When I talk about "the awkward stage" I'm referring to the settling in period when you first start a new Nanny position, or from a family's perspective when a Nanny first joins your family and your home becomes their place of work.
This is what I mean by "the awkward stage". Because that's what it is, it's awkward! It's awkward for the nanny and its awkward for the family. Everyone may be super nice but it’s still awkward. I wonder how many times I can get that word in awkward in throughout this post?
Let’s set the scene. You're in somebodies home, you've been there before a couple of times for settling in hours, but this time its most likely substantially earlier in the day than before. The family may have only just woken up, also as the case might be for lots parents not much sleep was actually had. Therefore you've probably got tired parents, also feeling slightly awkward having someone in their home that early in the morning (before coffee), and the children might wake up hangry, tired, excited, hypoactive, and possibly slightly confused to have you there. Anyway it’s a typical morning in a family home, and even for the most experienced Nanny it’s hard to know where to place yourself, especially on your first day. Its AWKWARD!!!
I cannot speak for all nannies, but when working as a nanny and joining a new family, it takes a good couple of weeks for it all to feel a little more comfortable. Yes you've all met a couple of times, but really getting to know the parents, the children and the family as a whole, this all takes time. Flipping it around, the parents and children need to get to know the nanny too, you're in their home, their haven, their personal safe place. Let’s all tread carefully and respect that we are all feeling a little...what's the word...awkward.
My tips for the Nanny
It’s all about keeping things FAMILIAR...
Watch closely how the parents interact with the children, and what they respond well to. It can often be useful to mimic these slightly, as it can keep things familiar for the children.
Pay close attention to what the children like and don't like. This can be something as simple as what colour bowl they like to have their breakfast in (we all know getting this wrong can lead to a bit of melt down), to how they like their cucumber cut, is it circles or length ways? also their toast, is it triangles or squares? Do they like to peel their own banana? All the way to something like what's their favourite toy or where they like to sit at the table.
You might be a brilliant cook with some great tried and tested recipes on your previous families. But my advice in those first couple of weeks is to keep it simple. Now is not the time to be introducing some new fancy recipes, keep it familiar, make what they like and you know they're going to eat. There's plenty of time to introduce your famous sweat potato and bean stew, or whatever your winner dinner is.
Questions - it's the same with any new job, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't know something, ask. Also at the end of the first week, ask the parents if they're happy with how things have gone, and if there is anything you're doing that they would prefer you do differently.
My tips for the family
There's many ways that the family can make the nanny feel comfortable within the first couple of weeks, in order to ease the awkwardness.
If possible try to be around for the first hour or so on the first morning, not rushing out the door if it can be helped. Let them know where everything is that they might need.
Make them feel welcome to help themselves to tea/coffee or snacks etc.
Don't forget to leave them kitty money.
Write a list of the children's favourite meals.
Ask them if they have any questions or there's anything they need before you head to work.
Once you're all set, leave the nanny to it. They're keen to get stuck in and are looking forward to getting to know the children and your home.
Show your appreciation, a thank you for your help at the end of the day and reassurance goes a long way.
The awkward stage will be over before you know it.
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