Does anyone here like to nanny for WAH parents?

[Anonymous]

I just started a 2-week trial as a nanny for an infant where both parents work at home. So far, it has gone very well. I really like the family a lot and they don't hover over me and they let me do my work while they work in their home offices. This is the first nanny job where I've had this type of situation before though, so if there is anything that anyone who has done this before could give me a heads up on in order to keep this going well, I would appreciate it. It seems a lot of nannies do not like this type of work, but I am hoping for me, this will not be the case. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I work for two WAH parents and it has been going very well. In the beginning the parents came down quite a bit to check on us, but now they seem to trust my judgment and no longer come down every time the kid cries. I get along well with the parents and this setup does make it very easy to communicate with them. They also have very flexible jobs so it is very easy for me to take time off for appointments or a long weekend trip. The only thing I am a little worried about is when the child starts getting separation anxiety and every time the parents come down to visit he will be upset to see them go. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think it will though.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks! Glad it's working out for you too. I also like the fact that they are there and I know I am done at my end time without waiting for them to get home and being there late if they're stuck in traffic or something.

[Anonymous]

I used to work for two WAH parents. They were great about respecting our space and we all enjoyed eating lunch together each day. I got to know them well and really enjoyed my time there, so yeah, if it's going well I say keep at it! You'd know right away if they were going to be hovering/interfering or otherwise making it difficult for you to do your job.

[Anonymous]

I worked for a parent who worked at home a lot. We set boundaries and the kids knew that when the office door was closed, they couldn't go in.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind it so long as they have a home office. I worked for one family where Dad teleworked two times a week from the kitchen table

[Anonymous]

Best advice I can give you - talk about what you all will do once baby gets older and starts the whole separation anxiety thing. Parents need to know how they will work with this, or it can really end badly with screaming kid, frustrated parent and even more frustrated nanny...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just started a 2-week trial as a nanny for an infant where both parents work at home. So far, it has gone very well. I really like the family a lot and they don't hover over me and they let me do my work while they work in their home offices. This is the first nanny job where I've had this type of situation before though, so if there is anything that anyone who has done this before could give me a heads up on in order to keep this going well, I would appreciate it. It seems a lot of nannies do not like this type of work, but I am hoping for me, this will not be the case. Thanks in advance!

Is this your first job? FT or PT?

[Anonymous]

It can work out as long as parents practice healthy boundaries. They should decipline themselves NOT to be floating in and out of your space. At some point that behavior creates havoc for the poor child.

[Anonymous]

I work for parents who are doctors, db is a researcher and never home but Mb is home about 1/2 the time and honestly I enjoy her being home... We get along well so we talk throughout the day, she helps with the kids here and there which is nice! And aside from that while I don't think I work incredibly hard, she always tells me to take a rest because I 'do to much'

[Anonymous]

I have and have always hated it due to the parents hovering over me, micromanaging me and listening to everything I say and do while supposedly "working." These jobs have always been hell for me and I have always walked off w/no notice because I could not stand the parents.

However, if both parents are laid back and give you 100% autonomy which they should, then by all means this could work out.
I am a big advocate for getting out of the house during the day so you won't feel like you are being watched.

Hope this helps out.

I sincerely hope this job works out.
So far so good.

[Anonymous]

I've always done the WAH thing. The key is having parents respect and support the nanny's role. For babies this just means letting the nanny handle it when the baby is upset, rather than swooping in to comfort. For toddlers/separation-anxiety-age, it means mom and dad stay out of sight and shared spaces are used on a schedule that works for the kid's schedule. For older kids, it means making sure the kid knows that the nanny is the boss during the day and not letting kids get a second opinion (and being clear about "visiting hours" in the home office. All of it comes down to consideration and communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can work out as long as parents practice healthy boundaries. They should decipline themselves NOT to be floating in and out of your space. At some point that behavior creates havoc for the poor child.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

No one LIKES to. Live with it sure. Like? NAhhh.

[Anonymous]

Few parents exercise healthy boundaries.