Anonymous wrote:We wouldn't. We didn't. We had a third floor walkup when our first was born. Carrying a 9 month old up the stairs on a rainy, slippery day with an energetic dog underfoot? Recipe for disaster with an old person.

We hired someone in their 20's and have never regretted it.

I fell and broken my ankle carrying my baby up our stairs with our dog underfoot. Just FYI. I laid on the landing with my baby and the dog until a neighbor heard us screaming.

Anyone can fall.

It really does all depend on the health of the nanny. The most coveted nanny in our neighborhood is 66. She runs playgroups for the toddlers, teaches music, has an extensive child development education and childcare experience, and just has the “it factor” when it try comes to kids.

I would not.
No matter how great your nanny is she still won’t have the physical energy of a younger woman. It’s asking a lot for her to take care of an energetic toddler full-time. Grandparents may be old but they are also not usually serving as full-time childcare 40 hours a week.

We wouldn't. We didn't. We had a third floor walkup when our first was born. Carrying a 9 month old up the stairs on a rainy, slippery day with an energetic dog underfoot? Recipe for disaster with an old person.

We hired someone in their 20's and have never regretted it.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t. Age is more than just a number.

No, it really isn’t. Health is everything.

Our first nanny was 29 and had the energy level of a slug. She was sick all the time (never let us know until she was due here) and constantly late (often by a full half hour). And the drama!!! Holy hell, it was always something with her boyfriend or parents.

Give me an older nanny (our amazing nanny is 66) and day of the week!

I would and did! Our nanny started with us when she was 70 and is now 76. She has no problem keeping up with the kids at any age including the fast toddler and preschool stage. She’s in good health and takes care of herself.

She’s also drama-free (no boyfriend drama or teen kids drama) and not the least bit addicted to her phone. Rarely sick (only if the kids give her something) and never once late!

My own mother is 78 and couldn’t do it however. It all depends on the health and vigor of the nanny.

I would for an infant-2 but not beyond that.

I wouldn’t period.

I wouldn’t. Age is more than just a number.

My friend, who is an excellent nanny, is getting up there and now only looks after infants, then leaves when they get too sprightly. She's slowing down a bit and doesn't want to lose a toddler.

I will add, my 70yo MIL watches my daughter and does just fine, and she has some health issues (but not mobility issues necessarily). She does make her walk independently more than a younger caregiver might, simply because her back cannot handle it. But she can do the job.

I had a 63yo nanny who was definitely spry enough to deal with my toddler, who was then a large 1-year-old. 70 can be pretty fit depending on the individual. One thing I would be concerned about is stairs. Can your kid walk reliably up and down the stairs without being carried, if you have stairs in your house? I think most 70yos would struggle with carrying a larger-than-infant child down or up stairs.

If her patience is still intact and she is aware of what are developmentally appropriate expectations for toddlers, then yes I would consider her.

It all depends on her health. My mother is 73 and still runs marathons. She’s also still working. Our nanny is 67 with more energy than DH and I combined and has no problem running after a toddler and preschooler.

If she’s not overweight and seems fit, I don’t see the problem.

I posted in the nanny forum but would also like to hear the opinion of other families...

We interviewed a fantastic nanny but she is in her early 70s. She seems fit but I am still a bit concerned with her ability to run after our toddler as well as about general chances of her having some health issue (esp. stroke etc.).

Has anyone had any experience?

Thanks