Any tips for a future live-in nanny?

Question

I'm looking for any parents who have had or currently have a live-in nanny as well as anyone who has live-in nanny experience. I'm excited but nervous, I start working taking care of 4 children in August.

Answer 1

Don't let them take advantage of you. Just because you live there doesn't mean that you are ON 24/7. Legally you have to have 8 hours between your shifts (If you are reporting these wages for Social Security). If you are not reporting your wages you are s******g yourself out of future retirement benefits. I was a nanny (Not a live-in) but they tried to get me to go on my days off to take the little girl to her dad's home an hour away because he didn't want to be bothered. I told him that my days off are already booked and he would have to make other arrangements. I was pregnant and I set up my doctor appointments for those days, so it was not an option, especially since they were not offering to pay for my gas/time for the extra day. Make sure they give you gas money for when you have to take the kids somewhere especially since the price is going to go up again.

Answer 2

I've been a live-in and live-out nanny for several families. Being a live-in nanny is nice but just be careful they don't take advantage of you. I was a live-in nanny for a single mom of 4 kids and she used to take advantage of me being there and even when she was not working, she would head out to the store and leave the kids with me without even asking. She would just come in my room with the baby and plop her on my lap and say "I'll be right back I need to run out to the store...do you need anything while I'm out?" and I'd be stuck. I could have said no but I kind of felt like I didn't have much choice because I needed the job and the place to live. I would set some ground rules up front about how flexible you will be with caring for the children on off times.

Also make sure you not only get room and board but also get a pay check.

For me it got to a point where I ended up moving out and continuing to be their nanny but as a live-out instead because then I had my freedom. I would suggest living out at first to make sure you all get along really well. It can be different living with people than just visiting daily.

Answer 3

Ryans Mom is absolutely right..DONT get taken advantage of whatsoever.They will tell you "oh you are part of the family" etc etc and then they will start asking you to do "favors" when its your time off like "oh please watch them for a few minutes so I can go to the store" DONT fall for it, once you say yes, they take full advantage.Make sure you are paid well, especially for watching 4 kids you should be getting atleast $15-20 an hour if not more.On your days off try to get out and do your own thing, if they see you hanging around the house, they tend to ask you to do stuff which is unpaid too.Or like in my case the STAY AT HOME MOM would get resentful because she actually had to spend time with her kids on my time off and as soon as she saw me enjoying my free time she would get bitchy if I didnt give in and babysit.(I was working almost 70 hours a week and she napped and shopped all day).

Make an effort with the kids though, they dont always bond with new nanny's at first, especially if they really liked the previous one.So it may be tough at first until they get used to you, dont get disappointed too soon (unless they really are brats, in that case RUN lol).

Just make sure that they know you are an adult too and entitled to your own privacy just as much as anyone else.

Oh and one more thing,I know it sounds crazy but please make sure you sign off properly on all email accounts , myspace pages etc, especially if you are using their computer..Ive had so many friends get fired because of Nosy parents going into their email accounts etc and reading their personal stuff.

Goodluck!

Answer 4

ryans mom is correct.  if they are normal they will slowly turn you into a maid , cook, butler, chaufer. the more you do the more they push on you.  lay down the rules hard and fast.. they will threaten you with being fired but dont give in. if you are doing a good job , they wont be able to let you go and the proof in the pudding will be how the children react to you and behave .  cocentrate on the kids because that is why you are being hired

Answer 5

start with a live out nanny.  don't get jealous of her no matter what and encourage the relationships that are forged.  pay well.