News in Parenting: Value of Nannies

In this frank article by Forbes Magazine, Jacoba Urist praises the value of nannies by claiming that they make families stronger. Written in part as a response to Mona Simpson’s New York Times cover story (an article I didn’t particularly enjoy as it glazed over everything a nanny actually is), Urist’s article hands over the torch to all the nannies of the world.

So why do nannies make stronger families? Because they allow Mom to be Mom at home, but then a professional at work. Parenting a toddler in a hands on, educational way IS a full time job. You can’t give your children 100% of your attention while you are answering work calls are sending out that last email on your blackberry. Nannies allow parents to not miss a beat, caring and educating fully while parents are at work, and then filling Mom or Dad in completely and stepping back when it is Mom or Dad’s time again. Nannies let parents focus fully on whatever it is at that moment that they need to be doing.

Urist ends her article with this tidbit: “It’s about letting go and trusting the person or people who raise and educate your kids while you’re not around— and believing that your bonds with your child are strong enough to withstand your workday.” Nothing a Nanny can do will break that bond with your children. If anything, the opportunity that a nanny provides for you to give your full attention to your child when you’re with them will make that bond so much stronger.

As an extra side note on the value of nannies, Bryce Covert of Forbes recently wrote an interestering article in response to the New York Times article, The Best Nanny Money Can Buy, which was featured a few months back here on The Naptime Nook.