Many parents say that raising children is the most rewarding thing they’ve ever done. Then again, they also usually say it’s the hardest and the most responsibility they’ve ever had on top of that. You might consider hiring a nanny in order to help you out with your own parenting duties. Knowing the pros and cons of doing so helps you make an informed decision.
The Pros
Of course, you should only hire a nanny because it helps you and your family. The right nanny can do many great things for all of you.
For starters, there’s the sheer convenience of it all. You have someone to watch over your kids and even help raise them. You get more of your own time to handle professional and personal matters or just relax.
Your kids get to stay in their familiar environment. They can stick to set routines without spending long stretches of time in daycare or at a babysitter.
Your children also get personalized attention at home. They’ll also be exposed to not nearly as many germs or diseases.
You might even negotiate extra duties with your nanny. They could include light housekeeping and taking care of kids whenever you need to head out of town for a day or so.
The Cons
Hiring a nanny has a lot of potential positives to it, but it’s not always perfect. You need to know the possible pitfalls so you can avoid them or at least mitigate the risks.
The nanny profession is typically unregulated, which means you need to screen a nanny before you hire them. However, if you use a third-party service, such as Seattle Nanny Network Inc., you can have the screening done for you.
If you only hire one nanny, which is common, then there is no plan B if they need to call in sick. You’ll also have to pay the nanny, set the wages, schedule vacation time, and deal with sick days.
You should also know that you might have disagreements with the nanny on many matters. They might include discipline, sleep schedules, activities, and nutrition.
The right nanny can reduce the burden that parenting puts on you and your life. They can even become a member of the family. Having said that, they do cost money, and it might even mean less time with your kids. Weigh the pros and cons to make the right decision for your household.
