True or False: There is a Special Nanny Tax

October 17, 2011

In reality, there is no such thing as a ‘nanny tax’. There are no unique taxes that apply only to nannies. However, the term nanny tax does refer to some real taxes that employers of nannies do need to pay, just like employers of other types of workers are responsible for paying their share of employment taxes.  For a detailed breakdown you can look at IRS Publication 926 as it is the Household Employer’s Tax Guide.

The term nanny tax originated because of well-known nanny employers who had not paid in the appropriate taxes. The employment tax rules are a bit different for household employees (which is the classification that a nanny fits into), than they are for other employees, so it can be confusing.

The first item that you need to consider when deciding whether or not you may owe ‘nanny tax’ is how much money you paid for in-home daycare during the year. For 2011, $1,700.00 is the magic number. If you paid more than this amount for in-home daycare during the year, then you are required to report and pay employment taxes on the wages paid to that in-home provider.

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Most family members: spouse, parents, or a child under twenty-one would be exempt. Also, anyone under 18 years old, who is not working as a nanny as their primary occupation, such as a high school student, would be excluded.

And what are these ‘nanny taxes’? They are the same taxes all employers must pay into the U.S. government. FICA is the main one. This is made up of two parts, social security taxes and medicare taxes. Together, they total 7.65% of the nanny’s wages, which you, as the employer, are responsible for paying. The other federal tax is referred to as FUTA. It is the Federal Unemployment Tax. This tax is paid on only the first $7,000.00 in wages paid during the year and is calculated at .08%. State unemployment taxes may apply, also. Each employer should check on the filing requirements within their own state for these rates and limts.

In addition to these ’employer taxes’, the nanny will also be responsible for her share of the FICA taxes, which are at a reduced rate for 2011, but will be a matching 7.65% in 2012. She is also responsible for her own income tax payments, unless you have agreed to withhold these and deposit the payments for her.

For the normal homeowner, all of this can be quite confusing. Working with a nanny agency can be helpful, as they are quite familiar with the process and your options. Consulting with your tax profession prior to hiring your first nanny is also recommended. To take the burden totally off your shoulders, there are several payroll services available that will handle your nanny’s payroll for you and make sure that you are in full compliance. There is also payroll software, such as Nanny Pay that help you with the process.

Posted in Nanny Taxes | 5 Comments

10 Nannies Who Helped Shape History

October 14, 2011

To make a difference in the life of a young person is as much a gift as it is a vocation. Nannies make that difference everyday in someone’s life. Sometimes the difference a nanny makes is even farther-reaching than she – or we – may have guessed. Here are ten nannies who helped shape history:

1. Tiggy Legge-Bourke – Nanny to Prince William of Wales and brother Prince Harry. Tiggy provided a strong, stabilizing influence in the young royals’ lives after the tragic death of their mother, Princess Diana.
2. Ann Pack – A Quaker woman who was hired as a wet nurse for young William, Duke of Gloucester. Her care of the boy was regarded as being instrumental in maintaining William’s health and is today regarded as a forerunner of today’s British Nanny.
3. Baroness Maria von Trapp – School teacher, singer, stepmother, and ultimately the inspiration for the musical The Sound of Music. Her life story, and that of the von Trapp family as told through her books and in film, have inspired millions, and no doubt more than a few future nannies.
4. Queen Nanny of the Maroons – Widely regarded as the mother of Jamaica, her influence, leadership and nurturing nature made her nanny to an island nation by service as well as in name. One of seven national heroes, depicted on the Jamaican 500 bill, or Nanny Note; legend of song, poetry and folklore.
5. Alison Cunningham – Nanny to Robert Louis Stevenson. Cunningham played a large role in raising Stevenson and had a lasting influence on his religious views and experience. His book, A Child’s Garden of Verses is dedicated to Alison.
6. Marie Curie – Renowned Polish-French scientist whose pioneering work in radioactivity earned her Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry. Early in Madame Curie’s career she worked as … a governess.
7. Arina Rodionovna – Nanny to 19^th Century Russian author Alexander Pushkin. Her influence on his life is credited for having inspired some of Pushkin’s greatest works.
8. John Bowlby – British psychoanalyst, regarded as the father of the attachment theory. His attachment to, and affection for, his nanny during his youth greatly affected his views on relationships, which would help form the foundation for his later psychological work in the field of child development.
9. Anna Leonowens – Teacher, writer, social activist. Governess to the family of Mongkut, King of Siam, which is the basis for the movie The King and I as well as the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam. Co-founded the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; her experience as governess in Siam prompted her advocacy of women’s rights via lectures, books and education.
10. Elizabeth Anne Everest – Hired by Lord and Lady Randolph to  nanny one Winston Churchill. So great was Mrs. Everest’s personal and spiritual influence on Churchill’s young life that author Stephen Mansfield wrote of them in Hidden Calling:

“So it was that when the man some called the ‘Greatest Man of the Age,’ lay dying in 1965 at the age of ninety, there was but one picture that stood at his bedside. It was the picture of his beloved nanny, gone to be with her Lord some seventy years before. She had understood him, she had prayed him to his best, and she had fueled the faith that fed the destiny of nations … in the hiddenness of her calling. ”

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Dilemma: Cloth or Disposable

October 8, 2011

New parents have lots of decisions to make for their baby. One of those decisions is whether to use cloth or disposable diapers (this impacts themselves AND their nanny if they hire one). Until disposable diapers were invented and made affordable, cloth was the only realistic choice (thanks Mom!). Since disposable diapers are so convenient and easy to use, cloth diapers became almost extinct. However, both economic and environmental concerns have helped cloth diapers make a comeback. So let’s quickly explore the advantages and disadvantages of using cloth diapers.

One of the first considerations when deciding between cloth or disposable diapers is the cost. If you sit down and figure out how much you’ll spend on disposables for two years, cloth diapers are usually far less expensive. The initial cost of the diapers themselves is more, but just do the math… Even if you include the cost of washing them, cloth diapers are going to save you money in the long run.

The next issue to consider is the huge environmental impact of disposable diapers. With literally tons of used diapers filled with human waste clogging up landfills, cloth diapers are clearly far better for the environment. Besides that, the main fabric used in diapers is cotton, which is a renewable resource. A new crop of cotton can be planted every year, while the paper and plastic in disposables comes from trees and petroleum products. Even though trees are also a renewable resource, they obviously take longer than cotton to grow.

Another advantage of cloth diapers is that they are reusable. Soiled diapers get rinsed and washed so they can be used over and over again until the child is potty trained. They can even be passed on from one child to the next or given to friends or family who are starting a new family (some people find that to be gross, but they ARE clean after all).

One disadvantage of the old-fashioned cloth diapers is that they require using pins and plastic pants. However, for parents who want to spend a little more money, there are new designs of cloth diapers that fasten with snaps or Velcro. The waterproof fabric on the outside is colorful and stylish, with removable liners that can be washed separately.

Of course the biggest disadvantage of cloth diapers is dealing with the mess. The poop needs to be flushed down the toilet and the diapers need to be rinsed, which can be difficult for squeamish parents. Then there’s the added chore associated with extra loads of laundry. This consumes more time and energy for the caregivers. However, as you might have guessed some entrepreneurs saw this as an opportunity and will provide you with a cloth diaper service taking the yuck with them on their truck (of course, that all but eliminates the cost advantage of cloth diapers).

Another disadvantage of cloth diapers is the problem of leaks. Depending on the type of diapers used and how often they are changed, leaking can be a concern. Frequently changing the baby’s clothes also adds to the mountain of laundry that’s already piling up. Parents who use cloth diapers need to experiment with different sizes and liners to find the right solution for their baby.

The ultimate disadvantage of cloth diapers is that disposables are just so darn convenient, most people are willing to forego the extra expense and environmental impact. Dealing with diapers is about the least pleasant part of having a baby and disposables certainly make it much easier. One thing conscientious parents who decide to use cloth diapers need to keep in mind is that they can always have some disposables on hand to use when needed. Most people who use cloth usually have disposables for traveling or to use overnight.

In the end, like most things it comes down to the parents taking a decision.  The good news is that there is no right or wrong answer as long as you keep the baby clean, comfortable, and dry.

Posted in Newborn Nanny Care | 6 Comments

What to Do When Your Nanny is Ill

October 5, 2011

This news item may surprise a few of you, but it has come to our attention that nannies, even SuperNannies, are human. Yes, that’s right, your very own Mary Poppins is actually flesh-and-bone just like you. As such, she is prone to many of the vicissitudes of life that other humanoids are subject to. Your nanny may even, heaven forbid, fall victim to a disease or injury that may sideline him or her for a longer period of time. In addition, nannies have families too, and there may be times when her family will need her even more than you do (as impossible as that may seem). What, then, do parents do for interim childcare? Below you will find a few of the options that will help you fill the gap. One of these may work for you or you may even end up utilizing more than one of these resources, especially if your nanny will be out for a lengthy period of time.

1. Get a Screened Temp – Sometimes the same agency that parents used to hire their nanny (like eNannySource) will be able to provide a temp for the duration of the original nanny’s absence.  This can be quick and offer you the same level of vetting that you used to get your permanent nanny.  It’s really important to be clear that this is a temporary position when you list this job to properly set the caregiver’s expectations.
2. Friend of Nanny – Your nanny is likely to know other nannies, and she herself may be the one to steer you to temporary help. She may know someone that is between jobs or may even have a friend or relative that can stand in for her for a short period of time.  You should consider running a nanny background check on them as well just to be safe.
3. Neighbor – If it’s only for a few hours and not for an extended number of days your neighbors may be a source of help in an emergency. If they also have children you may be able to work out a deal where you back each other up when/if the need arises.
4. Yourself or Spouse – Depending on the duration of the absence, one or both parents may simply have to take some time off from work.  This is by far the most likely choice but it is not open to everyone.  Some people work jobs that make it virtually impossible to take time off without serious repercussions.  If you are lucky though… your boss is very supportive and as long as it isn’t a chronic problem you can take time off as needed to properly care for your kids.
5. Family – If your nanny isn’t available and the other options have failed, then if you have family near by it’s time to start calling them to see who may be able to lend a hand.  Of course, grandpa and grandma are a top choice for the kiddos.  We would strongly encourage you to not abuse the generosity of your family though and respect their time by compensating them in some way for their assistance.
6. College Students – If you live near a college you may find bulletin boards where students post availability for a variety of jobs. In a pinch, they could be the answer.  If you see a name up on one of these boards or even at the local grocery store you may want to pull one, interview them, and establish them as a backup plan for childcare at the very least.  This is another scenario where it’s important to run a background check to give you the confidence you need to trust them with your children.
7. Babysitter – If you have a “go to” babysitter that you use for nights out on the town and/or other special occasions, you might want to contact them and see if they are available on an ad hoc basis in the event that you need them.  They may or may not have all of the skills and abilities of a professional caregiver, but if you know them that could be a big enough advantage when you are in a jam.
8. Substitute – You may not have hired your nanny through an agency, in which case you might want to investigate the local temp agencies.  In general they can be quite expensive so your best bet may is to stick with an online service like eNannySource to get you out of these types of situations.
9. Baby to Work Day – Workplaces differ, but sometimes parents can occasionally take their children to work with them. Some companies even have a childcare facility.  If this option is available, you should take advantage of it when possible because they are becoming exceedingly rare.
10. The “Y” – Most communities have a “Y” (formerly YMCA), and most of them offer daycare and after-school care, which could be a viable option for families in-a-bind.  You should definitely check ahead to see if they take drop-ins or not.  If they do, then this is a very viable and safe option in most cases.  You can also check with local, quality daycare centers to see if they take drop-ins and have references you can quickly check out.

We hope that you don’t have too many needs to replace your nanny on a temporary or even permanent basis.  We do believe that consistency with caregivers is important for early childhood development.  With that said, life happens and you need to be prepared to handle just about any situation always making sure that the safety of your children comes first.  Apply great scrutiny and don’t be afraid to just take time off from work yourself if you have to in order to temporarily fill in for your nanny.

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Safety | 5 Comments

10 Reasons Nannies Don’t Love SuperNanny

October 4, 2011

SuperNanny and its primary competitor, Nanny 911, are a pair of shows that television networks promote as “reality” programming. In both of these shows the set-up is basically the same, in that upper-middle-class families who have multiple children, who are not angels, need to call in expert help to save the families from imploding. The expert help is the super nanny, a regular Mary Poppins on steroids. The nannies come to the rescue of befuddled parents and caregivers, and they turn all the little imps (sorry… it’s true) into model children using little more than Dr. Phil types of advice. The nannies do everything so much better than anyone else can, and they make it look super easy. Reaction among nannies in the real world that you and I inhabit has been mixed, but tends toward not loving it and here are some of the reasons why:

1. Unrealistic – “Reality” television is pretty much everything except reality. Networks and studios put these shows out because they are cheap to make and have a car-wreck appeal.
2. False Comparisons – In the real world even a “super nanny” would not handle the crises as though everyone was on some kind of game show.
3. Bad Advice – The simplistic solutions are hardly what is called for in a real situation. When a nanny actually has to handle a crisis, she has to be able to think on her feet, and she isn’t likely to find her answers in neat little packages.
4. Dr. Phil – SuperDooperNanny is all about the image of “tough love” and control, and there is some merit to the approach, but it is taken much too far. When solutions are no more than recycled Dr. Phil advice, formulaic and domineering, there is little translation to what real families and nannies face every day.
5. Only the Wealthy – Judging by the TV show, it seems that only well-to-do families with three-or-more children employ nannies, and it is hard for less affluent working parents to relate to the country club lifestyles portrayed on television.  The reality is that nannies can be very affordable for families with a modest budget especially compared to the rising costs of traditional daycare centers.
6. Drama – There’s enough “drama” on one episode of SuperNanny or Nanny 911 to fill an entire decade of real life. More nannies have to deal with diapers and dishes than they do with most of the shenanigans on the shows.
7. All About Nanny – Nannies are often considered part of the family, but the shows would have you believe that the nanny is the leading player, which is rarely the case.
8. Takes Herself too Seriously – Nannies are professional caregivers, not philosophy professors and lecturers, and most families aren’t full of incompetent fools, which is how it seems to work on both shows.
9. Guest Stars – SuperNanny gets to call in people like NBA star Dwayne Wade when she has a kid that needs a talking-to. Most real families would be lucky to get Larry the Cable Guy (“Get ‘er done!”).
10. Controversial – The sensationalism of the shows is a turn-off to many in the childcare industry. There is a lot more peace and harmony in most households than you will ever see portrayed on a “reality” show.

If “reality” programming is something you find entertaining (I have to admit I usually do…), then by all means watch it. Just don’t be fooled into thinking it’s 100% real.  The biggest advantage of SuperNanny is the understanding that help is available if and when you need it and that you can and should feel comfortable turning to a professional nanny for assistance with your family (just don’t expect them to show up wearing a cape and trying to immediately save the day).

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Discipline | 7 Comments

Barbaric or Better? 10 Ways Kids Were Disciplined in the 70’s

September 30, 2011

Sometimes I stop and reflect on my childhood which is mostly full of very fond memories of growing up in the 70’s and 80’s.  We had an amazing family which spent a ton of time together playing outside, going on picnics, and all kinds of other fun activities.  Of course, being a kid I would frequently make bad decisions that would result in me actually deserving to be punished (even though I completely disagreed back in the day).  I was particularly fond of competing, fighting, and generally pestering my brother.  Well needless to say my parents had to step in and correct both of us on multiple occasions and sometimes they did it using techniques that no doubt would be considered barbaric by today’s standards.  However, as I go through this list I think it’s worth at least considering whether in some cases these truly are barbaric or possibly better and more effective ways to discipline children.

1. Spanking – A common form of discipline that has been all but eliminated today is spanking. Now known as corporal punishment, hitting a child in any way has been outlawed in 24 countries worldwide. My parents never spared the rod to spoil the child and our biggest fear was to get the paddle instead of the hand. I have to say it was effective without leaving any visible/permanent scars. My parents actually had a favorite paddle that they hung above the doorway leading to our bedrooms.  My brother and I frequently used our dart guns to knock the paddle down so we could hide it (especially if we knew we had done something wrong).
2. No supper – Another typical punishment that is rarely practiced today is getting sent to your room without any supper. Hunger is a powerful motivator so this was also a pretty effective form of discipline. Not only were you denied nourishment, you also were secluded from the rest of the family as they enjoyed their evening meal, TV shows, and general fun (which always seemed to be 10X better than when you were out there with them).
3. Washing your mouth out with soap – Back in the 70’s the penalty for lying, swearing or saying a dirty word was to get your mouth washed out with soap. This form of discipline would probably be considered barbaric today (we probably would need a few more studies on the ingestion of chemicals to be sure). I must admit, this was also very effective, because you didn’t hear children cursing or telling fibs nearly as often as you do today. The taste of soap can linger in your mouth for a very long time (trust me I know).
4. Slap hands – It used to be pretty easy for a parent to let a child know what not to touch with a quick slap to the back of their hand. Now this would also be considered corporal punishment and is frowned upon. I remember a fourth grade teacher who would use a ruler to the back of your hand for discipline and she was greatly feared by all the students. However, there were no shenanigans going on in HER classroom.
5. Stand in the corner – A standard discipline for a misbehaving child back in the 70’s was to be sent to a corner to stand there facing the wall for a set amount of time. This has been replaced with what is now called a “time out”. I really don’t see what the difference is other than the added humiliation of facing the wall and the physical demands of standing still for a long period of time.  With that said, just try it sometime and see how long it is before you want to cop a squat.
6. Holding a match – Parents that caught their children playing with fire or matches had a rather barbaric method of teaching them a valuable lesson. To instill in their kids the dangers of fire, they were forced to hold a lighted match until it burned their fingers. This would really smart without causing a serious burn, but parents who tried this form of punishment today would probably be arrested (I’m quite certain this is a bad idea… but it is something you will never forget).
7. Grounded for a month – As kids get older and too big to spank, the next most effective threat of punishment was to be grounded for a whole month. Modern parents don’t usually go to that extreme any more. A day or two (a week at most) seems to be the extent of time kids get grounded these days.
8. Nasty chores – Parents of the 70’s could find very inventive ways to instill discipline in their children by making them do really nasty chores as punishment. Scrubbing floors with a toothbrush or cleaning the toilets were common retribution for any variety of misdeeds. Of course, farm kids had much more nasty, filthy jobs forced on them than city kids.  My least favorite had to be the toothbrush to the toilet (okay, ANYTHING involving the toilets).
9. Embarrass them – A form of psychological torture parents would inflict on their misbehaving children was to embarrass them in front of their friends. Nothing could be worse than having all your friends know that you wet your bed or were caught with girly mags. How many kids were scarred for life by this inhumane treatment?
10. Smoking – Parents who caught their kids smoking had an interesting way of teaching them a lesson by making them smoke cigarettes until they got sick. So you think you want to smoke? Try smoking the whole pack one after the other while your parents watch you turn green. It may have been cruel, but effective, at least for a while.  Of course, it could backfire on you as well…

I’m not sure why this popped into my head but it has been an interesting trip down memory lane for me.  Several of these techniques clearly belong in the past but I’m not so sure that a few of these techniques didn’t make me a better and stronger person in the end.  There does seem to be a general lack of discipline with a lot of kids nowadays and I’m sure there are multiple reasons why that is happening.  One of which could be that we have abandoned the harsher forms of discipline, but that’s the question of the day; were they barbaric or better?

Posted in Nanny Discipline, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Top Reasons Your Nanny Needs to Be Certified in CPR

September 29, 2011

When considering qualifications you should require of your nanny, CPR training should be one of them. CPR training for infants and children, in particular, would be preferred. Hopefully, your nanny will never have a need to make use of that training, but in the event that it is needed, you will be glad you required that certification.

1. Cardiac conditions – Children may have cardiac conditions that have not yet been  discovered by their pediatrician. CPR certification would mean that your nanny would have the means to deal with an unexpected cardiac arrest.
2. Near-drowning – Parents deal with this frightening accident on a much too frequent basis. If it can happen when the children are in the care of their parents, it can certainly happen when they are in the care of a nanny. CPR training will teach a nanny how to deal with these types of water related accidents.
3. Choking – If a child chokes on a small object or a piece of food, they may need resuscitation after their airway has been cleared from the obstruction. In addition to CPR certification, a nanny should also know how to dislodge an item from the airway of an infant or child.
4. Suffocation – At times, the creative minds of children can put their safety in danger. Plastic bags placed over heads and crawling into air tight spaces have caused suffocation in children, which required CPR to resuscitate them.
5. Electrical shock – We would hope that all your unused outlets have childproof covers, but even with these safety precautions, electrical shock can still occur. Electrical shock can cause cardiac arrest. CPR certification will prepare your nanny for dealing with such a tragic event.
6. Other accidents – Any type of accident which causes a child to stop breathing and/or their heart to stop pumping will require CPR to be administered to your child immediately. Anyone who is caring for children should be trained in how to properly administer CPR in these situations.
7. Allergic reactions – Extreme allergic reactions can sometimes require resuscitation with CPR. Allergic reactions can be caused by bee stings, insect bites or food allergies.
8. Stroke – Although, strokes are primarily associated with the elderly, children have been known to suffer strokes as well. This is certainly a rarity, but it just one more reason why a nanny should have her CPR certification.
9. Time factor – Whenever a person stops breathing or has a cardiac arrest, quick action is important. The sooner CPR is begun, the better the child’s chances of recovery. Emergency services may take several minutes to respond, and every one of those minutes should be filled with CPR application to the child.
10. Certification is proof – Simply asking your nanny if she knows CPR is not sufficient. Ask for a copy of her certification and make sure that her certification is current. Training in CPR needs to be refreshed every few years to keep a person truly prepared in the case of an emergency.

Just as your nanny should be certified in CPR, parents should be also. Any situation that your nanny might encounter, you could encounter as well. Require it of your nanny, and make sure you require it of yourself as well. 

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Safety | 7 Comments

Is the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Good for Nannies and Families or an Example of the Nanny State?

September 1, 2011

In California there’s been quite a bit of talk and some hysteria over a proposed bill, The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights or California 889.   The bill essentially requires domestic workers to be paid minimum wage and time and one-half based on the same rules as other workers.  It also requires employers to give their employee a paycheck stub that reports hours worked, pay, and deductions.

The provision that’s causing some hysteria and panic amongst families is the provision that requires the employer to give the nanny a 10 minute break every 4 hours and a 30 minute break every 5 hours.  People are saying they’ll have to hire two nannies to cover the time off.  Does that really make sense?  Don’t nannies get breaks now when the child is napping or watching TV?  How is this different from a mom talking on the phone and keeping an eye on her child at the same time?  Or, mom grabbing lunch while keeping an eye on their child.  Surely, the law doesn’t intend a break where the nanny leaves the child alone.  Personally, I think this reaction has to do more with people claiming “nanny state” than reality.

The part of the bill that will cause some pain will impact mainly seniors that have caregivers and senior care agencies.  This is because of the rules requiring live-in caregivers to have 8 hours off to sleep in a 24 hour shift and rules regarding pay.  This could be painful to seniors since it could drive up the cost of caregivers.

From what I’ve heard a similar-sounding law in NY state has had little impact on how nanny employers and employees work. For those interested here’s a link to an interview our nanny Claudia and I gave to NBC Los Angeles.

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Taxes | Tagged nannies, Nanny Salary, nanny tax, nanny taxes, Nanny work | 6 Comments

Does a nanny background check count as vetting a nanny?

August 29, 2011

In the many years I’ve been in the nanny business I’ve heard so many times from families that didn’t use a nanny agency say they’ve done a nanny background check as if that means they’ve screened the nanny.  I’ve felt they feel like they’ve done what was really necessary to vet their new hire.  My guess is that what underlies this is the anxiety of hiring a nanny that they’re bringing into their home to care for their children without really knowing how to screen a nanny.

I’m not sure why some families don’t do everything necessary to assure themselves that they’ve really checked their new nanny out.  Recently a nanny told me that she actually hands out nanny hiring materials to families that are interested in her from online nanny sites.  My guess is that harried, busy families simply don’t have the time and knowledge to really screen a nanny fully, so they hang their hat on a nanny background check and call it a day.

Here’s what nanny background checks can do.  They can match up the name with the SSN, they can do a nationwide background check, and they can do county criminal checks and provide you with a driving report.  All together these checks are as good as it gets in an imperfect world to avoid hiring a nanny with a criminal record or DUI.

Here’s what nanny background checks can’t do.  They can’t help prevent you from hiring a complete irresponsible jerk!  They won’t help you hire a loving, caring engaged person to take care of your children.  They can’t even prevent you from hiring someone who’s stolen from other families, but hasn’t been caught yet.

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Nanny Job Pays $200,000. Is the Nanny overpaid? No!

August 26, 2011

There’s been a lot of press given to the nanny in England being paid $200,000 a year by a Russian billionaire that came from an article in the Wall Street Journal a few days ago. Sure it’s interesting that a nanny job can pay that kind of money, but all of us that have been in the nanny agency business know that the nanny is no doubt underpaid–and nanny agency, watch out for the replacement! What caught my eye at the bottom of the article was the quote from a British Manny about the neglect that takes place commonly in this economic stratosphere. I remember too clearly some of the ultra-wealthy and celebrity clients my agency had and how they so often never spent time with their children, but bought them everything imaginable. I think that frequently these kids are looked at as spoiled and indulged, which they may be, but more importantly they’re emotionally bereft of their parent’s attention and suffer terribly. Many will spend their lives trying to find their place in the world. Nannies frequently feel so much for their charges in these circumstances that they’re reluctant to leave the job because they know they’re the child’s lifeline. What a predicament for the nanny! In some way these emotionally deprived children are at the opposite end of the spectrum of the “helicopter parent.” I don’t like helicopter parenting for many reasons, but if you had to choose it’s better for the children than absent, neglectful parenting.

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments ← Older posts Newer posts →