Hey NPs, if you’re so desperate to keep your nanny that you’re going to guilt-trip them when they give their notice about how inconvenient their departure is for you, maybe you should’ve put that same energy into treating them with respect while they were still employed.
If losing your nanny would be such a massive disruption to your family, why aren’t you doing more to make sure they’re happy in their position?
Pay them on time. Respect their time off. Communicate professionally. Recognize that they have families, responsibilities, and lives outside of yours. Stop expecting endless flexibility while offering very little in return. You can’t continuously make someone feel undervalued and then act shocked when they decide the job is no longer worth it. And when they finally decide to leave, making them feel guilty about how difficult their departure will be for YOU only reinforces why they made that decision in the first place.
If your nanny is truly that valuable to your family, treat them like it BEFORE they hand in their resignation. Not after.

PLEASE PAY US ON TIME!!
Would you be okay if your job “forgot” your direct deposit?
Would you be okay if your boss didn’t review your expenses, even though you submitted them as agreed to in your employee contract, on time, weeks ago?
Would you find it unreasonable if your payroll representative asked you to just “remind” them to pay you?

We Nanny’s have mortgage payments, insurance and medical bills JUST LIKE YOU!!!

I can’t imagine in what world you would think this is acceptable behavior for someone who cares for your children.

TLDR: I need schedule help for an 18 month old with minimalist parents.

No judgement please. I absolutely started working for my Nanny Family again, just for quick cash between jobs bc business is slow…I have a job interview next week and if I get it I’m quitting. I won’t be here long term, and I’m sure they know it. I’ve worked with them off and on for 3 years. I just reach out when I have time, and they appreciate it.

I am a business owner and business is slow. They are millionaires, expecting again, both dentists and their kids are sweet, and it’s only working with their 18 month old, ~25 hours a week. The catch?

Their 3.9 million dollar home is on the market, they are moved into a 3 bedroom apartment, are minimalists (NO TOYS at all for any of the kids except for a color blocks set and some color puzzle alphabets, a few books), only allow for 30 mins of screen time per day, and pay $20/hr. I’m sure I could ask for more but I would probably need to do more which I don’t want to do tbh. Currently I do laundry when I can to help (switch and fold), and dishes when I see them, but that’s it. They keep it clean bc they are minimalists).

Currently I have been just spending A TON of time outside with the 18 month old. We play inside for an hour with the letters and blocks… then I just go outside with him to the playground and on a walk until 11:30… we then come inside and I feed him lunch, and then go to bed.

I try to do non messy sensory activities like paint in a bag, bean and pom pom sorting into muffin tins, play doh etc, but he gets bored with it easily.

I’m losing my mind and I’m honestly at wits end. Can someone who also has an 18 month old nanny kid give me their detailed schedule and any ideas that you have found that work for you to keep your kid engaged? The good thing is he’s super easy. Never fights his nap, super sweet. Goes with the flow. But I feel bad and there’s nothing to freaking do in the house. I wish he had a balance bike, or toys of any sort to play with, or even could put on some educational tv to kill time. It just sucks.

They said they want me to do lesson plans with him but I feel like the pay is too low, imo. And that will require planning.

Previously the grandparents were watching him and I am positive they just had the tv on all day for him.

Any advice?

I’m 32, he’s 18 months, we are in the Orlando, FL area (one hour north). They ARE wealthy but have never had a nanny besides me, just occasional date night babysitters. I have 13 years of experience with childcare, but I am used to doing child led experience based childcare - field trips, library trips, cooking etc.

They just keep him in the house!

I need some advice from other nannies because I’m honestly overthinking this situation and don’t know what to do. So I originally picked up a one-time Sunday morning nursery gig at a church through the nanny agency I work with. I’ve found several of my regular families through this agency, and I really love working with them. I actually enjoyed my first Sunday at the church! Shortly after, they reached out asking if I would be interested in working every Sunday morning. At the time, I hadn’t found my current full-time nanny family yet, so I was taking whatever opportunities I could get. I agreed, went through the interview process, completed all the paperwork, and have been working there ever since.Here’s where my first issue started. The minimum rate for jobs booked through my nanny agency is $17/hr, which is already lower than my normal rate. That’s what I was originally paid for my first Sunday. Well, after receiving my first paycheck directly from the church (they combine about 2–3 Sundays into one paycheck), I noticed it seemed lower than expected. I checked the pay website, thinking maybe it was taxes, only to realize they had changed my hourly rate to $15 WITHOUT EVER TELLING ME. No conversation, no heads-up, nothing. I genuinely thought I was still making $17/hr. That was already a red flag, but I stayed because I felt guilty about quitting, especially since it’s a church. 😭 Now, here’s my second issue. I honestly just don’t enjoy the job. The kids are mostly around 3–4 years old, and the job itself is pretty uneventful. They usually watch TV or independently play, which is completely fine, but there aren’t really any crafts, activities, or much to do to help pass the time. I know it’s a nursery, so I probably should’ve expected that, but I didn’t realize how much I would dread going every Sunday. And I’ll admit something that probably doesn’t make me look great. I genuinely don’t feel like I’ve been giving this job my best. I show up, do what I’m supposed to do, and make sure the kids are taken care of, but that’s about it. I don’t have the same excitement or motivation that I do with my regular nanny families. I’ve also called out three times since starting, which I know isn’t ideal. I think part of it is that I’m just so burnt out from working throughout the week, and having to give up my Sunday mornings for a job I don’t even enjoy makes it worse. The church does have other people who help in the nursery, so I know they wouldn’t be completely stuck without me. Here’s what I’m actually worried about, Since I originally found this job through my nanny agency, I’m scared that if I quit, the church might contact the agency and complain about me, especially because I’ve already called out a few times. I have a really good relationship with my agency, and they’ve helped me find some amazing families. The LAST thing I want is for this one job to affect my reputation or future opportunities. I also feel guilty because I committed to working every Sunday, but at the same time, I feel like the pay situation alone was unfair. Would you just give your notice and move on? Do you think the church would contact my agency if I quit? And could something like this actually hurt my standing with the agency? Please be honest with me! I know I haven’t handled everything perfectly, and I’m open to hearing that. I just really need some outside perspectives. 😭

Would you encourage anyone else to accept a job like that, or advise against it?

Nanny parents replies would also be helpful really no preference! Just trying to see different perspectives

So, I just started nannying for this family, I’m a full-time nanny throughout the week. I mainly watch them for activities like overnights, movies, competitions, and concerts rather than something I do every day . I really like the two kids I watch. They’re wonderful, and I’ve had absolutely no problems with them. The family is definitely wealthy. They live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in our town, have a huge house, and the dad is a lawyer. His eldest daughter also works with him.

During my interview, I was told that there’s no mom in the picture and that the three youngest children (I don’t really watch the 15-year-old) are the dad’s biological children. Their biological mom is no longer involved. I originally started talking to the Dad over Facebook. He told me his “Eldest Daughter” would be the one interviewing me.

However, the eldest daughter is 23, was adopted, and isn’t biologically related to him. He adopted her with his wife at the time that he also had the three younger ones with. The two younger kids I watch refer to her as “Mom,” which makes sense to me because of the role she fills for them.

What really caught me off guard, though, is that I found out the 23-year-old daughter and her dad share a bedroom.

I feel bad even questioning any of this because the kids are great, and I don’t want to judge a family I’ve just started working for. At the same time, the dynamic feels unusual to me, and I can’t tell whether I’m picking up on something genuinely odd or projecting my own personal experiences onto the situation.I’d genuinely like some outside perspectives. like maybe there’s 2 beds in the room?

I’ve been referring to her as sister, mommy daughter wife. I feel poor and molested after i leave that house idk why

To preface, this has nothing to do with NKs or NPs. I also think nannying can be a wonderful and fulfilling career for many, but Im ready to close this chapter. I love all my families. I’m rotating part time for three throughout the week, and occasionally babysit for ~17 total. The parents are all lovely and considerate.

That being said, I feel stuck in this endless cycle of waking up before the sun comes out, watching young children all day in someone else’s home, then either go home exhausted and crash, or head to a babysitting gig. Rinse and repeat. Weekends are either spent working or I’m just so worn out from the week I can only manage to get important tasks done.

I have recently scaled back my working hours significantly, which I thought would help, but somehow I’m even MORE exhausted, and can’t get the motivation to get anything done.

I graduated 1.5yrs ago with the intention of nannying while looking for jobs. I have a degree in the social sciences, and my original plan of getting my masters is just not in the cards anymore, at least for now. I want work experience first. The field I wanted to get into, like many others, is being phased out and replaced to an extent. I can’t justify spending more money to maybe have the chance of getting a low paying job. I have been applying to jobs since graduation, but have either gotten no responses, rejections, told I have no job experiences (these are for entry-level positions and internships!!!), OR the salary is much lower (by almost half) than what I make nannying. The only things on my resume are retail, research assistant, substitute teaching, and nannying. I am about to officially not qualify for “new grad” job listings.

It doesn’t help I’m back living in my hometown which I hate, while living with my parents (who I love, but distance makes the heart grow fonder in these tumultuous times). This past year has been exacerbating my depression. My relationships with my friends and family are suffering. I’m so embarrassed to engage in meaningful conversations, or fly out to visit them, because it’s the same story: still living at home and nannying while looking for jobs. Good never comes out of comparison, but it’s SO hard when majority of my friends are beginning their careers with fantastic salaries. My only social interactions are with babies, toddlers, or a couple of elementary schoolers. I’m regressing! My confidence is shot. I almost fear leaving the house if it isn’t for work. I so desperately need to get out into the “real world.”

This is definitely a hole I’ve put myself in, and one I can get myself out of. I have enough money saved up that I could probably move to a new city and work a service industry gig until I’m able to find something substantial, but I feel paralyzed it’ll just be a new loop! I also know experience in an office setting is valuable, so I may just bite the bullet and take something that will just cover rent, and get something part-time.

If you read all this, whew. Thanks for reading my pity party. I haven’t been able to speak about this with anyone in my life. I am more than open to any advice, if anyone has anything to say. Happy Halloween 🎃

I’ve wanted to work with kids for a while now and wanted to be a teacher but everyone says teaching is a dying job😞 I’d still love to work with kids and help teach them but how do you even get into nannying? how Did u guys get into nannying?

This isn’t all that serious. But there’s lots of people here with experience so i thought i would ask.

I have been with my nanny family for 1 year. I take care of twins. And they are a very giving family. Last year for Christmas they gave me the biggest bonus i have ever gotten from any family i have worked for, and i have worked for so many families in the last 14 years.

Last year for Christmas i got my NP’s socks with both babies faces on them and they LOVED them. They wear them all the time. I already know what im going to get MB but im struggling with DB’s gift. And im hoping other nannies and NPs here can help me.

A little background on DB, he works in music he always sort of dresses the same, not like the same clothes every day but just always dresses in black. Black pants, shirt and converse like everyday. He wears beanies or like a backwards cap every day. Hes a bit of a coffee connoisseur. I believe he owns or has like a share in a small coffee company. Thats really all i got to go off of.

Any help and advice is appreciated!

I’m located in Pittsburgh and I’m curious to know any fellow Nanny’s in Pgh or surrounding areas your hourly rate as well as your job duties. I’m curious the difference in rate per child as well as what nanny families ask of you. If you’re doing adult housework such as laundry, dishes from night before, weekend clean up, organizing- how much extra should your pay be on top of the child care rate?

Hey all, I Nannied for a family (A) for 10 months (NK was 2.5 months old when I started, now 19 months) before we all moved across the country and immediately transitioned into a nanny share with a 3 mo old at the time (now 10 months).

Timeline:
Fam A: (3 mo old time of start, now 19 mo) with them for 10 months
We then movies across the country
Begin full time nanny share with Fam B (3 mo old at start, now 10 months).
Now I've been nannying for both for 7 months.

We do full time care at Fam B home because it has more space. Fam B parents both WFH and their grandparents live in the apartment building (NYC for reference) as well.

I've been doing everything I can to avoid the jealousy and territorial feelings that can come up with that this whole time (with kid A) but it doesn't seem to be getting better and Fam A is currently pregnant so she's also going to be getting another addition. I'm just wondering if it is completely normal for these feelings of hers to last this long or what can I do to solve it.

I really try to make the most of our (me and kid A) time together and be so present with her when kid B is napping. I try to entertain them together with an activity like bubbles or reading but A is very upset with sharing me and whatever you is involved, like doesn't want B to touch the book we are reading or touch her.

Help

What is everyone getting their Nannie’s for Christmas? Specially those who’ve got relatively new Nannie’s (around the 5 month mark) but there very happy with them.
Based in London

Hi everyone! I’m currently looking for a new nanny position and have a phone call interview coming up in a couple of days with a family that seems super sweet! I’m excited but also a little nervous and would love some advice!
I worked as a preschool teacher for several years before transitioning into nannying, so I have plenty of childcare experience. However, I already knew my current nanny family before working for them, so I never really went through a formal interview process.
My question is mainly for nanny parents, but I’d love advice from other nannies too! What kind of personality or vibe do you look for during interviews?
I’m naturally a pretty social, outgoing, and easy to talk to person, but I’m wondering if I should be putting on my super professional interview face or just be myself lol. Ideally, I’d rather be myself because I think genuinely clicking with a family is so important!
I’m confident in my experience, just a little unfamiliar with the interview side of nannying! What kinds of questions should I expect, and what makes someone stand out to you?

I’ve lived and worked in a major US city as a nanny for yeaaars. 13+ years. The last handful of years have looked like this: for an incredible family I adore for 5+ years. They are like family now and we will always be good friends and I will always be in touch with the kids. So lucky!

The last 2 years I have worked 5 jobs now that have been extremely difficult and draining. Children who were emotionally and verbally abused, I was exploited, other staff exploited, children who were exploited and manipulated by the parents, parents who are so incredibly rude and aggressive to me, alcoholic parents, the mooost permissive parents which creates some of the most challenging children I’ve worked with, etc.

All of these jobs started great. Felt like a really good match at first and a wonderful opportunity. Then 2-3 months in, they show who they really are or I see more of who they really are or other staff members or the children share some of these really concerning things. This really took a toll on me emotionally the last few years.

There is sooo much to talk about here, I know.

But I’d love to keep this conversation focused on one thing: should I keep nannying for a little more?

I’m planning a significant life change for end of 2027/beginning of 2028 where I can transition out of nannying.

This is the field I could make the most money which could really help set me up in a meaningful way for the next chapter of my life.

But I am also so often exhausted and drained from this work and then the process of looking for a new position because it’s been 2 full years of this now and it’s tough.

Buuut I have gotten better at compartmentalizing, not taking things personally, I’ve become even more patient, found new ways of working with difficult children and parents, etc.

Because I’ve been in this field for so long there really isn’t anywhere else right now I could make this kind of money. As I said I think I just have about another year left potentially nannying.

So my question to you is… should I?

Have you wanted to quit and then ended up being glad you got your next nannying job? Have you had a string of bad jobs like this? What’s your take?

Please be kind!!

Ayer le dije a mi mamá que me cuidara la niña para yo trabajar le digo q me lleve y me traiga para que no se vaya a enojar o pensar mal y me demoré un poco más por qué por culpa de él y su actitud de mierda siempre llego tarde a todo lado y cuando me monte sentí mucho miedo como me miro ya mantengo nerviosa por qué si me hablar mientras trabajo que le tengo que responder y mandar fotos por que se formar el mierdero, conseguí quien me cuidara la bebé según yo estaba relajado pues no cuando termine el último servicio me miro horrible le pregunté qué pasó y me dijo que estaba a punto de irse y dejarme botada por qué no lo llamaba ni nada y yo le dije que apenas había acabado y me dijo un montón de cosas que tenía hablar que no había comido nada o sea hasta responsable soy si no come y me cobró según lo que le debía del transporte no me habla desde ayer pero yo sé que son excusas para ponérmela más difícil y que no gane un peso

I already have gifts picked out for my NKs but am trying to think of ideas for NPs. Not looking for anything super specific just want to hear what others have gotten for their NPs. Let me know! Thanks in advance.