3 family Nanny Share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a triplet nanny, so it's definitely doable. My charges are turning 2 in a few weeks and I started with them when they were 4 weeks old. I've nannied 2 other sets of triplets and find multiples fun, but know that many people find even the thought of it overhwelming and exhausting.

That being said, in my experience (and personal opinion) there is a very small percentage of nannies that can do a job like this well, so it may be difficult to find (and keep) someone. I've had to help my current NF look for weekend nannies on more than one occasion, and we've had some crazy experiences with people who seemed like they would be good in the interview stage. Also, nanny shares are more difficult on the nanny because of having more than one set of bosses, so in that respect your position would be more difficult than my own. I have known a couple of nannies who have done 3 family shares and been very happy though.

As for the logistics-

There are several options for triple strollers, but none of them are especially cheap and each has their drawbacks. I currently use the Valco Tri Mode Twin Ex with a Joey Seat attachment and love it. All in it was about $850 with shipping/tax and the biggest Con is the Joey Seat doesn't recline, so it's only suitable for older babies and toddlers who can sit up. I've also used the Peg Perego Triplette and the ABC Adventure Buggy Triple. Both of those are nice as well but have their drawbacks.

Best of luck to you OP in whatever you decide.

Having worked with both multiples and shares, it's really apples and oranges. Shares are 100% more difficult 99% of the time.

+100

I've worked for families who had twins, twins and a toddler, three children different ages but it was nothing like working in a share with two kids and now with the third added. I would rather work for one family with triplets then do a share with three kids and two families. I would never even consider three children from three different families. Shares are always complicated even when every gets along and has similar childcare philosophies

[Anonymous]

OP you can find someone who can do a three baby share but you will have to focus on key skills during the interviews. I have only worked in two child shares but I think experience getting babies on a healthy sleep and daily routine is crucial to the success of the share. If you can't anticipate the baby's needs then it's like constantly putting out fires. The nanny will burn out fast.

Also the ability to triage. If all of them are screaming at the same time how will the nanny proceed? You want to hear that she will prioritize based on which need is most emergent. It may sound bad but this is actually what parents do every day.

You also need to consider the resources available in your neighborhood. Where can the nanny take the kids when it's too warm or cold to be at the park? Are you comfortable paying for a Gymboree membership or something similar? No one wants to be trapped in the house for ten hours a day with three kids for months at a time. I take both of the babies out every single day that I can safely make it to the Building Museum, for example. That means we go even in light rain and snow. You want to find a nanny who has that amount of energy.

If you can find the right caregiver then I think you all are making a great decision to do the share. Your kids will be great friends. In an emergency all of the parents are close so you can support one another. And, of course, you have the benefit of your child being in a familiar surrounding with consistent care. That type of care is golden, in quality and cost.

[Anonymous]

It might be good to think through logistics from your nannys perspective. When she takes the kids out are there a bunch of stairs she'll have to climb eight times to carry a stroller and three babies? Maybe the house with garage access on the main floor would be the better choice. Do you have a hands free diaper changing setup? Who has space in there house to set it up? At nap time, will she have to climb to the second floor, clambering over multiple baby gates with kid in hand, multiple times?

Try to eliminate as many of these burdens as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a triplet nanny, so it's definitely doable. My charges are turning 2 in a few weeks and I started with them when they were 4 weeks old. I've nannied 2 other sets of triplets and find multiples fun, but know that many people find even the thought of it overhwelming and exhausting.

That being said, in my experience (and personal opinion) there is a very small percentage of nannies that can do a job like this well, so it may be difficult to find (and keep) someone. I've had to help my current NF look for weekend nannies on more than one occasion, and we've had some crazy experiences with people who seemed like they would be good in the interview stage. Also, nanny shares are more difficult on the nanny because of having more than one set of bosses, so in that respect your position would be more difficult than my own. I have known a couple of nannies who have done 3 family shares and been very happy though.

As for the logistics-

There are several options for triple strollers, but none of them are especially cheap and each has their drawbacks. I currently use the Valco Tri Mode Twin Ex with a Joey Seat attachment and love it. All in it was about $850 with shipping/tax and the biggest Con is the Joey Seat doesn't recline, so it's only suitable for older babies and toddlers who can sit up. I've also used the Peg Perego Triplette and the ABC Adventure Buggy Triple. Both of those are nice as well but have their drawbacks.

Best of luck to you OP in whatever you decide.

Having worked with both multiples and shares, it's really apples and oranges. Shares are 100% more difficult 99% of the time.

+100

I've worked for families who had twins, twins and a toddler, three children different ages but it was nothing like working in a share with two kids and now with the third added. I would rather work for one family with triplets then do a share with three kids and two families. I would never even consider three children from three different families. Shares are always complicated even when every gets along and has similar childcare philosophies

I agree 100%.

[Anonymous]

I agree with several of the other posters. Just because you are on the same page parenting, doesn't mean jack until the baby arrives! We employ a full time nanny and friends wanted to create a part time share with us. It lasted exactly one month. While they are great people, their parenting style was 100% opposite ours (but during discussions it seemed like they were similar). No interest in putting their child on a schedule at all, needed to be held 24/7, etc. Luckily they found an alternate solution before the nanny and I needed to have an uncomfortable convo with them. I know our nanny was beyond exhausted and didn't like the fact that our child was getting less than 50% attention since their child was so high demand.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny that has done a 3 family share twice. It is possible and I enjoyed it all 3 times.

My background is in caring for multiples and as an infant teacher in daycare. You really want someone who is comfortable managing 3 infants and 3 families.

I will say the family with infants close in age they were all born within an 8 week period was easier than the family with the babies in different stages, but that was still doable.

This cannot be a long term solution adding siblings to the mix will not work.

For success I think it's best to wait until the children are born and see what the needs are. You may end up being similar in parenting style , but one or more of the children might be higher needs than the others and would be better of as the sole charge.

If you do go for a share it does mean releasing some of your control of the situation. Only the adults in the situation know if that is a possibility. You may be a parent that must have everything done your way all the time or your friends might be this isn't possible in a share.

But there are benefits beyond you saving money, the kids get the same caregiver which they may not have if you went the daycare route. They have an early peer group. In both of my trios the kids and families are still friends.

Good luck to you whatever you choose!

[Anonymous]

I would like to say that this arrangement can work. The three families I worked for, all knew eachother, had similar parenting styles and were all very willing to open up their homes on the days they were scheduled to host. The kids not only learned how to play together but also how to share their own toys with the other children when the care was at their place. The variety of environments kept things fresh and interesting. I found time to clean the kitchen and the play areas, when they napped or were busy interacting or engaged in a quiet activity like looking at books, doing puzzles or coloring, for example. The kids were 13 months, 15 months and 18 months old. This experience prepared them for daycare as they were all on a wait list. All I can say is, you won't know unless you give it a try. I loved each moment I had as a shared nanny and I would do it again, in a hearbeat!

[Anonymous]

This post it's really old. Those kids must be 6 or 7 years old now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the point? Who is to benefit from such an arrangement?

The girlfriend mommies. Certainly not the babies.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I have been doing this for past 10 yrs, no one tumbled down stairs or walked out of the house - what ridiculous ideas some people get, and chances are when you send your baby to the daycare with 12 kids and 3 hired workers, chances are, your baby is either in a bouncy seat, strapped, or pack-n-play, or play pen, most of day just to be out of older kids way, and honestly would insurance help you if something, god forbids, happen to any little one? 12 kids with 3 or 4 adults is much, much more difficult than 3 babies with one experienced caregiver. At least, they won't run over each other the way big kids can. One thing though, we are not talking about $27 per hr, more like $50. And it is not even super difficult as babies are entertained by each other's society, "the more the merrier" case.

[Anonymous]

pp here. This post is so old, so never mind my response, not even relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to say that this arrangement can work. The three families I worked for, all knew eachother, had similar parenting styles and were all very willing to open up their homes on the days they were scheduled to host. The kids not only learned how to play together but also how to share their own toys with the other children when the care was at their place. The variety of environments kept things fresh and interesting. I found time to clean the kitchen and the play areas, when they napped or were busy interacting or engaged in a quiet activity like looking at books, doing puzzles or coloring, for example. The kids were 13 months, 15 months and 18 months old. This experience prepared them for daycare as they were all on a wait list. All I can say is, you won't know unless you give it a try. I loved each moment I had as a shared nanny and I would do it again, in a hearbeat!

How long were you with that share? It sounds like you started when they were toddlers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's possible you will want someone with infant multiples experience even better if that person has maybe infant daycae experience so they are used to managing infants in different developmental phases at once.

I would also suggest you agree to host the share in one home.

Then you have to think of equipment. Where will babies nap and feed?

Purchasing a triple stroller for the nanny or at least a double stroller and a good carrier for baby wearing etc etc.

You have to give the nanny the freedom to create a schedule that works for her and the babies and more or less stick to that on the weekends.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.
As pp mentioned it is going to cost you like starting at $27 hour and upwards from there.

The type of nanny that could manage this position (not talking about even want to try it) will definitely be earning $28-35/hr taxed already for just 1 infant. They wouldn't do a share for 2 infants for less than $38. $55 absolute minimum for 3.

[Anonymous]

PP here, just wishing people didn't unnecessarily bump up 7 yr old posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can one person handle three infants? absolutely. It will be a ton of work and the nanny will be exhausted, but it's possible. there are triplet nannies out there.

The issue is the share. I've been in long term two family shares that are consider successful, however, as an employee dealing with two sets of families is annoying. The logistics, parenting styles, different expectations can be overwhelming. You need to hire someone who has pervious experience with not only multiple children but also shares in general in order for it to last. With all my years of experience I would NEVER do a share with three sets of parents no matter how well they pay. The hassle of communicating with everyone, organizing plans, coordinating vacations, figuring out sick days, routines, travel is a major pain in the ass. You can forget about activities outside the home because it would require a triple stroller, a car large enough to fit three car seats plus that stroller. So one of the families need to provide a large enough vehicle or you need to find a nanny with an suv/minivan who is also willing to permanently give up her entire backseat to car seats. Taking three car seats in and out of a car weekly is ridiculous.

The rate would be very very high. I'd expect a minimum of $30 for a share of this kind because of the hassle of dealing with three babies from three different families with three different routines plus having to juggling three sets of employers. But hey, you might find some naive desperate nanny with minimal experience willing to take the job for low pay. Just don't expect her to stay very long.

Darling, $30 isn't a starting point. That is what I charged for 2. When you have a nanny share you should never see the work as a package as parents do. Big mistake on your end and beneficial to the parents.
All they see; is them paying $15 dollar each for one child. Without a nanny share, one child is at least $20. Now; who is losing and who is winning?
The last time I had one charge, my rate was $25. I don't care about the ongoing rate. My experience and references always spoke for themselves!! so does yours!! Work for families that understand your value with them you won't have to debate rate besides they like to keep care free lifestyle of not having the wait of the children.