Which is better for a child: an Egyptian or a non-Egyptian nanny? Where can one find a super-nanny like those featured in films like Nanny McPhee or The Nanny Diaries, someone who's willing to put everything on hold for the sake of the child they are taking care of? Do such people exist in real life? Many Egyptian mothers suffer the consequences of being without a nanny who can help with their newborn or growing child, particularly working mothers and those with twins. Yet, it has become almost impossible to do without a nanny in our busy and fast-paced lives. Imagine going back home after a long working day and having a bath and enjoying a dinner in peace. Rather that than having to change diapers or run around the house to get your child to swallow a mouthful of that dreadful yogurt he ends up spilling anyway. But how can this idyll be achieved? Rasha Al-Hawari, the mother of a 5-year-old boy, has become an expert on the nanny business after hiring a whole set of different nannies for her child. Finally, she settled for a nanny from Ghenia. Al-Hawari had had bad experiences with Egyptian nannies, and so she decided to switch to a foreign one. “I decided to look for a foreign nanny and found that Philippinos are the highest paid with salaries starting from $1,200 per month. The Indonesians come in second place at a minimum of $900 per month, followed by Africans at $800 per month,” she added. Her African nanny speaks fluent French, which is an asset for Al-Hawari's child who goes to a French school. “My son's French accent has improved because all the conversations he has with his nanny are conducted in French,” she says. Unlike the majority of Egyptian nannies Al-Hawari has dealt with, the foreign nannies have a whole set of advantages, she says, including high levels of hygiene and a sense of discipline. “They follow the rules set by their employer and never complain, unlike Egyptian nannies who complain all the time,” she says. Additionally, many mothers say that foreign nannies have a keen interest in their jobs and actually enjoy working with children, quite the opposite to Egyptians who are possibly just looking for a job or have been forced to work as nannies. On the other hand, hiring a foreign nanny has some pitfalls, including instability. Some African and Indonesian nannies may be deported even if they have legally entered the country. Some of them may also have family issues and leave without notice. “My ex-nanny was Indonesian. I woke up one morning and she was not there, but everything had been perfectly fine the night before,” Al-Hawari recalls. She later found out that her nanny's family wanted her to get married. Despite such difficulties, Al-Hawari believes that foreign nannies are definitely worth their high salaries. For Sherine Eissawi, the mother of four-year-old twin girls, the effect of the different culture foreign nannies bring may be a pitfall. “Some see this as a good way to bring up a sociable, friendly child who is open to different kinds of people, but if a child is left with a foreign nanny for long periods of time over the years this can change some of his basic traits and negatively affect him,” she says. Eissawi believes that though Egyptian nannies may have drawbacks, particularly teenagers who may have been forced to work by their families, they can still be taught to follow the rules and are not as costly as foreign ones. Eissawi also trusts her mother's advice, to the effect that a child should not be left with a nanny for long periods of time and that mothers should be present most of the time. “A nanny should lend a hand and help around the house, but she must not replace the mother,” she adds. To monitor a child's nanny, Nada Youssri, a child psychologist, has provided some guidance on the various techniques that can be used. Use a nanny camera: a growing trend nowadays, this should be used without the nanny being informed. It can be a good way to ensure that she is taking good care of your child. Keep in touch: whether she is Egyptian or a foreigner, you must find a way to communicate with your nanny. A good nanny should fill you in about the daily activities she does with your child. Also, she must be educated: she must have at least a basic level of education that will allow her to write structured sentences or read to your child. If you fail to make her write a report about her daily activities, you should set a daily appointment so you can discuss things and she can ask questions. Write instructions: all daily routines should be written down to make it easier for the nanny to memorise and follow them. For instance, if your child takes a specific medication or does not eat a particular food item, these things should be made clear to the nanny. Monitor your child's behaviour towards the nanny: does your child like his nanny? Does he like spending time with her? Does he show her the paintings he does? Does he play with her? The older she is the better: hiring a teenage nanny who is less than 18 years old can be the worst thing you can do for your child, since such girls are not good at childcare. A teenager is not a fully-grown person, and she may have been forced to drop out of school and work to support her family. In a nutshell, whether you choose to hire a foreign nanny or an Egyptian one, the role of the mother should never be ignored. According to Youssri, there is a line between being a mother and being a nanny. “A mother should never swap places with her nanny, because if she does the connection between a mother and her child will be threatened,” she concludes.
