Long-Term Nanny- How Long?

[Anonymous]

All my positions have lasted 2.5 to 3years. I consider 3+ long term. One-two years isn't really an accomplishment in this industry. If you were a career nanny then you would find families who wanted long term and could afford long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything over a year. A nanny position can be soul sucking, and you can have huge burnout.

If you find a year to be soul sucking, you need to find a different line of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anything over a year. A nanny position can be soul sucking, and you can have huge burnout.

If you find a year to be soul sucking, you need to find a different line of work.

I agree with the soul sucking. As a nanny you don't know what you will get. I have worked for a drug addict sahm. That was horrific. I have had a db who physically abused me. But I have also had great jobs that lasted 2 plus years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anything over a year. A nanny position can be soul sucking, and you can have huge burnout.


If you find a year to be soul sucking, you need to find a different line of work.

+1

[Anonymous]

I agree with the soul sucking PP post. I think those who disagree with her, haven't had a REAL intensive nanny job. One that you give your all to go above and beyond to raise someone else's children. I think it's 1.5-2 years. I give up my life for these kids. I try to stick around as much as I can, my longest position is 6 years- but at that time you are taken for granted. The family can't afford to give you an annual raise or bonus. In the nanny biz, sometimes the only way to move up is to move on.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the soul sucking PP post. I think those who disagree with her, haven't had a REAL intensive nanny job. One that you give your all to go above and beyond to raise someone else's children. I think it's 1.5-2 years. I give up my life for these kids. I try to stick around as much as I can, my longest position is 6 years- but at that time you are taken for granted. The family can't afford to give you an annual raise or bonus. In the nanny biz, sometimes the only way to move up is to move on.

[Anonymous]

Around here (DC) a lot of families use nannies just until they get their kids into daycare, so I would not judge if they had a few jobs lasting under 2 years. My impression is that most nannies would love longer term gigs but not their decision to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the soul sucking PP post. I think those who disagree with her, haven't had a REAL intensive nanny job. One that you give your all to go above and beyond to raise someone else's children. I think it's 1.5-2 years. I give up my life for these kids. I try to stick around as much as I can, my longest position is 6 years- but at that time you are taken for granted. The family can't afford to give you an annual raise or bonus. In the nanny biz, sometimes the only way to move up is to move on.

MB here. Please don't do this for me. I don't need you to give my kids gifts - in fact, I prefer you not. They are given too much stuff already. I don't need little photo books of the kids- we have enough pics of them, and when our last nanny did this (almost each season) DH and I started passing them on to our parents because it was too much stuff. I don't need you to make my bed or anything (I actually prefer you not go in my bedroom at all). Please don't vacuum unless the kids spilled something, in which case please have THEM vacuum and not allow them to have anything that can spill on carpeting. DH and I don't take the people we hire for granted. We want them to do their complete jobs to the best of their abilities, and we are happy to pay for that and give bonuses when appropriate. Having someone burn out is not the goal at all.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I give up my life as well I work 7am to 10 pm m-f and am on call weekends. i end up working most weekends. All I do is work and sleep. Have a bf or even a friend to go to lunch with I can't. I have no time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I give up my life as well I work 7am to 10 pm m-f and am on call weekends. i end up working most weekends. All I do is work and sleep. Have a bf or even a friend to go to lunch with I can't. I have no time.

So quit and find a normal job. You allow people to take advantage than they will. Unless you're making over 100k a year it's not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I think a year is a lifetime in the nanny world. It is a rarity to work over 2 years. At that time you are taken for granted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a year is a lifetime in the nanny world. It is a rarity to work over 2 years. At that time you are taken for granted.

If this has been your experience, you're doing it wrong.

I also wonder what you consider being taken for granted. Have you had a job outside of nannying and seen what the rest of the work world is like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the soul sucking PP post. I think those who disagree with her, haven't had a REAL intensive nanny job. One that you give your all to go above and beyond to raise someone else's children. I think it's 1.5-2 years. I give up my life for these kids. I try to stick around as much as I can, my longest position is 6 years- but at that time you are taken for granted. The family can't afford to give you an annual raise or bonus. In the nanny biz, sometimes the only way to move up is to move on.

MB here. Please don't do this for me. I don't need you to give my kids gifts - in fact, I prefer you not. They are given too much stuff already. I don't need little photo books of the kids- we have enough pics of them, and when our last nanny did this (almost each season) DH and I started passing them on to our parents because it was too much stuff. I don't need you to make my bed or anything (I actually prefer you not go in my bedroom at all). Please don't vacuum unless the kids spilled something, in which case please have THEM vacuum and not allow them to have anything that can spill on carpeting. DH and I don't take the people we hire for granted. We want them to do their complete jobs to the best of their abilities, and we are happy to pay for that and give bonuses when appropriate. Having someone burn out is not the goal at all.

But see, if a nanny doesn't do all the little extras, and really put her soul into a job, we have MBs on here who won't give raises or bonuses. I can only stand a year or two of working my butt off for people without acknowledgement or respect. If I want a renewed relationship, where my bosses actually give a shit if I'm happy, I have to move on before I burn out, and you get too comfortable. A long term nanny lasts about 1-3 years. Anything beyond that is rare and special, and signifies a great amount of commitment, patience, and communication on both sides.

[Anonymous]

Most many jobs I've interviewed for all for a1 year agreement so I think that's pretty standard. 2 years is moderate and 3+ years is what I would consider long-term. Sometimes you just find an amazing match that lasts 5+ years. My 2nd position was like that. I started when their firstborn was 3 months and stayed 7 years until their youngest started kindergarten.