Anonymous wrote:My son had a terrific nanny from birth until he was three. She was an admittedly odd hire for a nanny - a woman who was 58 with a masters degree in English Lit who had a whole other career in a creative field before retiring. She'd been a nanny right out of college and decided to go back to it. She got her CPRvtraining and took a couple Childhood Development classes and applied for our posted job because it was one block from our housetops worked out great. She was the kind of attentive nanny that even strangers would comment to us about how great she was. DS could not love her more. She was silly and engaged with him as well as being strict about old fashioned manners . She instilled in him a love of books and imagination. He is a polite and smart little kid because of her and has an extraordinary vocabulary!! Once DS started all day preschool, she moved on to another lucky family but still sees DS every week. She has become a dearly beloved family friend. DS, now six, calls her his best friend. She is a cherished guest at birthday parties and holidays.


Here is why I am posting: to employers, don't be afraid to hire the off-beat and unconventional choice for a nanny. A warm, loving and responsible caregiver for your baby is what is most important. Nanny is an extrovert while DH and I are both introverts and it has been a great balance for DS. Don't be afraid to hire an older nanny either. Our nanny can still run circles around me and has more energy than I have!

I knew in our first interview she was who I wanted for my baby. I am so glad I trusted my instincts.

Bump. I think this is the relationship most nannies who truly love their charges would like to have.

You and your former nanny are both very lucky to have found each other - but your child is benefitting the most.

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like the old school British nannies/mary poppins. or the ladies who run montessori schools as their 2nd or 3rd careers. wonderful!

But I would not categorize her as an unconventional nanny hire.

+1 Unconventional in he sense that she is older and on her second career. Yes, she is an unusual hire - and look how amazing it worked out!

She sounds like the old school British nannies/mary poppins. or the ladies who run montessori schools as their 2nd or 3rd careers. wonderful!

But I would not categorize her as an unconventional nanny hire.

Wish my NF felt like this about me. I make more effort with their kid in terms of birthdays etc than their own family do.

You were blessed with this wonderful friend to you and especially your son! In the age of disposable everything, your child found something permanent in his nanny.

Love this whole story OP!!

Just proves that when hiring a Nanny for your family, age should not be a major factor for those 50+.

And that is a good thing!

Thanks for sharing.

You are so lucky to have found a nanny like that!

This is actually the sort of woman I would want caring for my child. It's nice that your family have a fantastic bond with her. It's so special when it works out like that.

Anonymous wrote:Why would someone be afraid to hire someone with a masters degree? It's not like she was some random barista, she was an educated intelligent woman.

I think OP meant because she was educated in a non-child related field and retired from a profession that had nothing to do with children.

I love your post, OP. You were lucky to have found her and smart to hire her. I love that your little guy calls her his best friend!!

Why would someone be afraid to hire someone with a masters degree? It's not like she was some random barista, she was an educated intelligent woman.

My son had a terrific nanny from birth until he was three. She was an admittedly odd hire for a nanny - a woman who was 58 with a masters degree in English Lit who had a whole other career in a creative field before retiring. She'd been a nanny right out of college and decided to go back to it. She got her CPRvtraining and took a couple Childhood Development classes and applied for our posted job because it was one block from our housetops worked out great. She was the kind of attentive nanny that even strangers would comment to us about how great she was. DS could not love her more. She was silly and engaged with him as well as being strict about old fashioned manners . She instilled in him a love of books and imagination. He is a polite and smart little kid because of her and has an extraordinary vocabulary!! Once DS started all day preschool, she moved on to another lucky family but still sees DS every week. She has become a dearly beloved family friend. DS, now six, calls her his best friend. She is a cherished guest at birthday parties and holidays.


Here is why I am posting: to employers, don't be afraid to hire the off-beat and unconventional choice for a nanny. A warm, loving and responsible caregiver for your baby is what is most important. Nanny is an extrovert while DH and I are both introverts and it has been a great balance for DS. Don't be afraid to hire an older nanny either. Our nanny can still run circles around me and has more energy than I have!

I knew in our first interview she was who I wanted for my baby. I am so glad I trusted my instincts.