Many parents ask their nannies not to use Facebook when working and others are not allowed to use their cell phone when working, except for emergencies. That’s because while on Facebook or texting you are not involved with the children in your care.

I have joined Facebook and chat with nannies in Facebook groups for nannies. It is an easy way to communicate and gain support from a large number of nannies that I might not otherwise know.

My biggest concern though is the number of nannies who comment continuously during the work day. Facebook comments can now appear on mobile phones making it easy to quickly comment. But, some nannies don’t even go one hour without commenting during the work day! In fact, I think some seem to comment all day long, even while working.

Although relationships on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media can be educational and entertaining, they are usually shallow.

This week try an experiment. See if you can develop relationships outside of the Internet and Facebook and see if you can spend that time bonding with the children you care for or other nannies and parents in town. Nurture your personal relationships face-to-face rather than online.

Can you put down the smart phone and not look at it (or the computer screen) for one entire work day, two-days, or even a week? Can you do it?