How do we find an Alice from the Brady Bunch?

[Anonymous]

I pay for cleaning $70-80 per 1.5h. I am not sure if you can find someone willing to clean your house for $15-$20/h. If you do, please let me know. I will hire her too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can absolutely find this person in your price range -- and I speak from experience (and yes, I will prepare for the outraged Nanny deluge in response to this post, but here goes):

Everyone here is right that your price range is way low for a career Nanny/household manager/housekeeper like Alice. But the reality is, you don't need an Alice, you need an organized self-starter who is responsible and good at herding cats. Um, I mean kids. We have had great experience with mature college kids (set up your interview and reference questions to discern whether your applicant really understands what it takes to run your house and herd your kids). It's not rocket science, but it does require a certain personality and skill set. I have also had good experience with 30 something's looking to make a career change. I.e. They've been overseas teaching or are making a geographic move and waiting to start school of some sort.

Most of these applicants are not looking for a long-term career as a Nanny, and most who will accept your pay range will not have experience as a Nanny. But that doesn't mean you can't find a smart, capable person who will commit to working with you for a year. But in your price range, you probably have to resign yourself to finding a new Nanny every year or year and a half. And you will have to work with your new Nanny to make sure the expectations on both sides are understood. But I have found quality Nannies every time I've looked, and my kids stay in touch with our past Nannies -- my kids are older, so they understand why our Nannies move on -- the Nannies are usually great role models -- they're moving on to school, new careers, etc. I ask for a one year commitment, but most of our Nannies stay on a bit longer.

BTW, I also ask that my Nanny housekeepers make my kids pick up after themselves -- which is actually harder on the Nanny than if she just did the work herself. I can't be home to supervise my kids after school or drive them to activities, so my Nanny's job is to teach them to be self-sufficient -- just like I would, if I was home. But this requires a particular type of personality.

You need to prepare yourself for a pretty intense search process weeding through applicants -- but you can absolutely find someone. I have found my last 3 Nannies on care.com -- be very particular in your job description, including the rate you're willing to pay. It generally takes me 40-50 hours to find my Nanny. Good luck!!

To add to this, you will probably need to have a translator there with you when you interview these applicants so you can get your point across regarding duties and such. Good luck.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I consider myself to be an ethical nanny, I charge fair rates, don't misrepresent my skills, etc. Most nannies do not make $30 although some with specialized skills do.

The issue with your position is that its most of the business day so any candidate likely will rely on this job to meet all of their cost of living needs. Therefore, you need to be prepared to pay an amount that a person can live on. Second, are you building in any break or rest time? Deep cleaning and herding three kids will be a lot of work.

Extending this to eight hours each day will build in the necessary rest time that your employee is going to need. Otherwise, expect to increase your hourly pay to account for those variables.

It's only 6 hours, you can rest before and after work. Plus 6 hours leaves plenty of time for a second part-time job.

Yes but this employee will be doing manual labor. While anyone can work any number of hours in a 24 hour period if they choose to, manual labor is not the type of work one does and then goes to put in another 4-6 hours someplace else. This is America so OP can ask for anything under the sun and either legally or illegally she will probably find it. It may not be the quality she would like though.

Cleaning a house is now considered manual labor!?!? You nannies are getting past ridiculous...dare I say pathetic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alice in real life has recently died. She had a fall and wasn't able to recover. I think she was in her 80's. She was amazing. Bless her and her family and friends.

How ironic that this poster posted this just days prior to Alice's passing.

So sad to hear and many of us grew up as Alice as our role model. I am sure we all were secretly envious that we didn't have our own Alice to pack our lunches every morning for school and send us off the way those Brady kids did.

Thanks Alice for the great memories growing up.

R.I.P.

Rest in Paradise.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I grew up with an Alice.

And I have had two Alices work with my children and home for between $18-$20 hour.

We found them through an online ad on www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. We were very clear about what we were looking for, but we wrote it in such a way that conveyed our personalities and our commitment to the nanny-- it wasn't just a list of required skills. (Because what you're looking for is someone who fits with part of your *family* right? So it's kind of like dating--you need to find someone who fits you and vice versa.)

We interviewed several people. We provided a written contract. We established open communication, we chatted about whatever was of interest to the nanny (not just about the job), we give presents on birthdays and holidays, and whatever else people who like each other tend to do.

I also give job advice, when asked. I don't expect that someone will stick around forever because they signed a one year contract. I anticipate they're always looking for a better deal... and the best I can do is be nice, thoughtful, and fair. So far, no one's left us for any reason other than (a) we moved 2000 miles away and (b) nanny got married and moved 50 miles away.

We would immediately fire someone who didn't fit, because they deserve better... and we want that fit, too.

[Anonymous]

Alice was a fictional character.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alice was a fictional character.

Yes, that's why we all could invite her into our homes, via the TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up with an Alice.

And I have had two Alices work with my children and home for between $18-$20 hour.

We found them through an online ad on www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. We were very clear about what we were looking for, but we wrote it in such a way that conveyed our personalities and our commitment to the nanny-- it wasn't just a list of required skills. (Because what you're looking for is someone who fits with part of your *family* right? So it's kind of like dating--you need to find someone who fits you and vice versa.)

We interviewed several people. We provided a written contract. We established open communication, we chatted about whatever was of interest to the nanny (not just about the job), we give presents on birthdays and holidays, and whatever else people who like each other tend to do.

I also give job advice, when asked. I don't expect that someone will stick around forever because they signed a one year contract. I anticipate they're always looking for a better deal... and the best I can do is be nice, thoughtful, and fair. So far, no one's left us for any reason other than (a) we moved 2000 miles away and (b) nanny got married and moved 50 miles away.

We would immediately fire someone who didn't fit, because they deserve better... and we want that fit, too.

Not to be snarky, but you didn't hire Alice if your nanny/housekeeper 1) gets paid 2) ever leaves your family 3) has any kind of personal social life outside of your family.

Yes, there are people who will do the work Alice did, but as you point out they cost money and won't stay until your kids graduate high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up with an Alice.

And I have had two Alices work with my children and home for between $18-$20 hour.

We found them through an online ad on www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. We were very clear about what we were looking for, but we wrote it in such a way that conveyed our personalities and our commitment to the nanny-- it wasn't just a list of required skills. (Because what you're looking for is someone who fits with part of your *family* right? So it's kind of like dating--you need to find someone who fits you and vice versa.)

We interviewed several people. We provided a written contract. We established open communication, we chatted about whatever was of interest to the nanny (not just about the job), we give presents on birthdays and holidays, and whatever else people who like each other tend to do.

I also give job advice, when asked. I don't expect that someone will stick around forever because they signed a one year contract. I anticipate they're always looking for a better deal... and the best I can do is be nice, thoughtful, and fair. So far, no one's left us for any reason other than (a) we moved 2000 miles away and (b) nanny got married and moved 50 miles away.

We would immediately fire someone who didn't fit, because they deserve better... and we want that fit, too.

Not to be snarky, but you didn't hire Alice if your nanny/housekeeper 1) gets paid 2) ever leaves your family 3) has any kind of personal social life outside of your family.

Yes, there are people who will do the work Alice did, but as you point out they cost money and won't stay until your kids graduate high school.

To be clear, the nanny who grew up with us did stay with the family for over 20 years. She was older, in her 50s, widowed, when she joined the family.

The first nanny we had would've stayed with us forever--she was with us for three years, and then we moved. She was also older, in her early 50s with grown kids, divorced. We keep in touch, call on occasion.

The nanny who left was younger -- her life just moved on.

The nanny we have now has been with us for three years. She's young, married, but seems to be committed to being a nanny as a career. I anticipate we'll offer her employment for as long as she wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up with an Alice.

And I have had two Alices work with my children and home for between $18-$20 hour.

We found them through an online ad on www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. We were very clear about what we were looking for, but we wrote it in such a way that conveyed our personalities and our commitment to the nanny-- it wasn't just a list of required skills. (Because what you're looking for is someone who fits with part of your *family* right? So it's kind of like dating--you need to find someone who fits you and vice versa.)

We interviewed several people. We provided a written contract. We established open communication, we chatted about whatever was of interest to the nanny (not just about the job), we give presents on birthdays and holidays, and whatever else people who like each other tend to do.

I also give job advice, when asked. I don't expect that someone will stick around forever because they signed a one year contract. I anticipate they're always looking for a better deal... and the best I can do is be nice, thoughtful, and fair. So far, no one's left us for any reason other than (a) we moved 2000 miles away and (b) nanny got married and moved 50 miles away.

We would immediately fire someone who didn't fit, because they deserve better... and we want that fit, too.

Not to be snarky, but you didn't hire Alice if your nanny/housekeeper 1) gets paid 2) ever leaves your family 3) has any kind of personal social life outside of your family.

Yes, there are people who will do the work Alice did, but as you point out they cost money and won't stay until your kids graduate high school.

To be clear, the nanny who grew up with us did stay with the family for over 20 years. She was older, in her 50s, widowed, when she joined the family.

The first nanny we had would've stayed with us forever--she was with us for three years, and then we moved. She was also older, in her early 50s with grown kids, divorced. We keep in touch, call on occasion.

The nanny who left was younger -- her life just moved on.

The nanny we have now has been with us for three years. She's young, married, but seems to be committed to being a nanny as a career. I anticipate we'll offer her employment for as long as she wants it.

How old are your children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I grew up with an Alice.

And I have had two Alices work with my children and home for between $18-$20 hour.

We found them through an online ad on www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. We were very clear about what we were looking for, but we wrote it in such a way that conveyed our personalities and our commitment to the nanny-- it wasn't just a list of required skills. (Because what you're looking for is someone who fits with part of your *family* right? So it's kind of like dating--you need to find someone who fits you and vice versa.)

We interviewed several people. We provided a written contract. We established open communication, we chatted about whatever was of interest to the nanny (not just about the job), we give presents on birthdays and holidays, and whatever else people who like each other tend to do.

I also give job advice, when asked. I don't expect that someone will stick around forever because they signed a one year contract. I anticipate they're always looking for a better deal... and the best I can do is be nice, thoughtful, and fair. So far, no one's left us for any reason other than (a) we moved 2000 miles away and (b) nanny got married and moved 50 miles away.

We would immediately fire someone who didn't fit, because they deserve better... and we want that fit, too.

Not to be snarky, but you didn't hire Alice if your nanny/housekeeper 1) gets paid 2) ever leaves your family 3) has any kind of personal social life outside of your family.

Yes, there are people who will do the work Alice did, but as you point out they cost money and won't stay until your kids graduate high school.

To be clear, the nanny who grew up with us did stay with the family for over 20 years. She was older, in her 50s, widowed, when she joined the family.

The first nanny we had would've stayed with us forever--she was with us for three years, and then we moved. She was also older, in her early 50s with grown kids, divorced. We keep in touch, call on occasion.

The nanny who left was younger -- her life just moved on.

The nanny we have now has been with us for three years. She's young, married, but seems to be committed to being a nanny as a career. I anticipate we'll offer her employment for as long as she wants it.

How old are your children?

I'm also interested to know this!

I don't know many 70+ year olds who can keep up with young children or do the deep housecleaning, either, though I think it is lovely your first employee was able to find a "second family" with yours. Still, I'm assuming you paid her Alice as we saw her on screen is, and always has been, a fictional concept and character.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your perfect person will cost $1,800 a week.
Can you afford that?

She was advertising here for $60/hr. a few weeks ago.
She ain't cheap!