Male nannies, or mannies, are gaining popularity overseas and we are starting to see more men entering the child care industry here in London.
Families considering employing a manny will probably base their
decision on one of the many stereotypes surrounding the very notion
of male child carers, i.e. that they are more physical, more
outdoorsy and more willing to play rough and tumble. Some mannies may fit this profile, especially if this is what the
family is looking for, however, mannies also provide all the
nurturing and emotional tenderness that children need. While the parents of boys may be more inclined to employ a manny
than the parents of girls, mannies work equally well with boys
and girls.
Regardless of whether you do it yourself or use an agency there
are certain terms and conditions you will be required to meet when
you employ a manny. Agency will always take care of safety, references and background
checks - all are very important, as it is equally important
to ensure the person you employ is a good match for your family and a
great carer for your children. “So the males we do place are the really high-caliber
candidates, often have a higher education, often trained as
teachers and worked in schools, with lots of childcare
experience," owner of London Governess agency said.
Mannies offer a similar skill set to nannies but may bring a
different dynamic to the home environment by injecting a more
energetic and physical approach to child care, which could be
especially good for school aged children with lots of energy to burn. So, main benefits are:
- Providing a male role
model –
Single working mothers may prefer a male nanny over his female
counterparts, simply to provide a strong male role model that may be
otherwise missing from a child’s life. By hiring a qualified and
capable manny, you’ll be ensuring that your sons have a positive
role model and that your daughters benefit from the presence of a
male figure in her life.
Your
child has special needs – Some
children that have developmental disorders such as an autism
spectrum disorder or Down’s syndrome may even feel more
comfortable with a male childcare provider, depending upon their
individual preferences. If you know that your child is more secure
and happier in the presence of men than women, hiring a manny is a
great way to ensure that those needs are met.
Safety
and security – Parents with security concerns or
worries about the safety of their home and children while they’re
away may feel more comfortable knowing that their manny serves as a
crime deterrent simply by doing his job.
- Your boys ere
exceptionally into contact sports
– Though there are definitely a high number of athletic,
physically active nannies in the hiring pool, a manny may be more
suited to your needs if you have children that are looking for a
constant teammate and coach who loves male dominated sports. For
families with older boys who participate heavily in contact sports,
having a practice partner or someone to help in the boys dressing
room can be an added bonus.
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