New at being a Nanny

Hello everyone,

I have a question...well a couple of questions. I am looking for a position to be a nanny or baby sitter, anyone know the difference? I am sorry for the stupid questions I ask. What should I be charging? What about if they want a Nanny and they want light housekeeping? I love children so I have no problem with taking care of them, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of.

Are there things I should look for that arent right? Any tips that anyone can give me? Should I sign a contract? I saw a post about someone not signing a contract. I really appreciate your help with this.

A little background on me, I have been married for 3 years, no kids but want some...yes SOME not one :). I have been working in an office environment for 7 years and I am ready to get out of it. I am 27 years old.

Thank you so much,

CaliNanny

Wats THE ENVIRONMENT LIKE FOR BEING A NANNNY?

Ive never hired a nanny before but I am currently looking for one (live in only) and I plan to have a contract drawn up and legalized by a notary public.

Make sure you sign a contact that outlines overtime, holiday pay, household duties, etc. I am a nanny and didn't have a contract. I felt I was being taken advantage of because I wound up doing 100% of the housework, then when I started to set boundaries the mom and I got into an argument that resulted in my two weeks notice. The bottom line is do your homework about being a nanny and sign a contract.

This post is somewhat old but it can still help others who read it. There are answers to all of your questions and more at jobsnannywork.com. You can also look for work there. There are several classifications for "nannies" and knowing the difference can help you focus on the specific area that your skills will be best for. Good luck and God bless.

Difference between a nanny and babysitter I think mostly depends on age and responsibility. I think of a babysitter as younger and in there teens. Nannies are usually at least 21 and have had much childcare experience. Nannies usually will help out with light housekeeping and babysitters don't. Nannies will drive children to activities, schedule playdates, doctors appts etc. You should definetly have a contract drawn up stating pay, hours, holidays off, vacation and sick time etc. There are a lot of families who will take advantage of there nanny.

Looking for childcare

Vee said: Ive never hired a nanny before but I am currently looking for one (live in only) and I plan to have a contract drawn up and legalized by a notary public.

Have a look at Totallychildcare,com

CaliNanny in La Habra, California said: Hello everyone,

I have a question...well a couple of questions. I am looking for a position to be a nanny or baby sitter, anyone know the difference? I am sorry for the stupid questions I ask. What should I be charging? What about if they want a Nanny and they want light housekeeping ? I love children so I have no problem with taking care of them, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of.

Are there things I should look for that arent right? Any tips that anyone can give me? Should I sign a contract ? I saw a post about someone not signing a contract. I really appreciate your help with this.

A little background on me, I have been married for 3 years, no kids but want some...yes SOME not one :). I have been working in an office environment for 7 years and I am ready to get out of it. I am 27 years old.

Thank you so much,

CaliNanny

Have a look at totallychildcare.com

Gail huitt in Lufkin, Texas said: Wats THE ENVIRONMENT LIKE FOR BEING A NANNNY?

It can be really good have a look at totallychildcare.com

I work for a company called GTM payroll services. We provide services nationwide and specialize in household employee payroll. I agree with you guys saying that a contract is important so neither party feels taken advantage of. We offer employee documents to employers such as job descriptions, confidentiality agreements, work agreements, and employee handbooks. With these in place both you and your employer know what to expect, and have a formal agreement to refer to in case of an issue. We also offer employee payroll, including an option for direct deposit and benefits. You can check us out at www.GTM.com for more information on what we offer.

I am a nanny and the infant I watch is now almost 4 months old. She still cannot hold her head up and cannot roll over at all. Her parents spent the first 6 weeks holding her and the mom breast fed her every hour, which it took her almost 45 mins to finish everytime. When the mom went back to work, I had the hardest time giving her a bottle, because the mom wouldnt let me do an easy transfer from breast to bottle. The parents still are non stop holding her. She has never slept in a crib or bassinet because the mom still at 4 months holds her and sleeps on the couch. They never put her on floor or tummy time. So, when I come in on Monday, I have to re show her how to do everything and all she does is scream for me to hold her. The only place she sits is in a nap nanny or swing or be held. I have talked to the parents repeatidly and so have their friends and they still do not listen. Is there any thing I can do during the day that can help this child start to develop? She cannot sleep unless she is being rocked and has music, which is fine, but as soon as the music stops or she stops rocking she is wide awake crying. I cannot get her to sleep in a bassinet or the pack and play even if I rock her and already get her to sleep, the only way is to put her in swing for a good nap. The parents never take her anywhere either and the one time they did, the baby freaked out because of people and now they wont take her anywhere becaue she was "scared." I am trying my hardest to help this baby but have no help from parents. The baby will drink four oz. of formula ever 3 hours for me, but when mom is home she only breastfeeds and feeds her every single hour on the hour. I do not know what to do to try to get this baby to do anything. She cant hold her head up either because one, shes being held a lot and two, the parents still hold her head and carry her like a newborn. HELP ME!!!

When you have your own child, you can raise your baby as you see fit. Unless the baby has a medical condition, she will develop at her own pace and she will be molded by the environment that her parents create, whether that's agreeable to you or not. Unless, it's child abuse, I'd say you'd have to go along with the parents choices as best you can.

You should charge 5-10 dollars an hour