New possible nanny and I have questions

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New possible nanny and I have questions

Phoenix 06-20-2007, 1:40 AM
I have recently started to try to get a nanny job and I have already been contacted form 4 different families. I had an interview with one of them (have not met the children yet), and so far I really like the family and would love to become a part of it (since that's what they want). I was told about all the requirements, that it would be salary based, all the responsibilities I would have if I were to be hired. It all sounds great but then I was wondering about managing my life while taking care of another family and their children's lives. It would be a full time, non live in position with some weekends and trips.

I know that being a nanny is a full time commitment, especially in this situation, but I'm a little worried about how I'm supposed to manage my own life, my own relationship while being there for the children. I want to know what other people's experience has been. I'm still in my early 20's and I don't have all my ducks in a row yet. I want this job to be able to help it, and help these children instead of becoming a detrement.

Any suggestions, expereinces and ideas would be very helpful.

Re: New possible nanny and I have questions

Chosen7Stone 06-20-2007, 4:30 PM
Hey Phoenix,

Wow, just the fact that you're asking a question like this shows me that you've already got the right personal basis to be a nanny. I've been doing this for 10 years now, and it's the best job imaginable.

What can be hard to balance is your love for the children (you will grow to love them very much) and the fact that it's a job. Balancing your personal life and professional responsibility is actually the easy part: just as with any other business, have set hours. You may have the regualar 8am-6pm Monday through Friday, and if the parents want you to work outside of that regular schedule (i.e. date night Saturday, or weekend trip) they need to tell you in advance. If you can't do it, you can't do it -- you've got something else scheduled.

Remember, they are your employers, not your slavedriver. Being a comfortable member of the family is important, but they're not actually your blood-related or marriage-tied family. Being a "member of the family" as a nanny means having the children's best interest in mind, and providing for them care that mimics the care their own parents would provide. It doesn't mean cancelling your Girls' Night Out because the mom called last-minute and wants a date night with her hubby.

*Love in Christ from Mary*
1 Peter 2:4-5

Vote my agency, Seminole Sitters, the "Best Overall Business" in Tallahassee for the 2007 Tally Awards at EverythingTallahassee.com!!!

Re: New possible nanny and I have questions

ohxmybeautiful1 06-21-2007, 1:42 AM

Chosen, I couldn't agree with you more.

And Phoenix, think about your boundaries beforehand- what you are willing to accept and what you're not willing to accept.

I took a job with a lady "Jane" (I posted about her before) and loved her and her family. The first month or so was great- Jane and I became really close and were almost like best friends. As great as that may sound, it ruined both our business and personal relationship. She started REALLY crossing the line of treating me like a friend and not the nanny/ employee by not paying me, by overworking me, and by talking about some really inappropriate things (ie. her sex life, marital problems, etc). Although I DO talk about personal things with my friends, it was a little too over-the-top to talk about that stuff with my "boss". Because she saw me more as a friend than the nanny, she just took advantage of me. I had several serious talks with her about it and although she promised to change, she never did and I no longer work for her.

I would STRONGLY recommend thinking about these things before accepting a job. Like Chosen said, you shouldn't feel you have to cancel previous plans you had just because the parents called you for some last-minute childcare.

Good luck!

Re: New possible nanny and I have questions

PB_and_J 06-27-2007, 1:37 AM
I can see your dilemna. Though it's not so much a dilemna as a worry. I have the same... I was just offered F/T from a fam that I sat for 2 days a week. The Mom decided to take the kids out of daycare b/c of some issues, and came to me first b/f looking for another daycare. I have the same concerns you do. I will be M-F 9-4pm, and that means having to change all of my classes to evening and online (I'm a F/T student as well). I really had to weigh the decision. On one hand, I love the kids and the Mom, they are wonderful. I knew I would enjoy being with them all day, as opposed to waitressing and only watching them 2 nights a week. I always knew this would provide them with more caring, attentive care than their daycare. On the other hand, I was starting to question how I would be able to "do it all". Moving my classes to accomidate the day schedule, waking up early after staying up late for classes and homework, etc. Plus, it also meant no more long weekend trips to visit family, going out to lunch with friends during the week, etc. I haven't had a set day schedule in a couple years, so I really had to think about it. Ultimately, I decided doing this job was worth it, and that I would just have to reassess my priorities, juggle around a couple commitments, and manage my time better. For instance, I was worried about getting all my homework done, so I asked the Mom if it was OK for me to bring it and do it doing the toddler's nap time. Since she naps for roughly 2hrs/day, that gives me 10hrs/wk of homework time that I can do on the job, and not late at night!! Also, I was concerned about waking up earlier than I was used to, so I have bought a bunch of chai tea and coffee, and I make myself a drink first thing in the morning, to get me ready for the day. Also, since she asked me to do some light laundry, I asked her if it was OK for me to do a load or two of mine while I was there. It's all about multi-tasking and making the best of your time. Yea, I won't get to watch as much TV, but that's for the better anyway!! And I was always concerned about my workout schedule, because I have been losing weight for the last couple months, and now, I take the girls for long walks in their wagon and bike rides. This helps in case I am too tired or can't make the time for a workout one day. It's all about the little things. Also, get yourself a planner, if you don't already have one. Budget your time.... Use it wisely. Make sure you're organized, and that way, there is less of a chance that you will forget about a commitment, and you can look at your schedule weekly and see if you have spread yourself too thin. Make sure you are prioritizing.

Hope this helps, and good luck!!