60 year old nanny with two under two?

[Anonymous]

Does this sound realistic?
A nanny that I’ve known for three years is becoming available this August when her youngest charge goes to school here full time (we have a good public pre K program). She currently nannies for a 3 year old full time and picks up the 6 year old at noon and has them both together the rest of the day. .
My daughter will be 22 months when she starts, and she’ll also have my newborn babe (8 weeks) at that time. She seems confident and has watched families of two or three kids. She also did a nanny share with two infants. I think I’m fine with it but I also feel like two under two is a LOT (for myself, even....I get worn out with just my 16 month old currently!)
Her schedule would be working Tuesday- Friday but would have the kids by themselves Wednesday for about 6 hours, Thursdays for about 10 hours, and Friday for about 6 hours. The rest of the time she’d just have one or the other or would be more of a mother’s helper, especially on Tuesdays.
I’ve also toyed with the idea of putting the 22 month old in a part time preschool from 9-12, but we have no family around here to help with pick ups/drop offs and I don’t know if I really want her messing with naps of the younger one that much, anyways.
Ughhhh. The age thing doesn’t really bother me but when I brought it up to my mom she of course had to bring up that she didn’t think anyone that age would have the energy. But without family around.... ugh I don’t know what to do.
Any success stories out there with good outcomes?

[Anonymous]

If she is highly active, energetic, and fit, then I think it could work out well. I am a twin nanny and my current family had someone lined up that fell through. They have mentioned that she was a bit older and did not have my level of energy (I am 35). I don’t think she would have been a great fit, but it all depends on her energy level.

Additionally, with all my contracts, I put a one month trial period; anyone can back out for any reason with no hard feelings. I would up that to 6-8 weeks for an older nanny.

[Anonymous]

As with anything, you need to know the person. Op has "known" her for three years. Have you discussed it with her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As with anything, you need to know the person. Op has "known" her for three years. Have you discussed it with her?

Yes! She seems totally confident. Granted, she has more experience with kids than I do, but between me being so worn out by a 16 month old (grande, I’m 6 months pregnant) and my moms comments, I just wanted some more feedback if anyone has any.

[Anonymous]

Our nanny started with us when she was 60. She has more energy than DH and Zimmer combined and has no trouble keeping up with now 2.5 yr old DD and a four month old. The benefits of an older nanny cannot be understated: she is not attached to her phone and only uses it when kids are napping, she understands what “work” means and has never once been late and only twice was sick (both times from DD), she is no drama. Absolutely no drama. She has a happy, calm life outside work and has never once been in a bad mood.

She is like the nanny guru to all my friends! And she lives for my kids. My DD says that Nanny is her best friend!!

Yes, hire an older nanny!

[Anonymous]

Your mother is projecting big time!! Our twins nanny is 61 and has been with us for three years since the kids were born. DH and I have no clue how she handles two so happily, easily and successfully when they wipe us out on weekends!

I had s Mother’s Helper when the babies were newborns before the nanny started and that young woman had more complaints in a day than Nanny has had in three years! And so much personal crap it was unbelievable. And don’t get me started on her phone! She could not go one minute without checking her phone!!

Your mother couldn’t handle it so she is projecting on this nanny.

[Anonymous]

60 is not old if you keep in shape. My mother is 62 and you wouldn’t know by looking at her (she could pass for late 40s). She does yoga and Pilates with my 30 year old sister and honestly has more energy than us. My current nanny family cannot believe I can carry two car seats in my arms. When I took care of twin toddlers the mother couldn’t believe I was able to get them dressed quickly and out the door for activities with no issues. Everyone is different and what might be difficult for you doesn’t mean it’ll be difficult for someone else. Do a trial period and see how she does.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it may be a bit more tiring for an older Nanny to handle multiple young children, but I would at least give her a chance to see whether she can or not.

I wouldn’t write her off because of her age, but would be a little cautious.

The best part of an older Nanny is that they are not addicted to their phones which can only bode well for everyone.

[Anonymous]

My mom still runs marathons at 64!! I would have loved to find an older, no phone, no constant personal problems nanny!

[Anonymous]

Thanks y’all. It seemed like a no brained until those other thoughts and comments came creeping in. Appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Grandparents have traditionally cared for their grandchildren. In many ways, it was the best of all worlds if it was competent care. Barring any unusual mental health issues, it was both stable and loving care.

[Anonymous]

60 is young by today's standards. The best nanny I have ever known is 63 and has been with my friend's family since their first child was born three years ago. She not only handles two children under the age of three with ease, she is also a wonderful, loving and smart nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grandparents have traditionally cared for their grandchildren. In many ways, it was the best of all worlds if it was competent care. Barring any unusual mental health issues, it was both stable and loving care.

Yes, but grandmothers were also younger. My grandmother was only 45 when I was born, and she thought about having another child because she missed me (and my siblings once they were born) when I went home. She’s a perfect example of the older generation who grew up knowing they wanted to get married, stay home and play with babies. While it was an expectation (even though her mom worked), she really wanted to do it, and she would have loved having more than just the two. She’s thought about nannying numerous times since she retired, and while I wouldn’t recommend her for elementary age kids, infants and toddlers would do really well with her. She’s someone who only sits down for a break if she is actually doing something (shelling peas, knitting, etc), and she still mows her yard (if you can call 3 acres a yard... it takes her two weeks to finish the whole thing, just long enough so she can start again). The biggest issue is that she grew up in a time and place that (now) being politically correct is very difficult for her, and she frequently says things that are very, very offensive. Much as I love her, there are times that even I am offended and have to walk away for a while, because she simply doesn’t want to censor herself.

[Anonymous]

I hired a 60 year old nanny for my newborn twins and she stayed with us for more than three years. She was fantastic - absolutely fantastic, and also experienced, calm, down to earth, not on her phone all the time, reliable, a huge help with overall household management, and she knew exactly what she was getting into when she accepted the job.

Decide based on the person, the references, a trial day and your gut instinct OP, not by the number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grandparents have traditionally cared for their grandchildren. In many ways, it was the best of all worlds if it was competent care. Barring any unusual mental health issues, it was both stable and loving care.

Yes, but grandmothers were also younger. My grandmother was only 45 when I was born, and she thought about having another child because she missed me (and my siblings once they were born) when I went home. She’s a perfect example of the older generation who grew up knowing they wanted to get married, stay home and play with babies. While it was an expectation (even though her mom worked), she really wanted to do it, and she would have loved having more than just the two. She’s thought about nannying numerous times since she retired, and while I wouldn’t recommend her for elementary age kids, infants and toddlers would do really well with her. She’s someone who only sits down for a break if she is actually doing something (shelling peas, knitting, etc), and she still mows her yard (if you can call 3 acres a yard... it takes her two weeks to finish the whole thing, just long enough so she can start again). The biggest issue is that she grew up in a time and place that (now) being politically correct is very difficult for her, and she frequently says things that are very, very offensive. Much as I love her, there are times that even I am offended and have to walk away for a while, because she simply doesn’t want to censor herself.

I am 63 and marched for women’s rights and gay rights. We are the former “Love Child” generation and the first generation of professional working women! I have no clue where you are from but an older American nanny is neither likely to be old school or politically incorrect!!