Being a nanny

I absolutely love being a nanny. Ive worked with all ages from three months to 10 years and I think it’s the easiest job to have while in school. Some people are able to work full-time jobs and being in school at the same time. Unfortunately the restaurant business and the retail literally drained me every time that I’ve tried it so I had to leave immediately! The thing I love the most about being nanny is having flexibility with parents and letting them know my class schedule and what will not work for me. A couple of tips that I would give anyone looking to become a nanny:

1. make sure you have a contract! I’m kind of being a hypocrite because I’m literally still working on what I want in my contract but to save other people who haven’t started yet please have a contract. Having a contract will literally clear up any type of misunderstandings before they even happen and make things less awkward for you because you can always refer back to that contract that you and the parents had to agree on.

2. This may also go into the contract, but please make sure that you are still being paid if they decide to cancel. I’ve had too many instances where I’ve been canceled on at the last minute or where I was working with one family alone and it was my only source of income, and I was not being paid for the days that I was being canceled on. It is an inconvenience to you and other families who would love your help!! Please bring this up in the beginning!

3. Obviously make sure that you are on the same page with parents about expectations. Some parents want complete engagement and some parents genuinely just want you to actually watch their kid and they don’t require a lot of attention or expectation from you. Once you know which families have specific needs, it makes it easier for you to decide who you do and don’t want to babysit for. This includes reward system and their discipline techniques.

4. I recommend asking for trial periods. This is when you ask the family if they are okay with you coming to babysit once or twice before you start your recurring job with them. This will help you decide whether or not the flow of the family and how their routine is goes with you and your flow. Is it too fast paced? Are there things that you don’t agree with within the parenting styles? remember this is also where you’ll be a majority of time. You do not have to stay anywhere where you are uncomfortable. If the family makes you uncomfortable you don’t have to stay.

5. DO NOT lowball yourself. It doesn’t matter how cute those children are. Some parents know this and use it to their advantage. Please be paid what you deserve! Being paid $15 an hour for watching two children is outrageous! in no way shape or form should you be stressed out and broke over children that are not yours. The families need you, so make sure you vocalize what your needs are as someone who is coming in to help them because they are not afraid to tell you exactly what they need from you.

Aside from advocating for yourself, being a nanny is very fun and rewarding I wouldn’t choose to do anything else while in undergrad and have love every child I care for🩷 #lemon8diarychallenge #nanny #blacknannies #children #undergradstudent #advocate #families

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