Nanny Myths: 4 False Ideas You Need to Forget

When it comes to nannies, people tend to have a lot of preconceived notions — both good and bad. Some paint nannies in a wonderful light, while others maybe aren’t as favourable. More often than not, what we think of when it comes to nannies is based on portrayals we’ve seen on TV or in the movies. Unfortunately, though, those mediums don’t always paint the most realistic picture as they’re usually glamorized or overdramatized.

But we want to set the record straight when it comes to nannies. Anyone who may be looking to hire a nanny needs to know exactly what being a nanny means and understand that not everything you’ve seen or heard is 100% truthful.

To help you better understand, in this article, we’ll help debunk some common nanny myths to set the record straight.

Myth #1: Nannies Replace Parents in a Child’s Eye

It’s a common belief that hiring a nanny may lead your children to love the nanny more than you. Since they spend more time together, they’re bound to become a quick favourite for your children, right? Wrong.

The truth is, nannies are hired to help raise children alongside parents. When you find the right fit, a nanny can fit into your family seamlessly so that no one need feel replaced. Nannies work with families to help raise children the way that the parents desire. Their main job is to provide a happy, healthy, and safe environment for a child to succeed in life.

Kids will undoubtedly grow to love a good nanny, but parents don’t need to worry about losing the affection of their children if they hire one. All you need to do is be there for your child, spend the time with them when you can, and provide them with love and support. Kids will always know who their parents are, so letting someone new into their life doesn’t replace the love they have for you.

Myth #2: Kids Become Anti-Social if Raised by a Nanny

Many parents believe that childcare centers are a better fit for their kids because it allows them to socialize with other children. If a child spends all day home alone with the nanny, they don’t build their social skills, which can lead to issues in a child’s development. Or so the myth goes anyways.

But in reality, children who spend their days with a nanny instead of in daycare have just as much opportunity to socialize as any other child. Not only can a nanny take a kid to the park to play, but they can also help organize play dates with other children in their area. Children who don’t go to daycare don’t lose out on socialization and don’t lose the ability to make friends.

On top of that, kids can also join social groups or take part in sports or other group activities that allow them the opportunity to interact with other children outside of daycare. The notion that kids spend all day alone when raised by a nanny is one that can be easily debunked.

Myth #3: Nannying is a Last-Ditch Job

It’s an unfortunate truth that many people think that some nannies only work in childcare because they couldn’t find a “real” job. Some people also believe that nannies take the role because they’re looking for something simple and don’t strive for anything more out of laziness.

But ask any nanny out there, and they’ll tell you just how real their job is. And anyone who’s spent even a small amount of time with a child knows that children aren’t always easy to handle. More often than not, nannies often need astronomical patience to do the job, which isn’t something a lazy individual is bound to seek out.

Not only do nannies love what they do, but many couldn’t ever see themselves doing anything else. Being a nanny is an incredibly rewarding experience and those that do it take it very seriously.

Myth #4: Nannies are Only For The Wealthy

Time and time again, people have been shown the classic TV or movie trope of a wealthy family hiring a nanny to take care of their children. But while nannies are often associated with the wealthy and famous, in truth, nannies are for everyone.

Contrary to popular belief, hiring a nanny doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. The average cost for a nanny in Canada is $15 – 19 an hour while the cost of daycare is rising at an alarming rate year over year. This fact alone means that daycare may not always be the best option for your children.

Simply put, registering your kids in daycare doesn’t always mean that you’re making the most economical decision, and hiring a nanny doesn’t mean you’re showcasing your extreme wealth. Despite how the media may portray it, hiring a nanny isn’t something solely reserved for celebrities and socialites; it’s a valid option for many families from all economic backgrounds.

Conclusion

There are a lot of myths out there about nannies, most of which are decidedly untrue. Nannies play an important role in the lives of the families they work with, and should never be summed up based on a few false facts spread around online. Whether you already have a nanny or are looking to hire one, we hope this article helped you better understand what nannies really do.