Interviewing a Nanny Who Is 19 Years Old

I nannied over the summer when I was 17 (and again at 22). The boys were 1 and 4. I took care of all the boys' day time needs, planned day trips, taught them poems and got the older ones behavior under control (he had been known as a bit of a hellion). At 22 I took care of two boys aged 7 and 11.

I wouldn't hold her age against her EXCEPT that at that age some of her decisions might not be her own. For example, with the family when I was 17, at the end of my summer with them they were headed to Spain for a month. They asked me to go with them to care for the boys (not something we talked about when they hired me for the summer) but my mom wouldn't let me miss the start of the school year.

Good luck with this.

T.

By the time I was 19 I had been 'babysitting' for 6 years. At that age I was valued because I was responsible enough for parents to leave me with their kids overnight. In fact that is most of what I did at that age - babysit for 2-3 days/nights so parents could get away. I would say it would depend on her references. I'm 42 so 19 sounds very young to me too!

I nannied at 19 and worked in different areas of childcare to include teaching preschool up until I was 24. I loved it, I sometimes knew more about infants than the first time mom I nannied for and she asked me for advice multiple times. I am 31 now and while I still love kids I would never consider working with them like that again because of the amount of energy needed to keep up with them. I would definately check her refs but it is definately good to have someone young enough to keep up with your kids rather than someone older who may sit on the couch all day and not interact with the kids.

This is a legitimate concern, however, I know a nanny who finished school at 16 and went right off to college at a young age. She is still a nanny now. I know her and her mother and know she is a very responsible girl, just young. You have to use all of your mommy instincts and listen to your heart and gut. What did your kids think of her? Call her references and ask a few questions and then listen. They will either clam up or carry on about how wonderful she is. Best of luck.

I don't think 19 is too young to be a nanny, she is technically an adult and many 19 year olds are very responsible (sure some aren't). I think you should at least give her a chance and not move on to the next candidate just because of age. You may pass on a great opportunity.

I worked in a day care center at that age. I showed up every day, took my job seriously, and loved working with the kids! I think a 19 year old could be a great nanny. I'd definitely check her references, but that is the case with any nanny.

19 is a very normaly age for a nanny. Not many people make being a nanny their lifetime goal, so it's something they do during college and go to class at night. I was a nanny from 18-21 while I had my first baby and finished college. My younger sister babysat for my full-time from 17-21. She is now 21 and a nanny for another family. When my siser took on my kids, they were 3 and 1...a year later I had another, and she managed just fine with a 4, 2, and newborn. So it's totally the person. If you are comfortable with her, let her have the job :).

I don't think her age has anything to do with whether or not she'll be a good nanny. You should put her through the same interviews and "tests" you do anyone else. Some people are immature at that age and others are not. You could say the same about a 30 year old!

I started babysitting multiple children (albeit in the midwest, where it seems things are a bit different) when I was 12, basically was a nanny for many summers as a teenager, just didn't call it that. I was married at 20 and had my own newborn at 21, and it was simple for me because of all the experience I had (as well as 15 nieces and nephews I'd been a very good auntie to!!).

In the end, if she is excited and energetic and likes your kids, she will be a good nanny, whatever her age. Blessings on your decision!

I became a nanny at 19. The parents interviewed me together before hiring me. About a month later, they realized I was only 19, and the dad wanted to fire me because he thought 19 was too young. Age makes no difference. I was more mature at 19 than many of my 30 year old friends and siblings are. Kids look up to younger caregivers, and can relate to them better than older ones. I say, let her experience and references be your guide. I personally prefer either younger adults, or older adults. Those that fall in the middle 27-40 tend to be wrapped up and busy with their own lives, their marriages, their own kids, etc.

I think it is definitely about the person, not the age. I was extremely responsible at that age (now 36). If she has good energy and your kids enjoy her, I think it could work out well. She also might listen to you more about how to do things, or how you want things done versus someone who is older and experienced and has their way of doing things. I guess it mostly depends on what you want and about TRUST! Good Luck! S.

I know this comes a little late. I read a book "How to rasie you toddler in a godly manner" or something like that. There is a chapter towards the end of the book of good questions to ask of a nanny/babysiter. It also show what type of behavior you should look for or avoid in a sitter. I believe the book is written by two doctors (one male and one female.) Since I read this book some time ago, I cannot remember any of the good questions. Perhaps you can find some good questions on line.

Hi Barbara,

I started my Nanny training, (I'm a certified professional nanny), at 18 and worked full time 50 hrs a week with 2 kids under 4 at 19. It was hard work, but I was very mature for my age.

Having been in her shoes, I would look for someone who has a good head on their shoulders, is able to give you good answers to "want if " questions and knows it's ok to ask for help.

Being 19 and caring for children, you're often scared to admit when you're not sure what to do. Make sure you have an open door policy. It helped me when parents told me about their struggles, becasue I felt like I could open up.

Check her references, talk to her about life, (you'll learn a lot about her this way), and make sure you sent clear rules. She's still a kids too and needs boundaries.

Good Luck.

R. Magby

Completely depends on the individual nanny. Try to get a really good feel for who she is. Is she a nervous type? DId you ask what she enjoys doing in her spare time? Things like that might lead you to answers you seek? Look her up on Facebook or other social networking media...big businesses do. Many parents are opposed to a Nanny who is showing racy photos or using profanity in such public posting as it is against their own morals or simply approriate lines that might get blurred with their children (like swearing).

Persoanlly, I was a FT nanny starting on my 20th birthday...and stayed with them past my 28th...then started home childcare. I had a few years prior childcare experience, and now have a degree as well, my own family and had a daughter while working that 8 year stint as a nanny for that family. I was always "mature" when dealing with the care of other children. My own child...at almost 16....no way...its not in her. She is too shy and reserved.

We are all different. You can cover the basics...CPR, First Aid, SIDS and SHaken Baby...even state approved Transportation/Car seat training (here in MN child care providers are required to do it if they transport children...nannies can take part as well)..make sure you get the proper insurance in place if they are driving the children (at your expense, not the nanny's)....encourage other classes that will benefit your children!

Good Luck!

I had a family up the street for whom I would nanny over the summers. I started right after the birth of the second daugther (8 weeks and 13 months). I was 13 at the time. It was technically babysitting, but I was, in essence their nanny.

It all depends on the maturity of the person. I was wise beyond my years, and unfortunately, that's kept me from having many relationships with people my age because I'm about 10-15 years older than my age indicates.

I don't think it's a legitimate concern. If you have a good gut feeling, go with it. She can likely teach them things someone in their early 30's doesn't know about technology. Sounds crazy but unfortunately true.

Don't worry about her age, we all needed to start somewhere at that age, right.
= )

I'm sure things will be fine.

Try to think of it this way, she will have alot less bagage of her own to stress about while she is focused on your children. ( no ex-husband, no children, not alot of bills ).

Things should be fine, if you like her - give her a try.

Best wishes.

I started my nanny career at the age of 17, the summer after I graduated h.s. I had a ton of energy, and had 4 kids under foot at that time. 15 months, 2.5,5,7. It's alot of work, but if you have a consistent schedule that the nanny can keep up with, there shouldn't be any problems.

Think of it this way, she is young, has a ton of energy , and loves children!

some people are immature and make bad choices their entire life. some kids are already capable of being responsible and rational by their early teens. I'd thoroughly check her references, and if they're good, enjoy having your kids be around someone who will probably be a ton of fun for them.

19 seems really young to me as well... but then again, at 19 I had already been an air traffic controller, and was switching into the field of crew chief and rescue swimming (aka I held people's lives in my hands every day, and had since I was 17). Our wars are fought by 19 year olds. One of the *biggest* problems that enlisted military types have when they get out is that general society still considers anyone under 25 a child and not deserving or capable of responsibility. Sure. Many are not. But most are more than capable.

I don't think it's ageist... I DO think that it's common sense. If you have someone who is 20 or 80 certain things USUALLY go along with both categories. Not always. But IMHO it's smart to consider what the "usual" problems are with any age category rather than to pretend they don't exist. For example *most* (not all) young adults are more emotional that older adults. This can be a good thing, as it can translate into passion for their work, or a negative thing... getting wrapped up in drama. Just things to consider. Also, there are people who are far less emotional at 19 than your average 50 year old. But the trend is the whole "young and idealistic", or "young and dumb" or "young and passionate" or "young and hotheaded" (aka extremes that *tend* to temper with age). Sigh. Generalizations are true for a reason, but since they're never true for everyone, they're a bit of a pain to write about.

I'd say to trust your gut of your impression of both this person and the references. (Because one person's wonderful, is another person's "Nooooo way!")

Like everyone else, I say don't let her youth steer you away. I was babysitting 3 days a week for different families at 10, nannying 3 kids over the summer by age 13, my own child at 19 and was an awesome nanny to 2 additional boys from 20 to 24. Make sure she has good references and has similar values to your family, but I definitely wouldn't let age be the determining factor.