asked by my in-laws tonight if I had found a real job yet. nanny for 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Another great holiday with my husbands family. Feeling a little down. I love my job, love my charges and am one of the most sought after nannies in my area. How do they make me feel like such a loser with one comment? Feeling defeated. Needed to vent.

[Anonymous]

I hear this comment all the time from my parents and friends. Don't let it get you down.

[Anonymous]

Because being a nanny has no future, your salary is limited, and, basically, it is a menial job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because being a nanny has no future, your salary is limited, and, basically, it is a menial job.

Nannies will never get it. They are just like the career fry cook, it's really not a real job even if you try to spin it as important and impactful (raising a child is nothing like cooking fries! blah blah blah I get it.)

[Anonymous]

Ugh I hate that. My grandmother still tells me to apply at random jobs and restaurants when they open despite me being happy as a nanny. I just try to laugh it off. At the end of the day you have to do what's right for you. I love my job (not something everyone can say), and pay my bills so really it's no one else's business!

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and have been for about eight years.

I love what I do and find my work very rewarding as I see it as more than a paycheck. I feel as if I am truly making a huge difference in the life and upbringing of another person and that makes me feel as if I am leaving this world better than when I entered it. I feel this is much better than those that flip burgers or bag groceries.

But I do see the flip side of things.

There is no room for advancement in this profession nor is there any retirement either.

You can be at the top of your game one year, then once the kids grow up (which always happens!), you can be back at the bottom rung of the ladder the next year.

It's all based on luck in general, not so much as how much time spent in a certain position.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you are feeling down on the holiday that is never fun.

There is an element of truth to what they say, and you probably know that to be true deep down and that's what is bothering you.

All of what PP said of the flip side of being a nanny is true.

It's work but it isn't a solid career,

Honestly I would be concerned if my child was married to a " career nanny" or if my child wanted to be a " career nanny".

I say that as someone who put herself through school working as a nanny

[Anonymous]

Everyone can't be a CEO, CFO, or even middle management. If you're going to be a worker bee, you may as well be a worker bee in a job you enjoy. I used to work in customer service for a bank. Every second (literally) of my day was micromanaged and I was constantly dealing with customers, often under difficult circumstances. There was never time to collect my thoughts, I was constantly sick. Constantly. I had ok benefits but ultimately the cons outweighed the pros and I became a nanny which I enjoy so much more. If I died tomorrow, I'd die content. I couldn't say that if I had stayed in a job I didn't enjoy, made me sick, and wasn't fulfilling. The pay is roughly the same, just no benefits with being a nanny, other than job satisfaction.

[Anonymous]

I've been a live in nanny for almost 15 years. I've always said my goal is to be a millionaire by the time I'm 35. I have a few more years to go but I think if I skimp and save I can make it. I might not have a real job as they say but I love it and I'm good at it.

[Anonymous]

I was a teacher for twenty years and left it behind to become a nanny. I am nearly finished my masters in Early Childhood Development and have learned infant sign language -- would I have done all that if being a nanny wasn't a real career?

Your family is simply ignorant of the changing market. Educate them or ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a teacher for twenty years and left it behind to become a nanny. I am nearly finished my masters in Early Childhood Development and have learned infant sign language -- would I have done all that if being a nanny wasn't a real career?

Your family is simply ignorant of the changing market. Educate them or ignore them.

Professionals, e.g. doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, nurses, teachers all have to pass a state exam in order to practice their professions. You can get a ph. d in early childhood development but if you are a nanny, it is not a profession. Frankly. I have to wonder why anyone with college degrees would ever work as a nanny. The US Dept. of Labor does not comsider nannying a profession. Professionals are paid a salary and are not hourly emoloyees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a teacher for twenty years and left it behind to become a nanny. I am nearly finished my masters in Early Childhood Development and have learned infant sign language -- would I have done all that if being a nanny wasn't a real career?

Your family is simply ignorant of the changing market. Educate them or ignore them.

Professionals, e.g. doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, nurses, teachers all have to pass a state exam in order to practice their professions. You can get a ph. d in early childhood development but if you are a nanny, it is not a profession. Frankly. I have to wonder why anyone with college degrees would ever work as a nanny. The US Dept. of Labor does not comsider nannying a profession. Professionals are paid a salary and are not hourly emoloyees.

I also have a college degree and work as a nanny. It is a wonderful job if you like to work with children, be active and outdoors, contribute to young lives. I cannot stand being cooped up in an office all day.

PS Nurses are paid hourly and licensed - is nursing not a profession? Private tutors? Moonlighting doctors in ERs (also paid by the hour)? I think you are mistaken in your definition of the accepted use of the word "profession".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a teacher for twenty years and left it behind to become a nanny. I am nearly finished my masters in Early Childhood Development and have learned infant sign language -- would I have done all that if being a nanny wasn't a real career?

Your family is simply ignorant of the changing market. Educate them or ignore them.

Professionals, e.g. doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, nurses, teachers all have to pass a state exam in order to practice their professions. You can get a ph. d in early childhood development but if you are a nanny, it is not a profession. Frankly. I have to wonder why anyone with college degrees would ever work as a nanny. The US Dept. of Labor does not comsider nannying a profession. Professionals are paid a salary and are not hourly emoloyees.

I am an MB who would not hire a nanny without a college degree. How can you think so little of your own children to not consider the woman (or man) who cares, teaches and protects them ten hours a day is not professional?!

Those you disparage nannies disparage their own children.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny with a college degree. I would say it's becoming a pretty standard qualification.

[Anonymous]

For many nannies it is not a job but in fact a genuine career. There are endless opportunities for nannies with experence and those with a degree. A nanny is indeed a real profession but not everyone sees it as such and mostly out of ignorance and incorrect information. With all due respect those who think there is no advancement or future do not get it, a good nanny can always find employment and many make a respectful income and bennifits. How many jobs are there where you are paid to play on tbe job? OP I do not think we can change the views of mis- informed but you are in charge of you and your future.