Every
significant relationship needs care and attention, and the relationship with
your children’s nanny is no exception. You trust your nanny to look after the
people most important to you in the world. You rely on her and her expertise
makes your life easier. Cultivating a good working relationship with your nanny
makes everyday life easier and less stressful, particularly when you may be new
to the city of Buenos Aires.
When you hire a nanny through an experienced
agency you can be sure she has the relevant experience and skills – but here’s
how to make the most of your nanny by developing the best working relationship
possible.
Image via
Serge Bertasius Photography/ freedigitalphotos.net
1) Make
Expectations Clear From the Start
You should
both read and commit to a contract or list of job duties that the nanny is
expected to help with. Depending on your needs and the time available your
nanny may help with light housework but it is not generally expected that a
professional nanny in Buenos Aires take on heavy housework chores. If you need
to change a nanny’s duties, check with her beforehand and work things out.
2) Look
After Your Nanny’s Health
Pay
attention to how hard your nanny is working and make sure she takes breaks, and
takes time off is she is sick. Make sure she has the chance to eat healthily
and that you listen to any concern she has about the work and her health.
Image via
imagerymajestic/ freedigitalphotos.net
3) Register
Your Nanny
Get the
relationship off to a professional start by ensuring your nanny is properly
registered with AFIP for all relevant benefits, sickness pay, and bonuses. You
can find out more about registering a nanny here.
4) Give Her
Autonomy
Nothing
creates a negative atmosphere quicker than constantly picking apart someone’s
work. If you trust your nanny to look after your kids, trust her to know how to
do it. If her ways are slightly different from yours, don’t criticize. As long
as she is doing her job and keeping the children safe and happy, the small
details will work themselves out. Don’t get in her way and she will make your
life easier.
5) Have a
Chat
But if
something does come to your attention that you are not happy with, make sure
you communicate with your nanny. It’s not a great idea to leave her a note –
any big issues need to be given time and be dealt with personally.
6) Consider
Transportation Issues
In Buenos Aires
it’s a fact of life that transport strikes, heavy weather and other crises all conspire
to prevent people getting to work on time. Think about how you will deal with
unexpected absences caused if your nanny cannot get to work by the usual means.
Can you get her a taxi? Consider having her coming in later and staying later?
7) Stay Organized
Keep
communication open and make sure everyone in the family knows what’s going on
by creating a wall calendar of important activities or dates, or having a
regular meeting to update your nanny on upcoming events. The more organized everyone
is, the easier everyday life becomes.