I have been in both situations and truly you need a family that you mesh well with AND a nanny that you love. So I would recommend Option A.

Not sure how it sparked into something bigger, but I'm the poster who is in the share where we switched off monthly. Not to stoke the flames, but if it benefits OP to know - It wasn't chaotic for the kids, they act like they get all new toys every other month. Both families have a pack n play for the visiting child to nap, and we bought an extra monitor and jointly bought a double stroller (the two things that travel back and forth). We each have a cubby for extras that stay the whole month (clothes, diapers). It works fine, but the key is the families know and like each other.

Remember OP that the more you have in common, the better. For us, we were on the same page about discipline, TV, nanny reviews, nanny raises and bonuses, these things can all be little or big sticking points. That's why Option A is the way to go in my book.

Option A - no brainer. we had a nanny share where I didn't trust the other family, but went against my gut feel, and regretted the ENTIRE year we shared with them.

*Rantings

Anonymous wrote:

We'd have to ask the nanny to really know the impact of the upheaval on the children.

OMG just spit my coffee out laughing. Are you kidding? Upheaval on children because the share rotates monthly?

I'm convinced the nannies on this board are smoking something. On every thread there are the stupidest statements being thrown out. Give nanny anything she wants. Essential procedures- accept written letters without talking to the reference (yeah right). Nannies for infants make $30 an hour. Are nannies just idiots?

No nannies are not idiots. Everything you referenced is nonsense spouted by the same troll. She may be a nanny or she may be really bored, who knows. Any sane nanny knows she's crazy and her rankings do not represent us all.

OP, I agree...Go with your gut on this one.

You and the other family need to work together as a TEAM here and if you and one of the other parents do not work well together, then there is a chance this nanny share arrangement may not work out in a mutual fashion.

And you are right.
You both can find a great nanny who you both will love!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB in a nanny share here. Go with Option A. Very important to be completely on the same page with the other family, and if you get along great and have great communication, you will find and agree on a great nanny for the kids. Will also be easier on the nanny to have both employers on the same page and communicating well all around.

Also, you will not have trouble finding a nanny to rotate provided houses are reasonable near each other, both near activities, and well equipped. We switched off monthly, and have never had any trouble.

How do you keep two houses well equipped at the same time? Two sets of everything at each house? Sounds like a nightmare.

NP. they rotate monthly, not weekly. Doesn't seem that bad.

How would you know?

How would I know what? That it doesn't seem that bad? Because I've worked in a share for more than two years now, and we used to rotate houses.

You said "they" rotate monthy. If that was you, you meant "we"?

Oh my gosh are you dense? Start with the line I put in bold.
Line in bold: someone (not OP) said that they switched off monthly and never had any problems
(immediately after, a second person): someone asked how you keep two houses well equipped at the same time, sounds like a nightmare.
After that, me: saying that the PP rotates weekly, not monthly.
(You?) Asking how I would know
Me again: I worked in a share and we used to rotate. I am not the same person at the one who originally said they rotated monthly.

Understand now?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB in a nanny share here. Go with Option A. Very important to be completely on the same page with the other family, and if you get along great and have great communication, you will find and agree on a great nanny for the kids. Will also be easier on the nanny to have both employers on the same page and communicating well all around.

Also, you will not have trouble finding a nanny to rotate provided houses are reasonable near each other, both near activities, and well equipped. We switched off monthly, and have never had any trouble.

How do you keep two houses well equipped at the same time? Two sets of everything at each house? Sounds like a nightmare.

NP. they rotate monthly, not weekly. Doesn't seem that bad.

How would you know?

How would I know what? That it doesn't seem that bad? Because I've worked in a share for more than two years now, and we used to rotate houses.

You said "they" rotate monthy. If that was you, you meant "we"?

We'd have to ask the nanny to really know the impact of the upheaval on the children.

OMG just spit my coffee out laughing. Are you kidding? Upheaval on children because the share rotates monthly?

I'm convinced the nannies on this board are smoking something. On every thread there are the stupidest statements being thrown out. Give nanny anything she wants. Essential procedures- accept written letters without talking to the reference (yeah right). Nannies for infants make $30 an hour. Are nannies just idiots?