I am a nanny and I turned down families for 7 weeks until I ran into my current family. Like other nannies have said it was just a really instant and mutual feeling. We interviewed for like 3 hours just talking and playing games with the kids. It was so laid back. I got an email from the mom later on saying how glad she was and excited, it was just really heartfelt and made me feel great. And she has continued to be respectful, thoughtful, and a real friend since. And because I ended up spending so much time with the kids that first meeting I didn't find any surprises after starting, I felt like I really knew them and everything I was told was true (no exaggerations about the kids or the expectations.) In my last 10 years I haven't really had such a feeling of connection with any other family.

I have an awesome nanny and agree it was a feeling. We would find that we were finishing each other's sentences on things like discipline philosophies or fun things to do with the kids.
The feeling was underscored by due diligence but I love that I felt, and still 2 years later, feel that she is our partner and friend.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a mom, and I definitely know within a day or two whether it's "right." Once we finally found our match, we'll do anything (we can afford) to keep her.

I'm this pp. I never got the feeling during an interview. Every successful babysitter and nanny we've had has been picked by our oldest DD!

I'm a mom, and I definitely know within a day or two whether it's "right." Once we finally found our match, we'll do anything (we can afford) to keep her.

I know in my current position, I did feel completely at ease almost immediately in the home and with my employers. Their son smiled and cooed when I held him, and eventually fell asleep in my arms. I've never been so happy in a job before. Of course everything on paper needs to look good, but this is like any other emotionally invested relationship, and its more pleasant for everyone involved if we like each other.

I have unfortunately not had this happen. The people I "clicked" with on two occasions turned out to be a good nanny, but terribly unreliable. The two I felt a little more distant from worked out beautifully.

I work from home part time, and ideally want a nanny that I feel very comfortable and family-like with, but I have come to understand that I am just not that good at judging these things on instincts.

Now boyfriends/husband ... I was always good at that!

I'm a nanny and yes I get a feeling. Can't explain it, I just know when it's the right family.

Nanny here- My boss said she knew I was the one when the cat came and sat on my lap during the interview. This cat is notorious for being antisocial (and has never sat on my lap since!!) and doesn't like anyone. She sat on my lap and purred the entire interview. The mom called me on my drive home and offered me the job.

I've been with the family 8 years.

I am a nanny and can say that it is like your friend stated...Sometimes you just KNOW.

But I have met families that I really clicked with and thought that things were really good, then later on they weren't.

So while you may think you KNOW, you never really will 100% in the very beginning. But that is how it is like when meeting any new person in any other situation, correct?

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get a feeling. There was no clicking. i went based on real, hardcore facts. Solid work history, solid references, prompt, polite, easily made friends with the baby and dog, solid eye contact, open to compromise without being a pushover, eager to learn, tried to make our lives easier, suggested solutions rather than just ignoring or announcing problems, etc.

This is great, but I also think it's important for nannies and families to mesh well personality wise as well as child-rearing philosophies.


You can find an 'awesome' nanny on paper that you just don't get along with....

As a nanny, I turned down three higher paying positions for a family that I 'clicked' with and I'm extremely confident it was the right decision. Being happy with your job is very important, as is being happy with your nanny.

I'm a nanny and it's a feeling, like calmness, feeling "right" and also a feeling of wanting to get to work right away... like wanting to take ownership of the job and jump in and get stuff done. It's hard to explain. Also it's not to say it wouldn't work w/o that feeling but it wouldn't be the same.

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get a feeling. There was no clicking. i went based on real, hardcore facts. Solid work history, solid references, prompt, polite, easily made friends with the baby and dog, solid eye contact, open to compromise without being a pushover, eager to learn, tried to make our lives easier, suggested solutions rather than just ignoring or announcing problems, etc.

This is important too even if you have a good feeling you need to do your due diligence and check references and background and matching philosophies.

Hiring the first nanny is the hardest.

I didn't get a feeling. There was no clicking. i went based on real, hardcore facts. Solid work history, solid references, prompt, polite, easily made friends with the baby and dog, solid eye contact, open to compromise without being a pushover, eager to learn, tried to make our lives easier, suggested solutions rather than just ignoring or announcing problems, etc.

I'm not a mom so I can't give you that perspective, but as a nanny I get a strong positive feeling when I know the family is right for me.

I am comfortable in the home from the first meeting. I feel as though I have a connection with the parents. I can talk openly with them, we have a similar communication style.

I'll feel connected to the child or children.

I have had parents tell me that I was the one they saw their baby with.

It's not the exact same, but when it's like when you found the one it fit and you can't see it working anyway or with anyone else as well as it would with that person, and there is this calm. That's how it is when I work for my best fit families.

That's not to say their won't be challenges any relationship requires work.



Good luck to you.

Several friends have nannies and I will soon be getting one. Some of my friends said they have all had a feeling of it being right with their nannies. Some of my girlfriends have said much like a partner, you know when you will click with the nanny and its a feeling you get. We are starting our search and I'm terrified.

How did you know the nanny of family was right for you? Did you get a certain feeling of comfortableness or a personality match with them!

Thanks and happy holidays!!!