Are parents prejudiced in hiring older nannies?

[Anonymous]

I've gone to 3 interviews and despite good feelings all around at these interviews, I'm not hired. I'm in my 50's, present myself friendly, but professionally, and seem to click comfortably with parents, but am not hired.
It seems people don't want nannies with more experience than someone in their 20's or 30's anymore.
I feel very frustrated.

[Anonymous]

It's possible your education is outdated. How to do CPR has changed in the last ten years for example.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't hire you and I am not prejudice. I just want someone with energy and stamina to keep up with my 2 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't hire you and I am not prejudice. I just want someone with energy and stamina to keep up with my 2 year old.

Not all people in their 40's and 50's sit in rocking chairs and knit all day.

[Anonymous]

Id hire you for my newborn come June! If you are a good fit for our family otherwise. I have no qualms about older nannies as long as there's a personality match and you're not coming off as condescending.
I can however imagine in this Information Age that some moms feel like they know everything or have plans on how to handle everything and don't want an older adult to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've gone to 3 interviews and despite good feelings all around at these interviews, I'm not hired. I'm in my 50's, present myself friendly, but professionally, and seem to click comfortably with parents, but am not hired.
It seems people don't want nannies with more experience than someone in their 20's or 30's anymore.
I feel very frustrated.

you don't need to frustrated have a great time enjoy let somebody else pay the price for you! 50 is a blessing Means They are mature! Plus they sttele a life

[Anonymous]

I"m 30, but I'm seeing the current trend of wanting 20-25 too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Id hire you for my newborn come June! If you are a good fit for our family otherwise. I have no qualms about older nannies as long as there's a personality match and you're not coming off as condescending.
I can however imagine in this Information Age that some moms feel like they know everything or have plans on how to handle everything and don't want an older adult to deal with.

I'm a MB and don't understand your last sentence. When you're the boss, you dictate how you want things done. When you hire an employee with experience, they can (and should) give suggestions based on past experience or education, but ultimately the boss decides what they want done, when they want it done, and how. My MIL thought there was nothing wrong with using baby powder because she used it in the 80's. She's very "spry" for her age and will go rock climbing and stuff with us, but she has old info.

[Anonymous]

I worked for an agency in the past and unfortunately, yes, many families discriminate based on age. Most families want a nanny who is in their 30's - early 40's and with no young children of her own because they don't want the complications that can come along with that.

I always encouraged families to evaluate each candidate individually. I knew many nannies in their 50's and 60's who could run circles around many 20-something nannies due to motivation and work ethic.

Not all families do this, and many place more of a value on an older and more experienced nanny, but you are not imagining things. It always rubbed me the wrong way, especially the families who wanted a 30-something nanny with no kids.

[Anonymous]

I'm 50 and have two under three as my charges. No trouble keeping up. 50 is the new 30

[Anonymous]

It may be fear of more experience = higher rates

or

it could be fear that with all your experience, you'll be set in your ways and be like many of the condescending nannies on here who think their bosses are idiots and don't know what's best for their children - that experience trumps evidence or personal preference etc.

It's not fair that people assume that, but knowing that might be some of the areas of concern, you can put people at ease letting them know that you really respect parental wishes and that you're upfront about your expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Id hire you for my newborn come June! If you are a good fit for our family otherwise. I have no qualms about older nannies as long as there's a personality match and you're not coming off as condescending.
I can however imagine in this Information Age that some moms feel like they know everything or have plans on how to handle everything and don't want an older adult to deal with.

I'm a MB and don't understand your last sentence. When you're the boss, you dictate how you want things done. When you hire an employee with experience, they can (and should) give suggestions based on past experience or education, but ultimately the boss decides what they want done, when they want it done, and how. My MIL thought there was nothing wrong with using baby powder because she used it in the 80's. She's very "spry" for her age and will go rock climbing and stuff with us, but she has old info.

What IS the harm in baby powder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Id hire you for my newborn come June! If you are a good fit for our family otherwise. I have no qualms about older nannies as long as there's a personality match and you're not coming off as condescending.
I can however imagine in this Information Age that some moms feel like they know everything or have plans on how to handle everything and don't want an older adult to deal with.

I'm a MB and don't understand your last sentence. When you're the boss, you dictate how you want things done. When you hire an employee with experience, they can (and should) give suggestions based on past experience or education, but ultimately the boss decides what they want done, when they want it done, and how. My MIL thought there was nothing wrong with using baby powder because she used it in the 80's. She's very "spry" for her age and will go rock climbing and stuff with us, but she has old info.

What IS the harm in baby powder?

It's horrible for your lungs and it causes cancer.

[Anonymous]

Could be...Or maybe not.

While it is true that some families may immediately judge you on the way you look (unfair, I know...But it does happen), for them to actually schedule an interview with you in the first place does show that your age is not a factor. Because if it were, they never would have asked you for a meeting in the first place.

I would keep the effort up, perhaps there are just a lot of nannies looking for families in your area at this time.

I personally prefer older, more experienced nannies vs. a nanny in her twenties.

Reason being is that younger nannies typically always have to be "connected" meaning their cell phones and iPads are their fifth limb.

They also may be getting some financial help from their families so nannying may just be something they do "for extra money." Or in their minds, easy money.

Older nannies have a better work ethic in general, are more mature and have more life experience to boot.

Bonus if they have already raised their own children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've gone to 3 interviews and despite good feelings all around at these interviews, I'm not hired. I'm in my 50's, present myself friendly, but professionally, and seem to click comfortably with parents, but am not hired.
It seems people don't want nannies with more experience than someone in their 20's or 30's anymore.
I feel very frustrated.