Nanny to Mommy

Some people might prefer to be stay-at-home parents, whereas others still want to maintain a career or do this to help finance family life. No matter the reason you are a working parent, the reality is that sometimes balancing work-life with taking care of the kids can be challenging and overwhelming. You want to have peace of mind that your children are happy and healthy while they are in the care of someone else, and to make sure that they are having the best experience when you are at work, here are some things to think about.

If you have a relative or close friend who is happy to take care of your children while you are at work, this could be a great solution. Not only do you feel comfortable with who is taking care of your children, but the kids will feel the same way. It can also help to strengthen the bonds between your children and your friend/relative, which can be nicer for you as a parent when you all want to spend time together.

If you don’t have a relative or friend who is available to look after your children, you should look into getting them into a daycare center or kindergarten environment. This is a great option, as your kids will be mingling with other children and making friends, which is ideal for their social development. They will also have access to educational resources as these are learning environments as well as recreation and play. If you can afford it, think about sending your child to a private kindergarten like this preschool in Fairfax VA, as this could help to give them the best possible education from the start.

Another option is hiring a private nanny to take care of your children at home, and this might be preferable for parents who do work long hours and might need someone to prepare their child’s meals and even put them to bed at night. This is another good option if there is no family or friend available to help you with childcare and is more hands-on than daycare. You might even want to have your nanny live in your home if you do have a very demanding career, but you don’t have to do this if you would be more comfortable with them living elsewhere.

Having the right people and environments for your kids to be cared for in your absence is important, but it is just as essential to make time for them yourself when you can. When you aren’t at work, set aside some quality time to spend with your children, whether that's a day out together as a family, eating dinner together, helping them with their homework, or playing with them. This will help to let them know that you are still there for them, even if you aren't with them all of the time, and that they are in your thoughts. This can help them feel more settled and comfortable when you do need to leave them in the care of others when you’re at work.

If you are a working parent and are worried about how to give your kids the best experience when you’re at work away from them, consider the tips above and see what works for you.