Summer Nanny?

[Anonymous]

I have a rising 3rd grader and a rising K (and 2 twin toddlers in full time daycare that they love). My oldest DD really doesn't like going to aftercare activities (I have her in gymnastics, ballet and previously had her in martial arts). She's very girly. My middle child is the complete opposite and doesn't want to do any of the same activities as her. I understand why he won't do ballet because he'd be the only boy, but she also refuses to do any of the more gender neutral activities.

TLDR- I work full time and can't be picking up and dropping off at 3 separate places (and yes, my dh is helpful and would do mornings). It runs me ragged already having 2 pick ups.

Has anyone had a summer nanny and your kids were happy? We live next to a pool and the kids are on swim team daily. There's lots to see nearby. A lot of parents I talk to really talk up camps as being super fun and necessary. But are they really?

[Anonymous]

I personally can't imagine my kids not being in camps. My 6yo went for the first time last summer and she regularly asks how long until camp starts again

[Anonymous]

My kids are not at this age yet, but I have to say that I absolutely do not understand this area’s obsession with camps. I grew up UMC in another part of the country and it was very common for parents to hire a high schooler or college student for a few months as a nanny. I assume that there’s a structural reason that people here don’t do this (teenagers aren’t interested or something), but to answer your main question - your kids will be more than fine if you go this route. Step away from the rat race if it doesn’t suit you.

[Anonymous]

My kids don’t do well with camps. If you can be flexible around family vacations and the last week of summer when the nanny is back at college, it can work really well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are not at this age yet, but I have to say that I absolutely do not understand this area’s obsession with camps. I grew up UMC in another part of the country and it was very common for parents to hire a high schooler or college student for a few months as a nanny. I assume that there’s a structural reason that people here don’t do this (teenagers aren’t interested or something), but to answer your main question - your kids will be more than fine if you go this route. Step away from the rat race if it doesn’t suit you.

Most kids are in camps so there is no one for them to hang out with.

Would the twins stay in day care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are not at this age yet, but I have to say that I absolutely do not understand this area’s obsession with camps. I grew up UMC in another part of the country and it was very common for parents to hire a high schooler or college student for a few months as a nanny. I assume that there’s a structural reason that people here don’t do this (teenagers aren’t interested or something), but to answer your main question - your kids will be more than fine if you go this route. Step away from the rat race if it doesn’t suit you.

Most kids are in camps so there is no one for them to hang out with.

Would the twins stay in day care?

I don’t understand why it’s a big deal it they don’t have someone to play with 24/7. They can play with their siblings. They can entertain themselves. They can have playdates on weekends. They can do activities (swimming, sports, dance) that are a few times a week and get to see friends that way. I grew up this way and it was awesome.

[Anonymous]

We have a FT nanny and summers are nice because they can just do camps they are interested in and do pool and outings and other things the rest of the time. Good luck finding a summer nanny though, they are hard to find.

[Anonymous]

It’s pretty common here (Anne arundel) and most people use college students.

[Anonymous]

OP, it’s not clear to me if you are looking at doing zero camps and having nanny be the only childcare or if you are looking to hire a nanny to help with driving and do the normal number of camps or something in between.

My take is that summer nannies tend to be college students and therefore are not usually going to be able to plan out an entire summer that is fun and interesting. You would at minimum have to pay for a pool membership.

But it would be pretty easy to have a full, fun summer with a nanny where each kid gets to pick 2-3 weeks of camps and you space them out and have weeks where this one is home with nanny and that one is in camp and then they switch. Then they can do pool, movies, museums, etc.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located? I have a college student who is qualified and might be interested.