the child alone for a period of time and letting him come to the nanny instead of the other way around, gives the child a sense of control over the situation.

Sometimes, some television or a DVD or a computer game will calm the child down. Some kids like to be engaged right away, and a game of checkers or Candyland will take his or her mind off the fact that there is a new nanny in the house.

If the child has a best friend with a long time nanny you may want to arrange for that friend and nanny to show up at your house shortly after you leave for work, to play at the house and then walk to a park, together.

If the child is truly a screamer, assure the nanny that it’s not personal if the child screams for a long time. This is just his or her temper, and he or she does this with all new babysitters and even teachers.

If the child does not want a nanny at all, you have to explain that he or she will not be home alone, and that no mother or father leaves a child home alone. In fact nannies are wonderful people, who sometimes have their own children – who may even be home with their nannies – who make it possible for grown ups to work and have a nice family.