Summer Nanny?

[Anonymous]

This summer has been crazy between work, different camp drop-off's, pick-up's, swim team, etc.... I'm thinking I need a new plan for next summer.

Have you employed a summer nanny?
Where did you find her?
Good experience? Bad experience?

I don't need 40 hours a week. And the nanny would be dropping off/picking up from swim practices, camp, etc....

Its not only been busy for me, as a parent, but my children have had no down time or break! I made a big mistake in planning our summer this year and want to correct it for next year. So I'm looking for feedback on how to make our summer more "relaxing."

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I was a summer nanny throughout college. I started out making $10/hr, by the time I graduated (last year) I was at $15/hr, plus gas reimbursement for driving the kids around in my car. I worked for different families each summer (though have kept in touch with a few for casual babysitting), and found them all primarily through Care.com.

I don't think not needing 40/hrs will be a big detriment to college aged nannies. Some years I was aggressively saving towards a goal (studying abroad) and would only look at the longer hour FT jobs, but other years I was happy with 30-35 hrs a week as that gave me time to enjoy my summer home.

I would strongly recommend guaranteeing a weekly rate to your nanny regardless of any long weekends, doctors appointments, etc. you might have planned. It goes a long way to engendering good will between you both. Paying for any time the nanny requests off is generally unnecessary though.