Hiring a nanny

LittleLady77 · January 2014

So, with twins on the way and basically no local family around we have decided to hire a nanny for the first few months. We want someone to come for a few hours 2-3X a week... So not a ton but enough to keep me sane while DH is a work. My work pays for access to care.com so I have an ad up there and I'm starting to get a few good applicants. So my question, what in the world do I ask these ladies? I have never even been around newborns, how do I tell if these ladies are good? Also, how do I tell them what I'll need?

sgautschi · January 2014

Tell me about your experience as a nanny, what age groups did you care for? How many at a time?

What did your typical day look like at your previous nannying position?

What are you most comfortable/least comfortable doing?

Are you able to run errands?

What type of housework are you open to doing?

Are you certified in infant CPR?

sgautschi · January 2014

If both twins started crying at once, and I was unavailable, what would you do?

Are you able to watch both if/when I take a nap?

What is your stand on breastfeeding/formula feeding?

ETA I mention the last question because I would hate for you to have someone working for you who didn't agree with your choices. You would be looking for an answer like this "I support whatever decision the mother/father makes".

LittleLady77 · January 2014

Thanks.

sgautschi · January 2014

You're welcome. I hope you find the perfect fit.

spin25 · January 2014

It depends how you plan to utilize them. Are you looking for someone to watch both at once or just one while you care for the other? If both at once then @sgautschi had a good idea about asking how they would handle two crying babies at once. Have they cared for two infants at a time before? Good luck in your search.

LittleLady77 · January 2014

I have no idea what I'll need. Maybe just to rock the babies while I sleep or shower, do the dishes, go to the store, hold one while I nurse the other... Who knows. We are looking for someone with infant experience.

bobcee · January 2014

I have no experience or questions to ask in regards to a nanny, but I would definitely be contacting their references.

brij2006 · January 2014

sgautschi gave some great questions. I would highly recommend to hire someone who has experience with both newborns and caring for 2 children at once. Since you are looking for someone to essentially do both.

I would also talk with them about household tasks. Make them aware that you are looking for someone to not only help you with the babies, but help with some cleaning, cooking, groceries, etc. Then see how comfortable they are with that.

This is actually what I did in college with 2 different families with newborns and 2 year olds. Both positions I found through care.com and sittercity.com. Those are both great websites to utilize.

LittleLady77 · January 2014

@brij2006 Since you've done this before, where there any things your families did that you either loved or hated?

Venti29 · January 2014

Damn ittttttttttt. I just erased what I wrote out!! I think a lot of this will seem like 'I would never ask someone to do that', but here is what I would ask of someone who I was hiring to help me and my family. 1. Will he/she wash cloth diapers. 2. Will he/she wash and rinse your breast pump and bottles. You'll spend so much time doing this. It'll be so much help if they will. If you decide to pump. (I started pumping full time two months in). 3. How does he/she feel about bringing you a baby to nurse, after come in and take the baby to burp/change... Allowing you to continue resting. x2 4. Will he/she wash baby clothes. 5. Are they okay with a media free/limited environment. 6. Will he/she prep meals, run and grab food... Whatever. 7. Will they run to doctor visits with you. You might not need any of this, but it's just want I would have wanted. Aside from the sleeping, I really wanted to be around the babies. I wouldn't have felt comfortable with anyone driving them, walking, or going outside the home. Just my thoughts.

Venti29 · January 2014

Damn iPad. Sorry.

brij2006 · January 2014

I did this for 2 different families (who were friends), and each of them was a whole different experience. So I'll list a mix of things I loved and hated with each.

Loved:

- Was able to take the kids anywhere and everywhere while mom took a nap, got a haircut, did an exercise video, etc. Right from the start.

- Lists!!! List out schedules, things to get done, anything new you're introducing. Even if you're there together and at the same time, I found most often I was in a different room doing laundry or consoling a different child while she was elsewhere in the house nursing or taking a nap. Lists and schedules helped us both immensely to be able to pick up where the other person left off.

- Being able to use her vehicle with the carseats already in place (especially when I had a 2 door car), and having a credit card I could sign for to get groceries and run errands. A lot of times this was done without the kids or with just 1 child with me and her at home with the other one.

- Being treated as a friend there to help out with everything, and the mom being comfortable enough to ask for help and trust my judgement (I still talk to this mom and the kids, and visit often).

- Of course, the pay ;-)

Disliked:

- One mom was pretty controlling, and felt that her kids "needed" her at all times and she needed to be around them both constantly. It was very difficult to be able to take my time consoling or redirecting them because she was constantly hovering.

- Lack of schedule (this was from the non-controlling mom).

Tips:

- If you are planning on nursing, find someone you are comfortable exposing yourself in front of. One mom was very discrete, and the other was not. This will be especially important with twins as you may need her to hold one while you move around, or have her adjust the pillow. Face it, this chick will see the girls.

- Do not be the least bit afraid to have her come to the house your first day/night home from the hospital. I stayed at the one family's home the first week, and she said it was one of the best decisions she made.

- Utilize her, and give her things to do. There may be times where one baby is sleeping, and you're nursing the other. Have her prep meals, do laundry, clean, etc.

- This one will sound weird, but treat her similar to how you would your H. She may burp, rock, or swaddle different than you do, but in the end your child is being cared for. (I know I did things different than the mom's, but they never had an issue with it and that was a huge plus).

- Go through things with her before the babies are here. Just simple things of where extra paper towels are, what detergent to use with the cloth diapers, etc. It sounds dumb, but you will thank yourself later when you're exhausted and don't want to answer/think about mundane tasks.

....and this got really long.

LittleLady77 · January 2014

You ladies rock. Thanks so much, this is tremendously helpful!

PinkinProvence · January 2014

I just posted an ad this week on care.com this week too! I have gotten responses but have returned any because I have no idea what to ask/look for!

LittleLady77 · January 2014

Haha. Im glad I'm not the only clueless one.

Di12 · March 2014

Hi moms, is anyone looking for a full time nanny, I know a wonderful nanny who has over 10 years experience and is now looking for full time.

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