To think I am too old/unattractive.....

[Unemployable100]

To get nannying roles?
Am 37 but that's ancient compared to most nannies I see around. Have many qualifications and tons of experience but on the sites I go on to get work, it seems to be the young and attractive nannies which get the work.
Feeling really disheartened. Should I just accept that I am unemployable and that I won't even get babysitting roles because of my age and looks? I feel in terms of age that there is definitely a stigma when it comes to an older nanny.

Don't convince yourself it's anything to do with looks as that's just ridiculous.

It might be more to do with age but at 37 you're hardly 'past it'.

Does your CV need an overhaul?

Honestly? When I employed my nanny, I was not very interested in her looks. She was experienced, kind and had great references. Plus she'd run her own house so did stuff like "tidy up time" at the end of the day with the children (the house I came home to wasn't immaculate but wasn't a bomb site either).

Are you more expensive than the others? It's fine to charge a higher rate if you are more experienced but this may put people off (if it does, you may be dodging a bullet).

When times are hard, it gets harder for nannies to get positions. I paid my nanny out of my taxed earnings and, with employer's NI etc, she cost about half my take home pay (I was a high earner at the time).

I would think that both aspects were in your favour.

Surely you would come across as mature and maternal?

Also, I know when we had small children and life was tough, I certainly didn't want a young attractive woman around. Call me daft or canny, it doesn't matter. I would say you could easily get a job assuming your skills and references are good 😎.

I’d definitely be avoiding hiring a “young hot” nanny if I was ever in a position to afford one to be honest!

Unattractive? What's that got to do with it?
It's your experience that counts. I'm sure there's a market for someone your age, in fact I think it's an advantage - are you going through an agency?

I would have thought age (not that you're any great age!) and experience would be extremely positive assets in your industry.

That seems like a totally average age for a nanny to me based on when I’ve been searching for a nanny to hire.

First of all 37 is not old (says a 38 year old!).
Never heard of age or attractiveness being an issue for nannying. Actually, a bit of maturity and life experience is usually desirable.

I would be wary of applying for a job where I knew they wanted me for my attractiveness, that seems like a code for the father wants to hit on you or something.

Why would your looks and age matter? Older is usually more mature and looks...who cares? And if anything it is a positive with some wives probably preferring that to a young and beautiful nanny

Our last (brilliant) nanny was 42 when we hired her. I was looking for experience, good judgement and flexibility, and someone who was basically nice to have around.

This is a weird thread.. why do looks come into it?
The women saying they wouldn't have a young hot nanny around.. Can't you trust your husbands not to be pervs? You're basically saying they're sleazes who can't have "temptation" around.
And the OP saying she's not attractive enough.. WHY would anyone employ someone as a nanny on attractiveness?

Surely what matters is experience, energy and attitude?

ilyx · Today 12:27
I’d definitely be avoiding hiring a “young hot” nanny if I was ever in a position to afford one to be honest!

Seconded. I’d say the odds should be in your favour.

Or maybe its your qualifications and skills, or lack of them? How you come across on your CV may be questionable. It's nothing to do with looks snd age

No I’m not saying my husband is a “perv” at all, first off I’m not married only in a relationship and I’m still young myself, atleast I’m actually honest 🤷‍♀️

I had a beautiful au pair once who was a model.

I had so many mums at the school gates asking me how I could risk it with my husband around. It hadn't even cross my mind that my H would try to get off with her, and even if he did, I did wonder what on earth this beautiful 21 year old girl would see in my paunchy tired middle aged husband.

OP, I wouldn't have any issue with an older nanny (I only had one nanny when mine were young, and she was quite close in age to me), and in fact I preferred older au pairs because they were more sensible and had more experience (life and otherwise) and looks don't come into it at all.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable, as it does depend what you deem as ‘ugly’

we had an older nanny who wasn’t the prettiest, but my kids didn’t warm to her and found her ‘scary’

The younger, and yes attractive nannies are more popular as they’re often more energetic, and the kids are often more keen on them too (the princess effect)