Do you think "fit" nannies have an edge over overweight nannies?

[Anonymous]

it is well documented that people who are overweight or discriminated against in every field. I am quite certain that it happens more often than not in the nanny field, simply because there are no repercussions for those who do it. Nannies cannot call HR.

As to whether it is a valid reason to discriminate, being overweight does not in itself indicate anything about the ability or activity level of the individual, anymore than being thin automatically makes you a triathlete. Furthermore, while Manning is certainly a physically challenging job, there are many many other factors related to personality, skill set, and fit with the family that have nothing to do with activity level or physical ability, that may make a candidate a better fit. A middle-aged heavyset candidate with a perfect driving record and years of experience may very well be a better fit for some families then a younger nanny who is thin and athletic and very energetic. Asking would you hire a fat nanny or a thin one is a kin to asking would you hire an educated nanny or an uneducated one or would you hire an expensive nanny or an inexpensive one. Any answer other than "it obviously depends on the circumstances and the candidate pool" says much more about the person answering than it does about any nanny candidates involved.

[Anonymous]

Fit nanny - reasonable price, reasonable education

fat nanny - expensive price, higher education

Which one will you hire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Fit nanny - reasonable price, reasonable education

fat nanny - expensive price, higher education

Which one will you hire?

Whoever I get along with best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Fit nanny - reasonable price, reasonable education

fat nanny - expensive price, higher education

Which one will you hire?

Whoever I get along with best.

Bingo. Which is why wealthy families will pay $30+/hr if the nanny they want, charges that. Period.

Doesn't matter one bit if you think that nanny is worth it or not.

[Anonymous]

I thought this was about size discrimination. How did you manage to bring inflated rates into the discussion? I will say, your ability to inject that into every thread is impressive!

[Anonymous]

Of course. When selecting a role model for their kids who would choose a fat person? I want someone who can teach my children to be healthy, active, good at sports and coordination, able to make healthy choices and cook healthy meals, etc.

I see fat people as complainers often too, not only as nannies but in other jobs and when I have to deal with them at my own job. I would never want that attitude around my children.

I don't see that as discrimination when selecting a nanny. As an MB I have to make a lot of other considerations than a company would hiring someone for a simple office job. I am looking like I said for a good role model, someone with a good attitude, healthy lifestyle, etc to help teach my children. It's not exclusively experience and education.

[Anonymous]

Suuuuuure. Nice stirring of the pot though.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the family doing the hiring as well as the age of the child.

I think the older and more independent the child is, the younger and more fit the parents would prefer their nanny to be. Caring for a mobile child takes a huge amount of energy daily so many parents are looking for someone fit and healthy.

Also, for an older child a family may just want a younger nanny to act as a "Big Sister" to their child.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, were you hired by someone named "Ben"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the family doing the hiring as well as the age of the child.

I think the older and more independent the child is, the younger and more fit the parents would prefer their nanny to be. Caring for a mobile child takes a huge amount of energy daily so many parents are looking for someone fit and healthy.

Also, for an older child a family may just want a younger nanny to act as a "Big Sister" to their child.

I disagree with your first statement regarding wanting a younger nanny and wish you could meet our nanny. She is 60 and in better shape than most people our age and has no problem whatsoever keeping up with a very active two-year-old. She is amazingly fit, healthy and energetic. There are many benefits to an older nanny and if you find a fit and healthy older nanny there is no downside at all!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not hire a nanny with a master's degree in less they were a SAHM looking for something to do or extra income. I'd wonder why they were not in their chosen field. Plus, the point of a nanny is so I can work and I would not consider them as reasonable in terms of salary and if I am paying them more than I earn, there is no benefit to a nanny.

I have a masters in Early Childhood Education and this is my chosen field. I've worked in preschools for years but prefer the one-on-one teaching of being a nanny. I earn $25 an hour so no - you are right that many families cannot afford me - but I am certain I earn far less than my MB.

And to answer your question, OP, it depends on how overweight and where the nanny carries her weight. Belly weight is fatiguing and unhealthy. A few extra pounds around the but, hips and thighs is just the way some women are build and it doesn't effect activity.

Overweight is one thing -- obese is another. You have to be able to move and run quickly when you are a nanny.

Remember costs are not just salary. $25 an hour, especially for 1 child, in less the family is wealthy is not worth it for most families. Its also all the extras - food, utilities, wear and tear on the house, car/gas, activities (assuming they give you some spending money for a lunch out/other stuff), an extra car seat, etc. Those things add up quickly. And, at 2-3-4, paying for a part-time preschool but keeping you full-time for all the extra days. Remember when looking at salary, I look at my take home pay, not my overall pay as so much is taken out to determine what we are comfortable with.

I don't necessarily look for degrees as much as style, willing to take direction, communication, understanding our child's needs and being willing to change with them, and overall what you have to offer. Are you willing to help out with basic household chores or do we have to get a housekeeper weekly (not talking heavy cleaning but running a vacuum every few days, dishes, picking up toys, child's laundry). Are you willing to pick up more tasks such as errands, birthday planning, etc when the child is in school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not hire a nanny with a master's degree in less they were a SAHM looking for something to do or extra income. I'd wonder why they were not in their chosen field. Plus, the point of a nanny is so I can work and I would not consider them as reasonable in terms of salary and if I am paying them more than I earn, there is no benefit to a nanny.

I have a masters in Early Childhood Education and this is my chosen field. I've worked in preschools for years but prefer the one-on-one teaching of being a nanny. I earn $25 an hour so no - you are right that many families cannot afford me - but I am certain I earn far less than my MB.

And to answer your question, OP, it depends on how overweight and where the nanny carries her weight. Belly weight is fatiguing and unhealthy. A few extra pounds around the but, hips and thighs is just the way some women are build and it doesn't effect activity.

Overweight is one thing -- obese is another. You have to be able to move and run quickly when you are a nanny.

Remember costs are not just salary. $25 an hour, especially for 1 child, in less the family is wealthy is not worth it for most families. Its also all the extras - food, utilities, wear and tear on the house, car/gas, activities (assuming they give you some spending money for a lunch out/other stuff), an extra car seat, etc. Those things add up quickly. And, at 2-3-4, paying for a part-time preschool but keeping you full-time for all the extra days. Remember when looking at salary, I look at my take home pay, not my overall pay as so much is taken out to determine what we are comfortable with.

I don't necessarily look for degrees as much as style, willing to take direction, communication, understanding our child's needs and being willing to change with them, and overall what you have to offer. Are you willing to help out with basic household chores or do we have to get a housekeeper weekly (not talking heavy cleaning but running a vacuum every few days, dishes, picking up toys, child's laundry). Are you willing to pick up more tasks such as errands, birthday planning, etc when the child is in school?

NP here. I want the degrees. Education is very important to both DH and I and we choose to pay more for a college degreed nanny as we feel that is important to our son's development. Her experience includes all of your other requests (eg communication, understanding child's needs, etc). And we are not wealthy. We sacrifice for a great nanny and feel it is more important right now than owning our own home or taking expensive vacations. We also chose live in one of the best neighborhoods in DC to give DS and his nanny the most advantages.

It is a choice all parents have to make. For us, paying more for an educated and experienced nanny has been more than beneficial to all of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not hire a nanny with a master's degree in less they were a SAHM looking for something to do or extra income. I'd wonder why they were not in their chosen field. Plus, the point of a nanny is so I can work and I would not consider them as reasonable in terms of salary and if I am paying them more than I earn, there is no benefit to a nanny.

I have a masters in Early Childhood Education and this is my chosen field. I've worked in preschools for years but prefer the one-on-one teaching of being a nanny. I earn $25 an hour so no - you are right that many families cannot afford me - but I am certain I earn far less than my MB.

And to answer your question, OP, it depends on how overweight and where the nanny carries her weight. Belly weight is fatiguing and unhealthy. A few extra pounds around the but, hips and thighs is just the way some women are build and it doesn't effect activity.

Overweight is one thing -- obese is another. You have to be able to move and run quickly when you are a nanny.

Remember costs are not just salary. $25 an hour, especially for 1 child, in less the family is wealthy is not worth it for most families. Its also all the extras - food, utilities, wear and tear on the house, car/gas, activities (assuming they give you some spending money for a lunch out/other stuff), an extra car seat, etc. Those things add up quickly. And, at 2-3-4, paying for a part-time preschool but keeping you full-time for all the extra days. Remember when looking at salary, I look at my take home pay, not my overall pay as so much is taken out to determine what we are comfortable with.

I don't necessarily look for degrees as much as style, willing to take direction, communication, understanding our child's needs and being willing to change with them, and overall what you have to offer. Are you willing to help out with basic household chores or do we have to get a housekeeper weekly (not talking heavy cleaning but running a vacuum every few days, dishes, picking up toys, child's laundry). Are you willing to pick up more tasks such as errands, birthday planning, etc when the child is in school?

NP here. I want the degrees. Education is very important to both DH and I and we choose to pay more for a college degreed nanny as we feel that is important to our son's development. Her experience includes all of your other requests (eg communication, understanding child's needs, etc). And we are not wealthy. We sacrifice for a great nanny and feel it is more important right now than owning our own home or taking expensive vacations. We also chose live in one of the best neighborhoods in DC to give DS and his nanny the most advantages.

It is a choice all parents have to make. For us, paying more for an educated and experienced nanny has been more than beneficial to all of us.

AND we have none of your listed "expenses" (wear and tear on the house?! LOL that is what having a child does not the nanny). Nanny and DC go everywhere in the stroller and public transportation. Nanny brings her own lunch.