I’ll own it: I was cocky. Maria, our sweet nanny, was the best, and I knew it. Friends wanted to nanny-steal her from us several times since she was so good. She was a catch and took excellent care of our complete family as a quality employee. In terms of a mom-proxy, I couldn’t be more pleased. As a result, our relationship was fantastic throughout the 3.5 years she was with us. It is, thankfully, still the case.
Maria, on the other hand, had to take some time off earlier this year due to a health condition. What was supposed to be a six-week vacation evolved into four months, which developed into more months of her being unable to work. I didn’t replace her at first because I thought six weeks wouldn’t be a huge deal and that I could handle my job schedule and the kids. And as each week of her absence morphed into another week of absence, I found myself in a rut. I was completely spent. But I’d figured out a way to be a parent and work at the same time. And towards the end of the four months, I was looking forward to spending more time with the kids and not having to worry about another person.
When Maria was ready to return to work, we greeted her with open arms and were delighted to see her. She’d been a part of our family for the past three and a half years, and I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to juggle the kids’ schedules and work long-term without her. I’d always been nervous about being totally responsible for my children’s day-to-day lives, but now I loved it.
As the weeks passed, I saw a shift in my children and myself. We had been missing each other. They were missed by me. Life was certainly smoother and less chaotic now that Maria was back, but something was still missing. So my husband and I made the difficult decision to let Maria go. We simply didn’t require the same level of assistance now that both children were in school.
It’s been a couple months since we’ve had a nanny. It takes some getting used to as a working mom. My days are long, and evenings are no longer a time to unwind. It’s time for me to finish what I’m working on. Despite this, I find that I am happier doing both. This is why:
1. The Money!
Childcare is costly, and I often secretly weighed my earnings versus those of my nanny. My spouse and I put in long hours, but we don’t have unlimited funds. It’s comforting to know that my earnings are going toward my family’s bills and savings, rather than being used to pay someone else.
2. The Drama!
Even the most obedient employee has problems. It’s only natural. Moms, employed or not, are, however, quite busy. We want to deal with our own children’s problems, not those of others.
3. I Know What to Expect From My Day
My days are jam-packed, and each one moves at a breakneck speed, yet I always know what to anticipate. I’m not going to organise my day around someone who might fall sick, get a flat tyre, or do something else beyond of her control.
4. I Don’t Have to Get Info on My Kids Second-Hand
Even collecting information from the finest reporter can feel like a game of Telephone__.__ As a result, I’m enjoying hearing directly from my children’s teachers and knowing who they’re playing with and where they’re playing.
5. I’m Not Responsible for Someone’s Income
My husband and I always strive to treat everyone who assists us with our children as if they were an employee of a company. This involves paid holidays, vacation days, and pay raises. However, my husband and I are not a business, and being someone’s primary source of income can be intimidating at times.
6. When My Kids Aren’t Home, No One Else Is in the House
Is there anyone else who misses being alone in their home? Yes, I do. Now that my children are in school, I am able to spend time alone at home. It’s fantastic!
7. I Can Walk Around Naked
I don’t, but I can. It’s fabulous!
8. Homework Gets Done Earlier
I’d have to wait until she departed for the day to finish homework if I had a nanny. As a result, I was frequently forced to engage in the “homework battle” with a tired child. We can now do it anytime he wishes. We can actually do it whenever I want. It gets even better.
9. I Don’t Have to Miss My Kids’ Milestones
Actually, if both of my children have something going on at the same time, I have to miss some of their milestones. But, if it’s possible, I’ll be there. It’s something they can rely on.
10. Busy People Get More Done
I was only able to let my nanny go because I don’t have to report to an office and have a flexible schedule. It would be hard for me to not have daycare if I worked 9-5. But, because I don’t, it’s a possibility. And I’m managing to get everything done!
Don’t think everything is perfect before you think about letting your nanny go. My floors need to be swept, and I’m folding laundry as the kids eat dinner. I’m constantly driving across town, making me the lowest-paid Uber driver on the planet. And if you think my kids eat delicious home-cooked meals every night, you’re mistaken. My time is limited, and cooking isn’t always an option. But it doesn’t appear to bother anyone.
FAQ
- Is life easier with a nanny?
Less stress. Everything went more smoothly, according to the parents, because they had the ideal nanny on hand to assist them. Parents were less worried at work and were able to focus better. They didn’t have to worry about getting out of that conference in time to pick up the child before kindy closed for the day because they trusted their nanny.
- Is it better to have a nanny?
More Parental Control
You have more control over what your child is exposed to, where they go, what they eat, and how their schedule looks with a nanny in your home. The majority of nannies write detailed daily reports and provide photos to their parents. A nanny is an excellent alternative if this is important to you. - Why does a stay-at-home mom need a nanny?
When you need something as simple as a bath or someone to watch the kids while you walk to the grocery store without four kids hanging down the side of your supermarket cart, a nanny can help. Nannies can also assist with domestic chores such as laundry, dishes, and even cooking.
- Why do I need a nanny?
One of the advantages of hiring a nanny over a babysitter or another type of daycare is that they may assist with housework. This involves basic clean-up connected to the children’s activities, supper preparation, general room and play-area maintenance, and other jobs as needed.
