Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't care that you're fat, but wouldn't be able to hire you because you won't travel. I need someone who can travel on short notice, and also out of the country.

Most families to do NOT need a nanny to travel. Most families just need childcare while they work during the day

I have to travel for work, and I bring my kid. Thus, I bring the nanny.

OP here. Thanks for the advice.

14:39, just want to add that when it comes to finding steady employment, I think I am very motivated. I hadn't used Care or Sittercity for over a year and back in April (2 months before leaving my position), I updated my profiles, bought background checks for both and driver's check for one, got recertified in CPR/First Aid, got a TB test done.

I have been contacted by about 15 families, but the positions either need flexibility (I would like set hours), are full-time (I would prefer a part-time position at most 30 hours), or with parents working at home/sah parent needing help.

If I feel like I get to the point where my preference not to work full-time will be a hindrance in my employment search, I will try to fix my daily schedule to be available full-time during the day. I am hoping that this doesn't happen though and that one position that seems perfect is out there.

Sorry for the long winded post. I really appreciate all advice.

OP you sound unmotivated and not very interested or excited about anything based on several sentences in your post. This most likely comes through in your interviews, presentation of yourself, and work performance. Nanny employers want someone they can "click" with during the interview and showing sincere interest and excitement about the job opportunity is more likely to achieve this. Its hard to fake it if you are very unmotivated. On the plus side you sound far more intelligent than most nannies. You also are self aware, a quality lacking in many nannies.

My suggestion would be to work on getting to a normal weight. Obesity can affect your mental state. It can make you less motivated, tired, and even depressed which changes your outlook on everything. Don't lose the weight to look good. Lose the weight to regain control of life, gain energy, and discover confidence and new possibilities.

OP I actually think you sound completely marketable. The majority of nanny employers do not require travel and if you have glowing references that will back you up on your energy levels, most potential employers won't be concerned about your weight. If you're worried about that, or think in your area it is a huge disadvantage, maybe look for positions with infants that don't require as much physical exertion? I'd be more concerned about a tired nanny with 3-5 year olds than I would 1-2 year olds.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't care that you're fat, but wouldn't be able to hire you because you won't travel. I need someone who can travel on short notice, and also out of the country.

Most families to do NOT need a nanny to travel. Most families just need childcare while they work during the day

I wouldn't care that you're fat, but wouldn't be able to hire you because you won't travel. I need someone who can travel on short notice, and also out of the country.

Anonymous wrote:That was pretty critical info OP. I posted earlier but my advice now is to move or find a different line of work.

PP, to which info are you referring to? Obesity, not traveling? Thanks.

That was pretty critical info OP. I posted earlier but my advice now is to move or find a different line of work.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks 23:13. I am not in the D.C. area, but reside in Houston, TX. I came upon here for advice as I don't know another similar forum in my area.

Honestly, I am probably 100 lbs over my ideal weight for my body. I do think I am pretty active as I regularly go to parks, walks, etc with kids I babysit for and actively play with them. Over here, illegal, non Spanish speaking nannies are very common. I feel like this is both a negative and positive as some families prefer a legal and fluent English speaker, but others want someone who will do full child care/cooking/cleaning for a less than desirable rate, so open to illegal workers who don't have many opportunities for decent income. Of course I have no problem heating up food and light meal prep.

I have mentioned to my as needed care families that I've left my position, but as most of them either have kids in daycare, or an active sah parent, a nanny isn't needed.

Thanks for the advice.

NP. That's you're problem and there's nothing you can do about it. I personally would not hire an illegal, but a lot of people will to save some money.

You don't have to be taking classes in childcare, but I do think you should continue on with your degree. I say this because you are still young, and having a BA will open up more doors for you. Considering you don't want to be in a nanny long term I think you need to focus more on your long-term goals.

What is your AA in?

OP here. Thanks 23:13. I am not in the D.C. area, but reside in Houston, TX. I came upon here for advice as I don't know another similar forum in my area.

Honestly, I am probably 100 lbs over my ideal weight for my body. I do think I am pretty active as I regularly go to parks, walks, etc with kids I babysit for and actively play with them. Over here, illegal, non Spanish speaking nannies are very common. I feel like this is both a negative and positive as some families prefer a legal and fluent English speaker, but others want someone who will do full child care/cooking/cleaning for a less than desirable rate, so open to illegal workers who don't have many opportunities for decent income. Of course I have no problem heating up food and light meal prep.

I have mentioned to my as needed care families that I've left my position, but as most of them either have kids in daycare, or an active sah parent, a nanny isn't needed.

Thanks for the advice.

Anonymous wrote:PP, I sit for several families on evenings and weekends on a regular basis (which is how I have been earning income since leaving position) and to me, if I traveled with a family, I would be losing money as I then wouldn't be available in my off hours.

Makes sense. I don't see any issues. What city are you in? Have you mentioned to everyone that you're looking?

I think the unwillingness to travel might rule you out for some rich families but there are many others who want to spend time w/ their own kids during their vacations.

Your pluses are good and the only big negative i see is your weight. How obese are you? if it's more towards the "pretty fat" end vs. "severe health issues" end then I think you need to assure families that you are very active (right?) w/ the kids including daily/weekly outings to x, y, z if parents approve, running around the yard, walks to park, etc. Make sure your families back this up. If this is not the case and your weight prevents you from being active w/ the kids, then there is no way around that and you will likely need to find something else.

Ask if your prior employer would be willing to post on DCUm or elsewhere a referall on your behalf. This could help people check you out that might not be already.

I would not sell the college short - many nannies have no college so I would sell your 2 yrs as a plus. Don't say you "don't speak forgn languages" - instead tout that you are a native English speaker which is not super common for DC area nannies and may be something some families are eager to find. If you are willing to heat up food, that is likely fine enough for many families - not all require actual cooking beyond fixing simple kid foods left-overs - again, will rule you out of some higher end jobs I am sure, but not all decent paying ones entirely. I would also not say you don't want to do this for your career since it's the rare family that will want to employ you for longer than 5 years anyway so at this point they just want to know you will stick around for at least 2 or 3.

Classes might be nice, but you're not clear on whether you've already exhausted existing options for marketing yourself better.

- MB

PP, I sit for several families on evenings and weekends on a regular basis (which is how I have been earning income since leaving position) and to me, if I traveled with a family, I would be losing money as I then wouldn't be available in my off hours.

Curious about you're not wanting to travel. Why? Any neg. experiences?

I recently finished a long term position and am currently pursuing opportunities. I did not have a position lined up immediately after leaving my former family because there wasn't something that stood out to me. I have profiles on Care and Sittercity, which is how I primarily meet families unless by referral. I am checking out openings frequently.

I'd like to make myself more marketable.

What I think are positives: I am 25 years old, clear criminal and drug background, legal resident, speak, understand and write in English fluently, CPR and First Aid certified, have my own reliable vehicle with full coverage insurance, plenty of professional references, no allergies and am a non smoker. I am fine with running errands, providing transportation and doing light housekeeping.

Negatives: I am obese. Working on being healthier for my own well being, but usually my physical appearance hasn't been a big issue as far as I can tell, but I can understand that for some families this is a deal breaker. I don't speak any foreign languages. I only took two years of college, so basically have an Associate's. I don't play any instruments. Not a big cook. I am not open to traveling with the family on vacations.

I don't see myself being a career nanny my whole working life, but I do see myself being employed as a nanny for maybe 5 more years. I quit college because I don't know what to major in, as truthfully, I have never been ambitious. I'm adding this because I wonder if I should take any type of child care related classes that would seem a plus to prospective employers, but would it be worth it?

Long post, so I appreciate if you read it all! Any advice would be appreciated.