Has anyone ever done this?

[Anonymous]

Long story short, I want to be able to stay at home with my baby in July and perhaps longer - I also have a 3 y/o that is in preschool half day. My job was annoyed I was pregnant to begin with and I could go back after maternity leave but I am really thinking against it since it has been hostile since I announced. However, to supplement income I was thinking of being a nanny in the mean time. I know that being a mom doesn't qualify me to be a nanny which I get but I do have a Bachelor's degree in primary education, and I have volunteered at nursery's, I'm an older sister to four younger siblings but still very limited other than my own experience as a mom.

If anyone has ever done this, how is it received by other parents? Is there an overall dislike because it's your child, therefore, other parents feel there is favoritism (which I don't blame them for)? It would not begin until my child is 4 months old, at the oldest, I think.

[Anonymous]

You want to bring your 2 kids and watch someone else's one kid, like a nanny share with yourself? I think at that point you're more like an in-home daycare center, and you need some kind of certification to make that work. That said, if you have the space and can take in a couple of kids I think it could make you some money.

My only concern is that you're just upset with your job because of their perceived lack of enthusiasm for your second pregnancy. Don't make a rash decision based on that; I'm not trying to be dismissive of your feelings but you have to remember that you're hormonal right now and might be overreacting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want to bring your 2 kids and watch someone else's one kid, like a nanny share with yourself? I think at that point you're more like an in-home daycare center, and you need some kind of certification to make that work. That said, if you have the space and can take in a couple of kids I think it could make you some money.

My only concern is that you're just upset with your job because of their perceived lack of enthusiasm for your second pregnancy. Don't make a rash decision based on that; I'm not trying to be dismissive of your feelings but you have to remember that you're hormonal right now and might be overreacting.

Ah, got it - I wouldn't mind getting certification but I definitely have the space. I don't think I would want to do more than 1 other though since I would want to give all my attention to the 3 (quality over quantity).

And no, I appreciate the perspective which is why I'm also giving myself some post-partum time to think about it. I guess I should add I'm not invested in the job or in the people, making the decision to leave even easier. I imagine even if I don't go this route, I will still be looking for another job within the year.

[Anonymous]

I'm a mom who has employed a nanny for my kids.

I wouldn't choose you unless I was in dire straits in some way and you were an emergency solution or a really good deal. I would assume that my kid(s) would be third on your list and that you were just trying to piece together some income - not that you were genuinely interested in being a nanny.

I don't mean that harshly, and it might not be a fair judgment, but that's what I'd assume and a nanny with prior experience, even one who also wanted to bring her own child with her, would be more appealing than someone with two kids and no prior nannying experience.

I also think that you're just trying to consider various options, so a smart potential employer will sense that this might not be a long term commitment or interest on your part, which again would put you in a less attractive pool of candidates.

Good luck whatever you decide OP.

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned about you bringing your two kids and handling it all. With a newborn and feeding, that takes a lot of time/attention. Its also a lot more wear/tear on the house. Someone may be ok with it but not all.

[Anonymous]

I think there would be several people interested in you babysitting. My mom did this when she stopped FT work. She had people begging her to watch their kids. You may want to find a baby the same age as yours. They can play and develop together. Good luck and go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long story short, I want to be able to stay at home with my baby in July and perhaps longer - I also have a 3 y/o that is in preschool half day. My job was annoyed I was pregnant to begin with and I could go back after maternity leave but I am really thinking against it since it has been hostile since I announced. However, to supplement income I was thinking of being a nanny in the mean time. I know that being a mom doesn't qualify me to be a nanny which I get but I do have a Bachelor's degree in primary education, and I have volunteered at nursery's, I'm an older sister to four younger siblings but still very limited other than my own experience as a mom.

If anyone has ever done this, how is it received by other parents? Is there an overall dislike because it's your child, therefore, other parents feel there is favoritism (which I don't blame them for)? It would not begin until my child is 4 months old, at the oldest, I think.

I wouldn't hire you.

[Anonymous]

I specifically wanted a mom as a nanny (the nanny share with yourself idea suggested upthread) and I don't even care you don't know the plural of nursery is nurseries.

[Anonymous]

Are you from the us? Primary? You mean early childhood education?

[Anonymous]

OP, do you NEED the income? Will it be difficult for your family to pay the mortgage/put food on the table without it?

Like pps said, I think your proposal would only attract someone with no other options, which could bring a whole host of other problems.

[Anonymous]

I have a nanny and I wouldn't hire you. I want my child to be the center of your attention. My kid was sick this week (a cold) and the nanny held her for naps and cuddled with her and made her drink sips of water and sucked her snot etc. I don't think you would be able to do that with two more kids that are yours nor would you want to take care of a sick kid if you weee bringing your own kids. I was also really sick and was home for a couple days and it was so helpful to have the nanny there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a nanny and I wouldn't hire you. I want my child to be the center of your attention. My kid was sick this week (a cold) and the nanny held her for naps and cuddled with her and made her drink sips of water and sucked her snot etc. I don't think you would be able to do that with two more kids that are yours nor would you want to take care of a sick kid if you weee bringing your own kids. I was also really sick and was home for a couple days and it was so helpful to have the nanny there as well.

This. While I would hire you in a few years as a nanny if you had alternate childcare for your own older children, I would never hire a mother for a share with her own children. We are programmed as human mothers to put our own children first.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your opinions, both helpful and the not so much. Most days, I do know singular from plural but other days, it's a bit harder
It wouldn't affect our income level, we could still put money away after covering our bills so this is an idea, as stated, for myself.

[Anonymous]

You might consider being more of a last minute service for cancelled school days.

[Anonymous]

If you really do not need the money OP, I would just be a SAHM for the time being & enjoy spending precious time w/your children.
These are very precious years for all of you.

Remember:
Caring for an infant + a toddler both is one of the toughest jobs already.

Besides if you do actually find another child to care for, it is highly likely you wouldn't make very much per hour to make it worth your while since many parents wouldn't pay you very much since you would already be responsible for two other young children already.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you only the best.
Good luck!