Hiring A Yaya: A #ParentingNerd Tip
by MrsMommyHolic
Here in the Philippines, having a nanny is quite the norm for many families -- I grew up with a yaya myself! There are others who prefer not having one (especially if they only have one child and prefer the hands-on approach) but for others, it is an absolute must.
ADVANTAGES:
Less Stress
Now that I have kids of my own, I have found that having a nanny is ideal for my current situation. I have three young children and they can be quite a handful even if I am a stay-at-home mom. I find that having a yaya provides me with the support I need to run the household smoothly.
More Schedule Flexibility
Having a nanny means I can have someone to take care of the kids if I have to do something, or go somewhere at a moment's notice. Hubby and I are also able to have more time for ourselves, and do simple things like have dinner out or watch a movie. For those with full-time jobs, this also means not having to drag your kids to work all day.
Dedicated Attention
Having a nanny means that someone will take care of your child full-time when you're not around. They make sure that your child's needs and wants are met and, in some cases, they can even teach your child new things. Our yaya reads to our kids and also teaches them songs, and I appreciate this so much.
TIPS WHEN GETTING A YAYA:
1. Be observant and go with your gut.
As they say, there is nothing stronger than a mother's intuition. If you feel that something isn't quite right when hiring someone, move on to the next candidate. Or if you think the nanny you just hired isn't the right fit for your family, then don't be afraid or embarrassed to let them go.
2. Always do a background check.
There are people who are so desperate to find a nanny that they just hire whoever is available without conducting the necessary background check or talking with the previous employer. There are others who have successfully found their yayas from an agency, but we’ve personally never done that. We’ve always gone with word-of-mouth, like hiring those with recommendations or are relatives of nannies we know. I find that this has proven the most effective route for our family since we can already have an idea of where the person came from.
3. Personality & experience is always a plus.
I also think that it’s essential to hire a nanny who shows a sincere fondness for kids and has a pleasing personality. You want your child to be surrounded by positivity, and it will also make your working relationship with the nanny much easier. It’s also preferable if she has previous experience caring for children or has kids of her own.
4. Yayas are NOT mind readers.
Let the nanny know what you want and expect of her before you hire her. Once hired, make sure to brief her thoroughly so she knows everything about the child - general attitude, likes and dislikes, schedule throughout the day, and any allergies or medical conditions. Make sure she can understand important directions like proper dosage for medicines and correct food preparation. Demonstrate how to measure the proper amounts of food to ensure to ensure that your child gets the proper nutrition daily and is protected from the risks of micronutrient deficiencies. Imagine the horror of any mom who discovers that her child had been missing meals!
5. Help your child adjust.
It may be hard having the child adjust to a new person initially, so you should always be present in the first few days to help with the transition period. Spend time with the yaya and your child to get a feel of her behaviour and how the child responds to her.
6. Maintain your bond with your child.
Entrusting your child to a nanny may mean that your child will spend more time with the yaya than you. This is especially true for parents with jobs, and I personally experienced this when I was still a working mom. I had to leave early when my child was still asleep and would get home late from working overtime most nights. Pretty soon, it was apparent that my baby had definitely gotten closer to her nanny. When she would cry or wake up at night, she would end up looking for her yaya instead of me, and that was so hurtful. I guess this was also one of the reasons which led to my decision to be a full-time housewife. But for working parents, I think it’s important to take over when you get home even though you're so tired from work. Spend quality time during the weekends without the yaya, too, and just bond together as a family.
Like any situation, hiring a yaya has its advantages and disadvantages and is entirely your own choice. Having a nanny has personally made my life easier. Our yaya has helped me raise my children and provided me with the support I need when I’m feeling overwhelmed at home with 3 kids.
They say finding a good yaya these days is like winning the lottery. I’m very lucky that our current nanny has been my own yaya since I was small. Can you believe she has been with our family for over 30 years? She is like a second mother to me and loves my kids like her own. She may be tough (we have our constant disagreements and she sometimes acts like she’s the boss of the house!), but having someone like her around who has dedicated her whole life to us is a gift we treasure. I know that we can depend on her completely and she has my family’s best intentions at heart. That is something no amount of money can buy.
DISCLAIMER:
CERELAC is not suitable as a breast milk substitute.
Infants six months onwards should be given fresh, indigenous, and natural foods, in combination with continued breastfeeding.
CERELAC is a solid food for kids aged 6 months onwards. Opinions and experiences expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.
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