Member-only story
MOTHERHOOD Q&A
Keys To A Successful Nanny Share
Millennial moms who make childcare, breastfeeding and work doable — with a twist
When first-time mom Nicole planned to return to work as director of strategic accounts for a commercial interiors manufacturer in New York City, she figured a nanny for her 3-month-old son would be the best fit for her and her husband’s schedule.
Nicole had begun to do research for a responsible caregiver almost as soon as she became pregnant. The first thing she did was go online but quickly became overwhelmed by the myriad childcare apps, websites, as well as the cost.
The second thing she did was call Bonnie, another new mom and a food and beverage manager, who was also actively searching for childcare for her 6-month-old son.
The moms share a zip code. They share a decade-old friendship. And they share family: They are sisters-in-law. When Bonnie expressed a similar frustration, it was her brother, Nicole’s husband, who applied logic: It’s the same problem — there should be one solution. So the families added something else to share: A nanny.
When I interviewed the two career-committed moms in Bonnie’s home, the signs of a close-knit family were apparent. It was Sunday, and aside from their husbands…