Every job has its hazards, both physical and psychological, and nannying is no exception. Tune in to the 'top ten' in the 'danger' category and learn how to avoid the pitfalls of your profession.
10 Total exhaustion
In at number 10, this one comes as no surprise. Most people complain of extreme tiredness due to work at some point, but nannies are particularly vulnerable to this health risk because it is not possible to observe the rigid break times that others take for granted. The Health and Safety at Work Act provides guidelines as to how many breaks people should take, according to how many hours they work, but this is not something nannies could reasonably expect to stick to. However, it is important for your own well-being and for performing your job properly, that you take the concept of 'breaks' during your work day seriously. If the children in your care are young enough to need a nap, that should be your cue to put your feet up. You should not use their rest periods for household chores or other work; instead, consider your breaks as a part of your working conditions and as credit in your energy bank. Switch on the answerphone and ignore the doorbell, because you are 'off duty', even if only for 15 or 20 minutes. In addition to a short break, morning and afternoon, you should also plan a proper lunch break for yourself and the child in your care. Avoid being a 'waitress', staying on your feet and serving the child while she eats - sit down, participate and enjoy it. Adopting a flexible timetable and sensible attitude to how much activity can be crammed into each day will allow time for breaks and you'll be surprised how much better you feel.
9 Sexual harassment
This can occur within any workplace, but in nannying it is more difficult to deal with because you have no 'line manager' or union representative to appeal to. How you deal with this depends upon the relationship you have established with your employer, but it is quite likely you will have to look for work elsewhere. It pays to be vigilant about any early warning signs that this situation could develop, and let the offender know you will not go along with his behaviour. If you found your current employer via a nanny agency, inform them so they do not send any other nannies along for interview.
8 Poor diet
In most other professions food is not an issue, but if you were promised at interview that you would be able to have meals from the family's supply, as is the norm for nannies, then it is reasonable to expect your employer to provide more than an empty refrigerator to choose from. While you cannot expect your employer to spend weekends shopping for delicacies to tempt your palate, you do have a right to expect some nutritious ingredients to be on hand to keep you going through the day. If there is little or nothing available to eat on one or two occasions, then it is obviously an oversight. But if this happens regularly and if you are happy in other respects, bring it to your employer's attention as a serious matter. You cannot function properly if you do not eat healthily during working hours.
7 Over-dependence on your employer
More common than most will admit! Being a professional nanny places you in a unique position - it is not remotely similar to working in an office, where managers come and go and working relationships are continually mixed and re-assessed. The particular hazard here is that you are unlikely to notice how dependent you are becoming on your employer's conversation and how involved you are in her problems and her life, until you are hooked.
Seek to maintain professional distance at all times. If you find this really difficult you might want to consider working for more than one employer in a nanny-share.
6 Safe work environment
Working within someone else's home means you are not protected by workplace health and safety guidelines. You are likely to come into contact with hazards on a daily basis simply because most accidents happen in the home.
You should be aware, in particular, of worn electrical appliances, trailing flexes, slippery floors and rugs, overheated hot water systems and whether smoke alarms are properly installed. If you live-in you should find out whether the gas heater in your room, if there is one, has been recently serviced. If you are unhappy with any aspect of home safety, mention it immediately, not just with respect to your own safety but also the children's.
5 Stimulation
During most people's working day they get to discuss everyday events, news and what's on TV, while going about their business. Your job requires you to remain focused on the children you care for, and you are far less likely to enjoy mental stimulation from other sources. But you do need to engage with other adults on a regular basis, to retain a broad outlook on life and keep everything in perspective. Even if you feel too busy to squeeze anything else in, you should set aside some time for activities that have nothing to do with childcare - and that includes people who 'talk shop', like a nanny circle. Look out for local book groups, which are surprisingly lively and include people from all walks of life, or take an evening class in a new subject.
4 Road rage
The stress we're talking about here is yours. If your job includes driving the children to school and/or activities, it is vital that journeys are made safely and with minimal stress. You are employed as a nanny, not a taxi driver; you should not be expected to make more than one or two trips a day and should certainly not be asked to drive on errands for the adults.
If the route to school is badly congested, investigate alternatives like public transport, or shared school runs with other parents or your employer. If you are spending too much time in the car, add up the hours wasted and present your findings to your employer as time that could be spent more constructively with the child.
3 Clinging nanny syndrome
Have you been swallowed whole by the family you work for? Have you forgotten you're not actually one of them? This happens most among nannies who live-in, but no one is immune to the hazard because of the emotional nature of the job. Listen to yourself talk occasionally - if your entire conversation hinges on your work, you are officially obsessed by your job and in danger of becoming a clinging nanny, not to mention a work bore. The more you talk about work and nothing else, the less likely you are to make new friends and keep hold of old ones. Perhaps it's time to consider a change of employer or a change of scenery. Or simply take a tough line with yourself. Be professional and 'let those people go' as soon as your working day finishes.
2 Future prospects
More of a perceived danger than an actual hazard. Many nannies, much as they enjoy their job, go through an anxiety stage when they wonder what the future might hold. Most nannies don't envisage turning into a faithful retainer with an endless line of grateful grown-up charges coming to visit them every month (except in their nightmares!). In reality, qualifying as a professional nanny is an extremely flexible career move. Many nannies branch out into nursery management, gain teaching qualifications, diversify into children's nursing, or take a complete break and resume nannying when they choose to. The trick with all of this is to make the most of the job you have now and seek to extend your experience if and when you are ready.
1 A pain in the back
Not the most glamorous of professional hazards, but it is the most common and you ignore it at your peril. Picking up children, stooping down to their level, lugging around baby gear or leaning over a cot, all take their toll on the spine. Once you've hurt your back you will be vulnerable to further injuries. Prevention is far better than cure, so think before you lift a child - bend at the knees, clasp the child close to your body, straighten up slowly. Encourage children to be independent and don't automatically pick them up if they are slow to respond. If you carry around lots of baby equipment or take a child on outings, choose a backpack with well-padded straps rather than a shoulder bag. Pilates classes are based on strengthening the spine, so consider trying a class. And enter our great reader offer (left)!