Should You Hire a Male Nanny?

male nanny blog imgIf you are on the fence about bringing a male caregiver into your family, you are not alone. Male nannies, often known as “mannies,” are just as caring and nurturing as any other caregiver, and writing them off outright is doing your family a disservice.

The Stereotype of Male Nannies

For a long time, the work of caring for children has fallen to women in society, with men taking more of a backseat in the child-rearing tasks. But thankfully, this is beginning to shift. As more couples work towards an equal share of childcare duties, we have come to understand the importance of having caregivers of all genders taking part in their child’s upbringing.

In the childcare industry, we see a similar shift, though it is perhaps moving a bit more slowly. The industry is still predominantly made up of female caregivers, which is due largely to the lingering stigma of men in this industry. There are still a lot of misconceptions about male nannies that often hinder their advancement in the field, such as that men are better at athletic activities and discipline, but not as strong in terms of cooking, cleaning, and other more domestic tasks. But the fact is that these are unhelpful stereotypes and largely untrue. Every caregiver brings their unique style, regardless of their sex or gender, and it is important to consider all of your options when choosing what’s best for your family.

Some families even remark at how healthy and healing having a male nanny has been. “I think it is fantastic for my son and daughters to see a man cooking, cleaning, and supporting their emotional needs,” says a Chicago mother of three. When men exhibit behaviors that we generally associate with women, such as emotional support and domestic tasks, they become diverse role models and help children to challenge these gendered stereotypes as they grow. 

The Science and Research

Science supports the positive experiences of these families. A recent study reveals boys absolutely benefit from a positive male influence, “Boys, especially, are drawn significantly more frequently to a man in the ECEC [early childhood education and care] team.”

Research also shows that gender roles impact our ideas about male teachers and nannies. Another study points out that children’s sense of what a man is or can be is easily skewed from TV, movies, video games, books, magazines, and the media at large when they lack in-person male role models.

Overcoming Male Nanny Apprehension 

But something that still holds many people back is the question, “are men suitable caregivers?”

One male caregiver, Russ Hemphill, shares his experience of trying to get work, “It is a challenge to build the initial trust needed to gain interviews and trial periods,” he shares, “but most families enjoy my working style.”

Another nanny, Kyle Kelly, explains that he has been told outright by a few families that they were unsure about hiring a male nanny. “I think you’re eliminated from certain jobs immediately just on the basis of sex. I don’t really like talking about myself, but I know how qualified I am and sometimes I won’t even get an interview, which is tough,” says Kelly.

The truth is, it can be hard for families who have a particular image in their head of what a nanny is, to accept that a male caregiver might be right for them. Even very qualified candidates can be eliminated simply because of these preconceived notions.

But at the end of the day, it’s all about the bonds that form. As professional manny John Inrugu puts it, “The best part is teaching those beautiful minds skills that will last their entire life…The best caregivers do more than provide care. They offer companionship and compassion.”

Is a Male Nanny Right for You?

So, should you hire a male caregiver? The truth is, that answer will entirely depend on you and your child’s needs. But the fact is that male nannies can be just as qualified and beneficial as female nannies. All families’ needs are different, and it is possible that a male caregiver might be the perfect fit.

At some point, every family must figure out childcare. Personalized in-home childcare is worth looking into–and often much more affordable than movies would lead people to believe. In truth, there are tons of excellent, qualified nannies in the world, of all genders, and what is right for each family depends on many factors. The important thing is what will be best for your child, and sometimes thinking outside of the box can produce better results than we can ever imagine.

About the Author:

Danny J Rosenthal created www.NannyABCs.com and the Nanny Next Step System to provide caregivers, families, and agencies the only personalized A-Z caregiver and domestic staff professional training. Rosenthal is the author behind Nanny ABCs: The Sitter’s Handbook: A complete alphabet how-to guide for every child caregiver and is the host of the Nanny ABCs: Next Step podcast.

Rosenthal has worked with children and families for over 15 years, been recognized for his outstanding performance by Chicago Collegiate Nannies, and his expertise has been featured by US Nanny Association, Care.com, Care Nectar, and the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies.

The Surprising Ways Nature Benefits Children’s Brain Development

The average American child spends just 4-7 minutes outdoors each day in unstructured play—a dramatic change from children just a generation ago, according to the good people over at the non-profit Children and Nature. Read on to find

“Virtual Nanny:” the break Parents need

Strong Olivia and Lion are characters that Ms. Redmond, a Seattle Public School teacher, created to virtually interact with her students, or “scholars” as she calls them. She is a traditional classroom teacher but watching her on video

Survival Guide: Long Flights with Kids

Navigate long flights with kids like a pro with this survival guide When you have in-laws who live on the other side of the world, long flights with little ones are just a part of life. My first

Nanny Contracts: Game-Changing Announcement

We have exciting news to share! There has been a recent game-changing development that has the potential to revolutionize nanny work. In this post, we will discuss the recent announcement from the US Dept of Labor, the importance

Tips to Keeping a Good Nanny

More often than not, you have spent time and energy interviewing potential nannies and testing a limited handful. If fortunate, you’ve probably found a proper fit for your home. You then might get comfortable and relax assuming the

Seattle Childcare Company Expands Nationally

Seattle, Wa. – Seattle Nanny Network, Inc. just launched nationalnanny.com, allowing for placements of best-in-class in-home childcare providers nationwide. The company was recently named a finalist in the prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in business

Avoid These 7 Nanny Hiring Mistakes: Experts Share Their Tips For Success

Avoid Nanny Hiring Mistakes with Tips from the Experts In our experience placing nannies in the homes of private families for nearly 30 years, we have had to guide our clients in avoiding many nanny hiring mistakes. For

What HomePay by Care.com has to say about the American Rescue Plan and what it means for childcare

Guest Blog Post from Chelsea at HomePay As you may know, the Covid relief bill, The American Rescue Plan, is set to be signed into law this week and is loaded with provisions that will increase the professionalization

Tips on Vacationing With Your Nanny

When children are in unfamiliar territory without a routine or schedule, a nanny can be a great help. When you have a nanny around, you have an extra set of hands to help you with your children’s needs.

10 Essential Tasks a Household Assistant Can Help You With

Show me a parent who isn’t overwhelmed with the never-ending list of household chores and responsibilities in today’s world. Anyone? Most of us are living in the modern age but according to research, even in the most equitable

How Do Nanny Shares Work: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

How does a Nanny Share Work? Have you ever wondered: how does a nanny share work? This guide will help you decide if a nanny share is right for you. Find out more about finding a nanny share

Blurred Lines: Where do Boundaries Begin and End with a Nanny Job

Ten Boundary Busters between Nannies and Families Thanks to Fräulein Maria, reruns of The Nanny, and Ben Affleck’s philandering, most people conjure ideas of a romance between an employer and their kid’s nanny when they think of boundaries

Tips to Finding Good In-Home Childcare

Children are a blessing for everyone. However, childcare can be difficult, especially if you are not a stay-at-home mom or dad. One of the reasons to consider in-home childcare is for your child’s comfort and safety. Comfort and

Employing a Nanny during COVID-19

“Do I have to wear a mask inside the house” and “Do I have to pay the nanny if I ask them to stay home because a family member is not feeling well” – are just a few

5 Aspects you Always see in the Most Successful Nanny Placements

What you Need to Know before your Next Hire Unsuccessful hires are costly to all involved. Learn from the mistakes of others by discovering what the experts always see in the most successful nanny placements. The Cost of

Twice the Work and Half the Fun – What you Need to Know About Vacationing with your Nanny

If you have vacationed with your nanny before, or are considering it, you are likely aware of the unique challenges and tensions this dynamic can present. If you are the nanny, you’re doubly aware (for most of us,

Supercharge Your Nanny Career: Tools to Unleash Professional Growth

Find out how to supercharge your nanny career and unleash professional growth with free classes, online resources, paid education, and industry-specific in-person events. How does a nanny supercharge their career and unleash professional growth? One thing that sets

Building a Nanny Resume: How Working with Kids and Parents Boosts Your Job Prospects

The Versatile Skill Set Gained from Working with Kids Building a Nanny Resume: How Working with Kids and Parents Boosts Your Job Prospects. Navigating the world of working with children isn’t just about managing tiny humans—it’s about mastering

Teaching Children Tolerance in the Digital Age

We were all children once. Do you ever stop to think about where our beliefs about ourselves and others came from? How do the belief systems we have all grown up with impact the world we live in

Should You Hire a Male Nanny?

If you are on the fence about bringing a male caregiver into your family, you are not alone. Male nannies, often known as “mannies,” are just as caring and nurturing as any other caregiver, and writing them off