You’re definitely a hands-on parent. One who loves crafts, helps with homework and volunteers to bake cookies for your kid’s scout troop. Well, at least that’s what YOU think. What about your nanny? What kind of parent does she think you are?
Find out which of these types of parents you are and what kind of nanny would best serve to balance out your special brand of weirdness:
- The Addicted-to-Parenting-Books Parent
This is the mother who can’t stop researching and reading about all the aspects of raising a child. She’s the one who feels anxious letting her 5-year-old zip up his own jacket for fear he’ll get hurt. She often calls 24/7 nurse lines who reassure her that a runny nose does not turn into meningitis.Nanny Needed: One who knows when to dutifully stretch the truth (“Yes, I absolutely washed his hands 17 times before letting him eat an apple.”) and when to calm down this Type-A Mama and let her know she’s doing an incredible job.
- The Great Comparison Parent
This is the father who asks his nanny to find out what skills the other children at preschool have mastered. He’s the parent that wants to make sure he isn’t screwing anything up and causing his child to miss key developmental milestones. This uber-dad needs a nanny patient enough to placate him and lenient enough to let the kids slack off on their French horn practice.Nanny Needed: Someone social and astute who can get the scoop that will help keep his kid a notch above their peers.
- The Messy Bun Parent
This is the mother who’s just slightly off-center each day. She’ll wear a beautiful outfit, but her hair is put back in a bun that resembles a long-abandoned bird’s nest. And there’s a part of her house/car she would die before letting anyone see. She can successfully get one part of her life organized perfectly, but the other parts? They’re just a wee bit behind.Nanny Needed: Someone with epic organizational skills to be that perfect right hand (wo)man. No play date missed. No class project forgotten. And maybe even help Mom find her purse and keys.
- The Hippie Parent
This father is in no way friends with the addicted-to-parenting-books parent. He thinks that Play-Doh is the creative window into the soul. He also believes that children should eat foods such as quinoa and kale. This “rad” dad requires a unique type of nanny who can develop their child’s love of nature, art and getting them in touch with their inner beauty, all without turning on the Disney Channel and feeding them junk food.Nanny Needed: Someone who can be excited about recycling and create art projects about feelings.
- The Can’t-Miss-a-Thing Parent
This is the parent who asks her nanny to take photos of every excursion, occurrence and (what they deem) important moment in their child’s life. One of these moments might be a baby’s first step. Or it could be their little princess getting the mail. Or picking her nose. A nanny for this sensitive soul understands that parents have a tough time missing out on the good stuff.Nanny Needed: Someone with a good digital camera and the ability to stay patient with two people who miss their child.
- The “Cool” Parent
This mom isn’t exactly cool. But, bless her heart, she keeps trying to be — especially if her nanny is under the age of 25. In cases such as these, the mom suddenly feels a desire to use phrases like, “That’s dope” or “T’Pain is the bomb.” A nanny would need the ability to teach, what she perceives, are elderly learners.Nanny Needed: Someone to keep her up-to-date on hip terms and who knows that she too will get old and un-cool someday.
- The Completely Normal Parent
Has yet to be found. Content for these types of parents not available. If any surfaces, it is expected to be quite boring.
Do any of these sound excruciatingly familiar? Fess up in the comments! And if you’re worried that these traits may be keeping you from finding help, read on to 6 Things to Do When You’re Not Getting Responses to Your Job.
Danielle Herzog is a freelance writer who has the pleasure of writing for the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Parenting.com, The Huffington Post, AOL.com, What to Expect.com, Nickelodeon’s Nick Mom and various other national and local magazines, newspapers and sites. She’s also an on-air reporter and correspondent for Moms Everyday, as well as for local and national television programs.
