Here We Go Again

So, I've once again sighed up for care.com.  This is where I found my last several nannies.  I don't even want to count them up.  I'm so frustrated with having to go through this process AGAIN.

I am very thorough.  I usually have two interviews, do a complete background check (yes I do google applicants and check facebook and my findings have cost candidates the job), and then do a test-run where they stay with the girls for a couple of hours while DH and I stay nearby before we hire somebody.  This process is unbelievably time consuming, and time is the one thing I do not have a lot of. (I tried to talk me secretary into doing preliminary interviews, but she refused!)(Yes, that's a joke.  I do not ask my secretary to handle personal tasks.)

I don't think that our nanny turnover is because the pay is bad or we treat them poorly. I think being somewhat transitory is the nature of the late-teen/early-twenty somethings that I typically hire  Our current nanny is heading to college in the fall and suddenly decided she wanted to take a summer session.  Our former nanny was with us for a year before she went off to college (and she visits us whenever she is back in town) The one before that was with us a matter of weeks before she decided to move across the country to be with her twin (and stays in touch with the girls via email).

So why do I keep hiring 18-24 year olds?

Because the grandmotherly-type who was our nanny for two years got mad and quit after I refused to employ her full-time over the summer.  Frankly, she just wasn't up to it--regardless of what she thought.  She quit going upstairs (where the kids spend most of their time) and every time I came home she was doing crosswords downstairs while the kids ran amok.  She started refusing to drive them places, and the was increasingly hostile toward PS.  She needed to go, and I was glad I didn't have to fire her, but the twins were devastated by her sudden disappearance.

And because I like for my girls to have upwardly mobile role models.  Girls who are in school and are working toward their goals.  Because the older women who have applied for these position (and I almost hired one the last go-round) have not generally had great career aspirations.  They just need something to pay the bills.  (Of course, there are nannies who see it not as a job, but as a career, who are educated and have excellent qualifications.  These nannies are generally seeking full time positions and pay beyond my budget.)

Because my girls like hanging out with younger people, and getting advice from them. (PS has been texting our former nanny with all her high school questions.) And because the younger people can help with homework. 

And so, here we go again.  I did find several local girls who are home from college for the summer and interested in hanging out with my girls, so I guess I'll spend this weekend interviewing. But even with all the trouble, I think in-my-home care is best for me and my girls.  Especially as they get older.  At least one of them is doing a half-day camp every day this month.  And I just realized TT has summer band through half of August.  I have no idea how we'll get them to and fro without  someone to run them around.