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Janeen
Cook has a nanny, for her 4-year-old daughter Kayleigh.
She’s also seen the ‘nanny’ shows on television.
But she says there’s a big difference between reality television,
and real life…
“It’s a family intervention show to me,” she
says, “versus explaining what a real life nanny does.”
“These shows kind of put it where it’s almost being
a psychologist kind of coming in,” says Early Childhood Specialist
and Nanny Advisor Serra Deville, “(They) tell a parent how
to raise a child… I don’t see the nanny profession
going that route.”
In the shows… nannies often clash with parents…
But experts say the goal of a real nanny is to mesh with a mom
or dad’s parenting style… not correct it.
“There is a boundary there and the nanny need to respect
the family, their privacy, and the way that they raise their children,” says
Deville.
Inevitably, however…
“There’s going to be things that are going to come
up that you’re gong to need to negotiate or talk about,” says
Kelly Love, the Cook’s Nanny.
It may be, for instance that Kayleigh has a bad habit, or doesn’t
always pick up after herself…
Kelly will then offer her suggestions.
“Sometimes Kelly will come and say ‘I was at play
group today and another mother talked about x.y and z, and I’ll
say ‘well that sounds like a good idea’,” says
Mrs. Cook.
And once they both agree on an approach… they both use
it.
“Consistency is the key factor for making a nanny and family
work,” says Deville, “If you don’t have consistency
and also set expectations and communication it’s going to
fail.”
And ultimately, Janeen says, the nanny follows her lead… not
the other way around.
“Kelly is very schooled in early childhood behavior. I’m
not… but I’m older!” she laughs.
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