How To Successfully Work From Home With Your Nanny

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are still sheltering in place. That means many parents are working from home, while also juggling homeschooling and caring for their kids full-time. Are you one of them?

A nanny can help lighten the workload for work-from-home parents if you’re lucky enough to have one, but having both a nanny and parents present can become confusing for everyone involved! That’s why we’ve put together some tips on how you can work alongside your nanny while you’re working from home.

Communicate with your nanny often

Being a good employer in any industry involves honest communication. The same goes for employing your nanny! Honest, regular communication is even more important now when your family’s lives — and your nanny’s — have been changed by COVID-19.

Schedule a sit-down meeting with your nanny when the kids won’t be nearby, during naptime or after they’ve gone to bed, for example. Set an agenda for the meeting so you remember to cover all your bases. 

You might talk about:

• What your typical workday looks like, and your partner’s too, if applicable
• When you usually have meetings or should not be disturbed
• When you take breaks and if you’ll spend them with the kids
• What the children’s homeschooling routine looks like, if they’re in school
• What indoor and outdoor activities are appropriate for the kids
• What precautions everyone should be taking to prevent COVID-19 infection; e.g. washing hands, changing clothes, cleaning surfaces, etc.

Following that sit-down meeting, set up quick daily check-ins for when your nanny arrives, or for a particular time if they are sheltering in place with you. You can share your expectations for the day and what you and your kids have planned. You may also want to schedule a few minutes to connect with your nanny before they leave for the day, too. 

Re-establish authority

When you and your nanny are both present in your home, your children can easily become confused. They may not know who’s in charge, when it’s okay to interrupt you while you’re working, who they should ask permission to do something, and so on. That’s why it’s so important to work with your nanny to reestablish authority and set boundaries.

Remind your kids that while you’re working and the nanny is there, they’re in charge! If your children get an answer that they don’t like from the nanny, they may come to you and ask again. It can be tempting to give in to your kids, but support your nanny and act as a united front. Back their decision so that your nanny’s authority is reaffirmed with the kids. It’ll make your nanny’s job easier, and your kids will understand in time that they need to listen.

Set up different spaces

Your kids may better grasp the idea that you’re working, even though you’re at home, if you set up separate spaces for their activities and your work. Work with your nanny and kids to create a system for talking to you during the workday. 

You might hang up a “do not disturb” sign on your office door during important meetings or calls. Or, you may let your kids and nanny know that you’ll spend breaks and lunch time with them, but shouldn’t be interrupted while you’re in your office.

If your kids are distance learning, make sure you work with your nanny to designate spaces for their schooling and playtime, too. Maybe they can do their homework and virtual chat with their teacher at a desk or at the kitchen table, and the living room or family room can be their after-school play space.  

Trust and respect your nanny

Remember: everyone is adapting to the changes brought on by COVID-19. You may not be used to working from home, and your children aren’t used to homeschooling or not seeing their friends. Likewise, your nanny may not be prepared to help your child with distance learning, nor are they used to caring for the kids when you’re there, too. Things won’t go perfectly, and there will be times when adapting becomes overwhelming and stressful.

Show your nanny appreciation and gratitude, whether that’s through small gifts or verbal expressions of thanks. Remind your nanny that you’re there to work with them as a team, and you trust and respect their decisions. If you sense something isn’t working out, or you’d like to change something you’ve previously discussed, talk to your nanny! You can work together to make things easier for everyone.

Need a nanny to help during COVID-19?

If you’re searching for the perfect nanny for your family in Dallas, Denver, or Phoenix, reach out to A Perfect Fit! Our professional nanny placement process is customized to each nanny and family. Learn more about our screening and matching process today.