When one of your children needs a nanny so that they can get back to their career, what is a grandma to do? If you are lucky enough to be at a point in your own career where you are available you can become the newest phenomenon, the granny nanny.
Like so many of life’s decisions, this one comes with both pros and cons. Before discussing the pros and cons, however, there are many things that have to be considered.
One of the most important decisions you need to make is where are you going to do the childcare. Do you want to use your home or your child’s home?
There are some excellent reasons for either choice. Your home is where you are the most comfortable and it will mean that during nap time you will be able to accomplish a few things in your home. It also means that you need to get all the equipment required for childcare and that you must child proof your home. Sticky little fingers don’t mix well with expensive and adult designed furniture. At your child’s home, the equipment is already there so there is less disruption for you and any messes will not be in your home. The problem is, you have to try not be judgmental about the housekeeping or how things are done in someone else’s home.
Another challenge is getting on to the same page as your child when it comes to food, discipline and house rules. You have to remember that now you are an employee and your job is to follow the instructions you receive from your employer. Being a granny nanny and a mother-in-law are both difficult but if you can find the perfect balance, this can be a dream job.
Be sure to outline what you and your child expect from you. Have a heart to heart discussion including pay, expectations and how to handle emergencies. It is better to talk about everything upfront so no one is surprised or disappointed.
Make sure that you allow time for yourself and the things that are important to you. Plan some time out of the house with your grandchild. Go to the library, for a walk, to the park or just have lunch out together. You don’t have to be tied to the house as long as you have a car seat, a stroller and lots of patience and energy.
You are going to have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with your grandchild or children. This is what most grandmother’s dream of. Come prepared with a plan to entertain the children but remember, it isn’t all fun and games. There are schedules to adhere to and you want everything to run smoothly.
Childcare is exhausting and doing it every day can be a lot. It is hard to imagine that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, but you need to realize that it may be too much for you to do 5 days a week. Don’t be afraid to admit it if you need to cut back to less than full time. Everyone has their limits.
A granny nanny is a great option when it works out. The children are cared for by someone who loves them and the granny gets lots of sticky kisses, it is pretty much a win-win situation as long as everyone understands what they are getting into. The most important thing to remember is communication. Discuss small issues immediately so that they don’t end up affecting the family relationship. I was a granny nanny for two years for my grandson Jack and it was an amazing experience.
To share ideas with other granny nannies, try the Granny Nanny News.
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