Reply to childcare/household help options for two-income families with 3+ kids

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We are similar (though 1 parent's hours are less standard, it's only good for occasional coverage/isn't compatible w/ childcare) and have 3 (4.5, 2.5, <1). We have a FT nanny who is guaranteed 50 hours a week, but keeps 55 open for us so we have some additional flexibility (8-7). 4.5 is in DCPS 8-3. 2.5 is starting private preschool (missed the PK3 deadline) 8-3. <1 is home w/ the nanny; nanny has all 3 until 6-6:30 and covers days off/sick days. I don't think throwing an 8 year old (who I assume is way more self-sufficient than any of ours) into the mix -- esp one happy to do some aftercare -- would change things much. If you pay reasonably and give the nanny flexibility/$$ to do what she wants, you will find a nanny happy to take this on. Our nanny drives our SUV.

Our nanny does meals for the kids/the kids' laundry (+ some of ours occasionally on an emergency basis), tidies the stuff that the kids actually use when she is watching them and does non-bulk grocery shopping as needed for the kids (+ special requests from us). We also have a cleaner who comes every 2 weeks.[/quote]

You must be paying your nanny very well.  For her to have time to do your laundry and grocery shop, as well as leaving 5 additional unpaid hours a week flexible for you all, is pretty amazing. [/quote]

We do pay pretty well, I think, plus good benefits. About $23/hour plus true OT for the last 10. 2 weeks of vacation she picks + 1 we pick (but really we take more than that) + federal holidays + 5 sick days + we try to work around specific requests (e.g., leave early on Friday) without charging her for leave, since we flex the schedule a bit anyway. We’re also nice to her: treat her like a human; let her run personal errands as/when she needs to; don’t force play dates with nannies/moms she doesn’t like; let her decide if she wants the kids to do classes during her time; let her set their schedules in general in terms of naps, meals, etc; reimburse her for any activities/treats; follow up any discipline she metes our (no TV or no dessert); etc.

She’s been with us 2.5 years and seems happy. She’s also been on a few vacations with us, which we stress are not mandatory and comp with extra leave... but she seems to enjoy.

For the PP after this post, she’s a US born American citizen w a degree and a white collar prof boyfriend; she is definitely not a desperate illegal immigrant. (Our jobs require security clearances so everything is 100% above board.)[/quote]

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