Can you help me find a job as a nanny or in any area of child care?
Indirectly, yes -- although not an agency and not affiliated with any agencies, Nanny.com was created to help you find the nanny job you want. The site is objective, straightforward and increasingly comprehensive. Articles here (such as Find A Child Care Job are written by a veteran (but former) agency owner (see About Us and Find An Agency). Do your homework here (read Interviewing, References and Contracts) and you will find a better job sooner.


Can you find a nanny for our family?
We can help -- before you start your nanny search, check out

• Definitions for terms you'll need to know.
• For finer distinctions, browse , Babysitting and Au Pairs.
• Find An Agency tells what agencies have to offer.
• Before you start interviewing, check that article, and our list of Questions to Ask.
• Before hiring, go through Pay, and Benefits.

And don't forget Contracts, where there's a form you can work from or use as is.

But we're not an agency and cannot make direct referrals.

How long will we need a nanny?
That's your call. But remember that adolescents can need an adult at home almost as much as a toddler does.

What kind of training should I expect of a nanny?
For a professional nanny, a diploma from an accredited nanny training program, which could be as short as a few days or as long as two years -- long-term nannies who have not attended nanny school may have more experience and know-how than recent grads of any program. For other applicants, expect at least a high school education, CPR (both infant and child), and First Aid. Look also for continuing education workshop certificates and college courses in child development.

We have a good nanny, we'd just like to keep her. Any suggestions?
Yes, take good care of her, you're a lucky family. Communication is critical -- letting her know your needs and listening to hers creates an immediate bond. Appreciation is part of that communication -- nannies care for children because they feel personally invested in (i.e., love) children. You can't buy love, you can only appreciate it.
Then look at pay and benefits.

FYI, we know of employers who have, e.g., set up a retirement account, built a Jacuzzi in the nanny's quarters, built or bought an apartment, paid for college tuition, or financed a car for their long-term nanny. Including these benefits with a job offer does not guarantee a good nanny or even a long-term commitment; go easy on these perks, but be ready to do whatever you can reasonably do to hold onto someone who has proven her worth to your family.

How can I get my son and daughter-in-law to stop yelling at their kids? They resent any advice from me.
You probably can't. The good bit is that, when the grands are with you, they may obey without being yelled at. This would ultimately accomplish a part of your goal.

That is, you have the opportunity to teach your grandchildren the value of good behavior when not with their parents. In fact, children who misbehave at home often act like angels in school. And you can teach their parents by your example. Many, many parents wonder at how their children behave well for others and not for them.

But take heart. You now know that the great opportunity for parents is to raise their children to be wise parents; if you did not manage this with your son, you'll need to develop extra patience and wisdom now, yourself. As a grandmother myself, I know your pain.

I am not sure if we are looking for a nanny or house keeper and sitter. We have twin 19 month old boys and expect another baby soon.

If you are an at-home mom, you may want a Nanny Housekeeper, who does a good job of cleaning while you take care of your brood but who can take one or another of them for short periods to give you a break.

Or you may want a Baby Nurse to take on the baby during its first months, while you devote yourself to your big boys.

But if you are a working parent, consider hiring someone to clean enough days each week to keep things in order, or perhaps a daily housekeeper part time, depending on your means and goals. Add to her a nanny who can take serious responsibility for all three children, possibly after a Baby Nurse completes her stint with you. Unless the twins can go into day care or preschool enough hours for a nanny to get the baby into a good routine.

We would like to find a nanny who is of the same ethnic background as ourselves. Can you help us?
Depending on your country of origin, your best bet may be to ask your contacts there to recommend someone. You may then be able to sponsor that person, based on a need which you will then have to define to Immigration & Naturalization.

Alternatively, you might do a search for communities of your ethnicity in the US, where you might find someone already here who would fit in.

How can I get my child to take a cup instead of his bottle?
You must have missed our article, under Ages 0-4, Breaking the Bottle Habit. It's pretty complete.

How can I get my son and daughter-in-law to stop yelling a their kids? They resent any advice from me.
You probably can't. The good bit is that, when the grands are with you, they may obey without being yelled at.

This would ultimately accomplish most of your goal. That is, you have the opportunity to teach your grandchildren the value of good behavior when not with their parents. In fact, children who misbehave at home often act like angels in school. And you can teach their parents by your example. Many, many young parents wonder at how their children behave well for grandparents and not for them.

Take heart. You now know that the great opportunity for parents is to raise their children to be wise parents; if you did not manage this with your daughter, you'll need to develop that extra patience and wisdom now, yourself. As a grandmother myself, I know your pain.