Hiring a governess

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What curriculum would you follow? Or would it be very 19th century? Walks in the park and nature journals?

For 2 elementary kids, it probably doesn't matter much. Especially if they already know how to read. Some reading time, some math workbooks, walks, picking up leaves, a couple science projects from kits...seems OK.

Ok then. Kids need to be instructed in phonics and grammar.

No they don't. They just need opportunities to practice reading and writing. It can be in any context.

[Anonymous]

How old are these kids? I can see this with nursery, pre-K, After that it will get old fast unless you have a real curriculum in hand (not some random workbooks) and a well-prepared individual to teach. Not necessarily tons of experience, but educated and enthusiastic. You don't need to hook up with other kids because this is a Covid patch right, and you eventually plan to return to 'real school'?

If so, I think option B is stick with private and hire a great (or a couple of great) teenage or college student or retired teacher "babysitter" to help with the online learning and play with the kids. You would have educational and community continuity (schools will probably go back at SOME point next year for part, if not full time) and not have to worry about finding and then firing Mary Poppins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I earn 70-80,000 as an independent school teacher (apart from benefits) and I'm probably underpaid. Maybe an entry level teacher? Would you espect them to teach all subjects to your child, or a group of children? Live in (like a traditional governess) or Zoom? I am not sure it would be as cheap as you think unless you made some compromises.

DH is a partner in Big Law. This range or even higher wouldn’t be an issue for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I earn 70-80,000 as an independent school teacher (apart from benefits) and I'm probably underpaid. Maybe an entry level teacher? Would you espect them to teach all subjects to your child, or a group of children? Live in (like a traditional governess) or Zoom? I am not sure it would be as cheap as you think unless you made some compromises.

DH is a partner in Big Law. This range or even higher wouldn’t be an issue for us.

You'll need to pay taxes, this is her net pay.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I think this idea is brilliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hired a governess when I unexpectedly took custody of my niece and nephew. It didn't work out. She had a bizarre obsession with two previous employees of mine, to the point that she thought my wards were communicating with their ghosts, or actually possessed by them -- she wasn't altogether clear on that point. It didn't end well for anyone, tbh.

I can refer you mine if you need another. Wonderful young lady. Former nun, industrious and confident, talented music teacher. And resourceful—made play clothes for the kids out of drapes once!

Ours married my damn husband while I was locked in the attic.

Ours was just lovely, although I didn’t realize it at the time. (Too wrapped up in frivolous things outside the home, like women’s rights.) But we really needed help; my husband works long hours in finance and it was just too exhausting to keep up with DS and DD myself.

In addition to instructing the children in household chores (this woman would tidy up the playroom in a virtual snap), she played games — all sorts. Downsides: The children’s art projects were limited to chalk drawings on the sidewalk, and she had this working class pseudo-boyfriend who was always hanging around in between menial jobs. He and a bunch of his unsavory friends even invaded our home once and threw a party. I smiled and danced at the time, but inside I was terrified that they were going to rob us, or worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hired a governess when I unexpectedly took custody of my niece and nephew. It didn't work out. She had a bizarre obsession with two previous employees of mine, to the point that she thought my wards were communicating with their ghosts, or actually possessed by them -- she wasn't altogether clear on that point. It didn't end well for anyone, tbh.

Help me out with this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hired a governess when I unexpectedly took custody of my niece and nephew. It didn't work out. She had a bizarre obsession with two previous employees of mine, to the point that she thought my wards were communicating with their ghosts, or actually possessed by them -- she wasn't altogether clear on that point. It didn't end well for anyone, tbh.

Help me out with this one.

Turn of the Screw.

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about it too. Our former nanny was a teacher and we are noodling over asking her back full time.

Just like we nannies you can have horror stories but you can also have real gems. Whatever happens in the fall with schools, it is going to require compromises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hired a governess when I unexpectedly took custody of my niece and nephew. It didn't work out. She had a bizarre obsession with two previous employees of mine, to the point that she thought my wards were communicating with their ghosts, or actually possessed by them -- she wasn't altogether clear on that point. It didn't end well for anyone, tbh.

I can refer you mine if you need another. Wonderful young lady. Former nun, industrious and confident, talented music teacher. And resourceful—made play clothes for the kids out of drapes once!

Ours married my damn husband while I was locked in the attic.

Ours was just lovely, although I didn’t realize it at the time. (Too wrapped up in frivolous things outside the home, like women’s rights.) But we really needed help; my husband works long hours in finance and it was just too exhausting to keep up with DS and DD myself.

In addition to instructing the children in household chores (this woman would tidy up the playroom in a virtual snap), she played games — all sorts. Downsides: The children’s art projects were limited to chalk drawings on the sidewalk, and she had this working class pseudo-boyfriend who was always hanging around in between menial jobs. He and a bunch of his unsavory friends even invaded our home once and threw a party. I smiled and danced at the time, but inside I was terrified that they were going to rob us, or worse.

My first governess killed herself during my fifth birthday party. I like the governess I have now ever so much better. She calls me her little one and says she is here to protect me.

[Anonymous]

My governess came from a nunnery. It was difficult being a widow, and I kept a tight ship. More than once, I caught her singing with the children on picnics.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the laughs, lit people!

Seriously, I am liking the idea a lot. we will use some curriculum, there are lots available. It has to be better than me trying to corral this distance learning nonsense and work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the laughs, lit people!

Seriously, I am liking the idea a lot. we will use some curriculum, there are lots available. It has to be better than me trying to corral this distance learning nonsense and work.

Some people are so very woke they are intolerant. Funny how everyone uses nanny to describe a regular babysitter who comes twice a week but people are intolerant of the professional governess.

Governess - NOUN - a woman employed to teach children in a private household.

[Anonymous]

There is actually a governess school in the US. You can hire their graduates.
http://www.nanny-governess.com/

[Anonymous]

I think it's a good idea if you can do it.

With a well vetted person of course.

The governess seeing ghosts -- which movie is that?