- Max Kalogirou, 29, has labored in childcare since he was 16.
- He is been a nanny for simply over 4 years.
- He is undecided folks will wish to rent him as an older male nanny.
This as-told-to essay is predicated on a dialog with Max Kalogirou, an envoy for Nannytax. It has been edited for size and readability.
After I was 16, I began working at children’s birthday parties. I’d assist youngsters get on and off slides and rides and manage video games. It wasn’t a typical job for a highschool boy, however I liked it. Simply seeing the enjoyment on the youngsters’ faces was so fulfilling.
I began to suppose I would like a profession in childcare. I started an apprenticeship at Bright Horizons, a US-based day care chain that additionally operated in England, the place I lived. That is after I actually fell in love with kids. I labored with youngsters below 5. I favored seeing how curious they have been in regards to the world and with the ability to push them towards that curiosity. Watching them study, develop, and develop was actually rewarding.
The day care I labored at was uncommon as a result of three different males have been working there, together with the division supervisor. I am glad I had that mentorship, however on the time, I wasn’t fascinated about gender — I simply knew I’d take pleasure in a career taking care of kids.
I grew to become a nanny simply earlier than changing into a dad unexpectedly
I labored within the day care from 2012 till 2020. My solely destructive expertise was when a dad or mum did not need me to vary their child woman’s diaper. My supervisor, a girl, stepped up for me and defined I used to be identical to another employee on the day care. It felt good realizing she had my again.
After eight years of the identical routine, I wished a change, so I started nannying. I did three months full-time after which acquired an enormous shock: my ex-partner was pregnant, and I used to be going to be a dad. I pivoted to an ad-hoc nanny schedule to offer me extra flexibility.
My childcare expertise helped me after I became a young dad. Most of all, I knew the right way to assist my daughter’s mother. Caretaking felt pure, however I hadn’t had a lot expertise with infants. Holding my daughter for the primary time was like choosing up a doll, and I used to be terrified.
I am choosy in regards to the households I work with
At present, I work for 5 to fifteen households every week. I’d do a faculty drop-off, then spend a number of hours taking care of a new child whose mother is on maternity depart. I am going to do after-school care and nighttime babysitting, and watch youngsters who’re house sick from faculty. I like how this schedule provides me gaps within the day, to take care of myself and my daughter, whom I’ve about 10 nights every month.
I am fortunate that I am supplied a number of work, so I could be choosy in regards to the households I work with. I’ve labored with all kinds, from single mother and father in one-bedroom flats to celebrities who had non-disclosure agreements.
I’ve solely been disrespected as soon as by a really rich household. One of many mother and father swore at me, so I walked off the job. I wish to be revered in my place of job. Now, inside 10 minutes of assembly, I can inform whether or not a household is an effective match. I search for households with good communication abilities, who’re organized, and have respectful youngsters. I additionally search for mother and father who discover real pleasure of their kids.
I’ve no examples of older male nannies
Some folks do not wish to work with me as a result of I am a male nanny, or manny, as I say. I used to suppose that was from ignorance, however I’ve realized it is only a choice. I’ve parenting preferences for my very own daughter, so I do not take it personally.
Making pals as a male nanny has been tough. Not everybody wished to be social with me or the youngsters I nanny; some weren’t happy that I used to be doing so properly on this profession. With time, although, I’ve discovered a core group of nanny pals.
I am nearly 30 and wish to proceed nannying for one more 15 and even 25 years. However I’ve by no means met one other male nanny who’s older than mid-30s. I can not see anybody using me after I’m 50, however on the similar time, I can not think about doing one other sort of labor.
There are not any examples of an older male nanny, so I’d have to be the primary.