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Stay at Home Moms
brandlebugg
member
Intro and a Question about being a SAHM and nanny :)
brandlebugg
member
Hi moms!
This is my first time posting to this board, so for a quick intro. I'm a SAHM who graduated with my Masters in August of last year. LO was born Jan 1 so I was unable to find work between graduating, being pregnant, and having the baby. And now... I sorta love staying home with him. As you are all aware, it's not an easy job but it's wonderful that I'm not missing his milestones and that we're financially secure enough for me to stay home with baby.
My question is regarding a possible job opportunity I have been offered. One of my friends from church texted me yesterday and asked me if I would be interested in nannying for her. She has two children, one is 2 weeks younger than my baby and the other is 2 years old. The 2 year old goes to preschool two days out of the week for a couple hours a day. The job would be from 7a-3p, 4 days a week, $50 a day.
Has anyone on this board ever nannied while being a stay at home mom? Or is anyone currently doing this? I find it challenging during the day to come up with new activites for my 8 month old. I'm wondering if that is going to make nannying difficult, or if it might make my day as a SAHM a little better because LO will have another baby to play with. Any other thoughts feel free to discuss. I've never nannied before but I used to babysit a lot while I was a teenager; and the reason why this friend asked me is because I volunteer at church in the toddler room and her 2 year old loves me 
I'm just wondering if it's going to be too much to watch 3 LOs or if I'm going to go stir crazy.
I'm just wondering if it's going to be too much to watch 3 LOs or if I'm going to go stir crazy. Another thing I had just started a meetup playgroup in the area and I don't want to lose these new friendships which are starting. I'm nervous about trying to keep an eye on three kids (two the same age) if we ever go out of the house to do a playdate at the park, etc.
Ok. Go! and Thanks for your help!
BFP#1- 08/18/2012. MMC; D/C- 09/26/2012
BFP #2- 04/30/2013. Due 01/06/2014.
It's a BOY!-U/S 07/20/2013
A/S shows healthy baby with heartbeat of 138BPM- 08/20/2013
01/01/14- DS Born 5:54 am weight: 7lb, 14oz
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Intro and a Question about being a SAHM and nanny :)
I told my friend I'd like to try it out for a couple weeks before we set it in stone as a permanent position.
Best. Early. Birthday. Present. Ever.
I got $275 a week for watching one baby when I was pregnant with my first, and even that price was a favor. People are telling you that price is insulting because, well, it is. No one takes on an extra baby and a toddler just for funsies.
To be honest it kind of sucks and iv been want I to quit. Im going to stick it out until I have this baby tho(extra money for the holidays). Then im done.
Good luxk! Maybe you can try it for like 3 weeks at 1st and then re evaluate.
I can sort of answer. I have a strong background in early childhood education and am a certified teacher and I have zero interest in working outside the home and putting my daughter in daycare (while I go care for other children).
I just closed up my home daycare as I was caring for 5 children under age 2 (all 14-20months), I was working long hours and was so emotionally drained at the end of the day my family/husband were getting the least from me. I closed up daycare and I have decided to take on one child in MY home 3 days a week. It will be for only $55 a day (8.5hr/day). This child was my daughters best friend from my daycare and the family was very easy going. I know what to expect from the family and child going into this arrangement and I know the benefits to my daughter (and me) and I know the trade-offs.
Would I work OUTSIDE the home caring for another child in their home for $50 a day? NEVER. There is a HUGE difference between doing it in my home versus theirs. In my home I can do my cleaning and cooking and laundry while the kids play and sleep. I have no commute and I am in my own comfort zone. In my home I am the boss, in their home I am the employee and they are the boss.
Please keep in mind that it is a fair bit harder to entertain 2yr olds at the same time was 8month olds...they have very different needs and interests. Three is harder than 2 for outings...and again the age difference can make it a bit harder. Is it do-able...totally. Is it worth the money...likely not UNLESS you need the money.
I caution you to please realize that if you are working as a nanny, even if bringing your own child, you are NOT able to devote yourself to your child and your family. Again, if you need the money then it is totally do-able but if it's just to help someone else out I would strongly advise you to think it over very cautiously. You are not much help to them if you end up quitting in the near future when you are exhausted and unhappy.
I used to nanny before having my daughter and before teaching and I was making $15 an hour. Not all families can afford that and there are great families that can only pay $50 a day and there are great nannies that work those jobs...but I do truly believe now that they are either single childless women who love kids or they just really need some money because childcare is a truly exhausting job and it is very hard to be there for your own family after putting in 9-10hrs caring for a group of children.
I chose to close my home daycare to better be able to devote my time and energy to my family, I was making $210 a day (before taxes and expenses) and it just wasn't worth the time and energy it took when my toddler and husband were left with a mom/wife that was too exhausted and frazzled to meet their needs.
But by all means, keep on telling us to go to hell. If you can't handle the obvious truth that your getting cheated in this scenario then that's on you. Don't ask for advice and then turn your nose up at it when it's not to your liking.
QFP
I see stuff like this and it totally makes me wonder. I live in a pretty LCOL area too. And yes while you can find in home child are for $125 a week it is not a place I would want my kid. I am all about bargains but child are is one place I don't think one should bargain shop.
Costs for a home nanny should be a lot more than costs for home daycare. In home daycare the providers if being paid by numerous families so her income isn't just the $125 you paid. In this case her income will just be what the families pays. Home daycare fees do greatly depend on the area, the competition and the services provided. I was making $55 per child per day...other daycare up my street were making $35-40 per child per day (I was at capacity and they never were).
But, being a nanny is very different. You also have to factor in travel time. What will you do when your child is sick? What will you do when their children are sick? As a nanny it is expected that you care for sick children so the parents can still work...are you willing to bring your child with you when you know the other children are contagious? Will you have back up care for someone to care for your child when they are sick and you still need to work? The other family can't be expected to take a sick day so you can care for your child.
What will they do when you take a vacation? What will they do when you need time off to bring your child (or you) to the doctor)? Where will your child nap? How will you manage 2 infants at nap time...with a 2yr old. Who is responsible for feeding you and your daughter (will they supply the food)?
If you do take this job make sure you have a written contract covering all of the above so both parties know what to expect.
I'd also suggest asking this on the toddler board or another board...as you are asking a bunch of SAHM questions about being a working mom...likely not the best audience to get answers from!!!
Those of us with more than 1 kid (esp those with twins) have more experience with how hard it can be to take care of multiple LOs. And LOL that Babis are going to play with each other
I do this because I have to, because they're my kids. There is no amount of money in the world someone could pay me to deal with this every day if they weren't mine, and $50 a day for sure wouldn't even begin to cover it. You have one young child and are just heading into that magic and fleeting period of time when they're not helpless babies and they're not asshole toddlers. Don't ruin that for yourself and your daughter by taking on someone else's kids.
Another baby under age 1 plus a 2 year old? I think this would be really hard and make your days crazy. No WAY would I want to do that.
Leaving the pay out of it, there are all sorts of logistical issues that others raised. Car seats, going anywhere is a nightmare, kids being sick, one gets sick they all get sick. Plus, not sure if this was at your house or hers? Either way isn't great. AT your house, what if her kids wreck stuff? We had a nanny who brought a child and this was a big issue. He was wild and broke stuff all the time. At her house, you give up all your freedom and ability to get anything done during the day (for very low pay). The mess they make will be way bigger than the mess you have now, so you have to factor in dealing with that.
I would pass.
OP, a coworker of DH's casually mentioned offering me the "opportunity" to watch their preschooler and infant 3 days a week, on top of my twin toddlers, for way more than what you were offered. DH said "Oh hell no" before I had to :P
Muddling your apology with a dig makes you the troll in this situation girlfriend. The comment above reinforces that.
Ding ding ding.