For some this is dream come true. This nanny is earning six figures and she is sharing story the way it is. Check out what it takes

WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN SIX FIGURES AS A NANNY?

What is considered to be a nanny perk? Is it that hug and “I love you” from your charge, or how sometimes you can read and relax at nap time?

For me perks include free coffee, leftover Halloween candy, love and appreciation from my employers, and if it happens, gift under Christmas tree.

However there is this world where apparently being a nanny means you earn six figures, you go on crazy trips and enjoy life like you are a celebrity. World everyone talks about and dreams about.

How does it sound to have 20K bonus every six months? Weeks or months of nannying in Paris, or having personal chef cooking for you while you work? Not bad, I would say. Every time I get tiny bit upset with my employers, or when I need to save to buy something little nicer, I think to myself how I deserve more. I can work for someone wealthy and have a high life.

Except it’s not a high life. That seems to be something we often overlook. Those childcare providers sharing their stories and rubbing it in our noses don’t share the whole story, just the part that will make us envious.

Recently DailyMail posted an article about pampered lives of nannies working for wealthy families. Everything they wrote seems like a dream. Trips, pay rate, perks, adventures and you might read it, cry and google what it takes to be one of those nannies. It seems glamorous and fun, and here you are working for less than 13$ per hour. Truth is, anyone who ever worked as a nanny, au pair or even a babysitter knows what a nanny life is. We joke, make memes, laugh it off, but we work hard. We love kids and we love our jobs, but it is hard. That’s why when someone mocks us or share wrong information we feel insulted.

I love honesty. I love facts. When I ask a question, I expect elaborate answer, and that’s why reading that article from DailyMail was insulting. Those childcare providers are not doing us any favors by sharing how amazing it is to live that kind of life.

We need to tell others and to each other what it takes to be “one of them”. We need to be aware that everything has good and bad side and it’s our duty to educate others and ourselves.

As a response to DailyMail’s article, I will share something different. Truth.

You Want to Earn 6 figures as a nanny? It takes a lot to be in that point. Read what one of "those" nannies has to say about what it really takes

What is it really like to work for someone who is willing to pay 6 figures for a nanny

 

 

Do you have what it takes to earn 200K as a childcare provider? Check here what you need to be hired by celebritiesMy name is Shannon Albrecht and I am a Specialty Career Super Nanny….but you are all welcomed to call me “Nano”.

I’ve worked as a High Profile Nanny for 21 years. I’ve worked for the average family, for high profile families, and for celebrities. Some that stand out are business billionaires in Northern California, Country Music Stars in Nashville, TN, & Sport Stars and Rock Stars Nationwide.

Even though I make a six figure income now, I did not always make this income. I had to work very hard to get here. This is one of my pet peeves in regards to younger Nannies who almost expect to get this pay with their minimal backgrounds and short term experience. I’ve worked very hard for this pay. I personally believe that I am paid highly for several reasons: not only have I been a full time Nanny for over 20 years, I also have a background as a Child Swim Instructor, an ABA Therapist for Autistic Children, I’m a Child Behavioral Specialist, a Preschool Teacher, a House Manager, a Personal Assistant, I have a Pilot’s License, two Black Belts, and I worked as a Professional Clown in a working Circus! So I wear many hats in a home.

I never have set hours– I work 24/7 if needed–and I have very, very little demands. The past three years alone, I worked every single Holiday, including Christmas Day. I always have a “to go” bag packed for on-the-go demands. This is a carry-on size suitcase that houses two weeks worth of belongings. So when a client calls me at 3am to tell me we are getting on a private jet by 6am, I am immediately already ready to go. I work and travel in any city or country around the world. I recently worked in Canada, California, and Russia for the same family that owned three homes in all three countries.

To earn a six figure income as a Nanny you cannot expect to have time off, you don’t always get a lunch break, you often don’t even sleep 7 nights a week….you most definitely don’t get many holidays off, you can absolutely expect to work overtime (I average 100 hours a week), and you can kiss your social life goodbye. There have been weeks that I didn’t even shower due to pure exhaustion.

What is required from me is EVERYTHING.

Everything safe and legal that is, but pretty much everything. As stated above, I wear many hats in a home so if I need to cook, I cook. If I’m needed to wash the dog, I wash the dog. If they want me to garden, I garden. Another frustration I have amongst other Nannies (ones that expect this pay that is) is they get bent out of shape if they are ever asked to do ANYthing beyond watching the children. I’ll read message boards that say things like “The nerve! They asked me to do LAUNDRY today! Can you believe that!?! I’m not the Housekeeper lady, I’m the Nanny!” This statement will be from a Nanny who is simultaneously looking for a position that pays $150k/year.

For $150k/year you better be prepared to not only do their laundry honey, but also their dry cleaning, ironing, folding, steaming, putting laundry away, and acting as their packer and personal stylist. Don’t have time to do it in the day because you work 60-70 waking hours? Then you skip two nights a week of sleep and do it through the night. Period. I do not have limits on what I offer a family when I work for ones of this caliber.

If I was looking for an average 9-5 Nanny position, then yes, I would have limitations. But I would also be paid $16/hour for my 45 hour work week and I would know what people mean when they post “TGIF” on Facebook….ironically always on Fridays for some reason…hmmmmm?

Another way I keep my clients satisfied is I’m always one step ahead of them. Since I often also act as a Personal Assistant, I am continuing to help parents with their schedules, reminders of appointment, and keeping them on top of their day. If I’m not acting as their Personal Assistant or The Family Assistant (a term given to a Nanny who is also a PA for the whole family, including the children), I’m often the House or Estate Manager making sure the home is operating smoothly and the people that come and go are readily taken care of.

As stated a few times above, I have many pet peeves when it comes to younger Nannies. I’m in the process of opening my own Nanny Agency and in doing so I’m screening hundreds of Nannies. At least 70% of them THINK they are far more qualified than they are. Therefore I’m trying to spread the word and help educate all Nannies on how to obtain these high end positions and what it really takes to hold a six figure position down.

First off, do not count any “Nanny work” when you were under 18 years old. You were not a full time Nanny at 14. Therefore, if you are 20 years old, stop advertising that you have “10 years of Nanny experience”. Secondly, homes that are looking for a Professional Nanny or a Career Nanny that are willing to pay a six figure income (I personally have made $200k/year and have seen high end Nanny positions that pay $300k), are not looking to put you on an hourly schedule. They will likely need you around the clock, whenever they please and often on call when you are supposedly “off”. You are not allowed to have any demands (like wanting a lunch break, or overtime, or paid time off, or weekends off, etc), if you are applying for these type of positions, so don’t even ask.

Also if you plan to apply for a mega Nanny job, you should have more experience under your belt beyond three years of Nannying and two Summers as a Camp Counselor. These families want a Nanny with 10-20 years of full time Nanny work, likely a college degree or Masters Degree, high profile experience, work with fully staffed homes, that you speak multiple languages, Teaching experience, traveling experience, certified in multiple things like CPR/First Aid, and much, much more. If you are even thinking of applying to a job that pays $100k/year you should likely have at least 90% of the above under your belt.

Lastly, if you have babysitting experience, do not add that to your Nanny experience. Babysitters are great! They are very valuable to families and being a babysitter is something to add to your resume and to most definitely acknowledge, but babysitter work is FAR from Nanny work. So again, if you started Babysitting at 13 years old, and you are now 20, you do NOT have “7 years of Nanny experience”.

In summary, being a Career Nanny is hard….VERY hard. It’s tiring, it’s exhausting, it can be sad and frustrating and stressful; it is lonely and demanding and can push you to limits you didn’t know you had…..but it is also THE best job in the world! I will never be out of a job! There will always be the need for a Nanny. I get to change and mold the minds of our future generations. I get to meet and interact with celebrities and high profile families. I get to travel the world and meet new people every day. And because I’ve worked so hard for 20 years, I will easily retire before I see 50 years old.

 

It takes a very unique person to do what I do.

You must have confidence, patience, an easy going personality;

you must be patient, understanding, and have very little needs/demands;

you must have a tough skin and not take things personally;

you must be able to separate your emotions with your work and remain professional at all times while still loving the children you’re caring for as though they were your own;

and lastly you must have an unconditional and undying love for children…not just the cute and best behaved ones, but ALL children: the good & the bad!

If there is a Nanny out there reading this that believes they too have all of these qualities, I challenge them to truly find out if they do. If you have the experience and background warranted for these high end positions and you can last several years in them, then you too are a Super Nanny! There are few of us, but we do exist!

 

Nano

The Herbert Alfred Agnecy owned by nanny that earns 6 figures as childcare provider. Learn here what it takes
Website for Nano’s agency is still not active, but as soon as it becomes, we will share it with you.

 

 

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28 thoughts on “WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN SIX FIGURES AS A NANNY?

  1. Absolutely loved this article Shannon! Thank you for sharing your wealth of experience and home truths. Would love to have a chat sometime if you ever make it down under, although by the sounds of it I am sure you have been here multiple times.

  2. Thank you for this article! I have been a nanny for 10 years, and it is a tough but wonderful job. There is a big difference between an experienced professional nanny and a young woman doing nanny work for a bit before she decides what her career will be. Much of our work is invisible, but we do have a great impact on the future.

  3. “Everything safe and legal that is, but pretty much everything.”

    “You are not allowed to have any demands (like wanting a lunch break, or overtime, or paid time off, or weekends off, etc), if you are applying for these type of positions, so don’t even ask.”

    Actually, that is not safe or legal. Trading boundaries for money is bad business practice, stop chastising “younger nannies” for having boundaries you don’t have. There are plenty of nannies who work for high profile families who work legally and have good boundaries. Neither of which you have. You should not be starting your own nanny agency when you don’t even understand basic employment law.

    1. I don’t think she wants to promote that behavior as ok and legal, but more to show others how it’s not life what they imagine to be, Elijah. Being a nanny and working for 15$ per hour you will be taken advantage of in so many ways, not to mention working for someone paying so much more.

      1. I disagree. She makes it very clear in her statements that nannies should not expect breaks, PTO, or overtime. She goes so far as to describe those as demands instead of basic expectations and boundaries. 2 out of 3 of those are actually illegal to deny an employee, yet she explicitly says you should not expect that as a basic right of employment. This is very, very poor advice, and not representative of many high profile employers. To suggest nannies ignore very basic employment law and let go of their boundaries and life is very poor advice.

          1. According to the IRS, a nanny falls under the “household employee” umbrella and thus legally should not be paid a set salary. At least in the US, a nanny is to be paid hourly and with overtime for any hours worked over 40.

  4. This is actually a very well written, spot on article – not just about how to make six figures as a nanny, but many overarching themes cross over into how to make six figures in any career. Those who get ahead are the ones who work hard, do the dirty work, and put in the hours without whining or entitlement. Thanks for sharing!

  5. This is such a great article.

    I used to have two babysitting jobs when I was in high school, but they were really more like nanny jobs. I had set hours and days I would work. I not only took care of the kids but made meals, helped with homework, cleaned the house and other things that needed to be done. On holidays and weekends when the parents wanted to get away I would work more days, usually at the last minute.

    But I loved the job and it helped me learn to be flexible and accommodating when working other jobs. Plus I was always in demand from others who were referred to me by the two families I worked for.

    I believe it is those who work at honing their craft, putting in the extra effort no matter what job it is that succeed. If you whine or feel entitled you’re likely not to get ahead no matter what job it is.

  6. Wow, never would have thought a nanny could make that much (no offense intended since I know from personal experience how tiring and hard nanny life can be!). Great article.

  7. It’s interesting to get both perspectives here. Someone highly trained should get more. It makes me sad though to think of all the childcare providers who are earning $20,000 a year who are also devoting so much of themselves and working so hard.

  8. Nano is awesome! She set the bar for all our other nannies after her. She was always upbeat and organized and made our life much more manageable. She even offered to mow the grass weekly if that would help us. We feel fortunate to have had nano in our life and had her help us as an average family before she became recognized as the Super Nanny she is!

  9. I totally agree! This is not your average profession and if I am getting paid in the six figures I expect to give my “life.”

  10. So glad you posted this article, so accurate and well written . Keep me posted on your upcoming agency, thanks! Clair

  11. Nice article but Nano is a bit naive or should I say biased to think that the issue of wanting high pay with little to no experience and solid qualifications/credentials is synonymous with younger nannies. I actually think this trend is equally prevalent among older care-givers. That is, those who think they can claim to have 20 or more years of nannying experience simply because of their age. For example, a 45 year old mother who claims to have 20 years nanny experience because that’s the number of years she raised her children till they left home. OR the school teacher who states her nanny experience as 15 years because she’s been a teacher for 15 years. Or a career changer or first time nanny who decides to claim that she has 10 years experience as a nanny so she can look more desirable than “younger and supposedly less matured” nannies with actual experience. The examples go and on. While being a mother, teacher, etc. can be added bonus for being a nanny, it’s not the same as having nanny experience. The same way being a nanny doesn’t mean you have teaching experience or mothering experience. Some responsibilities such as overseeing the general well-being of children are similar but they are significantly on a grander scale. So my dear Nano, while you are busy pointing out younger nannies who exaggerate their credentials, be careful of older nannies who are doing the same if not worse. While it’s easier to believe that a 40 year old has 20 years nanny experience than it is to believe that a 25 year old has 10 years nanny experience (many use nanny and babysitter interchangeable), it’s important to be on the lookout for individuals who use friends/family/colleagues as previous employers just to boost their resumes, among other things.

    That aside, I agree with Nano’s input about some nannies wanting to have it all without giving it all. They want 6 figure salaries without doling out 6 figure services. OR they want to rub shoulder’s with the families top circle friends forgetting they are paid professionals not family friends. Yes, there are families that permit such for example my current family, however that is not and should not be the aim. No employer wants to deal with a star struck, money hungry or fame chasing employee because you might sell them out to the press if given the opportunity. Additionally, there are lots of high profile jobs where nannies live luxuriously and don’t have to do a lot or too much since there is literally someone for everything (that is my current position), it is however uncommon to find such privilege. In my previous position, I worked 75 hours a week on a “calm/relaxed” week and up to 100 hours/week on a busy week. The latter was much more common. In reality, the higher the pay, the higher the demands but it all evens out because no matter how demanding those jobs are, there is plenty to show for it. It all depends on how you wish to put it or view it.

    All in all, I am 26 and command an out of the world salary and while I don’t have decades of experience as a nanny, my credentials and passion speaks volumes. So if you believe you have what it takes even in the absence of lengthy experience, then go for it because ultimately, many families in my experience pay for what you can offer them and how you present yourself. Experience matters but there are times when passion/presentation trumps experience though having both is simply the best. If you think there is any achievement, interest, hobbies, skills, etc. that will make you appealing, then find a way to tailor it into the position you are looking for without sounding arrogant, beating around the bush or blowing hot air. Much love, peace and luck to everyone!

    -Belle, A Super Nanny-

    1. Hi Belle,
      While I realize your comment is almost a year old, and while I realize I’ve spent way too long on this article, and while I realize this is pedantic, as a person who is a non-nanny, I still felt offense when you gave the example of a mother who shouldn’t count her experience raising children as nanny experience. I respectfully beg to differ. Personally, before I had my own children, I volunteered a lot with kids – inner city tutoring camps and church nursery day cares. I am not saying that your nanny training was that light – but am only mentioning this because, once I had my own kids – I feel like that experience was second to none in teaching me how to be with kids. I know you will probably disagree with this but, there’s no motivation to do well like having your own baby in your own hands and knowing that it needs your best effort. Hearing that baby cry and knowing you are the one it’s crying for. Realizing all of it’s educational potential rests mostly solely on you. I don’t care if it sounds arrogant – it’s the truth – the things I’ve learned as a parent have been on an exponential learning curve, and now, 3 kids later, and 5 years later, compared to when I started – for me there is no comparison. I put my life into my children – literally, all of it. I seek out the best organic food I can find, meticulously prepare it, patiently teach them mind numbing children’s materials, take them to every educational event I can, give them hugs, loves, everything I can muster day in day out. And then I read your comment, and it is not a very nice summary, like my motherhood doesn’t count for anything – when actually, I feel it really does. Sure there may be women out there who just mindlessly leave children in a corner, or send them off to other schools, etc. – but I work with these kids, spend my life planning their curricula, coordinating their clothes, trying to teach and model good values; it forces me to be self aware of every word that comes out of my mouth, to be scurrying around cleaning up after them, and preparing for their next events most of the hours of the day, to be sometimes feeding one or both of them while trying to get the others into the car. To wake up several times a night to feed them, and even the eldest sometimes still wants his bottle. To go through mounds of laundry with people stealing socks and thinking it’s time to play laundry fort. I don’t care if it sounds pompous or self ingratiating I’m taking credit for it, and if I ever were to hire a nanny myself I certainly wouldn’t rule out mothers! That’s just cold! I’m not saying you’re any less experienced, but I think your own mother might be sad if you were to be like “yeah, 18+ years she spent investing in me…I could have done it all without her!” I mean it’s fine if you think that at this phase in life but, please realize that there are mothers out there doing what you are doing for their families without any monetary recompense sans food and shelter, and, our experience counts too. That is all I have to say.

      1. First of all, relax. Secondly, I clearly wrote that it’s a bonus but it’s not the same. I didn’t disregard it altogether like you falsely claimed. If you count your parenting background as a professional nanny experience then why not count it as medical experience as well for all the times you nursed your kids back to health or as a teaching a teaching experience for all the times you helped them with their homework or as a professional chef for all the times you cooked for your family and so on? Clearly both roles have a lot in common but commonality/similarity does not mean the same. How in the world is that offensive?

        It’s funny you made an ageist remark along with other jabs you took at me coupled with the wrong assumptions you made while complaining that you’re offended about my comment. Ridiculous, isn’t it?
        FYI: I’m proud of my mom as she is of me and I’m grateful for her as she is for me. So how would you feel if I questioned how your kids and your husband feel about you because it’s easy to assume they will be sad and ashamed of how sensitive and unreasonable you are based on your comment. Is that a fair assertion?

        Lest I forget, I’ve been a youth mentor and ambassador since I was in high school. I started out as a junior ambassador in school and worked my way up to serving as a board member of a top reputable organization. I became a foster parent at 20 to the children of one my mentees. I legally adopted them at 23. Being a foster parent at such a young age was very difficult, stressful and overwhelming but it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. So my dear, kindly spare me the outrage as if you’re the only parents here or the only one who understands the joys and challenges of parenting. As a former Professional Nanny/Governess, successful entrepreneur and foster parent turned ecstatic mommy, I am fully aware of the similarities and differences between each role. Maybe if you walked in my shoes, you would get it too… then again, it’s not necessary to do so because we all have our own story and outlook.

  12. I am a nanny in London for over 17 years , I was a young mother myself once ( a daughter of 28 now ) .
    This is so true. I dedicated almost all my life to this job because I truly love children and as you said above , any child! And if you truly love children like we do, patience is something that comes naturally, you won’t notice that you are patient , it’s like with your own child. You might need patience with the parents occasionally ,but yes , you must be a very humble person and be prepared to complete any task.
    I never been a party person and I have very small needs. I don’t drink alcohol ( ever! ) , never smoked and my best day off is be able to go to the cinema two hours.
    I still love this job , but I realised this is not a job you can do forever and we have all got our expiry date.
    I found a Prince Charming doing this job and now I am lucky enough to spend time with all my ex – charges and doing it for fun , free of charge for my ex employers !
    I could never see myself not surrounded by children , I always wanted to be a mother of four , I have been blessed at least to be a mother of one.

    Kikka – The London Nanny

    1. Hi Kikka! I am glad things turned out well for you! I always admired people who are patient with all children. I can definitely say while I love children in general, I always wonder about how this practically works out. Like most women, I LOVE babies. I was once devastated when there was this chubby, fat, beautiful 5 month old (back when I had one child), that had already found care (I guess I have endless baby fever). However, I often wonder how nanny’s handle the 2 year old phase. I think if I were ever theoretically a nanny in the distant future, I would have to take a hiatus when the child turned 2. There’s some wonderful 2 year olds out there but, I once had to watch a classroom of 2 year olds and I realized that I would actually literally rather be treating sewage than carefully prying one of them off another amongst maniacal squeals. I can’t even imagine what it would be like if one were not in a position to reprimand the child at all. My own children have the liberty to at times talk back to me (though they don’t much employ it), but, I’ve seen 2 year olds that are not just high needs, but…one step down from literally crazy. I always wonder if a nanny might wind up the subject of emotional abuse, as the parent might think their own child is perfect and needing no direction, and having limited exposure to their child, would innately “side with the child”. I guess it’s never happened to me but, I can only imagine how horrible it must be to be moved in and under contract and discover the child is unlikable. Is it wrong to call some children unlikable? Maybe I’m not really cut out for it. I guess if you have the child since it is a baby you can work with it investing in its development to get it to be a great human being, but, how do you prevent being the last nanny in a string of previous failures? My eldest child was a very high needs child (I love him to death but)…while I indefatigably put up with every tantrum…including the irrational one for the store fixtures at the Dollar Tree (not for sale, and he *needed* them)…I could never see someone else putting up with crazy stuff like that. Or the night terrors. Or the fits for the toy in his brother’s hand. Or the OCD about having an egg cut up a certain way. I think I’m lucky for this hormonal stuff that is spilt into our brains after having a baby but…I always wonder how tolerant a person would be if it’s not their biological child…

  13. hi Shanon, do I stand a chance, I am already 50 years old, though very well presented and of black african origin. please advise

  14. What absolute garbage. As a full time Nanny myself I work hard and long hours and I understand how much patience it takes to work with children. With that said, I can understand your enthusiasm attempting to promote this. However, I do not think it is safe (nor is it legal) to promote to young people going into the job that they should expect a lack of breaks, lunches and such things which we are fully entitled to. It is totally biased and really showing a lack of knowledge when you assume young people are jumping into this without experience. 1 where are your statistics? And 2 how is this helping anyone?
    I understand the point here working towards a six figure salary- of course you would be bending over backwards. But if anything you should be telling men and woman in this profession that they can be inspired from what you do and do the same- without the condescending lists of things you have accomplished and judgement for people who expect a nice life outwith Nannying. Also, there are many many people who work just as hard and as long as you but they do not pop peoples bubbles. In reality I respect these people more as they are passing on their wisdom rather than
    I could go on and on but in conclusion all I read was a self important list which you aimed to put off everyone else who was considering the job- disheartening them before they’ve even begun. In future, you would receive some dignity by encouragingly educating childcare’s rather than disregarding people who love children, after all that’s what it’s all about.

    1. Hi Maryanne…I can kind of see where you are coming from; the author does have a lot of pride in what she does but, is that necessarily a bad thing? I’m not a nanny (nor do I pretend to know the conditions under which they work) but, a lot of times with my own 3 kids, I am scurrying around the house trying to plan organic meals, execute on them, do laundry, clean up inordinate amounts of slobber, make sure the hamster is still with us, etc. It sounded to me like perhaps she was just going through a list of stuff she has to do in a day, not to sound important, just to give people a realistic perspective into it. Now I’m not for a minute saying taking care of your own kids is like taking care of other people’s kids, to their standards (for example, my husband is very gracious about intermittently accepting a sometimes enormous laundry pile I never get around to ironing), but…is the fact that she is busy offensive? Maybe because of the exhaustive nature of our current situation with the kids being young, I didn’t really see anything unrealistic about the job…just…kind of the nature of it. I could be wrong. To be honest in the microcosm of our home, my deepest regret is that I can’t do all the things she is doing, because I’m so often cleaning (and yes, we have a dishwasher, but the meal prep and cleaning…I don’t know how 1 person can get past it and then still construct educational activities etc.) Much less have a pilot’s license! That is so cool! I kind of read this in the same way maybe an engineer would read about people making breakthroughs in DNA coding or something of the sort…like some fantastical extreme not representative of probably 99% of people working in the field…

    2. I completely agree with you. Terrible advice and patently untrue. I am a 28 year old nanny/family assistant to a wonderful, RESPECTFUL billionaire family in nyc; I have a 6 figure base salary, with excellent benefits and very generous annual discretionary bonuses, and my employers are incredibly respectful of my time. I’m one of three nannies in the house, and my hours are 40 per week (I stay a bit late here there, so maybe 40-45 per week). But NEVER have I work more that 50 hours (except during travel, for which I get additional compensation). I’m not washing dogs and doing laundry, and in my opinion ultra high net worth families don’t what that. They want their nannies to focus on the kids, their housekeepers to focus on the house, their laundresses to focus on the laundry, chefs to focus on the food, etc. I think this is TERRIBLE advice for nannies, or any domestic worker, and I would seriously reconsider working with this woman’s agency if these are her expectations.

      1. Thats great! Im so happy that I read your comment. I am close to the city and want to eventually find a job there. I think some families know that worth of having a nanny that will take REAL and EFFICIENT care of their children. There’s no way ONE person could do all that and do it all well.

      2. I agree with you! I am 27 I have worked for people who have made me do 24/7 but also with people who have made me do a lot less for a 6 figure salary. i would never do the entire washing, steaming etc tho…..that is slave labour for $150000…..I hope people do not listen to this lady…!

  15. Hi Nano. At the risk of aggravating you, I still wanted to venture that I understand where you are coming from! I have 3 kids under 5, and gave up my engineering job because I missed them so much. Now don’t get all mad, I am not saying it’s the same to watch someone else’s kids as it is your own (I am deeply indebted to my husband for agreeing to this) – but, even though they are my kids and I naturally feel absolute joy to be around them, especially the baby – I feel I can totally relate to the barely having a moment to yourself. We do attachment parenting kind of to the extreme, so, at any given point there are 2 babies feeding off of me, and many kicks around at night! Not really because of any training, but because of that feeling of pain when the children are in any kind of distress, I am always scurrying around between one or the other trying to keep them all happy and engaged. I admire people who don’t get burnt out doing this for years on end! I am not yet currently burnt out…but, I always wonder how hard it must be to be perfectly composed even after long 24 hour shifts without the liberty to fully express oneself. Or what it would be like to have the expectation of having everything be perfect ontop of all the other expectations. Right now I take my eldest to a homeschool coop on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to a Nature Coop (but all these are such that I have to be with them, and often with other kids scurrying around too, because I am the support person), and then Fridays we do Classical Conversations. I used to do all these well structured diagraph activities with my eldest, and made board games and so many learning activities off of Play Dough to Plato. I always feel guilt now with 3 that I haven’t structured enough to accelerate them. How do you nanny multiple kids? I have 3. To be honest, I really want a 4th. My husband is adamant that I not go past 4. I think he is hoping I will someday return to work. I have this crushing anxiety about leaving the kids, and I just can’t see doing it until they are in middle school or so. I know this will sound terrible to say but, from what I witness of other homeschooled kids, there is such a residual purity left there in some of them, and genuine love for humanity, and I deeply want that for my own children so, I sometimes think I’ll stay with them prolongedly. I’ve thought of nannying later in life if I am unable to get any engineering work. Engineering was never really my passion, although I could perform very well with it; I didn’t really hate it, I just never felt passionately for it. I guess I am bilingual, not that anyone wants to learn Romanian lol. I know Spanish too, but, not probably to the level someone would need for something like that. I don’t really know where life will eventually take me, but, I care more about my current investment in my children than anything else so, I am prepared to probably be poor in old age (yipes!) or to do unfulfilling contract work. If you have a moment, which you probably don’t by the sound of things, can you give me a glimpse into what the kids’ lives that you tutor/nanny are like? I keep hoping to help my kids achieve things in life, but, we do so much free play..I often wonder if it’s too much free play. I saw this little Japanese girl wonderfully playing violin, but my eldest never got into it. I guess when I imagine the kids you nanny I am thinking they are probably all early readers, fluent in various languages, put together and well mannered, etc….is it true? Is this the result of effective nannying? My kids are well behaved and critically think but, I always wonder what people with more experience are doing. Very curious if you have the time to hear what life is like for you. Thanks. Alice

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