Best kept secret

[Anonymous]

Here's a tip for the day....

A female hunting for a job,
even with babysitting experience,
does NOT equate with being a nanny.

If more people understood that, half of the problems you see on this forum, would not be here.

[Anonymous]

Possibly, but as with anything, it depends on how much money you have to pay her.

If you can only afford $10-11/hr for full-time care, that may be your only choice. If you're lucky, your babysitter will turn into a nanny for you.

[Anonymous]

I took my first nanny job at 19, with nothing more than babysitting experience and a willingness to learn from a patient mom. She was willing to give me a shot, paid me a much lower rate than I charge today, and it was a wonderful experience for us all. I came away 2 years later with some solid skills and experience, and a glowing reference. There is nothing wrong with hiring an inexperienced but promising person to be your nanny. It's a great way to make nanny care affordable if you're willing to put in the work to train and guide someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took my first nanny job at 19, with nothing more than babysitting experience and a willingness to learn from a patient mom. She was willing to give me a shot, paid me a much lower rate than I charge today, and it was a wonderful experience for us all. I came away 2 years later with some solid skills and experience, and a glowing reference. There is nothing wrong with hiring an inexperienced but promising person to be your nanny. It's a great way to make nanny care affordable if you're willing to put in the work to train and guide someone.

Agreed. Everyone needs to start somewhere. I think the important thing is to manage expectations on both sides. A nanny who only has experience babysitting or with children in her family isn't going to earn as much as someone with years of experience as a nanny. And likewise an MB needs to recognize that someone with no experience and earning a lower rate isn't going to be able to do as much and may need more guidance.

[Anonymous]

It seems that lots of moms would actually prefer a less-experienced sitter that they can train, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems that lots of moms would actually prefer a less-experienced sitter that they can train, no?

Typically moms aren't staying home to do any "training" - they are micromanaging from afar. Very different things.

But even the moms who might want to train their nanny (and there are lots of MBs who'd do a great job!) don't have the time or energy to spend in training someone - they want to hire someone capable who can hit the ground running so they don't have an extra thing to worry about in their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems that lots of moms would actually prefer a less-experienced sitter that they can train, no?

Typically moms aren't staying home to do any "training" - they are micromanaging from afar. Very different things.

But even the moms who might want to train their nanny (and there are lots of MBs who'd do a great job!) don't have the time or energy to spend in training someone - they want to hire someone capable who can hit the ground running so they don't have an extra thing to worry about in their lives.

+1