Every now and then, someone says something so refreshingly honest that it cuts through the noise. That’s what Kylie Kelce did when she opened up about her family’s childcare setup. She gave a clear-eyed, unapologetic take on asking for help and building a support system that works for her family’s specific needs that doesn’t rely entirely on parents carrying the weight of raising a family on their own. For families considering hiring a nanny who worry that asking for help is a negative reflection on their parenting, Kylie’s words might just add some perspective on the realities of modern-day parenting and what a village looks like today. 

1) Asking for Help Isn’t Absent Parenting

Kylie has been open about the fact that she and Jason have childcare support, and she talks about it without a trace of guilt. And that really matters these days, more than it might seem.

There’s a cultural story that says good parents do it all themselves. It makes a lot of families hesitate to ask for help, even when their lives genuinely call for support. Kylie’s approach pushes back on that. Getting help doesn’t mean stepping back from your kids. It means making sure someone capable is with them when you can’t be, whether that be a family member (shoutout to grandparents) or a trusted caregiver.

Hiring a nanny is one of the most intentional things a parent can do. It’s not opting out. It’s building the infrastructure that lets you be fully present when you’re there.

2) Respecting the Schedule Is Crucial

A nanny arrangement only works when both sides treat it like the professional relationship that it is. That means respecting the set schedule, communicating when plans shift, and treating your nanny’s schedule with the same respect you’d want for your own. While, of course, flexibility is a reality of life (kids get sick, activities get cancelled, traffic shows up when you least expect it, etc.), respecting the schedule to the best of your ability sends a clear message that you value your nanny’s time, and a nanny who knows their time is valued shows up fully and brings their best every day.

When families are consistently late, vague, or treat the arrangement casually, trust erodes fast. Reliability has to go both ways. The families who understand that develop the strongest placements and have a long, happy working relationship with their caregivers.

3) Give Your Nanny the Shout-Out

Kylie doesn’t hide the fact that her family has help. She talks about it warmly and gives credit where it’s due. That’s not a small thing.

Nannies work in one of the most intimate professional settings there is. Their workplace is your home, with your children, and their work is largely invisible to the outside world. Being acknowledged signals that you see them as a professional, not just a convenience. This doesn’t have to be a public post. A thank-you at the end of a hard week or a note naming something they handled particularly well goes a long way. When hiring a nanny, you’re also becoming an employer, and appreciation is part of wearing the employer hat well.

4) Your Nanny Is Your Partner, Not Your Replacement

One of the anxieties we hear surrounding working with a nanny is this: what if my child loves the nanny more than me?

Kylie’s framing answers that. Her nanny is a partner, not a stand-in. A great nanny doesn’t compete with you. They support you. They carry the parts of the day you can’t be there for, in a way that reflects your values and how you’re raising your kids.

The best nanny-family relationships are genuinely collaborative. The nanny knows the family’s rhythms, the parents trust the nanny’s judgment, and the children benefit from more than one capable adult who’s aligned and invested. That’s not a threat to your bond with your kids. That’s what it looks like when everything is working.

5) Build Your Modern Village

What Kylie describes is something we’d call a modern village: parents, extended family when available, and a trusted nanny, each playing a clear and respected role.

This model works because it’s honest about what any one person can do. No parent can be everywhere at once. No nanny is a substitute for a whole family structure. When everyone knows their role and feels valued in it, everyone (including the children!) thrives. Hiring a nanny isn’t about outsourcing your family. It’s about building a real team around it.

6) How Westside Nannies Can Help

At Westside Nannies, we’ve spent over 20 years helping Los Angeles families find the right fit. Every candidate goes through our 10-Point NannyScreen, and we accept less than 4% of applicants because the match matters. Ready to start building your village? Schedule a consultation here or call us at 310.359.5300.

7) Frequently Asked Questions

a) Does hiring a nanny mean I’m not doing enough as a parent?

Not at all! It means your children are in capable hands when you can’t be there, and that you can be fully present when you are. Asking for help isn’t absent parenting. It’s smart parenting.

b) How do I make a nanny arrangement actually work?

The families with the strongest placements communicate clearly, respect their nanny’s time, treat the relationship as a genuine partnership, and acknowledge good work. The placement is the beginning of the relationship, not the end of the work.

c) What does a modern village approach to childcare look like?

A modern village draws on parents, along with a circle of support that may include extended family, friends, and professional childcare, like a nanny, each playing a clear role. Rather than putting the weight on one person, it distributes responsibility across a trusted network, so children receive consistent, loving care.

d) Should I worry that my child will prefer the nanny over me?

Though we understand this concern, a great nanny doesn’t replace a parent; they support one. A child who’s securely attached to their parents can form a warm bond with their nanny, too. Those bonds coexist rather than compete. The goal is to add a trusted presence to your child’s life, not remove yourself from it.

e) How do I find the right nanny for my family?

Start by getting clear on what your family needs: your schedule, your values, the experience that matters most. Then work with an agency that vets thoroughly. At Westside Nannies, we accept less than 4% of applicants, and every candidate goes through our 10-Point NannyScreen before they ever meet a family.

Found this helpful? Check out our other articles:

• Hiring a Nanny? Here’s What to Know Now That Your Home Is Someone’s Workplace
• Raising Kids, Together: A Nanny’s Role in Supporting Your Parenting Goals
• Help! My Child is More Attached to Their Nanny Than to Me!