Weaning, sleeping, behaviour, play, manners, speech, clothes, milestones, illnesses… All of these are but a small part of what nannies and parents have to make decisions about on a day-to-day basis. From reading books to looking on the web to asking advice of others, adults with responsibility for children are constantly checking their decisions and trying to do the best for their little ones, their development and their families. However, despite the wealth of knowledge and experience that is out there, looking after children can sometimes be quite lonely and can leave a person feeling like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders..
In today’s society, judgement is everywhere. Whether this is in the form of a look from a stranger, a throwaway comment from a friend or open criticism from a co-worker, it is something that we all have to face and it can sometimes be hard not to take these things to heart. Realising the skill set that you have and accepting that every child will work and behave differently is the first step to coping with this criticism; knowing which bits of advice to listen to and which to ignore is the second step – so how do you cope with all of this?
Discuss Choices with your Family:
When making decisions about a charge, it is important that you discuss your ideas and concerns with the family. You have a lot of knowledge and experience that you can share with them, considering the individual child and their needs. Sharing these ideas is a great way to gain support and divide the responsibility of the decision. You are all in this together.
Read and Research:
Often, when we seek advice, we are looking for reassurance of our own ideas and we do not necessarily want an entirely new way of doing things. Whilst talking ideas over with people can be a great support and can allow you to talk through suggestions, risks and logistics, it is also a good idea to make sure that you have done your own research. This does not mean simply reading a blog or looking at Wikipedia but instead turning to expert advice and determining what will work best for your charge. If you have done your research before discussing your ideas, you may be able to iron out issues quickly and put a plan of action into place.
Trust your Judgement:
Everyone needs help at times and everyone makes mistakes. However, it is important to remember that you have completed courses in childcare and have experience in looking after little ones. Therefore, remember that it is great to share your thoughts and ideas with other people, gaining their advice at times but equally, trust your judgement and do what is best for the family, for you and most importantly, for your charge.
Judgement is everywhere but you have got this!