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[quote=Anonymous]I have never hired a nanny before and will be needing one in a few months, so I am just trying to understand what is realistic to expect.  My son will be 18 months old when I return to work full time.  I would really welcome opinions on the following:

1.  As far as hours go, is a 55 hour work week too much?  I am thinking from 9am to 8pm.  Most days, my husband will arrive home by 6pm, but he sometimes has after work obligations, so I would want a nanny who is prepared to work potentially until 8pm.  Are those hours too long?

2.  We live in a one bedroom apartment.  We will expect the nanny to clean up after our son (wash his dishes after feeding him, put his toys back in his box, clean up messes he makes, do his laundry etc).  We have a washer/dryer in our apartment.  Is it realistic or fair to expect her to do additional chores?  We would not want to risk losing her by overburdening her.  At the same time, we do not plan to nickel and dime her, so we want our money's worth too.

3.  I am nervous about a nanny taking my son around town.  We live near a body of water and I just don't want my son out and about with someone I don't know well.  I imagine I might be more comfortable after a few months of demonstrated responsibility on her part, but for now, I don't envision having her leave the apartment with him.  Is it unrealistic or unkind to expect her to take care of him in the apartment without going outside?  We don't have any friends who are parents (we are the first in our group to have kids), so I don't envision play dates for a long time.

4.  Food and errands.  I have heard of nannies bringing their own food and I have heard of families letting the nanny eat whatever she wants.  I am leaning towards letting her raid our pantry because I am inclined to be generous towards someone taking care of the most precious human being in the world to me.  Should I adjust her compensation downward if I am letting her eat our food or what is most common?

5.  As far as compensation goes, we are thinking of paying a salary, rather than per hour.  Of course, we will write it out as a salary in the contract (normal hours + overtime), but the per hour will be structured in such a way as to guarantee her a salary.  Is this a good idea and if so, what is a fair salary for the caretaker of an 18 month old?

Thank you all in advance. I am so anxious about this![/quote]

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