Hiring Of Multiple Nannies Is On The Rise By Stressed Out Parents Who Say They Have No Choice!
Hiring Of Multiple Nannies Is On The Rise By Stressed Out Parents Who Say They Have No Choice!
The hiring of nannies to look after children is most definitely nothing new. It’s a practice which dates back centuries, especially for the royals who were basically raised by their nannies and babysitters.
Today it’s still a common practice, with many parents choosing to employ some help with the raising of their kids. While some nannies only help with school pick ups and drop offs, others are hired on a daily basis to do things like cook and clean for the family as well running daily errands. Nannies can be a god sent for busy working parents or even for stay at home mums and dads who just need a little time out for themselves!
Meet 37 year old Natalia Nikulina. The New York mum of two employs four nannies to help with her two kids. She says, “I don’t have the mental capacity to spend time with my children all day”.
Nikulina, a clinical social worker, says if it weren’t for the help of these four nannies she would surely ‘lose her mind!’
The working mum, who’s estranged from her husband, employs a weekday nanny who will pick up her boys, ages 2 and 3, after day care, take them to the park for a few hours, make them dinner and helps put them to bed.
Then there are the weekend nannies — one for Saturday and one for Sunday who both work 12 hour long days. There’s also a fourth nanny on call.
“I don’t have the mental capacity to spend time with my children all day,” says Nikulina, who works 9-to-5 five days a week. “I love my children, but I’m not embarrassed to say the nannies are not just to provide child care when I’m at work, they provide mental rest for me when I am at home as well.
“I don’t see any way around it, otherwise I lose my mind, and then I can’t work. Having extra help is a must- water, air and nannies.”
Nikulina does however explain that she doesn’t just sit on the couch while the nannies are around.“When I’m with the nanny, I’m never relaxing, if the nanny is with the kids, I’m cleaning up.”
Nannies aren’t just for working mums either. A New York nanny agency says more and more stay at home mums are choosing to employ nannies even if they are home themselves. It gives them an opportunity to catch up with their friends, relax and do things they couldn’t with kids around.
“Of course I have two nannies, one watches the baby, and one watches the toddler and straightens the house. But I don’t want anyone to know,” said one 41 year old mum. “Do I have a 9-to-5 job? No. But I run a household, I run my social media and I am very involved in charity.”
While hiring more than one nanny may seem a tad excessive, this mum says she does it because it’s in the best interest of her help. “Can one woman handle all of that? No,” she said of caring for her 3-year-old and 10-month-old. “When you give her too many things to do, she’ll quit. To lighten the load of one, you employ the other.”
So how much will a full time nanny set you back in New York? Leading nannies can make up to $A200,000 with health benefits, their own car and perks like getting to travel with their families. Definitely not a bad gig if you can get it!
Images: Stefano Giovannini
Chrystal Lovevintage
Chrystal is a writer and blogger who loves nothing more than watching back to back episodes of crime shows. Should she ever find herself needing to cover up a crime, she'll know exactly what to do! Her dream is to one day live in Palm Springs where she can do her writing poolside while drinking endless gin and tonics. Mum to the cutest twin boys in the world, she loves nothing more than the sound of their laughter (usually heard when they're conspiring against her). Entertainment writer and pop culture junkie, she will be bringing you all the celebrity gossip and news that your brain can handle. You can follow her blog at https://lovechrystal.com.au and on Instagram at Chrystalovevintage
