You delegate tasks all the time. At work, you hand off projects to teammates. At home, you turn on the clean-up song and suddenly your kids magically remember how to tidy up (funny how that happens, right?). Delegation is built into your everyday life, but when it comes to childcare, why does it suddenly feel like you're failing? 

It’s time to reframe this perspective and think of delegating childcare as not a failure, but a savvy strategy. In fact, delegating childcare doesn’t make you less of an amazing parent, nor should it be reserved for a certain income bracket. Rethinking what type of care makes sense for your family makes you a smarter, more supported, and likely more present (yes, really), parent.

Think of Childcare Like Any Other Project 

A recent report by Duckbill x The Harris Poll found that nearly half of women aged 18 to 54 say they don’t want to burden others by asking for help. In other words, countless parents are running themselves into the ground instead of carving out a support system and delegating tasks. Add the fact that 1 in 5 women in the same study said they don’t see their needs as equally important as others’, and it’s no wonder parents are burning out.

If you'd ask for backup on a work project, why is your family life any different? Your sanity is important, and you can't do it all alone.

Rethinking Care

Childcare isn't one-size-fits-all, and it definitely doesn't always mean a live-in Mary Poppins. Support can look like: : 

• Neighbors or community support — This can be switching off childcare duties with a neighbor or leaning on another parent to give your child a ride to an after-school activity. 

• Nanny — A nanny can be part-time or full-time, depending on your needs. A nanny is typically 100% responsible for childcare in your home, and supports your child’s emotional, social and physical development. 

• Family like grandparents or aunts and uncles — For parents who live nearby family, grandparents or relatives could pitch in with childcare duties from time to time. 

• Family Assistant — A family assistant is a hybrid role that supports the household and children. It can be a full-time or part-time role that combines elements of a nanny, personal assistant and household manager.

• Au Pair — An au pair is a young person (usually in their 20’s) who comes to the U.S. from abroad to live in a family’s home and provides childcare and household support in exchange for room, board and a stipend. While au pairs don’t always have the professional childcare experience nannies do, they can be a great option for families with the extra space who need more flexible care options.  

• Mother’s Helper — A mother’s helper provides childcare support in your home while the parent is present. Mother’s helpers are often younger with less formal childcare experience or training, but having an extra set of hands (especially with a baby or toddler) can be a total game-changer for busy parents. 

  
  

Your family's unique, so your care should be too. Ditch the old ideas and find what works for you.

Why Delegating Is a Power Move

It’s clear that women today, especially mothers, need more support. A recent study by Gallup Poll found that fifty-one percent of working women in the U.S. report feeling stressed a lot of the day (vs. 39% of men). Further, women with children (64%) are nearly three times as likely as men (22%) to strongly agree they are expected to address unexpected child care issues. Translation: women are stressed out, and those who are mothers are saddled with unexpected childcare issues, like a sick child, unexpected calls from the school and medical appointments. 

So, what's the fix? Systemic change, yes, but also you owning your need for support. Whether it's a teen playing catch with your kids or a full-time nanny, delegating gives you time back, provides mental clarity, and gives your kids access to consistent, loving support. That's not weakness, that's leadership. A burnt-out parent isn't winning any awards. A parent with backup? They're showing up for themselves and their kids.

Care Isn't a Fancy Extra, It's Essential

To put it bluntly: quality childcare shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for the wealthy, nor should asking for help make you feel guilty. Care is not a luxury. It's the foundation that allows families to function, parents to breathe, and children to thrive.

Delegating doesn’t make you a “bad parent.” It’s the opposite. Quality childcare and a support system aligned to your needs makes you a human who knows their limits and wants to thrive. And smart humans know that creating a support system so you can delegate isn’t optional—it’s essential.

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Stephanie Fornaro is the Founder and CEO of Hello Nanny!, a modern childcare agency offering everything from full-service concierge placements to flexible, affordable DIY tools—like job ad creation, background checks, interview guides, and more. Whether you’re hiring a nanny, family assistant, or household manager, we help you take the next step with confidence, no matter your budget or bandwidth.