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Granny as Nanny
Nicki Donley was thrilled -- and relieved -- when her father agreed to care for her girls. She'd had triplets, born prematurely, so day care was prohibitively expensive and finding a sitter proved to be a bust. "I interviewed several prospects, but it just didn't feel right," says Donley, of Twinsburg, Ohio. Having her dad come to her house two or three days a week gave Donley and her husband peace of mind. It's been seven years now, and Donley's folks (these days, her mom is the main sitter) are still the trio's twice-weekly caregivers. Donley's mom, Bonnie Peretto, 62, says keeping up with triplets "who think Grandma can do everything they can do" is physically tough, but also rewarding.
The sense of safety and trust that Donley enjoys is paramount for new moms and dads "employing" parents as babysitters. And the cost of turning a family member into Mary Poppins can't be beat. It's easy to understand why 30 percent of preschoolers whose mothers work outside the home are cared for by their grandparents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But is it right for you?
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I care for my soon to be 2 year old grandson and I have cared for him since he was born. I feel so blessed and honored to be his care giver 5 days a week while his parents work. I take him to a play group a couple days a week so he can socialize with other children. My husband and I enjoy him so much and we would not have it any other way!
10/30/2011 06:24:25 PM Report AbuseI have cared for my grandaughter since she has been 3mo. old. I loved every minute of it. However, she really didn't interact well with other kids as she got older and I think that being in a daycare situation with other children at least a couple of days a week, (which I thought at the time a definite NO) would have been a great help to her.
10/29/2011 09:56:56 AM Report AbuseThere are advantages and disadvantages to using family members and friends as babysitters. Each situation is unique and must be evaluated individually. Below are the advantages and disadvantages that you should consider when deciding whether to use family members and friends as babysitters. Advantages No need to spend time interviewing babysitting candidates No need to spend time and money performing background checks on babysitting candidates No worries about... http://tinyurl.com/2ezdwd4
10/28/2011 11:09:02 AM Report AbuseA piece of advice - make sure you and your mother/father (or mother-in-law/father-in-law) are in good terms BEFORE asking them to be your nanny. You have to work out your own personal issues before you can employ them. It would be difficult to communicate with them if there is lingering animosity between you. Otherwise, the best caregiver for your child is always a family member!
10/28/2011 10:12:06 AM Report AbuseThis very topic has caused a lot of issues and hurt feelings in our family when the offer was extended and then retracted. Think carefully before offering to watch your grandchildren or before putting your family in this situation.
10/28/2011 10:03:11 AM Report AbuseLots of pros for this, but in the end, I don't know if it's worth it. Grandparents should get to be just that, and not be the main child care provider. It is hard to expect them to enforce daily rules, when the instinct to spoil is really their right. I am very thankful for our "Nana" but it has not been fair to her or to my daughter. Think long and hard before deciding to do this on a long term basis.
10/28/2011 09:44:01 AM Report AbuseNannies span the generations from Generation Y (those born 1984 - 2002, also known as Millennials) to the Greatest Generation (those born 1927-1945, also known as Traditionalists or the Silent Generation). Nannies who are grannies (i.e., nannies who have grandchildren of their own) can easily be found in homes across the nation. These nannies bring to their jobs decades of childrearing experience.... Nannies4hire.com
9/20/2011 10:35:14 AM Report Abuse