey City currently is $15 an hour for the care of one child. Usually, a family typical needs 8-10 hours of care, which includes taking care of all your little one's needs (changing, napping, feeding, entertaining, encouraging, independent play for self development, etc.), tidying up after baby, cleaning of bottles and toys, taking baby out when the weather is good, attending any scheduled classes, organizing play dates and in most cases, wash and organize your little one's laundry. These are the basic physical needs that a nanny fulfills along with the emotional support she lends when you are away.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT APPLICANT
Now it’s time to review applicants and contact any references. Be sure not to skip this step, it’s always important to get insight from someone who has personally worked with your prospective nanny . Then the interview follows, during which time you can get a sense of who your possible nanny is (Remember your parental instincts). Might I also suggest that your little one be present for the interview if possible. Taking cues from your little one and watching the initial connection could be a game changer.
*SIDE NOTES*
***Also, please use the interview to highlight all that you wish your nanny to do and what you expect from them.
***Please make sure to find out what she is comfortable with and her views on childcare.
Asking her for input shows an interest in her views and establishes a form of respect for her as a person and
experience as a nanny (No one wants to feel like just the help).
***Your nanny should also be respectful of your family and home.
From there all that is left is to choose the right applicant and begin the process of connecting with and bringing this new addition into your life and home.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Having a nanny has little to no downsides. A great nanny is professional, loving, caring and trustworthy, but there is one thing you should think about. A nanny is a person, whose life is not much different from yours. She has personal appointments, a family, she could get sick and unforeseen circumstances can come up. What differentiates your job from hers is that where you are a part of a workforce, she IS the workforce. So when you need a day or get sick, where your absence will be felt at your workplace there is a team behind you to handle the workload. A nanny’s absence, too often throws the family into panic mode, seeing that with her not there someone needs to take a personal day or take off without pay. This is why I mentioned earlier that you need to really take a good look at your ability to get emergency child care should something happen. An unforeseen illness, family emergency or an accident are all things that things can happen, so don’t be caught off guard *be prepared*.
Summing up, a nanny brings a one on one relationship that is ultimately priceless. You will have someone outside of family to gush about your little one daily, and someone who is more than willing to guide you through any uncertain patches . Your little one will form a healthy bond with someone that will make them feel as safe and happy as they possibly could without you. Someone who knows how to reassure them that you will be back when they miss you. Someone who comforts and soothes during the inevitable transition episodes and someone who doesn't mind booger filled shirt shoulders. Someone who will guide and protect them, all from the comfort of your home. Ultimately a nanny will prove to be and ally to both you and your little one.
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