International Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Introduction and a question
Hi all,
I have been lurking on the board on and off for a few months since I found out my husband's company was moving us to Bangladesh. I thought it would be insightful for general tips for life overseas and so far it has been. Thanks!
That said, here is my question: I have a 5 month old that I have been fortunate enough to stay home with so far, but next month I have to go back to work. They don't really do day care here so I have to hire a nanny. Has anybody every done this in a foreign country? I have no idea where to start so any insight would be great.
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Re: Introduction and a question
Welcome!
We have a housekeeper/nanny who is what we call 3/4 time. Since BabyD goes to daycare we let her do other cleaning jobs during the day. We use her for cleaning, occasional cooking, and nannying.
We got ours word of mouth. She didn't start out as our nanny but just as our housekeeper and we used her for babysitting as needed. After a while she approached us for more hours. This new arrangement has actually been cheaper for us and instead of just going out to work functions we actually have date nights.
- Teach the routines you want for the baby. Be specific. Make sure they see that it's the same routines you and DH do. Make sure they understand what routines and habits you want for your family, instead of doing what they individually/culturally would do and create dynamics you don't want. If you can't maintain a habit of rocking the baby to sleep, then don't let the nanny do it. If you don't want certain foods introduced until a certain point, then don't let the nanny do it. And this might sound a bit funny, but specify when you want nanny and baby to wash their hands. The world has different norms so don't assume they match yours. If you want nanny and baby to get their hands washed after a diaper change then say so.
- Make sure they know that not keeping your routines gets them in trouble, not the baby fussing. There's legitimate fussing because something is wrong (wet diaper, hungry, tired, not feeling good), which is checked and dealt with, and then there is fussing that the baby just needs to get over. When it's time to change the diaper, it's time to change the diaper. When it's bath time it's bath time. Or since I have a toddler, when it's time to pick up toys it's time to pick up toys.
- Make sure they understand procedures for when the baby is sick. When to give tylenol. How much. How often. To call you each time (so you can track it). Appropriate ways to cool a fever. How to give infant heimlich. How and when to call emergency services. When to call you for clarification or to give information. Basic test for that is what to you want to know immediately instead of coming home to find out.
Welcome to the board! I have no advice on the nanny situation, as I will be a SAHM from November on. I'm an American married to my German DH living in his hometown, and soon to be, in his parents' front yard.
Wishing you lots of luck in finding a nanny to meet your needs! Enjoy your upcoming adventure!
Welcome to the board! I'm an American living in Scotland with my Scottish H and our Scottish-American son.
No nanny advice because I'm a SAHM, but good luck with your search.
Sorry, no help here, but I just wanted to say welcome!
Thanks for all the nice welcomes and ideas for where to start to find a nanny.
Since everyone we have met so far either has older/grown kids it did not occur to me to ask around at the company but that makes sense as there is no way we are the first people ever they have moved here with a baby. If we are they should have mentioned that!
More expat centered activities are supposed to start back up again since school is back in session so I will also keep the general "word of mouth" thing in mind.
I know it sounds silly since we have only been here a month but this is certainly the first "well it would be so much easier if we were in the US..." moment. I thought it was going to be the lack of a decent hamburger that would get me first. Oh well.
Thanks Again!