Getting Real About Nannies

Okay, so "high-octane nannies" might be a thing for some--at least according to this article in The Telegraph.

Nurturing Nannies

Some families might be demanding that their nannies have their Masters in Child Psychology, oh and be military-trained martial arts experts too (can't forget that). They might be willing to pay a whole lot of money for that thing called "perfection," which is akin to looking for unicorns. While I'm on the subject (because it's a bugaboo for me), there is no such thing as "perfection" people. We are all human. We all have flaws. As such, we have our strengths and weaknesses. It really always comes down to a matter of family's choosing the strengths they want and the weaknesses they can live with. That is the bottom-line when hiring staff or choosing a home mortgage.

Ninja Nannies or Unicorn Nannies

So, these ninja-seeking parents are out there. Okay, I get that. Then again, there are a whole lot of families who simply want experienced nannies who love children and are good at nurturing and engaging them physically and intellectually. They want nannies who will keep their children safe from harm, help them get through the day's homework, foster a love for learning, and be there to support a child for what's been a lousy day. We all have them. Even our children have them.

Of course, there are other "non-ninja" duties that come with the role. But this kind of hyped-up, super-nanny myth does no family any good. There are fantastic nannies out there. They might not be martial arts experts, but they are very good at providing a loving and supportive environment for the most cherished individuals in our lives.

I love nannies. I respect them. I think they do valuable work that will have a lasting impact on the tiny individuals towards whom they have significant responsibilities. I also think that some parents need to dial back their wild expectations into the realm of reality. They will be doing themselves and their children a tremendous favour in the process. Nanny kindness goes a long way in doing a good job and helping a family raise happy young adults.

Thoughts?

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