Having a nanny who brings her own child to work with them is a controversial subject, but it can be super beneficial for both parties. The more information you have available, the less intimidating it can be making an informed decision on what is best for all parties.
1. A nanny with her own child will have a new perspective on childcare.
Books can only take you so far. I have personally experienced this as someone who was a professional nanny for 6 years before having their own child. Having your own child makes you realize a new sense of love and responsibility for all of the children in your care- and their families, You are more aware of the little things- choke hazards in the home, the importance of the child having a clean play space, the ability to be more patient, and the realization that parenting is hard work and is made easier if the entire village is working together rather than against one another.
2. Your child will be gifted the opportunity to either teach or learn from a peer.
No matter how hard you try to teach your child something, they learn so much more from their slightly older/more developed peers than they will from you. If the nanny is bringing a younger child, your child will be able to develop empathy, understanding, and patience. They will also be given the opportunity to help the younger child learn things, which deepens their understanding on said subject as well. For example, if my 18 month old son is connecting the train tracks to play with his train figures, but cannot figure out how the pieces go together, my 3 year old nanny child can show him how to do it. She can correct the way he is holding the piece, or show him how to be more gentle, which deepens her problem solving skills in turn. If your nanny is bringing an older child, your child will likely develop skills sooner than their peers because they have a friend to model themselves after.
3. Your nanny may be more flexible to your schedule.
If a nanny has a child who has to be cared for by someone other than themselves, they will not be able to be flexible with their schedule. If their child is sick, they will need to either find someone willing to care for a sick child, or request the time off to be with their child. Your nanny may also be more comfortable caring for your sick child if their child is present because both children will likely be sick together.
4. Your nanny will likely stay longer term.
As parents, we know that consistency is great for a child, and having a consistent routine for your child helps them thrive. A nanny bringing their own child will likely desire the same consistency for their child's routine that you desire as a parent, which will give them extra motivation to stick around long term.
5. Your nanny will be more communicative when attempting to understand/reinforce a parenting style for your child.
A nanny with their own child will likely understand the importance of communication to ensure stability when reinforcing discipline for your children. They will be more aware of the mental turmoil that can occur when you are a working parent, and do their best to include you in all of the fun activities that filled your child's day. If a parent is unsure of the best way to handle a specific behavior, they will likely be able to offer advice on what has/has not worked with their child.
6. Your nanny may be more willing to help with extra household tasks.
A nanny who has been a new parent will understand the burden housework can carry on new parents, and might be able to pick up the slack on household duties without being asked. This can lift an enormous burden off the family. They will better understand the utter exhaustion that parents feel, and will likely put their best foot forward to help with these tasks when their is a lull in childcare (such as nap time).
7. The nanny may be able to offer insight for first time parents.
How great would it be if all new parents had an assistant to help them find help creating a schedule for their child? A nanny who has their own child may be someone who could offer insight on breastfeeding when it is a challenge, helping your child sleep through the night, recognizing the signs of/finding resources for a parent struggling with postpartum depression, insight on discipline and problem solving as it relates to parenting, etc. If all else fails, they may be willing to just be a person that you can talk to about the challenges of parenting and bounce ideas off of.
8. Your nanny may be willing to take a slight pay cut if you allow her to bring her own child to work.
While most nannies are absolutely able to keep up with their professional position at the same pace as a nanny without a child, I personally am willing to take a pay cut slightly lower than childcare expenses to bring my child with me to work because I see it as a tremendous benefit to myself. I love that I am able to ensure my son gets the right care for him, but that I am still able to provide support to my family while I care for him. This pay cut looks different for all nannies and their families, so I encourage you to talk to your nanny about what would make both of you comfortable.
After hearing all of the benefits involved in a nanny bringing their own child, its normal to wonder, "What sort of adjustments would I have to make for the nanny to bring her child." Parents may be surprised to find that there is usually very minimal amounts of change that need to be made when a nanny is bringing their own child. The biggest change that would need to be made is to decide where the child will sleep if they are at an age where napping is appropriate. Any other changes regarding the child's food, entrances to play spaces, class fees, etc should be taken care of by the nanny, as her child is her responsibility.
Overall, there are so many benefits to a nanny bringing their child to work with them. Talk with your nanny and make an informed decision on what is best for both parties, and as always, keep loving those kiddos.
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