Full time mothers helper?

[Anonymous]

The position I am looking to hire for full-time in September is more of a mothers helper position.

I work in the government in a flexile position and work from home. My son is 14months. I have tried to hire nannies in the past but found it never worked out. I had multiple people not want to work for me because I worked from home. On my breaks, I nurse and play with my son and still put him down for naps. During my lunch hour, I prepare lunch for my son or take him for a walk. The person in my home is never really under sole charge of my son.

I've had much more success with hiring a mothers helper than a nanny. I've had nannies in the past who did not want to do basic tasks, like taking my son for a walk. One nanny told me my neighborhood route was "too boring" and she wanted to take him on outings everyday. I felt like I was catering to her needs rather than my sons, because I had to supply them with admission to museums and zoo and mileage when my son really wasn't getting anything out of it. I've had nannies fall asleep on my couch, take naps, not do laundry, spend all their time texting and ignoring my son, and the most recent one that takes the cake is a nanny who walked on my couch - with her shoes on, to plug in her phone. Most nannies I hired would show up late, everyday, with a coffee in hand. I paid the nannies $17-25/hr, fulltime, with 2 weeks vacation and sick leave.

I had a highschool senior over right now who is more than happy to help with laundry or lunch cleanup. I hired her for a mothers helper position. She's saving up for her first car and she is more attentive to my son than any of the previous nannies. She doesn't spend a significant amount of time on her phone and is always on time. She happily takes my son for walks to the park or around the neighborhood and plays with him int he backyard. I only have her for the summer. She asked for $14/hr.

Moving forth from September, I want to find someone similar who is looking for a mothers helper position and is ok with me working from home once my current helper goes back to school. Does anyone hire for a full time mothers helper?

My husband and I are also considering an au pair as well.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a question, OP?

[Anonymous]

Wow! You have had terrible nannies (plural in just 14 months!) What questions do you ask at interviews? Do you know how to interview and screen applicants? You must call their references, OP.

So what’s your question? I suppose you could find a Mother’s Helper for the fall but I doubt you’ll have much luck at 14 an hour!!

[Anonymous]

A Mother's helper is a 12-14 yr old who plays with baby, folds clothes, and truly mundane chores. They do not take babies for walks. Also, they Are only at your house for a couple of hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The position I am looking to hire for full-time in September is more of a mothers helper position.

I work in the government in a flexile position and work from home. My son is 14months. I have tried to hire nannies in the past but found it never worked out. I had multiple people not want to work for me because I worked from home. On my breaks, I nurse and play with my son and still put him down for naps. During my lunch hour, I prepare lunch for my son or take him for a walk. The person in my home is never really under sole charge of my son.

I've had much more success with hiring a mothers helper than a nanny. I've had nannies in the past who did not want to do basic tasks, like taking my son for a walk. One nanny told me my neighborhood route was "too boring" and she wanted to take him on outings everyday. I felt like I was catering to her needs rather than my sons, because I had to supply them with admission to museums and zoo and mileage when my son really wasn't getting anything out of it. I've had nannies fall asleep on my couch, take naps, not do laundry, spend all their time texting and ignoring my son, and the most recent one that takes the cake is a nanny who walked on my couch - with her shoes on, to plug in her phone. Most nannies I hired would show up late, everyday, with a coffee in hand. I paid the nannies $17-25/hr, fulltime, with 2 weeks vacation and sick leave.

I had a highschool senior over right now who is more than happy to help with laundry or lunch cleanup. I hired her for a mothers helper position. She's saving up for her first car and she is more attentive to my son than any of the previous nannies. She doesn't spend a significant amount of time on her phone and is always on time. She happily takes my son for walks to the park or around the neighborhood and plays with him int he backyard. I only have her for the summer. She asked for $14/hr.

Moving forth from September, I want to find someone similar who is looking for a mothers helper position and is ok with me working from home once my current helper goes back to school. Does anyone hire for a full time mothers helper?

My husband and I are also considering an au pair as well.[/quote

An au pair would be miserable with you.]

[Anonymous]

You either truly suck at screening and interviewing nannies or you have miserable luck in life.

Or you’re lying (my guess).

[Anonymous]

Your kid is now 14 months old? How many nannies have you gone through in a year? And where do you live that you have to pay for museums (which are great for kids at any age pre-covid)?

[Anonymous]

I don't really see a question. However, I think when seeking a nanny after summer, you need to be upfront: I need someone who is willing to do xyz; in the past, I've had nannies who refuse to take my son on walks— are you okay with being outdoors? I'd like a nanny who doesn't spend too much time in her phone (perhaps, limiting it to when the child is napping). Set limits for outdoor activities that require admissions— no more than 2 activities a week that cost but I'm sure that wouldn't be an issue with COVID. Did you have a contract? If not, write up a contract so the nanny is fully aware of her duties— and be sure to include a termination policy. I personally, don't have an issue with parents coming down at a specific time to spend time with their kid— this is when I would eat my lunch, take a break or tackle a task I haven't gotten to yet. But, make sure you're upfront about your plans on 'being hands-on' and if you see that this is becoming an issue (your child starts having meltdowns) then maybe rethink this time.

Due to COVID-19, a lot of nannies are going to be working with parents who are teleworking and outdoor time will definitely become more essential— especially for those who have smaller homes. Hope you have better luck!

[Anonymous]

You are just changing the name: calling her a mothers helper instead of a nanny in order to pay her less.

[Anonymous]

Hire an older woman to take care of of your child. Latino women (not girls) don't mind a little housework and laundry and love to hold the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hire an older woman to take care of of your child. Latino women (not girls) don't mind a little housework and laundry and love to hold the baby.

Wow! Racist much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hire an older woman to take care of of your child. Latino women (not girls) don't mind a little housework and laundry and love to hold the baby.

That “baby” is 14 months old. The child should be able to cuddle while reading books, but otherwise needs to be on the floor to play, walking and running, climbing, etc.

OP, advertise for a nanny/housekeeper. Be clear that when you come out (at set times!) that duties will shift from childcare to housekeeping.

When you interview, do NOT tell them what you want initially, or all you will get is affirmative answers from people who may not want to follow through. Ask open-ended questions about what they do during a week (not a day, because that way you get an idea of how many outings per week).

[Anonymous]

I understand where you are coming from OP. I had a slew of terrible nannies as well . A lot of references lie . You will likely pay more than $14/hr but there are plenty of nannies who are okay with shifting roles when you’re spending time with your son . You just need to be upfront about this from the get-go. A lot of nannies will say no at the interview but that’s up to them . You’ll find the right person eventually . My nanny has sort of shifted into this role due to covid because now I am full telework . It works out nicely but the only downside is I am paying her quite a bit because we did not start off with a “mother’s helper” type job description as I hired her way before covid when I was still going into the office . It is what it is .

[Anonymous]

You sound so ugly, OP.

Our nanny (yes, we’ve had just one for over five years) is a gift and a wonderful teacher for our children. I have always worked from home and together we’ve always come up with a plan that works regarding breastfeeding and my involvement. Nanny is loving, fun and truly part of our family.

She is also well-paid and respected.

[Anonymous]

Having had multiple nannies is always a red flag on the employer. I think everyone sees that.

You need to change, OP. Another $14 an hour teenager is not going to cut it.