Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
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Anonymous
Hi all! 
I'm the mother of a 10-month-old boy and four-year-old girl, I've been a full time work at home mom until a recent promotion that means I'll be working five days a week out of my home. As excited as I am about this opportunity this means I'll have to be away from my wonderful children. We've decided a nanny best meets our needs as a family, and as of now are between two lovely ladies. One is an older woman in her mid-sixties, she has 45 years of experience and had been with her last family for 12 years. She is bilingual in Spanish and English which I love! The other applicant is a 22-year-old recent college grade, she has a Bachelors in Child Development but didn't find teaching in a classroom setting fulfilling so she has chosen to nanny. She is multilingual and fluent in Russian, Spanish and American Sign language but obviously has less experience due to age. She has only nannied for one other family, for almost two years, but I really like her. My husband and I are having a really difficult time deciding whom is best for the job, we wish we could hire both. Many have said they preferred older, more experience nannies, but others prefer younger more energetic nannies. Anyone have any helpful input? Both are willing to make this a long term (at least 5 years) job. |
Anonymous
| I would say in your situation, the younger nanny may be the way to go. Your 10 month-old will soon be walking, and very soon after...running. Chasing a toddler combined with entertaining a 4 year-old require lots of energy! If you consider that the older nanny is in her mid-sixties, 5 years from now you're talking about a 70 year-old nanny...If you are concerned about the younger nanny's lack of experience, do an extended trial run and decide if you think she can handle it. Another plus to a younger nanny is that she is fresh in that she is still enthusiastic about working with children, and you can train her to do things your way where the older nanny has her own methods. |
Anonymous
Translation: she's willing to do this until she finds a better job. No one with a a Bachelors is going to be willing to watch someone else's kids all day, she's lying. If she gets it she'll last until a real job comes through. The older woman will be a better choose, she's already proven to be a serious nanny, she's old but experience is good. Also, why does everyone always insist on choosing Foriegn people to watch their kids? |
Anonymous
| I would choose the younger nanny. She will have more energy, fresh ideas and will be less set in her ways. What PP said about someone with a bachelor's degree not being willing to watch someone else's kids all day is simply wrong. I've had a young woman with a BA nannying for my family for TEN years and it is because she loves children. I have also found it easier to supervise someone younger than me and you may feel the same way. |
nannydebsays
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OMG, hope my bosses don't see this! They'll start to wonder when I'll be skipping out to find a "real" job, since I've had my bachelors degree for 11+ years! 
OP, I would do a trial with each candidate and see who you feel comfortable with. And not to be a downer, but it's truly hard to make definite plans for nanny care for 5+ years. Your lives could change, any nanny you hire could have a lifestyle change...Don't choose based on the far future, choose who you'd want to have caring for your kids for the next 2 years or so. |
Anonymous
| OP, you don't think the nanny in her mid-60's will want to retire any time soon? How old do you want to be when you retire? You really think she'll want to be working for the next five years? |
Anonymous
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Pros of younger nanny:
Younger typically means more energy more flexible in adapting to your parenting styles fresh with kids -- less risk of burn out. more willing to take your kids outside no family -- meaning kids that will need mom to stay home when they're sick Cons of younger nanny: less experience might play on her phone more (though the older nanny could just as easily talk on her phone more) Might want to find a teaching job in the next few years Pros of older nanny: more experience grandmother quality Cons of older nanny: more set in her ways because of her experience might not agree with your parenting styles typically less energy more sensitive to cold weather (?) Will she want to take your kids outside as often as you want? might be close to getting burnt out from many years working with kids will she be needed at home if her kids/grandchildren are sick? If they miss school because of a school day? ------ Overall, I'd be more inclined to go with the younger nanny, especially given the age of your younger one. But I know some women in their 60's who can run rings around me, so you never know. |
Anonymous
| Sorry, meant to write -- under cons of an older nanny -- "If they miss school because of a snow day" |
Anonymous
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Yeah five years is way too long a commitment to make. One or two yearsis more typical. The older nanny may have lots of patience and tricks up her sleeve for getting kids to sleep or whatever, be able to teach them things like cooking or baking and may be more hand son with teaching them how to do.household tasks. Thedown side is it is possible that some of her skills are outdated...soes she put baby to bed on their stomach? Does she take carseat safety seriously? Things like that. When does she plan to retire? Does you want a 70 yr old nanny?
The younger nanny will possibly have more energy and fresh ideas, updated safety knowledge and better psychological skills. On the other hand she may not have much common sense yet, she may be on her phone all day, she may drive too fast, she may leave when a more intereting job with advancement opportunities comes her way, she may leave to get married and start her own family etc. I'd probably invite them both back for 1-2 day working interviews and see if you can suss out some of the things that important to you. |
Anonymous
| Younger nanny she has more energy and is up date with more fun activities |
Anonymous
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It is foolish to assume an older person has low energy levels and that a younger person is guaranteed to be energetic. There are lazy 20-something nannies and 65-year-old nannies who could run laps around them.
If energy is your concern, you should speak to each candidate's references about that. |
Anonymous
| Younger nanny is not as domestic. She won't look around the house and know this this this needs to be done. Not saying she shouldn't get a break but one thing about our younger nanny is that she is totally oblivious to housework. She didn't even know how to make simple children's meals and I had to show her. It is ok but just expect that she is not a mom, more like someone to make sure your kids are safe and entertained. Older people are more mom-like and may be more sympathetic/understanding to all the "running of the house" work you have to do in addition to your work and raising kids. |
thewildbaby
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| All of the PPs raise valid points about the pros and cons of SOME older and younger nannies, but these sweeping generalizations won't tell you anything about your two specific candidates. Have them each over for a couple of (paid) trial days if possible, to see how they each get along, and go from there. |
Anonymous
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Something else to consider (tactfully) about the older nanny would be potential health concerns. I have an older nanny before, as well as a couple of my friends. Sometimes you encounter an increased need for time off to attend to doctor's appointments, procedures, etc. Likewise, are there any medications that have potential side effects that might concern you.
I agree these issues would not apply to every older nanny out there, but they do come up quite often. |
Anonymous
| LOOK YOUNGER NANNY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE 22YEARS I WOULD NOT LEAVE MY KIDS WITH SOMEONE THAT YOUNG. WHEN YOU ARE AT WORK YOU WANT TO MAKE SHURE YOUR HOME IS SAFE ALSO PEOPLE ARE NOT RUNING IN AND OUT. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY THING, NOT JUST THE AGE I WOULD GO WITH THE OLDER NANNY FOR PEACE OF MINE |