Young Nanny

[Anonymous]

I am considering hiring a 20-year-old as a full time nanny for my three kids (3 and under). I got a great feeling about her during the interview, and her references have been positive, though clearly not from people used to professional nannies. She did one full time gig as a nanny for two young children last summer, and she's worked with infants.

Am I crazy to hire someone so young for this job? Am I going to regret it? I'm home on maternity leave, so I do have time to work with her ...

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are nuts.

[Anonymous]

How cheap is she, OP?

[Anonymous]

No I don't think you're crazy. If she seems mature I don't think her actual age matters as much. Plus, like you said, you will have time to work with her to see how she does.

[Anonymous]

I'm a MB with a 9 month old and 3 year old. Our nanny started with us when she was just 21 (she is now 24) and had been absolutely great! She was very mature, we got a great feeling watching her with our then 1 infant, she had a lot of experience and great references working a full time babysitting gig through college, plus she has interned in a NICU her senior year of college. I don't think you should base it on age. We were her first REAL nanny job, full time with benefits, but she has turned out to be an amazing hard working nanny whom my children love.
Defintiely check into her references well and watch how she is with the kiddos, but I don't think you're nuts

[Anonymous]

I started nannying at 18. If you are mature and professional and have the experience, I see nothing wrong with hiring a 20 year old nanny.

I started out making $15 an hour at that age and now make $20+ 10 years later.

She has to start somewhere. If you like her and feel like its a good fit, go for it. I wish you the best OP.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you're nuts either. I started doing full time summer nanny work when I was 14 years old. I'm talking left alone with a 9 month old and almost 2 year old for 10 hours a day. Albeit they were the children of family friends.

I had no problem keeping both children thoroughly engaged when they were awake, putting them down for naps, preparing their lunch, giving them baths, and all the other commonalities of caring for an infant and toddler.

I started my current nanny job fresh out of college at the age of 22.

IMHO, age shouldn't be that big of a deciding factor so much as experience, references, maturity level, and how well you click with the individual.

[Anonymous]

I'm too started nannying at 19 and I think if you find the right young woman it can be great experience for all. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[Anonymous]

I don't think your nuts either. The same issues can arise for any age nanny. Treat her the same as you would any other nanny, but just remember everyone has to start somewhere.

[Anonymous]

I'm paying a good wage -- we had plenty of older applicants.

Thank you for this feedback; her references were good, and she seems mature. I think we're going to go for it.

[Anonymous]

Crazy to hire someone that young for three under three. Otherwise I'd say go for it but this girl will most likely burn out and/or begin losing her temper with your kids.

[Anonymous]

We hired a 20 year old for a nanny share with 2 under 2, she has been amazing. I think age is an indicator, but not the only or best one. Go with your own sense on this one, you aren't crazy.

[Anonymous]

How old are the children, OP?

[Anonymous]

The kids are just over 3, 19 mos, and newborn. I'm on maternity leave until the end of September, so the newborn is mostly on me for now, though there will be times she'd have all three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm paying a good wage -- we had plenty of older applicants.

Thank you for this feedback; her references were good, and she seems mature. I think we're going to go for it.

Good luck OP. I'm glad you aren't letting the crazy MB's on here steer you away from a young nanny who will probably be fabulous with you children.