Celebrity Nanny here

[AnotherCareerThread]

Noticed the trend of career threads recently so thought I'd join in, always get loads of questions when my job comes up on here.

I'm a Nanny/Governess specialising in High Net Worth/ViP families - happy to answer any questions

Are you looking for a placement? I hear Beanie is having childcare issues.

🙄

Have you ever worked for the RF?

How often do you see the parents playing with their children?

Not very but again, I can't speak for all families.

What is the worst thing a parent has said to you?

I quit once and the Mum hissed at me that I had "mental health issues"

One Mum LAUGHED at her 3 year old daughters wish to be a Dr when she grew up and said she wasn't smart enough, perhaps she should be a hairdresser... That made me very sad.

Have you ever worked for the RF?

Yes

HOW DO YOU GET BABIES TO SLEEP?!?!

..and yes I meant to shout

Specifically 11mo babies with an iron will and feral spirit.....

Thank you. That’s really sad.
How did the best celebrity family you came across treat their children?

Are the RF equally disinterested in their kids or different to the celebrities or royals from elsewhere?

Is this for real?

Are you a Norland nanny?

I’m enjoying reading this post!
Very wealthy people seem to have such a perfect life, I often look at families like the Beckhams and wish I could give my children the lifestyle theirs have...not the big house/possessions, but the education, travelling the world, experiences like going to the World Cup, Grand Prix, etc
Are the parents and children much happier than the ‘average family’?

HOW DO YOU GET BABIES TO SLEEP?!?!

This is going to go down like a lead balloon on Mumsnet but controlled crying. It has always worked for me. But I know that people have different approaches.

Are the RF equally disinterested in their kids or different to the celebrities or royals from elsewhere? I can't answer that one I'm afraid, but I didn't want just to ignore

How did the best celebrity family you came across treat their children?

Erm, with age appropriate respect I guess. How you'd want a child to be treated. You'd be surprised how many people think that not instilling discipline will make their children happier, but the opposite is generally true.

Is this for real?

Yes. Not sure why anyone would take any pleasure in making it up.

Unfortunately I think the answer to how do you get babies to sleep is 'Get a nanny'
Is there a difference between the time people born into wealth spend with their children and the ones who have made their own money? I was thinking it would be normal to have the kids presented to them for an hour a day if that's what happened to you, but much weirder if you had a normal upbringing and then made it big.

Did you go straight into nannying after uni? When did you start working for VIP clients?

Are you a Norland nanny?

Nope. Not knocking them but I'm at the same level without having paid through the nose for long and expensive training.

Interestingly I've had a lot of families specifically ask for NON Norland trained nannies, as they've found them too inflexible.

Are the parents and children much happier than the ‘average family’?

I really couldn't say... Its so subjective. I'd definitely support the statement that money doesn't buy happiness though. Having said that, it DOES buy stability and choice...

What if parents don't want you to do controlled crying? Have you read the research into how its detrimental to neuro development?

How common is PND?

Is there a difference between the time people born into wealth spend with their children and the ones who have made their own money?
Actually I find that "new money" typically act in the stereotypical spoilt, aloof manner (again, massively generalising though) and the "old money" are much more likely to get on their hands and knees and do gardening or messy play.

Did you go straight into nannying after uni? When did you start working for VIP clients?

I studied with the OU whilst I was working, I started Nannying straight after school. I've been working with VIPs the last 5 years or so.

CC did not work... there is no hope

What if parents don't want you to do controlled crying? Have you read the research into how its detrimental to neuro development?

I've never had a family not want to do it. It's not the approach for babies under 6 weeks but there is no concrete evidence to support suppressed development due to controlled crying, however there is a lot of evidence supporting suppressed development due to an unstable sleep routine. I did one of my mini-thesis on it. But not the thread for a debate on it

How common is PND?

Extremely. As is Post Natal Anxiety (in my experience this is more common). I always recommend taking a PND course to nannies who are looking at CPD

How did you become a VIP/Celeb Nanny?

How did you become a VIP/Celeb Nanny?

Getting good experience, good references and in with the right agencies!

Do you work all over the world, and do you get to travel where they travel? Have you been on a private jet?
Do they put you in first class with them, or do you travel cattle class?

Just to say this is 110% the most interesting AMA thread so far! Thanks OP!