Anonymous
11/28/2012 12:18
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
11:22 here-- it wouldn't have bothered me if he wasn't MARRIED to my sister. Not trying to pick a fight!
Anonymous
11/28/2012 11:23
Subject: Re:Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
11:22 I think your just looking to pick a fight. Who gives a crap that the nanny got together with your brother in law. Is your nanny just oh so beneath you that she shouldn't have been with him? You disgust me.
Anonymous
11/27/2012 13:38
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Anonymous wrote:As someone who has learned the hard way (our younger nanny getting involved with my brother-in-law), I will never again hire someone under the age of 40 to work in my house. Why risk the temptation?
are you the same woman who freaked out because her brother-in-law was here temporarily for med school and you didn't think your nanny was good enough for him?
Anonymous
11/27/2012 13:22
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Hey there!
I'm a young nanny in the Midwest. I've been doing this since I was 19. I am considered an experienced nanny in my area, but there are a few nannies I've met or heard of who are older, and are worth their weight in gold.
Not hiring a younger nanny with an education and an enthusiastic approach but little experience does the nanny a disservice, in my opinion, because if she really wants to be a nanny, she's got to gain the experience somehow, and it'll never happen if she's being rejected due to her age. Not to say that you are somehow obligated to hire her, but consider that you are valuable experience for her and she may be very enthusiastic and eager to learn.
The older woman is probably also amazing, especially since she has worked for the same family for twelve years. Be prepared to pay for it though. It hurts my heart to see seasoned nannies being sorely underpaid for all they do... And when I say underpaid I mean they make what I make.
Just my thoughts... Either way I am sure you'll make a great decision!
I'm a young nanny in the Midwest. I've been doing this since I was 19. I am considered an experienced nanny in my area, but there are a few nannies I've met or heard of who are older, and are worth their weight in gold.
Not hiring a younger nanny with an education and an enthusiastic approach but little experience does the nanny a disservice, in my opinion, because if she really wants to be a nanny, she's got to gain the experience somehow, and it'll never happen if she's being rejected due to her age. Not to say that you are somehow obligated to hire her, but consider that you are valuable experience for her and she may be very enthusiastic and eager to learn.
The older woman is probably also amazing, especially since she has worked for the same family for twelve years. Be prepared to pay for it though. It hurts my heart to see seasoned nannies being sorely underpaid for all they do... And when I say underpaid I mean they make what I make.
Just my thoughts... Either way I am sure you'll make a great decision!
Anonymous
11/27/2012 11:22
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
As someone who has learned the hard way (our younger nanny getting involved with my brother-in-law), I will never again hire someone under the age of 40 to work in my house. Why risk the temptation?
Anonymous
11/27/2012 11:10
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Anonymous wrote:It is foolish to assume an older person has low energy levels and that a younger person is guaranteed to be energetic. There are lazy 20-something nannies and 65-year-old nannies who could run laps around them.
If energy is your concern, you should speak to each candidate's references about that.
+2
Anonymous
11/26/2012 11:26
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
I think experienced dads like Rob Lowe and Jude Law vote for the 22 year old.
Anonymous
11/26/2012 00:01
Subject: Re:Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Younger nanny is not as domestic. She won't look around the house and know this this this needs to be done. Not saying she shouldn't get a break but one thing about our younger nanny is that she is totally oblivious to housework. She didn't even know how to make simple children's meals and I had to show her. It is ok but just expect that she is not a mom, more like someone to make sure your kids are safe and entertained. Older people are more mom-like and may be more sympathetic/understanding to all the "running of the house" work you have to do in addition to your work and raising kids.
This has definitely been our experience.
We've had two 40ish nannies, with kids grown, and two 20's nannies, and have had MUCH easier times with the grownups. The younger ones were fine, energetic, conscientious, but just didn't have that much experience at being working adults--there were situations where we had to explain employer expectations that we thought were sort of obvious, and situations where they just didn't show initiative on keeping stuff done. With the nannies who've been moms, stuff just runs more smoothly, and DC seems happier, I think knowing that Nanny is all-around more confident and in charge.
Anonymous
11/25/2012 13:14
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
A lot would depend on my personal reaction on meeting each candidate, but based on what you've shared, I would hire the older nanny. Her resume sounds golden. Twelve years with a single family tells me a lot. The other candidate sounds very impressive, but she doesn't have the long record of apparently proven experience of the older candidate. Not her fault; it is what it is.
Anonymous
11/24/2012 23:15
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
oh look. A classic agism scenario that eludes standard practices and gives way to discrimination simple because it's about "nannying". These antiquated ideas show up in so many threads and are disappointing.
Anonymous
11/23/2012 07:51
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Age it self shouldn't be in issue in determing with a caregiver is qualified or not. As a well past 40 yr old nanny, I have a few friends who are caregivers who are in their 50s who happen to be in better shape than I am. That said I am in better shape than some nannies I know.
I also entered this profession with a few degrees simply because in some areas teachers don't make much more than I do.
I also entered this profession with a few degrees simply because in some areas teachers don't make much more than I do.
Anonymous
11/20/2012 16:04
Subject: Re:Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
15:59 the parents who hired you took a risk on you. The fact that you are 22 means that you have not had enough time to develop actual experience that could demonstrate your qualities. You may be a fine nanny or you may just think you are a fine nanny. The issue is that you are a risk which some parents will be willing to take and others will not.
Anonymous
11/20/2012 15:59
Subject: Re:Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Anonymous wrote:I agree with others that it isn't a hard and fast rule that older is better than younger or vice versa. From your description, I would probably go with the older nanny since she had been with her family for 12 years. This would indicate that she is flexible, willing to do new new things to be remain valuable and able handle kids at multiple ages. I do think that you should ask more infant care philosophy questions as she may be set in her old ways and you may be set in your new ways.
I would not select the 22 year old nanny based on your description. While I do like younger nannies, 18-22 is too young for an infant and they logistically can not have much experience. In fact this age group is so inexperienced that they think that their babysitting experience in high school or helping out with relatives actually counts. I would hire a young nanny who is 24 and has at least 2 years of full time experience with an infant. Her answer about why she isn't teaching also sounds like BS. She is 22, exactly how much experience teaching could she have had to decide it wasn't fulfilling enough? She is most likely unable to find a teaching position or is frustrated that working in a daycare or preschool is hard work. You can never get on your phone, decide to meet up with other people, go to activities outside planned field trips, run your own errands, or enjoy many of the flexibilities that being a nanny over being a childcare teacher offers. These positions also pay very little so she is hoping to increase her income by 50% while doing less work.
If you prefer a younger nanny, I would keep looking.
Im a 22 year old nanny, and I handle 4 month old twins just fine. Yes I chose to work as a nanny because daycare workers make peanuts. And no I don't plan on being a nanny forever. When I walk into work every morning my cell phone goes up on a shelf where I can hear it if it rings but its not a distraction throughout the day. Its also very possible at the age of 22 to decide that a certain career isn't for you. Why waste years doing somehting you don't enjoy? I signed a contract with my employers for a year, and both of us agreed that we could commit for at least 2 years, and I fully intend to keep that commitment. You made the statement that its not a hard and fast rule that one type of nanny is better than another, yet you make sweeping accusations against the younger nanny based purely off of assumptions about her age. Also you have not met the nanny and cannot assume to understand her motivations.
Anonymous
11/20/2012 14:16
Subject: Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
Anonymous wrote:LOOK YOUNGER NANNY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE 22YEARS I WOULD NOT LEAVE MY KIDS WITH SOMEONE THAT YOUNG. WHEN YOU ARE AT WORK YOU WANT TO MAKE SHURE YOUR HOME IS SAFE ALSO PEOPLE ARE NOT RUNING IN AND OUT. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY THING, NOT JUST THE AGE I WOULD GO WITH THE OLDER NANNY FOR PEACE OF MINE
Really? Because I'd go with the nanny who knows not to use CAPS LOCK for the entire post. Also, one who knows how to spell "sure," "running," and "peace of mind."
Anonymous
11/20/2012 10:15
Subject: Re:Pros and Cons of older nanny versus younger nanny
I agree with others that it isn't a hard and fast rule that older is better than younger or vice versa. From your description, I would probably go with the older nanny since she had been with her family for 12 years. This would indicate that she is flexible, willing to do new new things to be remain valuable and able handle kids at multiple ages. I do think that you should ask more infant care philosophy questions as she may be set in her old ways and you may be set in your new ways.
I would not select the 22 year old nanny based on your description. While I do like younger nannies, 18-22 is too young for an infant and they logistically can not have much experience. In fact this age group is so inexperienced that they think that their babysitting experience in high school or helping out with relatives actually counts. I would hire a young nanny who is 24 and has at least 2 years of full time experience with an infant. Her answer about why she isn't teaching also sounds like BS. She is 22, exactly how much experience teaching could she have had to decide it wasn't fulfilling enough? She is most likely unable to find a teaching position or is frustrated that working in a daycare or preschool is hard work. You can never get on your phone, decide to meet up with other people, go to activities outside planned field trips, run your own errands, or enjoy many of the flexibilities that being a nanny over being a childcare teacher offers. These positions also pay very little so she is hoping to increase her income by 50% while doing less work.
If you prefer a younger nanny, I would keep looking.
I would not select the 22 year old nanny based on your description. While I do like younger nannies, 18-22 is too young for an infant and they logistically can not have much experience. In fact this age group is so inexperienced that they think that their babysitting experience in high school or helping out with relatives actually counts. I would hire a young nanny who is 24 and has at least 2 years of full time experience with an infant. Her answer about why she isn't teaching also sounds like BS. She is 22, exactly how much experience teaching could she have had to decide it wasn't fulfilling enough? She is most likely unable to find a teaching position or is frustrated that working in a daycare or preschool is hard work. You can never get on your phone, decide to meet up with other people, go to activities outside planned field trips, run your own errands, or enjoy many of the flexibilities that being a nanny over being a childcare teacher offers. These positions also pay very little so she is hoping to increase her income by 50% while doing less work.
If you prefer a younger nanny, I would keep looking.