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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, there are numerous benefits, both to the nanny and the employers.  It sounds to me like you want availability for 72 hours per week, but don't actually intend to use all of those hours, and in that case, that might be of interest to the nanny.

According to my employers, there are numerous reasons for a live-in nanny.  I'm already in the house if they are called in to work or one of the kids has an emergency.  I am never late, and inclement weather doesn't matter.  I know where everything is in the house, even after they spent the weekend reorganizing.  Kids come find me during the middle of the night, allowing their parents to sleep.  I know what needs to be done at any time, without someone leaving me a list.  I'm flexible when parents are late, and I'm more convenient than finding someone else as a date night sitter (kids are already in bed, I'm already there, it's just a matter of paying me to not leave and do my own thing for the night).  Overnights and weeks that parents travel are a breeze.

On my side, there are just as many benefits.  I never worry about what situation I'm going to walk into at the start of the week, because I already know.  Kids usually feel off the night before they get sick, and again, I know ahead of time.  I'm never in danger of being late, and I never have to call in because my car won't start, the street is a sheet of glass, etc.  I get tons of extra work for date nights and nights when kids come to me in the middle of the night.  My employers never feel like they need to micromanage me.

However, you have several issues with your situation.

1. You are pregnant and home all day.  That means that not only does the nanny have a SAHP to work with/around, you are also hormonal.  While understandable, there are many nannies who wouldn't want any part of it.

2.  Your child is in school mornings.  So, unless your preschooler is off for the day, until you have your new baby, you are paying for hours without having the nanny do anything, unless she's doing your preschooler's laundry or cooking.  However, she is available if you child becomes ill or school is closed, which is great.

3. Your parents live with you.  Why in the world do you want to add a 5th adult to a household full-time?!  This will be the sticking point for most nannies.  Having grandparents around is tough; having them live there can be fine, but usually doesn't work well for the nanny.

4.  Do you have a set-up that will allow your nanny any privacy?  Minimum, she needs a private bedroom, preferably away from where the infant will be in a few months.  No nanny wants to listen to an infant cry in the middle of the night when she's supposed to be sleeping so that she can work the next day.  Most nannies will want an attached bathroom, or at least a bedroom and bathroom (possibly shared) in your basement.

5. Some nannies work up to 24/7 (I have).  But you pay for the privilege of having someone at your beck and call (for those hours, with everything you listed, I agree with a PP that you are looking at 100k or more), and the benefits need to be spectacular.  Those nannies need to have vacation when requested (up to the amount allotted for the year, and with at least a month of notice) and sick days (without arguing), or they burn out quickly.  If you expect the nanny to "be a part of the family" and yet be working so many hours, you need to be understanding when she feels overwhelmed.

You can find what you need, if your house is set up correctly and your parents are willing to respect that there have to be boundaries. [b] Otherwise, just advertise for one or two live-out mother's helpers with 12 hour shifts.[/b]  If you split it 3 days and 3 days, you could escape overtime, and if you look for candidates willing to help on Sunday, you will have possible help 7 days per week once the baby is born (with some overtime, but not too much).  Just be very, very clear about what you want and need.[/quote]

I agree with most of what you say--except your suggestion to advertise for "mother's helpers."   A mother's helper generally refers to a 10-12 (ish) neighbor girl the comes over a few hours a week to help a mom in exchange for pocket money.   The "mother's helper" might read to a toddler so mom can cook dinner, help fold laundry or chop veggies for meal prep, play games with a pre-schooler, etc.   
But you (mom) wouldn't actually leave the home with just the mother's helper minding the kids.   And at most it would be maybe 2 or 3 hours, not 12 hours a day!   A mother's helper is still in elementary school or middle school and also probably still has piano lessons and girl scouts and soccer to go to.[/quote]

A mother's helper can also be an adult with little to no  verifiable childcare experience,  but someone who wants to build up references.[/quote]

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