infant and toddler

[Anonymous]

what type of nanny is best for handling and managing and infant a toddler? I want someone who can engage both of them, I am running into the problem where the young vibrant ones are great individually with each, but can't manage the stress of both. I worry an older more experienced nanny, who can maybe handle both in stressful situations, isn't likely to get down on the floor and play with blocks with my toddler. Toddler is in preschool so he's not around as much.

[Anonymous]

*an infant and toddler

[Anonymous]

Someone in their early/mid thirties. Not young but not too old to get on the floor and keep up with the demands of two very young kids.

[Anonymous]

I had a 58 year old nanny who was more than able to handle everything physically. Don't rule people out by age - rule them in or out based on ability to handle the job.

Make sure whomever you hire can run, catch, lift up to 45 pounds. Make sure they are even tempered for toddler tantrums and colicky babies. Make sure they know what to do in an emergency and won't panic. Make sure they can communicate well with you and any other relevant people (teachers, family, etc...)

Age doesn't tell you everything - not by a long shot.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you! My former nanny was 25 and I know that while she could keep up physically- she didn't want to and was just the worst! I'm just trying to figure out where to go from here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a 58 year old nanny who was more than able to handle everything physically. Don't rule people out by age - rule them in or out based on ability to handle the job.

Make sure whomever you hire can run, catch, lift up to 45 pounds. Make sure they are even tempered for toddler tantrums and colicky babies. Make sure they know what to do in an emergency and won't panic. Make sure they can communicate well with you and any other relevant people (teachers, family, etc...)

Age doesn't tell you everything - not by a long shot.

Good luck!

+ 1 Our nanny is 62 and handles our two boys, 2.5 and a nearly 7 month old better than I can! And my older son isn't in school yet so he is home all day with her. She has energy, experience and education - and is so loving! You are silly to discriminate because of age.

[Anonymous]

Look for education and experience, OP. Stop with the age crap. You might find a great, well-educated nanny with ten years of solid experience with mixed aged children and she could be 30 or 60 or anywhere in between.

My mother runs marathons at 63. Could you, OP?

[Anonymous]

I agree that age really doesn't play a major factor into how well one can handle multiple children.

I would find someone who has past experience in watching two or more children & have references who can attest that she handled it all well.

She must be an excellent multi-tasker, be very patient and be skilled w/time management too.

Good luck in your search!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a 58 year old nanny who was more than able to handle everything physically. Don't rule people out by age - rule them in or out based on ability to handle the job.

Make sure whomever you hire can run, catch, lift up to 45 pounds. Make sure they are even tempered for toddler tantrums and colicky babies. Make sure they know what to do in an emergency and won't panic. Make sure they can communicate well with you and any other relevant people (teachers, family, etc...)

Age doesn't tell you everything - not by a long shot.

Good luck!

+ 1 Our nanny is 62 and handles our two boys, 2.5 and a nearly 7 month old better than I can! And my older son isn't in school yet so he is home all day with her. She has energy, experience and education - and is so loving! You are silly to discriminate because of age.

You hit the jack pot. You can't do too much for her.

[Anonymous]

I'm not discriminating- that's why I'm asking. And yes I've run the NY marathon 4 times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not discriminating- that's why I'm asking. And yes I've run the NY marathon 4 times.

If you have run the NY marathon four times, then you have undoubtedly seen runners in their 60's. Why would you think a nanny who is 60 couldn't handle your baby and toddler?

Yes, even asking is discriminating. There is so much more to a great nanny than her age. We had the worst, constantly sick, always tired, 22 year old nanny for three months and now have a wonderful, former preschool teacher who is 56 (and can run circles around me) for my 17 month old DD. I have seen our nanny work with multiple kids at play dates and have no doubt she will be able to handle my DD and a future newborn.

I agree with other PP's - look for education and experience. Check references carefully and ask good questions during the interview. Don't think about race, religion or age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not discriminating- that's why I'm asking. And yes I've run the NY marathon 4 times.

If you have run the NY marathon four times, then you have undoubtedly seen runners in their 60's. Why would you think a nanny who is 60 couldn't handle your baby and toddler?

Yes, even asking is discriminating. There is so much more to a great nanny than her age. We had the worst, constantly sick, always tired, 22 year old nanny for three months and now have a wonderful, former preschool teacher who is 56 (and can run circles around me) for my 17 month old DD. I have seen our nanny work with multiple kids at play dates and have no doubt she will be able to handle my DD and a future newborn.

I agree with other PP's - look for education and experience. Check references carefully and ask good questions during the interview. Don't think about race, religion or age.

I'm asking because I think they're better! My 20
Something nanny was terrible! I want someone who is older, I just want to here others experiences!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not discriminating- that's why I'm asking. And yes I've run the NY marathon 4 times.

If you have run the NY marathon four times, then you have undoubtedly seen runners in their 60's. Why would you think a nanny who is 60 couldn't handle your baby and toddler?

Yes, even asking is discriminating. There is so much more to a great nanny than her age. We had the worst, constantly sick, always tired, 22 year old nanny for three months and now have a wonderful, former preschool teacher who is 56 (and can run circles around me) for my 17 month old DD. I have seen our nanny work with multiple kids at play dates and have no doubt she will be able to handle my DD and a future newborn.

I agree with other PP's - look for education and experience. Check references carefully and ask good questions during the interview. Don't think about race, religion or age.

I'm asking because I think they're better! My 20
Something nanny was terrible! I want someone who is older, I just want to here others experiences!

NP here and I have only had one nanny (and pray to God I always have this one nanny) She is 60 and in amazing health. Never sick and can carry my big toddler longer and farther than I can. Yes, I probably could have found a great young nanny, I will say two things about hiring an older nanny - and these are two big generalizations from my observation and friends' experiences: older nannies are not addicted to their phones and older nannies do not have a lot of drama in their lives. Our nanny is absolutely "no drama" and keeps her phone in her bag all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what type of nanny is best for handling and managing and infant a toddler? I want someone who can engage both of them, I am running into the problem where the young vibrant ones are great individually with each, but can't manage the stress of both. I worry an older more experienced nanny, who can maybe handle both in stressful situations, isn't likely to get down on the floor and play with blocks with my toddler. Toddler is in preschool so he's not around as much.

Says who?! What in the world makes you think a woman in her 50 or 60's cannot negotiate blocks or getting down on the floor (and back up again)?!

Such a silly post.