It's interesting b/c it basically shows that the privilege of being UMC is that a job isn't something just to make money, it's an identity and many people have a sense of what makes sense or doesn't make sense for them. Looking back I feel a little bummed b/c I got into top private colleges but my mom was a SAHM. Could she probably have funded it if she had done something like nannying? Not all domestic work is minimum wage, although a lot of it is. I think the thought never occurred to her (she did things like work at a preschool and as a cashier, which made beans) and we didn't live in a place with a high demand for nannies. Today though, I hope I would do something like that to open doors for my child if I couldn't re-enter the world of white collar work. Bottom line is that UMC and some MC people have choices, even when they think they don't.

OP here--it's a super interesting conversation so I'm glad I asked! Altogether it has reminded me why I appreciate our nanny so much. From this post, most UMC women only have love for their own children--do you think nannies don't feel the same way? And yet they haul themselves up to work (mainly due to lack of choices and that nannying is a way to make decent money even with just a HS or less education, etc) and yes, mine does love my children and I am forever grateful for her. It's all a choice, and I'm thankful for the people who are willing to choose in.

Agree overall w/the posts on how we need to value and pay domestic work more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sahm doesn't qualify you as a nanny.

People like nannies with early childhood degrees and the like. I don't have that.
Plus, I'm old. My 50 yr old hips and back can no longer chase a toddler around and I have little energy/desire to change gross diapers or deal with potty training to boot.
And I only like my own kids.

Here is your answers - SAHMs don't like to work. That was the whole point of SAHM.

Here's your answer-being a mom and nanny are not respected jobs. The whole point of being a SAHM is to raise a tiny human to be a productive, loving caring adult human. To be there for their children because they love them! This is not a dig at moms or dads who have to work but, pp is really insulting with "the whole point of SAHM is not to work" YOU ARE WORKING BUT NOT GETTING RESPECT OR PAY.

This is the reason I wouldn't want to nanny because of people LIKE YOU pp

My mother was a SAHM and loves kids. She was past the point of wanting to be a full time nanny by the time we were grown, but I often wondered why she didn't do after school or school closure care. She's on a tight budget and that extra income could really help.

For instance, she loves to sew and loves to teach sewing to kids. I could see her loving having 3-4 upper elementary girls over on school holidays to teach them a sewing project. My guess is parents would pay well to have a grandmother spend a day teaching sewing (or felting or weaving or any of her other hobbies) to a small group of kids. I think she got held up at the idea of sorting taxes, insurance and marketing. She'd be happy to teach, but all the business stuff is more than she wants to deal with at this point so she doesnt do it.

Because they don’t want to work. Not sure why this is a question.

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I know there are a lot of reasons why NOT to be a nanny, b/c it is effin hard work. However, I see that a lot of SAHM families feel the financial crunch/sacrifice, and worry about paying for college, even moreso than duel income families logically. Becoming a nanny is a lot easier than getting your old job in corporate America back. A well-educated nanny could make 60-70K a year. After taxes, that's I dunno, 45-55K that could pay for multiple kids' in-state college expenses, or go a long way towards a year of private for one kid. Plus you get to snuggle with small kids. It's hard work, but basically the SAHM experience + getting paid for it during a time where your household could really use the cash.

First of all, being a nanny is not "basically the SAHM experience" Not by a long shot. When you are at home with your kids you love them unconditionally just because they are yours. If you want to let them eat ice cream for breakfast or read twenty books or cook them healthy meals you can! There is no boss telling you what to do. I am not arguing what is best for the kids but, basically you are your own boss. For better or worse.

But when you work as a nanny it isn't all "snuggling" with little kids. They can be difficult and you have to follow the strict rules of the mom or dad boss. They may have rules like make the kids food from scratch or you have household duties. Your boss may have rules that you have to follow and that may be difficult to follow if you don't agree ( before I had kids it would be easier) Like Billy doesn't like the word no so you have to say something more gentle like... "I am not comfortable with you swinging your cat by the tail"

After the years I spent taking care of my kids I do not want to take care of stranger's kids. My grandchildren yes but even then I want to be able to have the freedom that you can't have when you are a SAHM.

I would rather walk dogs or clean toilets' rather than be a nanny.

Because I hate other kids.

Anonymous wrote:People want young nannies to be able to keep up with the kids and have fun with them. No one wants a 50 yo empty nester with bad knees and an iffy back.

Plus, the last thing I'd want to do after raising my kids is turn around and raise someone else's kids.

Good nannies are very hard to come by. Someone reliable, educated, with a driver's license, and a native English speaker is highly desirable regardless of age. I might be able do this if I ever find myself unemployed with no options. However, I don't think I can handle the grind of taking care of little kids anymore. Families usually need nannies 45-50 hours a week without much vacation time. Most former SAHM won't want to take that on.

Anonymous wrote:The SAHM I know who are complaining about finances are MC to UMC women and would not want to have a peer as their boss.

Or younger parents as bosses.

Anonymous wrote:This observation should also apply for SAHD’s.

It's much easier to jump back into the workforce for a SAHD, plus many if them never really leave the work 100%. My husband was a SAHD for a bit, but even then he worked about 10 hrs per week or so, on average. Then he just increased the hours to 20-30 per week. There is no gap in his work history. For many SAHMs the idea was to never work again, period.

Anonymous wrote:Sahm doesn't qualify you as a nanny.

People like nannies with early childhood degrees and the like. I don't have that.
Plus, I'm old. My 50 yr old hips and back can no longer chase a toddler around and I have little energy/desire to change gross diapers or deal with potty training to boot.
And I only like my own kids.

Here is your answers - SAHMs don't like to work. That was the whole point of SAHM.

Most families who can afford a SAHM are high income. That means the women probably left a lucrative, prestigious career to SAH. Why would she become a nanny?

Anonymous wrote:Sahm doesn't qualify you as a nanny.

People like nannies with early childhood degrees and the like. I don't have that.
Plus, I'm old. My 50 yr old hips and back can no longer chase a toddler around and I have little energy/desire to change gross diapers or deal with potty training to boot.
And I only like my own kids.

x100000

It amazing to me how other moms don't get this - our energy is for our OWN kids.

Anonymous wrote:People want young nannies to be able to keep up with the kids and have fun with them. No one wants a 50 yo empty nester with bad knees and an iffy back.

Plus, the last thing I'd want to do after raising my kids is turn around and raise someone else's kids.

I wanted an older nanny. Wisdom and experience, reliability, lack of drama, maturity, not being on their phone all the time...

People want young nannies to be able to keep up with the kids and have fun with them. No one wants a 50 yo empty nester with bad knees and an iffy back.

Plus, the last thing I'd want to do after raising my kids is turn around and raise someone else's kids.