I’m a Real Full-time Nanny. Here’s my thoughts:
Hi everyone! My name is Chelsea (33F) and I have been working in childcare for 10+ years. I have experience in the industry (and specifically with wealthy families). I wanted to answer questions any of you all have so please AMA and I wanted to share my thoughts on this show.
Also as of right now I have just finished the first 5 episodes, so my opinions are based on the show to this point.
Leah
As someone very serious about their career, Leah, makes me so mad. From the perspective of professionalism, I would never want recordings of myself falling over drunk broadcasted on live television. Yes, I have a life outside of my job, but that is not something I would share openly on social media for prospective clients to possibly view. Her callousness towards her employees when they make mistakes versus her dismissiveness of her own faults makes her a terrible leader.
Sleeping with a Dad
Although the situation was very nuanced, Leah hooking up with a dad is extremely problematic. A nanny hooking up with a father IS a real and relevant fear of many mothers and has been widely discussed by momfluencers on NannyTok forums. Bringing this situation to a world-wide audience exacerbates mistrust towards the industry.
Taylor
I personally come from a very similar situation to Taylor. My family was a lower income family, parents divorced, my dad was an alcoholic and mom was a workaholic. I was alone a lot and had to grow up really fast. These experiences have shaped the way I nanny and like Taylor, I set out to give children a better situation than what I had growing up. That said, she’s very young and hasn’t learned the appropriate way to manage her working relationships with families. It’s a very easy mistake to make to overshare with a nanny family - the relationship lines are very blurry in this environment. It’s unfortunate that this way the way she had to learn this lesson. I also don’t want to ignore the mistake she made with leaving the kids with Tamaya to confront her boyfriend at the beach. This is yet another example of poor judgement and immaturity on her part.
The Families
I think it’s pretty obvious that the families represented on the show are dramatized, fame-seeking versions of what real wealthy nanny families are like. I full on cackled at the lists of requirements - some of which (like the chopstick and spray tan requests) are so silly and ridiculous that all I can do is laugh. The truth is somewhere in between. Yes, families are and can be VERY particular. I have worked with families that have very specific and niche requests. For instance, the nail thing is pretty fairly common. I have been requested to have short, natural nails while working. I had a mom who preferred I fold all laundry hot from the dryer to prevent wrinkling. Most families have certain ways of doing things (folding laundry, stocking pantries, washing dishes… etc.) and you learn to adapt to their ways. One thing I want to clarify - my professional boundary stops at any sort of task that is not child-related. Once that threshold is crossed, I’m no longer your nanny, I’m your professional assistant and that’s not the job I signed-up for. Sorry 3 Daddies, but you’ll never have me doing your hair and make-up.
Thats really all I have to say, but I’m open to more questions comments from you all so please feel free to discuss!