Mummy nannies

[ken2]

We are looking into the possibility of employing a nanny with their own baby to look after our 1 year old daughter from next year. Wondered if anyone else had used this sort of arrangement and how it had gone? Any tips on things to look out for or to avoid?

Thanks very much for any advice.

[gwod]

I had a nanny who brought her own daughter. It worked out very well for us. One thing that was key for me was that she was qualified before having her daughter so nannying wasnt just a career choice of convenience, she had always wanted to look after children. Also she was a single mum and had no immediate plans to have another child and really wanted her daughter to have day to day contact with another child to learn the things you learn with brothers and sisters. She worked for us until our our girls were 3 and 1 and her daughter was 4 as we moved away, but the children still have a very special bond, even though they are now 8, 10 and 11. It was great to have another mum look after the children as she really knew what it was like to be a mum and had good practical advice on sleep/behaviour/health etc.

My next Nanny also had her own daughter but that did not work out. The kids were older and found it difficult to adjust (particularly her daughter who, understandbly, didnt warm to sharing her mum,) and our wishes to have the kids socialised in their own areas (to get to hang out with local kids at local toddler groups etc that they will eventually go to nursery and school with) compromised her own wishes for the same thing for her daughter. It just never felt right and we amicably called it a day after about 3 months.

If I were doing it again I would spend lots of time with them first to see how they would sort out (inevitable)disagreements between the kids, and what sort of weekly activities they would do and if these could be arranged to adequately suit both families needs.

Hope this helps.

[ken2]

That's really helpful. Thanks gwod.

- Caroline