The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Nanny
Hiring a nanny has it’s advantages, but it also has drawbacks as well. Read on for helpful information to assist you in deciding whether hiring a nanny is the best decision for you.
Advantages
Rather than putting your child in a daycare setting, hiring a nanny to come to your house and care for your baby while you are at work has it’s advantages.
For one thing, your baby can eat, sleep and play on THEIR schedule. In a daycare setting, the daycare provider has to work to balance the needs of several children, whereas with a nanny, they will only be dealing with your child and will establish a consistent routine.
Additionally, avoiding a daycare could mean less exposure to harmful germs and reduce the chances of your baby getting sick since he won’t be around a lot of different children every day.
Another great advantage to hiring a nanny generally means more flexibility. If a last minute problem pops up that where you have to be away from your child, you can usually negotiate with the nanny and get her to come to your rescue, so to speak. It’s a lot easier than trying to negotiate with a daycare center that closes at the same time every day!
Disadvantages
Hiring a nanny can be convenient, but it does often come with a price.
Because a nanny will be largely unsupervised with your child throughout the day, it’s important to find someone who you trust and can be relied upon to care for your child with the same importance you place on caring for him.
Another inconvenient but real problem many parents face is when their nanny decides to leave. When you hire your nanny, specify in her contract the minimum amount of time she must give you before she quits. That way, you are covered in case your nanny does decide to leave and will be able to secure a replacement.
If you are worried about your child’s social skills, hiring a nanny may or may not be the best decision for you. While a daycare center will put your kid in contact with many kids his age, you can encourage the same social stimulation by asking your nanny to take your child on regular visits to the park or similar outings.
Finances should also be considered when deciding whether to hire a nanny, as nanny care doesn’t usually come cheap!
While deciding whether to hire a nanny can be a daunting decision, understanding the pros and cons of hiring a nanny will allow you to make the best decision for you and your child.
