How do we feel about older nannies ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and can’t find a job to save my life. Seriously considering another position

I wouldn't hire an old nanny, but don't consider 40's old. Maybe it has nothing to do with your age.

It is- most families I interviewed with don’t like the idea that laundry, errands, cooking and cleaning for them isn’t included and I’m not foreign to go along with whatever they want to trow at me. They see a seasoned degreed nanny that can’t be used as a doormat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and can’t find a job to save my life. Seriously considering another position

I wouldn't hire an old nanny, but don't consider 40's old. Maybe it has nothing to do with your age.

It is- most families I interviewed with don’t like the idea that laundry, errands, cooking and cleaning for them isn’t included and I’m not foreign to go along with whatever they want to trow at me. They see a seasoned degreed nanny that can’t be used as a doormat.

Your reply confirms what PP says - it doesn't have to do with your age. It has to do with your attitude and that you don't want to do extras that other nannies are willing to do.

[Anonymous]

I am fifty-four years old & I have been nannying over the past decade + a half.

I have been thinking a lot lately that I may be better suited for a less physically strenuous job in the near future since after a long day caring for young children, I come home exhausted.
My back especially hurts since I do quite a bit of lifting and carrying.

While I personally would appreciate it as a parent if I had an older Nanny due to her life experience - I think I would only hire one on a part-time basis plus only if I had an older child.
Not younger than say six or seven years of age.

Just my own, personal opinion….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and can’t find a job to save my life. Seriously considering another position

I wouldn't hire an old nanny, but don't consider 40's old. Maybe it has nothing to do with your age.

It is- most families I interviewed with don’t like the idea that laundry, errands, cooking and cleaning for them isn’t included and I’m not foreign to go along with whatever they want to trow at me. They see a seasoned degreed nanny that can’t be used as a doormat.

I was an Au Pair many, many years ago. Doing laundry, cleaning, errands, and lunches were the easiest part of my job. Their kids were not difficult, but cleaning was so much easier than the constant worry about the bored kids.

[Anonymous]

Love an older nanny for a baby. Beyond that not for me

[Anonymous]

I think that 55+ nannies have much more energy due to not having their own kids at home as they usually have grown up kids not living with them. Lots of nannies themselves have young kids or school age kids that they have to take care every evening, so they never get any rest, and always tired at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am fifty-four years old & I have been nannying over the past decade + a half.

I have been thinking a lot lately that I may be better suited for a less physically strenuous job in the near future since after a long day caring for young children, I come home exhausted.
My back especially hurts since I do quite a bit of lifting and carrying.

While I personally would appreciate it as a parent if I had an older Nanny due to her life experience - I think I would only hire one on a part-time basis plus only if I had an older child.
Not younger than say six or seven years of age.

Just my own, personal opinion….

time to start a strength training class so you'll be stronger and have more stamina. it was a game changer for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am fifty-four years old & I have been nannying over the past decade + a half.

I have been thinking a lot lately that I may be better suited for a less physically strenuous job in the near future since after a long day caring for young children, I come home exhausted.
My back especially hurts since I do quite a bit of lifting and carrying.

While I personally would appreciate it as a parent if I had an older Nanny due to her life experience - I think I would only hire one on a part-time basis plus only if I had an older child.
Not younger than say six or seven years of age.

Just my own, personal opinion….

time to start a strength training class so you'll be stronger and have more stamina. it was a game changer for me.

Exactly. Use it or lose it. PP sounds like she’s in poor health at such a young age. I refuse to go downhill like that.

[Anonymous]

Cooking? Cleaning? That's a housekeeper, not a nanny.

I feel sorry for the desperate immigrants around this area.

[Anonymous]

I’m a 68 year old full time nanny to 4 little ones…1, 3, 5 and 7. Take care of all the childrens laundry, cooking, cleaning. Drive/pick up older 2 to/from school. Bring them to doctors, dentist, activities. Have absolutely no difficulty carrying or picking up any of the children, including carrying them up/down the stairs or in/out of the crib. Play with and run around with all of the children…even all 4 of them if school is out. Occasionally the older ones will come home with me for a sleepover to give the parents a little break. Don’t write off us older nannies…we can be pretty great!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my 40s and can’t find a job to save my life. Seriously considering another position

I wouldn't hire an old nanny, but don't consider 40's old. Maybe it has nothing to do with your age.

It is- most families I interviewed with don’t like the idea that laundry, errands, cooking and cleaning for them isn’t included and I’m not foreign to go along with whatever they want to trow at me. They see a seasoned degreed nanny that can’t be used as a doormat.

Your reply confirms what PP says - it doesn't have to do with your age. It has to do with your attitude and that you don't want to do extras that other nannies are willing to do.

Typical response from a brown noser… I’m a semi-older nanny as well and agree with the other poster. Once they see that you’re “seasoned”, they think they can work you to death. I don’t mind helping with kids laundry while kids sleep, cleaning up after them at the end of the day, but I’m not coming in to do a sink full of dishes from the night before, dealing with grandparents, or cleaning up every time you come out of your office because you’re a type A personality. I’m not interested in being your EVERYTHING just because you pay “good.”

[Anonymous]

I’d rather a 70 year old with excellent references than a 22 year old who isn’t really into it and probably don’t like your kids all that much. I’ve met plenty of the younger ones and they complained about the ridiculous demands the psycho mothers made.

A 70 year old with not be scrolling instagram all day or texting her boyfriend. She probably has enough control to keep the tv off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d rather a 70 year old with excellent references than a 22 year old who isn’t really into it and probably don’t like your kids all that much. I’ve met plenty of the younger ones and they complained about the ridiculous demands the psycho mothers made.

A 70 year old with not be scrolling instagram all day or texting her boyfriend. She probably has enough control to keep the tv off.

Agree 100%.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the 70 yo. I'm older so not being ageist. Before school care, after school care definitely. All day all week takes someone special regardless of age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the 70 yo. I'm older so not being ageist. Before school care, after school care definitely. All day all week takes someone special regardless of age.

Being a great nanny does take someone with a number of special skills. Patience, the ability to respectfully work in someone’s home, lots of knowledge about child development and the skills to use that knowledge effectively. Nannies also need to be their own HR department and politely draw boundaries around what they will and won’t do. Most importantly, a great nanny loves their job enough to tolerate being seen as the help by people who don’t know just how much they bring to the table.

Sure, being healthy and agile is important, but the nanny sitting down with her face stuck in her phone isn’t going to see the toddler slipping and grab them before they fall down. Nannies have to be aware of what’s happening around them, and a bored, disengaged, and distracted nanny of any age isn’t a great nanny in any way, shape, or form.