Nannies

[Adonaija]

So what do you think? Would you want one? Do you know anything about them? Curious? Questions?

I'll be up front and say that I am a full-time professional Nanny & Household Manager. I have a degree in Elementary Education as well as Psychology but right now there is absolutely NOTHING else I would rather do!

I really like to educate people about what I do etc so if you have questions, comments, etc....ask away!!

 

[Neenie1]

I know about them because I've been one lol.

I don't know that I want one. Well it would be nice to have someone come in occasionally but I want to be the one who cares for my kids.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

I have multiple friends who are/were full-time nannies some of them were live-in. I do not desire a nanny nor could I ever be one. A mommy's helper would be nice on occasion but all in all we've made the choices that set up our family to function with parent at home and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[pmcleanj]

I never had one and am past the age of needing childcare, but I do wonder whether a nanny would have been a better choice, so I do have lots of questions.

Work arrangements: Do you live in? How many hours a day do you work and how early do you start? Do you take meals with the family? Vacations?

Duties: Are you expected to do simple housework such as making meals and cleaning up after them? Do you teach the children the kind of pre-Kindergarten curriculum they would get in daycare? Do you use the television with the children?

Compensation: Are you fairly compensated (and how does your compensation compare to the cost of daycare?) Do your employers pay into worker's compensation on your behalf? Do you have healthcare and retirement benefits from your employer? Do you drive -- and do your employers cover the cost of your license and insurance?

 

[Leanna]

No nanny here-- I stay home and do it myself!

 

[Adonaija]

I never had one and am past the age of needing childcare, but I do wonder whether a nanny would have been a better choice, so I do have lots of questions.

Work arrangements: Do you live in? How many hours a day do you work and how early do you start? Do you take meals with the family? Vacations?
-I NEVER live in. In a nanny situation boundaries are blurry enough and I do have my own life (although; sometimes I wonder about this ) I have my own (childfree) home for now.
- Hours depend on whatever family I am working for. For the sake of discussion I'll refer to my current and prior families.
Current: 9-5 but I am 1 of 3 Nannies (yes, one of three) for a 4 mo old.
Former: 2pm-11pm (I'm the only nanny) for a family of 5 girls

Those hours are M-F; however, I work weekends if they request it and I'm free.

The baby I do not eat meals with. Family of 5 I would make the girls dinner and eat with them or I would take them out to dinner (employers expense). Sometimes we would all eat together.

I take vacations with the family if I want. I usually go because they are a blast!


Duties: Are you expected to do simple housework such as making meals and cleaning up after them? Do you teach the children the kind of pre-Kindergarten curriculum they would get in daycare? Do you use the television with the children?

Housework: I do simple housework (and sometimes I do TONS just because I like things immaculate); however, both families had housekeepers.

Meals: I make the meals and I clean up after them just as anyone would (put dishes in the dishwasher etc)

Teaching: I ALWAYS do age appropriate activities. The baby is simple; the 5 girls (5,7,9,14,17) we are always going to the science center, learning, doing homework, tutoring etc)

Television: We NEVER turn the TV on during the day. The exception would be for the 14/17 year old and for movie nights on Friday. They don't care for the TV at all and we have never had the need for it in any of the families I have worked with. Ironically enough, I always watched TV growing up.

Compensation: Are you fairly compensated (and how does your compensation compare to the cost of daycare?) Do your employers pay into worker's compensation on your behalf? Do you have healthcare and retirement benefits from your employer? Do you drive -- and do your employers cover the cost of your license and insurance?

-I typically make about $50,000 a year (what I bring home)
-ALL taxes are paid my my employer
-Some employers offer healthcare/some do not it just depends what you negotiate.
-Some offer retirement (Mine does not)
-Yes, I do drive. I am compensated for my gas. I pay my own insurance unless I am using a vehicle they provide (which often occurs) in which case, they provide all the funds for that.

I also receive paid holidays, paid sick, paid vacations 2-3 weeks a year. Memberships (gym etc) and have been offered cars, private apartments, flat screen TV's etc.

I have worked with both "typical" families as well as high profile families.


On a side note: I will 100% stay home with my children and raise them myself. My mother was a SAHM as well.

 

[Hadassah]

My sister is a nanny.

Personally I wouldn't want a nanny as I am a SAHM. However, were we to have many more children, I might want someone to come in and help with the housework.

 

[Linnis]

I was a nanny but I made $10 an hour with no extra benefits.

I have heard horror stories about living in.

 

[goat37]

We had to hire a nanny, didn't have a whole lot of choice. The wife and I tend to work 7 days a week, at any given time during the day. Luckily, we both work from home so we do get to see him all the time, but can't always be /with/ him.

The hardest part was finding one that I was confident with in taking care of our child as well as our household. Once we did, it has been the best experience we've had and I really feel that the time we do get to spend with our son is much more quality time.

We pay our nanny well, as well as give her benefits and paid vacation. We do have very high standards though.