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Original poster

Do nannies dislike jobs where mum works from home? Or does it just depend...?

62 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 03/08/2013 05:23

I work from home and am starting to look into finding a part time nanny fr baby DD.

But can any nannies/parents tell me if there are reasons why good nannies prefer jobs where mum is not working at home?

I am new to all this but am getting a slight impression that nannies prefer to work without parents in the home?

Is it (if it is actually the case) because they are worried the parent will hover and interfere?

I have no option but to work from home and ideally would like to be able to leave a nanny totally in charge for eg a three hour block in the morning, then I join them for lunch, then a block again in the pm with nanny in charge. I would be in home office but would aim (unless extraordinary event) to stay 'locked' away for the three hour blocks ie I wouldn't intend to pop out every ten minutes to see what was going on etc.

I couldn't promise to be that disciplined at the start!!!! Would be hard not to pop out if DD was crying for me :( But intention would be to wean us all off that over time.

I do worry however that working from home night be more disruptive for baby than me going out!! Had always thought working from home ideal as you could be with child when they needed you but in reality am beginning to recognise that actually this might disrupt a baby more??

And hadnt even thought about whether nannies might not like this kind of arrangement...

Any advice or experience gratefully received! I have just been let down by MIL who had promised childcare so am floundering a bit. :(

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Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 03/08/2013 09:49

Thanks everyone!
Still not sure what to do...

Sunny, I am very envious of your experience, it sounds amazing. Insinctively I feel I would like to be able to pop in and out (my work would allow this) BUT I also fear it disrupting DD... I don't think I'd know if it would work until I tried...

Do nannies who have answered (petunia?) feel that even me popping in for half an hour for lunch would be disruptive for a 7mo? The way I see it I woudl ideally like a nanny to take her out (a class or activity) in the morning, come back for lunch and then do 3 ish hours with her after that. I wouldn't intend to interrupt at any point except lunch.

Bad idea...?

Also we would only want the arrangement 2 or maybe 3 days a week (a nanny share I assume) - again, I had thought that just a couple of days would be better for DD (and I can get away with that amount for work) but can any nannies tell me if babies settle better with more days? Perhaps 4 mornings is better than 2 days?

Sorry for such basic questions but I am really in a pickle as had not planned to need to hire someone...

OP posts:
OutragedFromLeeds · 03/08/2013 09:47

Generally nannies prefer to work with parents out of the home. Not that it's impossible to find someone, but it will be at the bottom of the pile for many nannies.

Main reasons are;

  1. It's so much harder to settle the children. The early days are the most important in terms of settling/bonding so saying it will just be at first isn't really helpful. When she's older she'll know you're upstairs and spend the whole time wanting to come up/wondering why you're ignoring her.
  1. At least at first she'll be upset when you leave. Why put her through that twice each day by coming down for lunch?
  1. Could you work knowing your boss was listening to everything you were doing?
  1. Many nannies (me included) find it hard to relax and sing/mess about/pull funny faces with another adult around.
  1. No-one will ever look after your DD exactly the same as you do. The nanny will do things differently (not better or worse, just different). Some parents find this impossible to deal with and are better not knowing exactly what goes on all day i.e. working out of the home or using out of the home childcare.
Raggerbums · 03/08/2013 09:42

I personally would never take a job where a parent works from home. Some nannies don't mind but I think the majority find it disruptive with a parent home. Coming to "help" when they here the child crying just makes it harder for the nanny. I also personally think at the age of your child (depending on the individual child) may find it hard that your their for lunch then of again. Also another thing I would add is the first few weeks of a nanny starting a job is such an important bonding time where they do need that one on one. You would have to try your up most hardest like you said not to pop Down every time your child crys will just make it harder for everyone to settle.

SunnyIntervals · 03/08/2013 09:40

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SunnyIntervals · 03/08/2013 09:38

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petuniapickletits · 03/08/2013 09:34

I work two pt jobs. One were mum is regularly at home nipping in and out. Its so disruptive. LO is on edge and anxious for her mum and I can see she doesn't understand the situation.. mums here..but then shes not....

valiumredhead · 03/08/2013 09:21

You need to do sole charge right from the start ime, unless the nanny comes to you and asks for help. Kids aren't daft they know their mum is upstairs.

It's only worked ime where the house is massive and mum or dad really can be out of ear shot so aren't coming down every 5 mins and the nanny isn't worried about noise levels etc.

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 03/08/2013 09:16

Sunnyintervals, can I ask why an au pair was easier for you?

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Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 03/08/2013 09:15

Nanny nick, yep I would plan to shut myself away in top floor office... As I say I would aim to leave nanny completely to it apart from a break at lunch. I couldn't promise it wouldn't take a few weeks for me to not leap up at every cry but my intention would be to get the nanny in sole charge ASAP.

Sunnyintervals, DD will be 7 mo when I start.

I guess I could consider a nanny with own child... Do you think that would help?

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SunnyIntervals · 03/08/2013 08:42

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SunnyIntervals · 03/08/2013 08:41

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nannynick · 03/08/2013 08:36

Yes the interference, constant checking, plus having to keep noise level down are all potential issues.

Can you lock yourself away in part of the house?