MyGranny is not simply a service for finding a babysitter or helping hand for a family. Its aim is to create genuine, long-term intergenerational relationships in which both sides can give and receive time, attention, knowledge, experience and care. People of different ages, cultural backgrounds, languages, life experiences and habits may meet in the MyGranny community. It is therefore especially important that all participants follow shared good practice principles.
Last updated: 2 October 2026
A relationship that connects generations begins with respect, trust and clear agreements.
1. Our Shared principles
All MyGranny participants are guided by five key principles:
Respect — We respect another person’s age, opinions, lifestyle, culture, language, habits and personal boundaries.
Care — We notice the needs of others and treat them with kindness.
Safety — We do not do anything that could endanger the physical or emotional well-being of a child, family, Mamma or Papa.
Honest communication — If something does not work, causes discomfort or needs to change, we discuss it calmly and as early as possible.
Mutuality — A MyGranny relationship is not one-sided. Mamma or Papa should also feel appreciated and have a positive experience.
2. Before the first meeting
Before meeting, both sides discuss: the type of relationship and communication expected; suitable activities; when and how often to meet; where to meet; how to communicate; the child’s needs; Mamma/Papa’s capabilities; activities or situations that are unsuitable; how to give feedback; and what to do if agreements cannot be kept.
Good practice: The clearer the agreements are at the beginning, the fewer misunderstandings are likely later. Important agreements should preferably be recorded in writing.
3. Good practice for Mamma/Papa
Mamma or Papa is above all a trusted adult, companion and sharer of intergenerational experience.
Mamma/Papa: keeps agreements; arrives on time; gives notice as soon as possible if unable to attend; listens to the child and considers their needs; respects the family home and rules; does not take over the parent’s role or make important decisions for the child without agreement; does not use physical punishment, humiliate, threaten or frighten a child, or force a child into unwanted activities; keeps personal information confidential; does not publish photos without consent; asks when unsure how to act; and discusses problems honestly and calmly.
Mamma/Papa does not have to be perfect. Honesty about skills, capabilities and limitations is important. For example, if Mamma/Papa is not willing or able to transport a child alone, care for several children at once or do a particular activity, this must be stated before cooperation begins.
4. Good practice for the family
The family creates an environment in which Mamma or Papa feels welcome and valued.
The family keeps agreements; respects Mamma/Papa’s time and boundaries; gives early notice of changes; explains the child’s needs honestly and discusses important family rules; does not expect more than agreed or treat Mamma/Papa as free labour or automatically as a professional babysitter; gives feedback respectfully; and informs MyGranny about problems or safety risks.
If Mamma or Papa agrees to play with a child and go for a walk, the family should not gradually assume, without prior agreement, that they will also clean, cook or take on other household tasks.
5. Good practice when interacting with a child
A child must feel safe and taken into account. Mamma/Papa should listen, ask the child’s opinion, allow time to adjust, notice the child’s mood, offer rather than impose activities, encourage effort, remain calm and patient, and consider the child’s age and developmental level.
Avoid shouting, threats, belittling, comparing the child with others, physical punishment, forcing hugs/conversation/participation, searching personal belongings without need, or knowingly disregarding a parent’s instructions.
Important: Mamma/Papa does not assume the role of a parent. The parent or legal representative is responsible for upbringing and important decisions.
6. A child’s personal boundaries
Every child has a right to personal space and boundaries. Respect it if a child does not want to hug, play a particular game, talk immediately, or wishes to be alone for a while, feels afraid or uncomfortable, or says something is unpleasant.
Take a child’s “no” seriously.
The family must also respect Mamma/Papa’s boundaries. Both sides’ boundaries matter.
7. The family home and Mamma/Papa’s home
When a meeting takes place at home, the rules of that home must be respected.
Mamma/Papa must not enter rooms without invitation, use belongings without permission, invite others to the family home, take a child or family member elsewhere without prior agreement, or photograph the home or personal belongings without consent.
The family respects Mamma/Papa’s home and personal space, does not expect activities at their home that have not been agreed, and takes their capabilities and limits into account.
8. Phone, messages and communication
At the outset, agree on the communication channel, such as phone, SMS, WhatsApp or another agreed channel.
Good practice: do not repeatedly message someone who has not replied; do not call late without a good reason; notify the other side immediately of urgent changes; remain polite even when upset; and avoid resolving conflict by messages when a calm conversation would be better.
If communication becomes unpleasant or conflictual, involve a MyGranny counsellor.
9. Lateness and changes to agreements
Unexpected situations happen. If you are late, notify the other side as soon as possible.
If a meeting must be cancelled, give notice as early as possible.
Repeated lateness, last-minute cancellations or failure to keep agreements damages trust.
Reliability is the foundation of a MyGranny relationship.
10. Gifts, money and compensation
The focus of MyGranny is human connection and mutual value, not money.
If the family and Mamma/Papa agree on a paid activity, they must agree in advance on the amount, what it covers and the payment method and time, and consider applicable laws where necessary.
The MyGranny counselling and matching service fee of €54.99 is not payment to Mamma/Papa.
MyGranny does not automatically set the amount of any payment between a family and Mamma/Papa.
11. Gifts and personal loans
It is good practice to avoid financial or material relationships affecting trust.
Do not ask the other party for a loan, give large monetary gifts, or use trust for financial gain.
If money matters become uncomfortable, discuss them with a MyGranny counsellor if needed.
Small symbolic gifts or shared baking, crafts or other activities may be a natural part of the relationship if both sides are comfortable.
12. Photos and social media
Consent is required to photograph a child or family and to publish photos.
Without consent, do not photograph a child, publish the child’s name, share the family’s address or photos on social media, publicly discuss private family matters, or share Mamma/Papa’s personal data.
Even a well-intentioned post can violate privacy.
If in doubt, ask first.
13. Trust develops gradually
The first meeting does not have to be perfect.
A child may not immediately connect with Mamma/Papa; Mamma/Papa may need time to understand family habits; and the family may not know after one meeting whether the person is a good fit.
This is normal.
MyGranny therefore uses a trial period of 1–3 meetings, during which both sides can assess how cooperation works.
14. If something is not suitable
You always have the right to say, “This does not work for me.”
Mamma/Papa or the family may end the cooperation, and a child may express discomfort.
No one has to continue simply because a match has already been made.
If possible, discuss the reason calmly.
If the issue cannot be resolved between the parties, contact a MyGranny counsellor.
MyGranny can arrange a new match if needed.
15. When immediate action is needed
If there is suspected violence or child abuse, serious danger to a child or adult, threats, suspected sexual abuse or another immediate safety risk, do not wait for the usual problem-solving process.
First ensure the person’s or child’s safety.
Call 112 if necessary.
Then inform the parent and/or MyGranny counsellor as appropriate.
A MyGranny counsellor does not replace the police, ambulance, doctor, child protection services or other competent authorities.
16. Mamma/Papa is not a parent
This is one of MyGranny’s most important principles.
Mamma/Papa may support, listen, play, teach, read, go for walks, share knowledge, provide company and be an important, trusted adult for a child.
Mamma/Papa does not make decisions about the child’s treatment, medication, school, upbringing, punishment or other important life arrangements.
These decisions belong to the parent or legal representative.
17. The family is not an employer; Mamma/Papa is not a free service provider
MyGranny is based on a relationship, not a one-sided service.
The family should not think, “Now we have someone who can do everything for us.”
Mamma/Papa should not think, “I must agree to everything because they chose me.”
Cooperation works when both sides consider each other’s capabilities and boundaries.
18. Respect for language and culture
MyGranny may bring together people with different native languages, cultures and life experiences.
This is an opportunity to learn from one another.
Be patient if someone does not speak Estonian fluently; do not mock their accent or language skills; repeat or explain when needed; respect different cultural habits; and treat differences as a learning opportunity.
Practising Estonian may be a valuable part of a MyGranny relationship.
19. What to do when there is a misunderstanding
Ask first instead of making assumptions.
For example: “Have I understood correctly that…?” or “I would like to clarify this agreement.”
If a conflict arises: speak calmly; listen to the other person’s explanation; restate the agreement; and, if no solution is found, contact a MyGranny counsellor.
20. MyGranny golden rules — 10 simple rules for every participant
1. Keep your word. If you promised to come, come; if you cannot, let the other person know.
2. Respect boundaries. Do not assume you know what suits someone else.
3. Ask before acting, especially regarding a child, photos, a home or personal information.
4. Do not take the parent’s role. Support the child, but do not make important decisions for the parent.
5. Keep confidences. Family information stays private between the family and Mamma/Papa.
6. Do not exploit trust financially, emotionally or otherwise.
7. Talk about problems. Hiding a problem does not solve it.
8. Do not force. Children and adults may say no.
9. Be patient. Trust and closeness take time.
10. Think mutually. Ask yourself: “Is this good and appropriate for the other person too?”
21. Before starting cooperation — checklist
Mamma/Papa should ask: Do I understand what the family expects? Does the family know what I want and am prepared to do? Have we agreed on time and place? Do I know the child’s important needs? Do I know whom to contact if a problem arises? Are my boundaries clear to the family? Am I ready to respect the family’s agreements? Do I feel comfortable and safe?
The family should ask: Have we described our needs honestly? Does Mamma/Papa know the child’s important needs and characteristics? Have we clearly agreed on activities, communication channel, times and frequency? Have we discussed the child’s boundaries? Do we respect Mamma/Papa’s time and boundaries? Are we ready to give and receive honest feedback?
22. Our shared commitment
Participation in the MyGranny community means that we seek to build a relationship in which the child feels safe, the family feels supported, Mamma/Papa feels valued, and everyone feels respected.
MyGranny is not simply looking for someone to save a family time. We seek to create a genuine bond between generations.
Mamma or Papa can share time, knowledge, skills and life experience.
The family and younger generation can give in return conversation, new experiences, youthful energy and the feeling of having an important person by their side.
MyGranny — More than childcare. An opportunity to build a relationship that may last for years.
