Considering becoming a nanny

[Anonymous]

I am considering becoming a nanny for one very sweet 2yo. I have two kids of my own who will be in schools on the days / during most of the hours that I will be with my charge (except for roughly an hour at the end of the day when I will have all 3). Although the pay does not even come close to what I made as a professional before becoming a SAHM, it is certainly better than nothing. But, I have never done this job before. Tell me, what are the things I need to consider / have covered before I start?

[Anonymous]

Would you be watching the two year old child in your own home OP?

If so, this wouldn't be considered a typical "Nanny"-type position. Usually Nannies travel to the homes where they will be providing care rather than vice versa.

That being said, I would make sure that you have great chemistry w/the family you will be working for. W/out great chemistry, I don't see how both sides can work efficiently together for the greater good of the child involved since so much teamwork is involved + both sides will need to practice such excellent communication techniques.

I would also make sure that the family's parenting style is similar to your own, especially since you will on occasion, be caring for their child along w/your own. In caring for three young children, it is very important that you are all on the same page.

Hope this offers a little insight. Good luck w/this and I hope you enjoy all the rewards that childcare offers!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Mostly would be providing in charge's home. Have worked with charge's Mom in the past. She is great! My kids have met the charge and they are in love. It seems like a good fit, I guess it is just hard for me to pull the trigger?

[Anonymous]

What is your plan for when your children are home sick from school on a day you're supposed to nanny?

[Anonymous]

Just make sure you are not expecting a mom friend. A paid employee relationship is different. If she is paying you something, and you don't want to do it b/c you think of your job as doing her a favor or "helping her out," then she will be unhappy b/c she could hire someone who is more willing to listen to her needs and meet her needs.

[Anonymous]

PP here. And, on the same token, considering you won't be on the same level as your MB but having to listen to her, then think about the message your kids will be getting. They will be the employee's kids. If your kid spills juice on their carpet, what will happen?

I think because of these difficulties, the arrangement you are thinking of are not common.

[Anonymous]

My gut would say not to take this job. You mention that they pay is only better than nothing. While that might be the case- it is not a good way to start an employer/employee relationship.

Could you go back into your previous line of work? That might be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

I could go back to my previous line of work, but it would not have the same schedule at this nanny job. Meaning that I would have to put my 5 year old in aftercare, which would require her to be in school 10 hours a day. That just seems rough to me, she is only going to be in Kindergarden. I have it in my mind that I could do that once she is a little older.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. And - my sick kid would have to come with me to the job. I have mentioned this to MB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. And - my sick kid would have to come with me to the job. I have mentioned this to MB.

HORRIBLE IDEA. The first time your child gives a cold or stomach bug to your charge the MB will resent the crap out of you! Having someone else's child vomiting and having diarrhea around my baby would not fly with me at all. Plus do you really want to drag your poor sick child to someone else's house?


Being a nanny is NOT the job for your situation right now. Perhaps in a few years when your own children are more self-sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea, OP. Being a nanny is very different than being a SAHM. You are responsible for the health, education and "chores" of another woman's child. You will be in her home, following her rules - and your children will have to follow her rules. You are not just babysitting.

Why any mother would agree to this arrangement is beyond me. Your own children will have countless sick days and holidays and will still be forced to stay on the toddler's schedule and be in the toddler's home. Are you going to drag your kids to Parent & Me classes and library toddler story time that you will need to take your charge to?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Well, my kids would be in school most of the time that I am with the charge. Except if they are sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, my kids would be in school most of the time that I am with the charge. Except if they are sick.

I am sorry, OP. I hired a nanny to prevent my little one from getting sick as young and often as daycare kids do. Your kids will bring to every elementary school ailment to that toddler in the hour they are with him every day.

Your arrangement would not work for me at all. I don't think being a nanny is the right job for you at this point.

[Anonymous]

OP, what is your motivation for being a nanny? Do you need to return to work for financial reasons or are you just looking for something to fill up your time?

I can see the arrangement- shuttling sick kids around growing very tiresome. And it looks like the convenience of working when your kids are at school will not be worth the pay cut.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Both of my kids are going to be in parochial school this coming year, I am looking to make some money at a job that has the same days / hours as my kids. The MB is a teacher, so the schedules work.