I see my nanny as an integral part of our family. I also see her as loving, very smart and feel lucky to have her. She does happen to come from a lower socioeconomic background in her home country, but I only have more respect for her for overcoming certain obstacles in life.

I absolutely love what I do and I am not ashamed of it at all. Most people tell me that they would never be able to take care of another person's child and that they have so much respect for me being able to do so in the first place. I don't work FT but make at least $15,000 for very part time work right now (still adding more work to my schedule). I can earn up to $25/hr depending on the situation. My friends that work $15/hr in a job they dislike are actually jealous that I get to do something I like and earn a decent amount (and could earn much more if I were to do FT work). The fact that I get paid sick days and vacation each year as well, they can't believe it. Guys like it because I don't really want kids of my own (I have ones that I get to work with and then leave at the end of the day) and so they never feel pressure from me that I will want a long term relationship that will end up in marriage and kids if they aren't close to wanting that yet. I also have a lot of free time on my hands for personal pursuits that working FT would not allow, and my PT work is much better than working PT at a fast food place or being a barista at starbucks. I can also get live-in work where I don't have to worry about rent and utilities and can put my money towards my few bills and spending/savings.

I'm not ashamed of it at all. I make a decent amount of money, love kids, and enjoy the schedule I have.

My boyfriend and most of my family are okay with me being a nanny, but no one considers it a job!! I'm 23 years old and make more than all of my friends who got into the field after college. But, I am only in it for the money. There's nothing I can do and make over $20/hour besides this. I am sticking with it until I go back for my MBA. I worked in banking, full time and made $14/hr, I resigned and went back to nannying.

Yes, I feel like people look down at me when I say I'm a nanny... I also find hard to date as to me it seems in DC area, men are looking for someone "professional", whatever that means...

But to be very honest, I wish I could do something else for a living, I make decent money but it's just not what I would like to do forever.

My family is ashamed of what I do. It's enough to pay for private school, a new car, iPhones and still have evenings and weekends off and I love working with the kids, though. I've had families look at me with pity and say "you could be doing so much more than this."

I'm a little ashamed when I say I'm a nanny, but it is more because my heart is no longer in it and I'm looking to get work in a different field.

we need you and you need us, not a good idea to bring each ohter down,

You should be proud of doing a difficult job. If anything, parents should be ashamed for letting their careers take precedence over caring for their children.

MB here. I TREASURE my nanny. I couldn't do it as a job (I can barely manage my two children by myself and I LIKE (in addition to love my children!)

Right, they say they're not low-income as if that's something to be ashamed of.

No I'm not ashamed of being a nanny, I simply wish others didn't shame me because of it. My parents like to tell people that I "babysit" in the same conversation about my career and how they are waiting for me to get a job. When I tell new people what I do they almost immediately ask what I plan to do after that, or insinuate that I'm just biding my time until I have kids. I am not ashamed of what I do, but I wish others could respect the hard work I do, and the fact that it IS a job.

Wanted to chime in here. I am a former nanny and now I am a teacher. I think that people look down on jobs that center around kids. It's just the way it is and it's hard not to own those perspectives.
Will add that I loved being a nanny. Teaching not so much.

Most nannies on this thread have attested that they are not low income, PP, so you can take that stereotype elsewhere.

Is being low-income something to ashamed of?