Nanny-Share Questions

RBXChas

I'm hoping some of you may have advice in this realm. A mom of a child in my older son's preschool class has a son who is a month older than my younger son (so her son is 4 months old). Long story short, she is looking for a new nanny for the younger one but told me today that she's going to work part-time in October, so she doesn't need a nanny full-time. She is considering hiring an au pair if she can find one because part-time nannies basically don't exist. I'm home with Joseph, and my husband wants me back in the office as much as possible, as soon as possible (we are self-employed and work together). He and I are considering proposing a nanny-share to the other parent so that she and I can both work part-time. It would only be until next August when both of our boys would be in the same preschool as our older kids. The only downside for me (besides not spending time with my baby boy part-time) is that I would need to buy new clothes to wear to work, including suits (for court). I think I'd be ok being away from my baby 2-3 days/week (I was a SAHM/WAHM with my older son for the first year and a half). Just assume that I can earn more than the nanny costs us. Thoughts? Pros? Cons? I've never had private child care before, so I'm new to this. I'd like to have an idea of what to think about before we propose it to her and her husband, if we decide to go that route. Thanks!

ETA that the reason I'd need to buy new clothes is because I don't even fit into my old "fat clothes" yet. Nursing is making losing weight damn near impossible!

chickybuns

I don't have any personal experince with this. But if you trust the woman it seems like a great idea for free especially, if you are up to watching her child as well. And I know what you mean with the lactating and not losing...so frustrating.

RBXChas

Oh, no, we wouldn't be watching each other's kids but hiring someone to share. Sorry, I just realized that wasn't clear!

chickybuns

Oh, I see, haha. Still seems like a good option to me if you can't find anyone part-time. Do you want a nanny specifically or would you consider daycare. I think they take part-time as well.

RBXChas

Around here there are no part-time options for day care at this age, and I'm not happy with my options. I'd looked into it for my older son last year before settling on his current school (which does not take infants, unfortunately), so I'd rather go private or not at all.

blink1021

I do not nanny - share but I do use a private woman to watch my daughter (8 months) I had my older son in a daycare setting and was not happy with it. The woman who watches my daughter also watches some other kids too as well as puts my son on the school bus for me. I have been going to her for 5 years now and have no complaints she is cheaper than day care, close to my home and I know all the moms that go to her (some I like some I would like to strangle) I think private is a great option, but its hard also to find someone that two people can rely on and trust. We are all looking for something different for our children. Before bringing it up I would look at your finances and see what your willing to pay before deciding. I know you said an au pair in original post I would be careful with that some of the au pairs are college educated and expect a college educated salary. A woman at our swim club had an au pair for the summer and she told me that they paid the woman $500 per week to watch 2 kids plus she lived with them. I felt it a little excessive but its what they wanted. Good luck child care is always fun to search for.

FitMama2013

Some other logistics to consider - most nannys will have vacation days, so what happens if all the vacation days fall on your days and you're always having to find other care when the other mom won't, but yet you're paying the same amount? What if one of you decides the nanny isn't working out for your family - what does the other one do then? What if the other family starts coming home later and later and the nanny is unhappy with the setup? Although hopefully none of these will happen, it's good to talk through different situations with your husband and the other family before even looking for a nanny! It would be a great situation if everything would work out, though!

RBXChas

I do not nanny - share but I do use a private woman to watch my daughter (8 months) I had my older son in a daycare setting and was not happy with it. The woman who watches my daughter also watches some other kids too as well as puts my son on the school bus for me. I have been going to her for 5 years now and have no complaints she is cheaper than day care, close to my home and I know all the moms that go to her (some I like some I would like to strangle) I think private is a great option, but its hard also to find someone that two people can rely on and trust. We are all looking for something different for our children. Before bringing it up I would look at your finances and see what your willing to pay before deciding. I know you said an au pair in original post I would be careful with that some of the au pairs are college educated and expect a college educated salary. A woman at our swim club had an au pair for the summer and she told me that they paid the woman $500 per week to watch 2 kids plus she lived with them. I felt it a little excessive but its what they wanted. Good luck child care is always fun to search for.

Thanks I wasn't looking for an au pair, though, the other mom is. I don't have space for any more people in my house!

RBXChas

Some other logistics to consider - most nannys will have vacation days, so what happens if all the vacation days fall on your days and you're always having to find other care when the other mom won't, but yet you're paying the same amount? What if one of you decides the nanny isn't working out for your family - what does the other one do then? What if the other family starts coming home later and later and the nanny is unhappy with the setup? Although hopefully none of these will happen, it's good to talk through different situations with your husband and the other family before even looking for a nanny! It would be a great situation if everything would work out, though!

Thanks - these are the kind of things I'd never considered but will need to.