male nannies

[Anonymous]

I am a 25-year-old guy and I have always enjoyed working with kids and the field of child development. I have a Bachelor's and several years of experience in childcare and am considering looking for a long-term, full-time nanny position when I relocate next year.

My question is: as a parent, would you be comfortable hiring a male nanny? Would the age of your child at the time be a factor? Would you have any concerns that you might not have with a female nanny?

Thanks for your input! I want to make sure any family I work with feels like they are leaving their children in the best hands possible, so I'd like to make sure I do everything I can to assure them of that.

[Anonymous]

What age do you mostly prefer working with?

[Anonymous]

1:16, I especially enjoy working with children in the 0-3 age range. It is also the age group I have the most extensive experience with. There are things I love about every age group, though. Ideally I'd enjoy working for a family with children across a couple age ranges, or perhaps a family with a young infant that plans on expanding.

[Anonymous]

honestly, many families are wary of male caregivers and wanting to work with kids who are preverbal might work against you.

[Anonymous]

We have a male nanny. We hired him when our baby was a newborn and he's still with us in her terrible twos. We hope he stays through her terrible nines.

Parents more likely to hire you are those with sons, and/or those whose kids are past the diaper age. I have gotten a lot of shocked whispers about "don't you worry about him changing your daughters diaper?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a male nanny. We hired him when our baby was a newborn and he's still with us in her terrible twos. We hope he stays through her terrible nines.

Parents more likely to hire you are those with sons, and/or those whose kids are past the diaper age. I have gotten a lot of shocked whispers about "don't you worry about him changing your daughters diaper?"

I don't think it's so much a "worry", as it is odd, for a totally strange man to be diapering your infant child, boy or girl.

[Anonymous]

I think its great you want to work with kids, and I hope you find a good family who is open to it. There are tons of great stay at home dads and teachers but there is still this stereotype that only women are good caregivers. It's really not fair.

[Anonymous]

Where and when are you relocating? I work for a lesbian couple who prior to hiring me, were looking for a male nanny to care for their infant daughter.

If you are lgbt friendly, I would seriously market yourself to that type of family. A lot of lgbt families worry about having the right amount of opposite sex loving relationships in their child's life.

I'd also look for families with school aged boys because they really would like a positive Male caregiver who can relate and do "boy" things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a male nanny. We hired him when our baby was a newborn and he's still with us in her terrible twos. We hope he stays through her terrible nines.

Parents more likely to hire you are those with sons, and/or those whose kids are past the diaper age. I have gotten a lot of shocked whispers about "don't you worry about him changing your daughters diaper?"

I don't think it's so much a "worry", as it is odd, for a totally strange man to be diapering your infant child, boy or girl.

But he's not a totally strange man. He's my dd's beloved nanny. She has a pet name for him and wants to buy him gifts when we're on vacation and includes him in her bedtime prayers and everything.

[Anonymous]

I would hire you and be excited at the prospect OP. You should let us know where you're relocating to so that those of us who might be looking could meet you.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

13:25: I will be relocating around July-August of 2014 either to the Boston metro or DC metro area near Silver Spring, MD. I have worked for a lesbian couple before and would love to do so again. Do you have any suggestions for finding GLBT couples in particular who might be looking for nannies?

14:22: I am not sure yet whether I will end up in the DC or Boston area as it will depend on whether my partner obtains the job he is applying for but if I am in DC I will be on the Maryland side, probably in or near Silver Spring.

Others: I can certainly understand the hesitation, although I think a lot of it is due to stereotypes and assumptions rather than actual data. I was raised by a very nurturing father and I believe that played a part in me becoming nurturing myself.

I think it's definitely great if parents have the ability to test drive any nanny and observe them interacting with their children before hiring them. It's unfortunate that there are nannies out there who do not give there charges the best care possible. So I think regardless of gender, it is perfectly reasonable for parents to be cautious about who they are hiring to care for their child. However, as 14:50 notes, once the child has become familiar with and bonded with the nanny, it is no longer a "strange man" or "strange woman" changing their diapers and providing care for them, it is someone they love and trust and it is up to that caregiver not to betray that trust. That went a bit long, but my main point is that I understand that a parent might be wary of a new caregiver, but I'd hope the gender of the caregiver isn't the only thing they consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:25: I will be relocating around July-August of 2014 either to the Boston metro or DC metro area near Silver Spring, MD. I have worked for a lesbian couple before and would love to do so again. Do you have any suggestions for finding GLBT couples in particular who might be looking for nannies?

14:22: I am not sure yet whether I will end up in the DC or Boston area as it will depend on whether my partner obtains the job he is applying for but if I am in DC I will be on the Maryland side, probably in or near Silver Spring.

Others: I can certainly understand the hesitation, although I think a lot of it is due to stereotypes and assumptions rather than actual data. I was raised by a very nurturing father and I believe that played a part in me becoming nurturing myself.

I think it's definitely great if parents have the ability to test drive any nanny and observe them interacting with their children before hiring them. It's unfortunate that there are nannies out there who do not give there charges the best care possible. So I think regardless of gender, it is perfectly reasonable for parents to be cautious about who they are hiring to care for their child. However, as 14:50 notes, once the child has become familiar with and bonded with the nanny, it is no longer a "strange man" or "strange woman" changing their diapers and providing care for them, it is someone they love and trust and it is up to that caregiver not to betray that trust. That went a bit long, but my main point is that I understand that a parent might be wary of a new caregiver, but I'd hope the gender of the caregiver isn't the only thing they consider.

Nanny to lesbian couple here,
If you move to Boston, it will be very easy to find families that are open. I currently live in Boston and for the most part people are really open to the idea of a male nanny. I actually might be leaving my position around August and my employers would be thrilled to find a male nanny.

[Anonymous]

14:22 here. If you move to Silver spring you would be very near me. If our nanny moves away (possible due to some medical circumstances) I would love to meet you. Even if that doesn't happen, Takoma Park is a community very near Silver Spring that is known for having a very open-minded and diverse population.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here.

14:22 - Good to know, I will certainly pop back into this forum once I know more about my situation for next year. Thanks for the tip re: Takoma Park.

Nanny to lesbian couple- I'm glad to hear that, I've never been but have heard a lot of good things about the town. I will check back in to these forums once I know where I'll be, so perhaps I can make contact with you in case your employers or anyone they know may be looking for a new nanny around then.