Anonymous
01/15/2015 18:41
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
You should decline. Op, have you had any experience working with children one on one for long stretches? Not to be rude but your entire description and concerns make me feel like nannying would not be a good fit for you. Nanny is more than a babysitter, you need to be able to handle meltdowns, teach and discipline. It's not just playing all day. I think you should look into mothers helper positions first or daycares to get experience.
My main concern with the adhd child is his parents parenting style is very different from what I would do so that's why I'm concerned we won't be a good match. I said early I have worked with adhd/autistic before but this child's parents let him run wild and I know that that will memean I can't make any structure when I am with him
I have been with children 1 on 1 but not in an on going nanny posistion. I am not looking at full time jobs right now I am looking for afternoon ones. And where else is a nanny supposed to get experience being a nanny? I have to start somewhere.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 16:53
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
You may want to start with a part time job to give you a sense of whether this is really what you want. If need be you could piece together a couple part time jobs.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 13:45
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Anonymous wrote:OP here
Great opinions guys!
To the person that asked about why not EMT.
I have already done that with the Army and it isn't for me. I want to work where I have the same clients on a daily basis that I can really get to know and interact with. My favorite part of working in the clinic was getting to know the patients and see how they progressed and know that I was a part of their improvement. Also EMT does not really pertain with my dream career. I want to be a midwife. So experience with children, babies and parents is more helpful to getting me closer to that goal. Also Nannying in the afternoons would leave me time to keep doing school in the mornings. If I use my GI bill to pay for my college that I do in the mornings the army pays me a living stipend and because of where I live it is pretty generous at 2,000 a month. I have almost no bills. I saved money while in the Army. I have a car payment and I live with my grandmother (she is independent but likes having someone around) so my rent is very very low. So really the money from being a nanny would be extra income.
Also EMT here is not higher pay. They make minimum wage. Where as most nanny pay starts at 12 to 15 an hour which is 3-6 dollars more than minimum wage.
About boredom/experience
I don't think I would be bored with a baby. I love to read so if things got boring I could read to them. But I love working with children and I LOVE learning through play and art. I think it is really important for babies to be exposed to lots of different stimuli and I would enjoy facilitating that. My aunt was a nanny and she said I should get my first job with a baby because they aren't running around all over the place.
As far as multiples I have already decided that 3 is my limit and I am mainly applying to jobs with only one or two.
For time, I am applying to jobs that are looking for 6 months to a year contracts and I wont be at school full time for two years. I stay away from the job postings that say they want someone who will become a part of the nanny or will stay for years.
Also the job market here really stinks but the nanny market here seems to be booming. It isn't my main reason for wanting to do it but I will be able to find a job a lot more quickly as a nanny then Iwould as a can or EMT and I would make more money.
Since you all have been so great I have another question.
I had an interview and it went really well BUT the add made it seem like the child was low key when in fact he is not.
They are paying on the low end of the pay scale and it is part time about 20 hours a week.
The child is in 3rd grade. He has adhd and is medicated and in therapy. He has tantrums and is also wicked smart. I think he is going to be a handful.
I feel like they really liked me and I liked them but I am not sure how structured they are. The child didn't have great manners, ran a bit wild during the interview etc.
Would it be offensive to counter offer them? I feel like the pay is unrealistic since their child is technically special needs but as a first time nanny I think it might be rude to counter since I don't have a ton of experience. I don't want to offend them. Should I just decline?
You should decline. Op, have you had any experience working with children one on one for long stretches? Not to be rude but your entire description and concerns make me feel like nannying would not be a good fit for you. Nanny is more than a babysitter, you need to be able to handle meltdowns, teach and discipline. It's not just playing all day. I think you should look into mothers helper positions first or daycares to get experience.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 12:40
Subject: Re:Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Poster above here! I will add that communication is a must, so I would talk to them before countering, to make sure you have all the info
Anonymous
01/15/2015 12:38
Subject: Re:Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Hi There! Mom of 3 ( and fellow nanny) here! I would absolutely hire you! Definitely be honest as that's key in being a nanny! Everyone has to start somewhere! I would highlight your childcare experience and advertise more for medical or special needs.
To the poster that wouldn't hire strictly because you don't support our military, to each their own, but, if you don't want to stand behind them, do feel free to stand in front of them! She would be better off not working for someone like you anyway! Thank you for your service OP.
And yes, counter! I have been in this situation! Good luck!
To the poster that wouldn't hire strictly because you don't support our military, to each their own, but, if you don't want to stand behind them, do feel free to stand in front of them! She would be better off not working for someone like you anyway! Thank you for your service OP.
And yes, counter! I have been in this situation! Good luck!
Anonymous
01/15/2015 12:27
Subject: Re:Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
I meant part of the family not nanny. Sorry I am posting from my mobile.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 12:25
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
OP here
Great opinions guys!
To the person that asked about why not EMT.
I have already done that with the Army and it isn't for me. I want to work where I have the same clients on a daily basis that I can really get to know and interact with. My favorite part of working in the clinic was getting to know the patients and see how they progressed and know that I was a part of their improvement. Also EMT does not really pertain with my dream career. I want to be a midwife. So experience with children, babies and parents is more helpful to getting me closer to that goal. Also Nannying in the afternoons would leave me time to keep doing school in the mornings. If I use my GI bill to pay for my college that I do in the mornings the army pays me a living stipend and because of where I live it is pretty generous at 2,000 a month. I have almost no bills. I saved money while in the Army. I have a car payment and I live with my grandmother (she is independent but likes having someone around) so my rent is very very low. So really the money from being a nanny would be extra income.
Also EMT here is not higher pay. They make minimum wage. Where as most nanny pay starts at 12 to 15 an hour which is 3-6 dollars more than minimum wage.
About boredom/experience
I don't think I would be bored with a baby. I love to read so if things got boring I could read to them. But I love working with children and I LOVE learning through play and art. I think it is really important for babies to be exposed to lots of different stimuli and I would enjoy facilitating that. My aunt was a nanny and she said I should get my first job with a baby because they aren't running around all over the place.
As far as multiples I have already decided that 3 is my limit and I am mainly applying to jobs with only one or two.
For time, I am applying to jobs that are looking for 6 months to a year contracts and I wont be at school full time for two years. I stay away from the job postings that say they want someone who will become a part of the nanny or will stay for years.
Also the job market here really stinks but the nanny market here seems to be booming. It isn't my main reason for wanting to do it but I will be able to find a job a lot more quickly as a nanny then Iwould as a can or EMT and I would make more money.
Since you all have been so great I have another question.
I had an interview and it went really well BUT the add made it seem like the child was low key when in fact he is not.
They are paying on the low end of the pay scale and it is part time about 20 hours a week.
The child is in 3rd grade. He has adhd and is medicated and in therapy. He has tantrums and is also wicked smart. I think he is going to be a handful.
I feel like they really liked me and I liked them but I am not sure how structured they are. The child didn't have great manners, ran a bit wild during the interview etc.
Would it be offensive to counter offer them? I feel like the pay is unrealistic since their child is technically special needs but as a first time nanny I think it might be rude to counter since I don't have a ton of experience. I don't want to offend them. Should I just decline?
Great opinions guys!
To the person that asked about why not EMT.
I have already done that with the Army and it isn't for me. I want to work where I have the same clients on a daily basis that I can really get to know and interact with. My favorite part of working in the clinic was getting to know the patients and see how they progressed and know that I was a part of their improvement. Also EMT does not really pertain with my dream career. I want to be a midwife. So experience with children, babies and parents is more helpful to getting me closer to that goal. Also Nannying in the afternoons would leave me time to keep doing school in the mornings. If I use my GI bill to pay for my college that I do in the mornings the army pays me a living stipend and because of where I live it is pretty generous at 2,000 a month. I have almost no bills. I saved money while in the Army. I have a car payment and I live with my grandmother (she is independent but likes having someone around) so my rent is very very low. So really the money from being a nanny would be extra income.
Also EMT here is not higher pay. They make minimum wage. Where as most nanny pay starts at 12 to 15 an hour which is 3-6 dollars more than minimum wage.
About boredom/experience
I don't think I would be bored with a baby. I love to read so if things got boring I could read to them. But I love working with children and I LOVE learning through play and art. I think it is really important for babies to be exposed to lots of different stimuli and I would enjoy facilitating that. My aunt was a nanny and she said I should get my first job with a baby because they aren't running around all over the place.
As far as multiples I have already decided that 3 is my limit and I am mainly applying to jobs with only one or two.
For time, I am applying to jobs that are looking for 6 months to a year contracts and I wont be at school full time for two years. I stay away from the job postings that say they want someone who will become a part of the nanny or will stay for years.
Also the job market here really stinks but the nanny market here seems to be booming. It isn't my main reason for wanting to do it but I will be able to find a job a lot more quickly as a nanny then Iwould as a can or EMT and I would make more money.
Since you all have been so great I have another question.
I had an interview and it went really well BUT the add made it seem like the child was low key when in fact he is not.
They are paying on the low end of the pay scale and it is part time about 20 hours a week.
The child is in 3rd grade. He has adhd and is medicated and in therapy. He has tantrums and is also wicked smart. I think he is going to be a handful.
I feel like they really liked me and I liked them but I am not sure how structured they are. The child didn't have great manners, ran a bit wild during the interview etc.
Would it be offensive to counter offer them? I feel like the pay is unrealistic since their child is technically special needs but as a first time nanny I think it might be rude to counter since I don't have a ton of experience. I don't want to offend them. Should I just decline?
Anonymous
01/15/2015 11:52
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Anonymous wrote:I would be worried about you being bored...being at home all day doing baby talk and washing bottles can be boring and isolating for anyone, and it sounds like you are used to working with a team in high stress situations. I think you might be overqualified too, wouldn't you be better suited to a job in the medical field? Is being a nanny your dream?
Maybe you should work with a family with a large amount of kids that way you don't have time to be bored and will get to use all your team managing skills!
This is us (I'm the poster with the Army husband above), but she doesn't have childcare experience. Because we have 4, all of them too young to trust on their own in, say, a parking lot (ages 4 and under), I don't really have time for someone who needs to learn about the needs and limits of the different age groups. I need proof that all 4 of them are going to survive a trip to the zoo, for example, before I hire her. If she really wants to nanny, she's going to need to start with an "easier" family, either fewer or older kids.
But I agree with a lot of people who are wondering why you're going into nannying. Would you be able to make a commitment to a family, or do you see it as a short-term gig? If the latter, I'd strongly suggest signing up with an agency for temp placements. You can make decent money doing it, build your childcare portfolio, and have the option to switch to full time if you decide this really is the job for you.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 11:43
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
I would be worried about you being bored...being at home all day doing baby talk and washing bottles can be boring and isolating for anyone, and it sounds like you are used to working with a team in high stress situations. I think you might be overqualified too, wouldn't you be better suited to a job in the medical field? Is being a nanny your dream?
Maybe you should work with a family with a large amount of kids that way you don't have time to be bored and will get to use all your team managing skills!
Maybe you should work with a family with a large amount of kids that way you don't have time to be bored and will get to use all your team managing skills!
Anonymous
01/15/2015 11:41
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Anonymous wrote:I would want to know why you're perusing a nanny job and not an EMT job that presumably pays better and has better benefits, retirement etc.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 11:15
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Why should she be ashamed of having served her vountry honorably for 6 years? Ridiculous. OP, anyone who would hold this against you is someone you wouldn't want to work for.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 11:03
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
I would want to know why you're perusing a nanny job and not an EMT job that presumably pays better and has better benefits, retirement etc.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 10:47
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Anonymous wrote:MB here and I would hire you OP. But you might need to highlight more of your kid related/caregiver experience a bit more for me to see why I'd put you ahead of a candidate with more conventional or extensive nanny experience.
The fact that you're currently a caregiver for the elderly speaks to me greatly, as does having been a facepainter honestly. Both of those things significantly impact the image I would have of you (in a positive way) so I wouldn't dismiss that.
Re the mom about to deliver? She's about to deliver. She has far more immediate things on her mind. Leave her alone and pursue your other options. She probably doesn't want someone starting right away anyway and you might find something great now, rather than waiting for her.
This. I wouldn't have any problem with your military service, and your being a medic would certainly be reassuring, but I'd want to know that you were also good with kids. Don't leave off your military status; if you look like you're hiding it, it would make me more suspicious.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 09:52
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
We're an Army family (husband is an Army doctor, in fact), so listing that you were a medic would actually give us a lot of information.
That said, in our case, we have a bunch of little children, and we would be looking for more indication of your experience as a caregiver for multiple children of various ages. Back when we had one (or maybe even two), your service record would have definitely caught our eye and earned you an interview.
The point is, like anyone else's resume, it could go either way. One issue is that the nanny world doesn't offer the same kinds of benefits as the military world (free health care, housing allowance, tuition benefits, etc.), and I would wonder how long you were planning to nanny before moving on to a different career.
That said, in our case, we have a bunch of little children, and we would be looking for more indication of your experience as a caregiver for multiple children of various ages. Back when we had one (or maybe even two), your service record would have definitely caught our eye and earned you an interview.
The point is, like anyone else's resume, it could go either way. One issue is that the nanny world doesn't offer the same kinds of benefits as the military world (free health care, housing allowance, tuition benefits, etc.), and I would wonder how long you were planning to nanny before moving on to a different career.
Anonymous
01/15/2015 09:34
Subject: Would you hire an Army Medic? (Or would it scare you away)
Actual nanny experience is what most families want and need. However, you have enough certifications to be a special needs nanny. I would list everything on your resume without trying to hide your military experience. Write a cover letter that explains your experience and how it tries into the nanny field. I'd also consider signing with a nanny agency to see if they could place you with high profile families that would appreciate your training.
Fyi, I have a good amount of training too CNA, advanced medical cpr/first aid, safety training for special needs and much more. I also have a BA in human services and a certificate in early childhood but what most families care about is my years of experience and personality. Everything else is meaningless unless their child has a medical condition.
Fyi, I have a good amount of training too CNA, advanced medical cpr/first aid, safety training for special needs and much more. I also have a BA in human services and a certificate in early childhood but what most families care about is my years of experience and personality. Everything else is meaningless unless their child has a medical condition.