An Excellent piece by Almer Anuli from
Many people fondly remember the episode of Friends in which Ross and Rachel hire a male nanny for their daughter, Emma, but Ross has a hard time accepting the gender of his child’s caregiver. That stereotype might still exist in some minds, but the childcare workforce has expanded to include a large percentage of highly qualified male nannies, or mannies. Many of these professionals are on the lookout for nannying jobs, and some have a hard time finding work specifically because of an outdated stereotype. As a parent searching for someone to work in your home with your child, it’s important that you understand the real differences between a male and female nanny. Those differences tend to end after the gender, and more people are learning every day that male nannies are equally as capable as female nannies.
You might notice while searching for a childcare professional that there are a surprising number of male applicants. Most male nannies are educated individuals with experience in child education, social work, and coaching. Should you choose to hire a manny, you’ll be taking part in a trend that seems to be growing in popularity, especially amongst single mothers and families with male children.
Families that have a lack of a father figure are typically the most likely t
o benefit from a male nanny, especially if the mother has male children as well. A positive, strong male role model is paramount for the development of young children, and a male nanny can be the perfect way for a single mother to create a strong male presence within the life of her children. Ultimately, however, the choice of a nanny must come down to what is best for your family as a unit.
Gender should be one of the last factors to consider when weighing a candidate’s qualifications and experience. A female candidate with no experience is much less qualified to care for children than a male candidate with years of experience.
Your instincts will certainly help guide you through the process of finding the perfect caregiver. Listen to what your feelings are telling you about what is best for your family, and you’ll be sure to find exactly what you need. Some mothers are afraid of the possibility that their children might come to see a female nanny as a replacement, but with a manny, that fear might be significantly eased.
There are countless childcare options out there, and the goal of searching is to find the best possible care for your children in a manner that fits what your family needs.
A male nanny can quickly become a role model for your children, especially in homes that lack a stable, consistent father figure. Bonding with an older, positive male figure is an important step in any child’s life, and a manny can provide an avenue to that bond that might be missed due to an absent biological father. Some kids are happier when being cared for by a manny as they see them as older brothers.
All children have energy that needs to be used throughout the day, especially young boys. Running, jumping, crawling, climbing, and all other sorts of fun play activities can keep children occupied while they are awake and prepare them for a rejuvenating rest while they sleep. Male nannies, who are essentially big boys themselves, are well suited for all sorts of fun activities since they can relate to that sense of play.
While the market is becoming noticeably more filled with male nannies, they are still quite rare compared to the number of female nannies out there. If you truly want to hire a manny, you will certainly have to search more thoroughly than you might need to for a female nanny.
It’s important to bear in mind that the ultimate goal is to find an individual that perfectly fits the needs of your family, regardless of gender. To do so, you must take each factor into account, including experience, qualifications, and personality. If you know that a male nanny is an ideal option for you, then the next step would be to contact local nanny agencies like ANGELES MANNIES as they tend to have availabilities for amazing and reliable mannies in the area. They would be the most likely place to find a suitable manny.
We’ve finally reached a new age in which gender doesn’t limit career options. More and more males are entering fields typically reserved for females, but that only means our world is becoming more enlightened and accepting. Division of labor is no longer dependent on gender, as there are many male nurses, make-up artists, fashion designers, and more. Male nannies have slowly become an entirely normal part of our society, and they are here to stay. Perhaps Ross wouldn’t have minded a male nanny so much if Friends was on TV today.
Manny or Nanny – Which Is Right For Me? Read More »
