I'm very close to our nanny. She's worked with us for almost 5 years, and I still think hiring her was the best decision I've made as a parent.

We know her family, too, and we have tried to make her life (and that of her teenage son) easier. But both of my kids are in full-time school now and we are about to stop using her (we've been in a share). So I am endlessly stressed about making sure the new family has her best interests at heart.

We are very close. DH and I have spent holidays with them. Their son was in our wedding.

Our nanny doesn't live with us. We're friendly, but not friends. I am grateful that he is so good with our DD but we do not invite him for dinner or parties. He's our employee, and I think keeping professional boundaries is a good thing.

Very close to the parents

I consider MB to be a very close friend. I am much younger (early 20s) and she is mid 30s, but we talk about everything and have a great relationship! I am very lucky to be invited to family birthday parties and we usually hang out on Friday afternoons-- we watch tv and talk. I think it is great for our relationship and I am treated like a true part of the family. We drink together often and have meals together sometimes. My employers are the best and you can tell they love spending time with their kids and with me, as I really love their kids unconditionally. I am on salary so I never feel weird about the time that I spend hanging around the house ( I am a live out). I made an effort to stick around once MB gets home from work so we can chat and she can hear about the day from the little ones (2 and 4- so pretty young). I can't imagine working for a better family! I look forward to being in their lives for years and years!

I'm not close with the parents. We have a perfectly fine, professional relationship, but it's not cozy. The two LOs are close to me and often would rather be with me than with their parents (I think this also adds to the lack of coziness between the parents and me). It leads to some weird moments, like the kids will beg to have me over for dinner and I'll go, but it's 100% awkward with the parents.

Is it more professional, or like an extended family?

I'm a nanny to two little girls whom I adore. I'm pretty close to MB, I work with her at times and we always get along. I'm thankful for her Type A and extroverted personality because I tend to be quiet and introverted. She is very open with me, and I enjoy that she trusts me and often confides in me. She's told me I'm like family now, and that makes me feel very good. I think having a close relationship with the family helps create bonds with the charges, which ultimitly creates a better working environment. I suppose some like to keep it strictly professional in fear that a nanny may become lazy if she gets too comfortable, thankfully that is just not my personality.