Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a nightmare.

So don't apply.

OP, I have hired for a variety of job types. I am a WAHM of 4, and I work only part time and seasonally, so I am around a lot and not hiding in my office. I have a full time nanny and a part time mother's helper/housekeeper in the morning. When my husband deployed, I also hired an afternoon mother's helper. No one has quit on me yet, and the afternoon woman really wanted to stay on after my husband got back, but that wasn't possible for us.

I am very specific in my ads about hours, pay, benefits, the fact that I am home, and the duties. When I first talk to people on the phone or over email, I reiterate that I am home and involved, and for the more housekeeping-heavy positions, I ask again if that's the kind of job they're interested in. I also double-check that the hours will work for them, and that they are interested in staying long term. The more certain you can be about what you want, the easier it will be to find someone. The worst hiring experience I had was when I tried to hire someone for three days week, and said I could be flexible about days and hours. I had much better luck once I decided which days and hours I needed, and people who were interested in working those hours could contact me.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a nightmare.

Maybe for you. I happen to like working with big families, and the only thing holding me back from applying for the position is that live-in isn't an option.

Sounds like a nightmare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What range are you looking to pay?

Don't know. What's fair? It probably won't be full time but need someone reliable and experienced. Don't know if it would be better to offer a flat weekly rate or do hourly.

You need to set hours that the person should be available, and base your pay off of that. If the person you hire is expected to be available from 7 am to 10 pm, that's vastly different from someone who needs to be available from 7 am to 9 am during the before school rush, then 2 pm to 10 pm for the after school rush, dinner and bedtime. Either way, you need to work out a salary based on the number of hours. You can write it as guaranteed pay for hourly work or as a flat salary to be paid weekly, but either way, if you go over the hours, you pay more.

With 5 kids and that age range, and a parent there 90% of the time, you need to look for someone who is compatible with you before you even consider if the person is qualified and experienced. If you can't get along, it doesn't matter if the kids love or hate her.

Thank you. Right now we're thinking mid day until early evening so probably noon to 6 or 7 but it would be nice if the same person cold stay later from time to time if DH and I have something scheduled.

Are you suggesting I do a few trials before selecting?

Actually, you shouldn't need to do more than 1 trial with each candidate, and if you start with your preferred candidate, you might be golden on the first one. Because you want someone who will get along with you and work well with you, I would suggest that mom and dad screen applications together, mom does a phone interview with each (spending as much time as you need/want to ensure compatibility), mom and dad do face-to-face interviews with mom's top 6-10, then do trials with the top 3. That way you screen first for obvious issues, then for ability to talk to mom and get along together, then for working with the kids.

Describe what kind of person might be your ideal. I'll tell you if she's out there. The more you can pay, the more likely she's out there for you. It won't be an easy find.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What range are you looking to pay?

Don't know. What's fair? It probably won't be full time but need someone reliable and experienced. Don't know if it would be better to offer a flat weekly rate or do hourly.

You need to set hours that the person should be available, and base your pay off of that. If the person you hire is expected to be available from 7 am to 10 pm, that's vastly different from someone who needs to be available from 7 am to 9 am during the before school rush, then 2 pm to 10 pm for the after school rush, dinner and bedtime. Either way, you need to work out a salary based on the number of hours. You can write it as guaranteed pay for hourly work or as a flat salary to be paid weekly, but either way, if you go over the hours, you pay more.

With 5 kids and that age range, and a parent there 90% of the time, you need to look for someone who is compatible with you before you even consider if the person is qualified and experienced. If you can't get along, it doesn't matter if the kids love or hate her.

Thank you. Right now we're thinking mid day until early evening so probably noon to 6 or 7 but it would be nice if the same person cold stay later from time to time if DH and I have something scheduled.

Are you suggesting I do a few trials before selecting?

This can work out, however before you hire this person try to spend as much time with her as you can.

Reason being: You and her will need to have A+ chemistry and be able to work together as a team on a daily basis. That is very vital here.

And when hiring someone, try to find someone who is comfortable working alongside another adult. Perhaps someone who has previous experience in doing so and can provide a few references so you can talk to other parents to see if she can work as your partner during the day.

Part of this success would also have to depend on you too OP, while difficult at best, try not to micromanage her during the day. Let her take some initiative on her own as well as focus on your new baby while she does her own thing.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a good au pair candidate.

I thought aupairs were young and need to live with you. Yes?
We don't have space to have someone live with us, we also need someone comfortable managing an older teenager.

By definition, APs are 26 and under, yes. Some can handle teens, most can't as they are too close to being teens themselves (or are still teens).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What range are you looking to pay?

Don't know. What's fair? It probably won't be full time but need someone reliable and experienced. Don't know if it would be better to offer a flat weekly rate or do hourly.

You need to set hours that the person should be available, and base your pay off of that. If the person you hire is expected to be available from 7 am to 10 pm, that's vastly different from someone who needs to be available from 7 am to 9 am during the before school rush, then 2 pm to 10 pm for the after school rush, dinner and bedtime. Either way, you need to work out a salary based on the number of hours. You can write it as guaranteed pay for hourly work or as a flat salary to be paid weekly, but either way, if you go over the hours, you pay more.

With 5 kids and that age range, and a parent there 90% of the time, you need to look for someone who is compatible with you before you even consider if the person is qualified and experienced. If you can't get along, it doesn't matter if the kids love or hate her.

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a good au pair candidate.

I thought aupairs were young and need to live with you. Yes?
We don't have space to have someone live with us, we also need someone comfortable managing an older teenager.

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a good au pair candidate.

APs can't work with infants under 3 months, and only IQ can work with infants over 3 months. Perhaps OP should consider a live-in nanny or mother's helper.

Anonymous wrote:What range are you looking to pay?

Don't know. What's fair? It probably won't be full time but need someone reliable and experienced. Don't know if it would be better to offer a flat weekly rate or do hourly.

Seems like a good au pair candidate.

What range are you looking to pay?

My husband and I are considering hiring our first nanny for when our baby is born in May.
I'm a SAHM and our kids have never had a real regular caregiver outside of a few random babysitters, but ,now we're thinking having another adult around to help out with the kids could be a huge asset and some stress relief.
We aren't looking for any household chores, just someone I could rely on to pass the kids over to when needed.
I would most likely be home 90% of the time to answer questions or be around for feedings, but at the same time we need someone who is capable of being independent.
We have a teenager, a school age kid, two toddlers, and the baby.
I know I don't have much of a job description, but is this even realistic? I think someone comfortable with baby care as well a being able to play with the little kids ( dolls, playground etc), as well as handle a teenager and maybe some driving would be good.
The other thing is if we go this route we would like to have someone start relatively soon before the baby is born, so everyone has time to adjust before the baby comes.