Live-In Nannies versus Live-Out Nannies

Which Type Nanny Suits Your Family's Needs?

Depending on particular family lifestyles, live-in nannies are sometimes better choices than those who reside outside of the home.  Parents with large homes and multiple children often prefer live-in nannies because there is never any doubt that someone will be available to watch and spend time with the children night or day.

Four important things to keep in mind regarding live-in nannies are:

1. Even though live-in nannies are usually available more than live-out nannies are, live-in nannies have a life of their own, too, and all household members should respect that.

Parents who press their live-in nannies to be available twenty-four hours a day seven days per week often lose their live-in nannies because of failure to allow them sufficient personal free time.  Everyone needs some space and time of their own, and live-in nannies should be made aware when they are hired that there will be time set aside for this purpose.

2. There should be a clear understanding of what will be expected of live-in nannies before they are hired.  A detailed job description for live in nannies should indicate what normal and daily activities live-in nannies will have.  In a pinch, live-in nannies might be asked to do something outside of their normal duties, but live-in nannies should not feel they are being taken advantage of for any reason.

3. Determine who is in charge and when.  Live-in nannies should be told when the children are answering to them and when the parents are running the show.  This sounds simple, but live-in nannies must have times when the children know they must listen to them.  It can be confusing to the children when mothers contradict what the live-in nannies tell them to do, so communication between the parents and live-in nannies is essential.

4. Live-in nannies often become so close to the children and other household members that they become an extension or a part of the family.  While it is important to have a good relationship between parents and live-in nannies, there has to remain an unspoken knowledge that the parents are the employers.  When the children think of their live-in nannies as trusted friends, it is better for the nanny-child relationship.

Three Reasons Why Some Parents Don't Want Live-in Nannies

1. Live-in nannies do not suit the needs of some parents who prefer that their children have a closer bond with them.  Live-in nannies present a form of "competition" with the parents for the children's attention, and some parents do not want to "share" that attention with a caregiver.  Some parents try live-in nannies and then decide that it just isn't right for them.

2. Parents may want more privacy than they can have with live-in nannies.  Even when the house is sectioned off so that live-in nannies have their own living and cooking space, privacy can still be an issue.

3. It has often been said that there can only be one head of the household, and many times the wife and mother becomes the head of the home while the husband and father earns the living.  Live-in nannies threaten that structure for some mothers.  If this is a problem, it can have an adverse affect on the children and live-in nannies won't work out in those homes. It creates stress for everyone involved and the decision on whether to hire live-in nannies should be carefully evaluated based on each individual situation.

The Best of Both Worlds - Live-In Live-Out Nannies

Some parents find it much better to have live-in nannies in the home twenty-four hours a day on certain occasions and/or certain days, but who go home at other times.  This fulfills the needs of the children and still allows the parents to have enough influence that they don't solely depend on the nanny as the only caregiver. It also allows some additional privacy for parents, children, and the nanny.

Parents who are very active at work or in the community might have some days when they have little time to care for the needs of the children, but they feel they are shirking their family duties by never being home to provide the parenting figure their children need.

Live-in nannies are the best solution for childcare in many families.  Hiring the right person is very important when it comes to finding a caregiver for your children.

Before you can find the right live-in nannies, you must first evaluate the lifestyle of your family and what is right for you, your spouse, and your children. Once you isolate a list of basic requirements, then you can begin the search for the right live-in nannies to fit the bill.

Ready to Hire the Perfect Live-in or Live-out Nanny for Your Family?