Nanny gets to go home at the end of the day. That’s it right there! When I was a nanny, you better believe I had the house spotless, the kids doing a nice, quiet, organized activity, and a healthy dinner prepared by 6pm when the parents returned too but now that I’m a SAHM to 2 young kids, it’s a much different story. Out house is always a mess, I’m always exhausted, and meals are thrown together last minute.

The mental load is a lot greater when you’re caring for your own kids and you’re in charge 24/7 instead of 8-6.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 6mo and a 2yo. On days I'm alone with them, by the end of the day the house is trashed, I'm exhausted, and all I've accomplished is keeping everyone happy, fed, and hopefully food picked up along the way.

When the nanny has them all day, I come home to a spotless house, fresh made baby food, bruschetta made from tomatoes she picked from our garden, and my laundry folded (many of these tasks are above and beyond what we ask of her). It's AMAZING. How does she / some caregivers (whether parents or nannies) accomplish so much?!? I honestly can't comprehend it

Honestly, I would just enjoy the days the nanny is there and not sweat how she does it. I would want to keep her so think about giving her a big raise or nice Christmas bonus! Sounds like a keeper On a side note perhaps the kids want your attention more than the nanny because you work ..(not a slam) I would just not worry about the house. These days really go fast. Just cuddle your babies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHM with a tidy house.

My kids don’t trash the house. We clean as we go. Done with cars? Pick them up. Done with blocks? Pick them up.

We are also out of the house a lot, which means we don’t need to clean as much.

I clean while they play. I fold laundry and watch tv at the end of the day. I rest during nap, so I’m ready for the afternoon.

That cleaning technique only works when they play with one toy and move onto another so it’s easy to say clean up x before you continue with y.

A recent example of mine is kids making a cargo ship out of the playroom couch. It needs a kitchen so they arrange all the food on the ottoman. A band will be playing on the ship so out come the instruments and stuffed animal performers. Don’t forget to grab the tinker toys to make the ship’s steering wheel! Rolling toys are arranged in a pattern on the floor to form the edges of the ship. We all ride on the couch as the ship chefs serve fine meals.

It can be quite a mess by the end of the day.

My house sounds like your house. I think the kids pull out all these things to create bigger scheme play because we let them. My kids would build a magnatile parking lot, then pull out the matchbox cars, then the wooden blocks to make a building adjacent to the parking lot, then they need a train track to the next city. Some parents don’t allow this kind of play. Benefit to our kids—greater creativity. Downside for our kids—mess and chaos and an exhausted parent. Not saying one way is better than the other—I used to think my way was better, but now my kids are a little older and it’s still hard to get them to clean up when they’re done. But they sure do have some amazing ideas

Anonymous wrote:SAHM with a tidy house.

My kids don’t trash the house. We clean as we go. Done with cars? Pick them up. Done with blocks? Pick them up.

We are also out of the house a lot, which means we don’t need to clean as much.

I clean while they play. I fold laundry and watch tv at the end of the day. I rest during nap, so I’m ready for the afternoon.

How old's your kid?

I mean, some folks are more energetic and quick-working than others. Other times, some women (and husbands!) would rather stay up until 9pm doing organization no one cares about but them. Then they're too tired to do anything else.

I could do all that too if I got to clock out at closing time and go home to my quiet empty apartment.

I wonder that myself. What if the child is no longer taking naps in the afternoon? P

Anonymous wrote:SAHM with a tidy house.

My kids don’t trash the house. We clean as we go. Done with cars? Pick them up. Done with blocks? Pick them up.

We are also out of the house a lot, which means we don’t need to clean as much.

I clean while they play. I fold laundry and watch tv at the end of the day. I rest during nap, so I’m ready for the afternoon.

That cleaning technique only works when they play with one toy and move onto another so it’s easy to say clean up x before you continue with y.

A recent example of mine is kids making a cargo ship out of the playroom couch. It needs a kitchen so they arrange all the food on the ottoman. A band will be playing on the ship so out come the instruments and stuffed animal performers. Don’t forget to grab the tinker toys to make the ship’s steering wheel! Rolling toys are arranged in a pattern on the floor to form the edges of the ship. We all ride on the couch as the ship chefs serve fine meals.

It can be quite a mess by the end of the day.

That was the most challenging time, OP. Lack of sleep and having to be ON 24-7 was exhausting.

Anonymous wrote:Part of it is she gets to go home and have time off, away from both work and toddlers/infants. Another part is she probably gets a full night of uninterrupted sleep. She sounds like one of those employees who go above and beyond, regardless of her line of work. Good for you for hiring her.

When you’re not at work working, you’re at home working. When is your break? It’s a hard phase, especially if you’re breastfeeding. It gets better though. I remember thinking 2 kids would be twice the work, but it felt like I was herding cats most of the time when they were that age.

This.
Plus there is a definite end time to her day every day. If you knew that someone was going to walk in and send you home at 6pm every day, you could probably make the house look spotless from 5:50-6:05pm.

Part of it is she gets to go home and have time off, away from both work and toddlers/infants. Another part is she probably gets a full night of uninterrupted sleep. She sounds like one of those employees who go above and beyond, regardless of her line of work. Good for you for hiring her.

When you’re not at work working, you’re at home working. When is your break? It’s a hard phase, especially if you’re breastfeeding. It gets better though. I remember thinking 2 kids would be twice the work, but it felt like I was herding cats most of the time when they were that age.

Pp here. Typos galore. If dd was playing independently that is.

SAHM with a tidy house.

My kids don’t trash the house. We clean as we go. Done with cars? Pick them up. Done with blocks? Pick them up.

We are also out of the house a lot, which means we don’t need to clean as much.

I clean while they play. I fold laundry and watch tv at the end of the day. I rest during nap, so I’m ready for the afternoon.

Some people are a little more organized and quicker than others. And yes staying out of the house. Also keep in mind that kids behave differently for different people. My nanny had the magic touch with my kid( she was with us until dd was 3). Dd napped and ate very well for her an nanny had time to do all sorts of things. She was a bit of a whirlwind and never stood still. So if dd was Oakmont ideoendentky dot 3 min on the floor, nanny picked up half a room or folded laundry. She just couldn't sit still.

Half the battle is staying out of the house. The other is cleaning as you go. Our nanny trained the kids to clean up from one thing before going to the next, and to ask for help if the mess was too big for them to fix by themselves.

I have a 6mo and a 2yo. On days I'm alone with them, by the end of the day the house is trashed, I'm exhausted, and all I've accomplished is keeping everyone happy, fed, and hopefully food picked up along the way.

When the nanny has them all day, I come home to a spotless house, fresh made baby food, bruschetta made from tomatoes she picked from our garden, and my laundry folded (many of these tasks are above and beyond what we ask of her). It's AMAZING. How does she / some caregivers (whether parents or nannies) accomplish so much?!? I honestly can't comprehend it