How much time have you and your neighbors complained about the fact that you wish you could afford to hire a nanny? After all, not everyone makes enough money to support the family while paying a full-time nanny’s wage as well.
If that sounds like your situation, it’s time to get a little creative.
Hiring a nanny doesn’t have to be an exclusive event. There’s nothing wrong with sharing a nanny position. It’s simple! Get together with another family and discuss the traits, qualities, experience, and skills you’re looking for in a nanny. Decide how to go about posting the profile through a nanny placement agency, how much you collectively can afford to pay the nanny, and write up a sample of the job expectations including how many children the nanny will be required to watch and their ages.
The next thing you’ll have to decide is which house the nanny will work from. You can alternate between homes (one week at one house; the next week at another), or consistently send the kids to the same house day after day. Since you’re neighbors, it’s not like the kids have to travel across town. When two or three families are involved in the nanny share system, be reasonable with your housekeeping expectations. The primary focus in this situation should be on childcare, not on laundry care.
