Monday, December 15, 2008

If money were no object....

Would you have a nanny?
I'm not talking a babysitter who comes to your house once in awhile so you can work, work-out, shop, go out to eat.....I'm talking a true nanny, but not the live-in kind.
When I lived in Chicago one of my good friends was a nanny for a family. She would arrive at the house at 7 AM, get the kids ready for school, feed them breakfast, take them to school, do the family's shopping with any non-school aged kids in toe, pick the kids up from school, make dinner, do homework, give baths, get the kids in their jammies and leave at 6 PM. She did absolutely EVERYTHING for the kids and with the kids. If the kids had Dr appointments or dentist appointments she took them. If the kids needed pictures taken she would be in charge of that - she was basically their mom and was there for all the achievement and milestones.
Would you want that?
I personally don't think I would. I WOULD enjoy SOME help, but to take over? Absolutely not!!! I couldn't imagine missing out on all of the things that my friend got to witness and be a part of. First words, first steps, first hair cuts....
So, if money were no object, would you have a nanny? Saying yes to this does not make you a bad mom!!! I'm just curious. I read an article in Parenting magazine about a family who had a nanny, but had to get rid of her because of finances. After getting rid of her the mom discovered how much she had been missing, but also how much she missed the nanny with her structure..... Anyway - it just got me thinking and thought I'd get a discussion going.

8 comments:

Aimee said...

Nanny? No! Maid? In a heartbeat!

Still Sane said...

I'm with her! I would love a maid. One who picks up toys, and organizes before she cleans. She could also do and put away laundry. Maybe make dinner? All the things around the house, so I could actually spend more "fun" time with the kids!

On Stage said...

I'm for the maid too!

I wouldn't want another person raising my kids even if I had the funds. However, it would be nice to have someone clean my house, run errands and babysit.

Jen said...

If my choice was between nanny in my home or full-time in-center daycare, I'd take the nanny in a heartbeat. I was a nanny in college and I spent as much time with those kids as their parents did but they were both employed full-time outside the home.

If it is a choice to have a nanny AND be a SAHM, then heck no! :-) I was a nanny for a family with a SAHM and that was kinda weird since mom was often home but I was in charge.

ReeRee said...

I would love a maid! Someone to cook and clean.
I am too much of a control freak to turn my kids over to a nanny. Especially when they were babies. If I had to work full time, then that's a different story. But I think I'd try to pawn my kids off on my sisters before I'd hire a nanny! Not sure they would be down with that, though!

mommy to an angel said...

ya, I guess if I had to work I'd like a nanny over day-care - but you'd have to make some pretty good money to afford a nanny instead of day-care. I know my friend got paid about $40,000 tax free (they paid her taxes at the end of the year) and she got two weeks paid vacation and one week vacation with them! But both parents made well over $150,000 EACH!
Maid? You bet your stinky pants I'd take one!!! I would love someone to come in on a weekly basis and clean - even more so, I'd just love someone to come in 4 times a year and do the stuff like windows, light fixtures, baseboards....
It's nice to dream though! I'm lucky that I get to be a SAHM and with that comes no luxury stuff like that!

Leenie said...

AHHHH-- the maid----yes, that was very nice to have 2x's a month when I worked full time.

Daycare definately has it's perks and if you pick one that is regulated by the state could be alot more reliable than a nanny. If you get a nanny and have to work, what is the back up plan if she calls off? You would definately have to put one in place. Look at all the people that have to set up Nanny cams just to see what is being stolen and done w/ their kids in their own home. There also are bad daycares also so one would have to be choose a good one.

Your friends job description sounds alot more than a nanny but a nanny, personal assistance, maid, driver,etc.

Anonymous said...

I'd LOVE someone to clean my house..the problem is I'd have to pick up and actually find homes for things...guess it's out of the question.

No nanny's here...just a babysitter one day a week!