Anonymous wrote:I would not hire you. Your writing is so poor that I literally had a hard time figuring out what you meant in a couple of places.

No problem. It was about 230am and I could not sleep. FWIW, when I worked in the corporate world long ago, I was a published writer. Perhaps I am also rusty….

I have raised very successful kids of my own … getting into a top high schools and college (one at TJ High School in Virginia and another accepted at MIT).


As far as the other comments, thank you. Although, I will add that I am not that old. I don't mind basic cleaning and I would never leave the home a mess. That has happened to me at times when I had sitters for my kids and I thought it was disrespectful.



This info helps and I will have to think about this more. I also am looking at other options which include teachers aide...

I would not hire you. Your writing is so poor that I literally had a hard time figuring out what you meant in a couple of places.

Anonymous wrote:Kid laundry is pretty standard. For older kids, making meals eaten on your shift, driving.

I am a Nanny & respectfully disagree that doing any form of laundry is standard.

The families I have worked for have simply requested I keep 100% focus on their children.
They don't want me to be distracted or stressed out about getting the laundry done before they come home.

I'd hire you in a second. Just start applying.

Previous poster again.

My advice on making yourself marketable is get CPR/First aid training and have that documentation available to show potential employers. Provide background check documentation that shows you don't have a criminal record. Have reliable transportation. Line up people to be references. If you decide to post your profile on line, post a photo of you wearing conservative clothing and looking happy. Bonus points if you can find a child to cuddle with for your profile photo. Care dot com has a lot of helpful articles about how to post a notable profile.

I didn't get into this field until I was an empty nester.

My grandkids live out of state and I felt deprived of the "grandma experience." I retired at age 51 from my "real" job and wanted something to supplement my pension. Meanwhile, a friends grandbaby lost her home daycare provider and asked if I was interested. Turns out I loved it and they loved me. I stayed with them 18 months until they moved.

After that family moved, I put an ad up on sittercity saying that I wanted to be a "stand in" Grandma for children right here in my own hometown. I hooked up with two families and I have been with them both for 2 1/2 years now. And I sometimes suspect I will be with these two same families until their kids get their drivers licenses.

Turns out there is a market for transporting kids to after school activities. I take the kids to soccer practice, scouts, dance class, karate, music lessons, allergy shots, etc.

I don't want to do the nanny thing full time. And that is okay, because like I said, I have learned there is a market for after school nannies, especially those who drive the kids around. I call it "rent a grandma taxi service."

I have found it stunningly easy to find employment in the nanny field as a woman in my 50's.
On days I am busy, my two families have found teenagers to babysit in my stead. Then the next time they see me, they regale me with their hilarious horror stories of why they prefer me to teenagers.

Anonymous wrote:Hi there! I'm a mom of 3 kids (25-22 and my youngest 18, just started college). Ive been a stay at home mom all these years and love kids…

My kids were active in scouts, the community, sports, and did well in school.

I would love to be a nanny and wondering what would I need to make myself marketable (besides being a parent myself…I am now 56yr, do not speak spanish, born in USA).

Also was a typically expected…(I prefer to focus on kids that do housekeeping) and what kind of pay is the norm?

thanks

OP, what did you mean by this?

Anonymous wrote:Don't become a nanny. It's a job that requires stamina and in your fifties I don't think you can handle it. Just get an easy job somewhere. I recommend front desk in a building.

A lot of 50, 60, and even 70 yr old grandmothers end up taking care of their grandchildren. Children do not need to be entertained and active every moment of the day. Personally. As noted up thread, I would much prefer some one who,has reared three happy, healthy, well adjusted children.

Don't become a nanny. It's a job that requires stamina and in your fifties I don't think you can handle it. Just get an easy job somewhere. I recommend front desk in a building.

Also, if you're not sure, you could try part time. It's hard to find people who want to be long term, part time nannies, but that might be perfect for you: give you your kid fix, bring in some money, but not take over your newly free life.

By long term, I mean at least a year, not the rest of your life .

Kid laundry is pretty standard. For older kids, making meals eaten on your shift, driving.

*clean the highchair

Some families consider parenting plenty of childcare experience while others do not.

Personally if someone raised a successful child to adulthood (no delinquents!), then that would speak volumes to me over someone who just learned everything from a textbook.

Also if you're just starting out, you will need to prove yourself, work for less-than-average pay and build up a good reputation in your community so that you will have some solid references.

Try opening up an account on either sittercity.com or care.com.
You can even place a free ad on Craigslist if you want to.

I cannot advise you on pay since I am not too clear on your location, but I strongly advise nothing less than $12/HR.

Some nannies are willing to do some "light" housekeeping if there is any down time.
Some will empty the dishwasher, do children's laundry and vacuum.
However this is not standard.

I only do the expected, typical duties like wash whatever dishes + bottles used during my shift.
I also will make sure all toys/books/puzzles, etc. are all put back.
If my charge spilled something or left crumbs all over, I would most definitely wipe the counters, clean the high hair & sweep the floors before the parents come home.

After a long day @work, any parent prefers a clean, organized home vs. trying to step over a million toys and chaos.

Hope this is helpful for you.

Could you please do some searching on this forum? Where do you live?

Hi there! I'm a mom of 3 kids (25-22 and my youngest 18, just started college). Ive been a stay at home mom all these years and love kids…

My kids were active in scouts, the community, sports, and did well in school.

I would love to be a nanny and wondering what would I need to make myself marketable (besides being a parent myself…I am now 56yr, do not speak spanish, born in USA).

Also was a typically expected…(I prefer to focus on kids that do housekeeping) and what kind of pay is the norm?

thanks