Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer

December 1, 2014
A parent coach and licensed therapist, Gold addresses this comprehensive guide to parents setting out on the journey of finding—and keeping—the perfect nanny. She asserts that half of modern American kids are in childcare, yet many parents who plan on employing a nanny don’t have any strategy for finding the right one. Gold, who has made the study of nannies her business (she calls it nannyology), believes gut instinct is simply not good enough. She urges readers to define the job responsibilities first, conduct telephone interviews for initial screening, and then meet face-to-face with likely candidates, following up with reference checks and two full-day trials. This, she claims, will help parents avoid common pitfalls (including overworking the nanny and making unreasonable demands) and increases the chance of a perfect match. While some people may resist doing so much legwork up front, Gold’s method appears likely to pay off in the long term. Parents setting out on the nanny quest will surely benefit from this practical handbook. Agent: Andrea Barzvi, ICM.

Starred review from February 15, 2015

Nearly gone are the days when father went to work and mother stayed home with the children. More often, both parents are employed outside of the home, with the new "ideal" being the at-home nanny. That, however, is often a complicated undertaking. Therapist and parenting coach Gold presents an excellent resource for families looking to hire a nanny, whether live-in or with specific hours. In Part 1, the author explains the value of the nanny-family match and outlines how to best pursue the nanny relationship for long-term success. Part 2 equips readers with a Family Needs Assessment and the author's eponymous "Gold Standard" hiring process, including screenings, in-home trials, and background checks. Part 3 focuses on managing the nanny relationship and resolving conflicts. VERDICT While many families view their nanny as a part of the family, Gold reminds readers that this is ultimately an employment relationship. She dispenses exceptional advice that will help families avoid common pitfalls and is especially strong when illustrating scenarios from the nanny's point of view. From her needs assessment to interview questions to problem-solving language, Gold's examples and crisp narrative gives readers one-stop shopping for nanny know-how. A required purchase. Well done.

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