It seems that families with nannies tend to fall into two categories: those that find a happy medium with one nanny who works for the family for years, and those that go through nannies like they grow on trees. Although it is true that some nannies simply don’t fit with certain families, there are a few helpful things that parents can do to ensure a good working relationship with their nanny, and maybe convince them to stick around for quite awhile.

It is important to have realistic expectations for your nanny, and to make sure that the expectations are clearly outlined from the beginning of the working contract. In fact, writing up a physical agreement that both the parents and the nanny sign can help each party avoid any confusion about what the nanny is, and is not responsible for.Be sure to put any light housekeeping duties on the contract, and do not add to them without first consulting your nanny. Also, if you need your nanny to do a little extra work for you, make sure that you talk with them about it as early as possible. (more…)