Nanny During Maternity Leave

[Anonymous]

I'm expecting baby #2 this fall and am lucky to have the option of taking more than 3 months maternity leave. I realize that in order to keep the same nanny we'll need to continue paying her full salary while I am home. I have two questions: 1) Am I crazy to be thinking of paying a nanny while I'm home in order maintain consistent care for DC #1 both through the birth of #2 and when I return to work eventually? 2) Have others had a nanny while on maternity leave and if so, how did it work out? I know I won't know how I'll feel until I'm home with two kids, but I miss DC #1 a lot and imagine once I get past the sleep deprivation of the first couple months, I will prefer to be home alone wit both kids at least some of the time. So, do I just take it day by day and if I want the nanny to not come in one day, or come in late, or leave early, just play it by ear?

[Anonymous]

Why not just be flexible? You may want nanny to take baby so you can have 1-1 time with your older child.

[Anonymous]

When my employer had the second child,
I worked 30 hours a week but got paid for
50, my regular week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my employer had the second child,
I worked 30 hours a week but got paid for
50, my regular week.

Obviously, you were not working for cheap DCUMers.

[Anonymous]

I took 12 weeks of leave with both DC2 and DC3 and was very grateful to have our nanny full time both times. It was invaluable to have someone else to help out with the older kid(s) so that I could focus on the baby and then also be available to watch the baby when I wanted to spend time with the older kids. The continuity also helped the older kids adjust to life with a new baby in the house.

I know that a lot of nannies don't like having the parents in the house because it throws off the routine of the kids, so I did my best to minimize disruption when the nanny was in her regular routine with the older kids. There were definitely times when I let her leave early or come in late (especially when family was visiting), but for the most part we tried to stick to a routine.

[Anonymous]

I think it's smart to keep your nanny OP. More help is great. And you can always offer shortened days, or that kind of thing.

You can also talk with your nanny. Maybe she would enjoy taking an extended vacation during your maternity leave. Maybe she would be willing to help our w/ flexing her hours occasionally, or doing some grocery shopping for you, or just switching off so she takes the baby for a few hours a couple of times a week so you get concentrated time w/ your older child, etc...

[Anonymous]

We kept DS1's nanny throughout my maternity leave. You will be tired and sleep deprived, plus it's a big change for the older child as well. It's nice to have some stability for them, and some stress relief for you. Don't change anything.