Hiring a nanny was one of the hardest thing that I've ever done as a new parent. Some of us are not used to being bosses or telling people to do things, but you really need to do that when you have a nanny. You are the boss. You are not their friend, even if you are friendly. We ended up hiring a nanny who had tons of experience and glowing references. We did background checks. We did everything. She ended up being a terrible person who was taking my children out, leaving them at an unlicensed daycare, and then leaving to go to work somewhere else. I had no idea. When we finally found out, we fired her, obviously. What I came away from that was knowing that I really have to trust my own instincts. Even if somebody has tons of experience and I'm a new mom, I am the expert on my kids.