Nanny shares can be a great way for families to save on professional childcare-- but sharing a nanny doesn't mean splitting their normal rate in half. After years of offering nanny-share placements, we stopped. Here's what families need to understand about fair pay, guaranteed hours, multiple employers, and why a nanny should earn more when working for two families.

Nannies should absolutely negotiate their pay -- but telling one family that another family offered more can create unnecessary pressure and hurt an otherwise great interview. Here's the professional way to negotiate your rate while protecting your reputation and the nanny-family relationship.

Thinking about installing nanny cams? Learn Tennessee laws regarding home surveillance, hidden cameras, privacy, and best practices for protecting both your children and your nanny.

When people think about nanny compensation, they usually focus on one thing: the hourly rate. But here's the conversation our industry isn't having enough. The schedule itself has value. As the owner of a nanny agency, I review hundreds of nanny positions every year. One trend I've noticed is families offering split-shift schedules without standard hourly pay, even though those schedules require far more flexibility than a traditional nanny position. Personally, I believe it'

Social media has made it easier than ever to share our experiences. That’s not always a bad thing. As a nanny agency owner with more than 15 years in the childcare industry, I absolutely believe caregivers deserve safe places to seek advice, ask questions, and warn others about genuinely dangerous situations. But lately, I’ve noticed something concerning. More and more employment disagreements are being turned into public call-out posts. A disagreement over pay. A messy home.

This Fourth of July, We’re Celebrating the Freedom Families Deserve When most people think about Independence Day, they think of fireworks, backyard barbecues, and spending time with the people they love. At Tried & True – Nannies & Sitters, it reminds us of something else: The freedom that comes from finally having reliable childcare. The freedom to accept that promotion. The freedom to enjoy a date night without worrying. The freedom to attend meetings knowing your children

One of the hardest conversations a nanny will ever have isn’t negotiating pay, asking for benefits, or discussing household expectations. It’s telling a family you’re leaving. Whether you’ve accepted a higher-paying position, are relocating, returning to school, changing careers, or simply found a role that’s a better fit for your long-term goals, resigning from a nanny position can be incredibly emotional. Unlike traditional jobs, nannying is personal. You aren’t just leavin

Has the Traditional Handshake Become a Thing of the Past? Recently, I was talking with one of our nannies at Tried & True Nannies & Sitters about something surprisingly simple: handshakes. As nanny agency owners and mentors, we’ve always encouraged nannies to offer a confident handshake when meeting a family for the first time. A good handshake has long been considered a sign of professionalism, confidence, respect, and enthusiasm. But somewhere along the way, things changed.

Let’s be honest. No one expects a teacher, nurse, business owner, athlete, executive, or even a hairstylist to grow professionally without mentorship, continuing education, and guidance. Yet somehow, that’s exactly what we expect from nannies. Families expect nannies to understand contracts. We expect them to know industry standards. We expect them to negotiate compensation. We expect them to advocate for themselves professionally. We expect them to understand payroll laws an

A nanny agency’s job should not end the second you accept a position. Unfortunately, many caregivers quickly discover that once the contract is signed and the placement fee is paid, communication suddenly changes. Texts go unanswered. Concerns get brushed off. Support disappears. And suddenly the nanny who trusted the agency is left navigating difficult situations completely alone. Let’s be honest: That is not real nanny agency support. A Good Nanny Agency Should Continue Sup

Let’s be honest: nanny trial days can be awkward. The nanny is trying to impress the family. The family is trying to evaluate the nanny. Everyone is trying to figure out if this could realistically work long-term. And somewhere in the middle of all that, there’s usually at least one painfully awkward goodbye where nobody knows: “Are we moving forward?” “Are they interviewing someone else?” “Who follows up first?” “Did that go well?” Trial days are important — but they can als

Too many kids struggle with motivation today. Parents tell me all the time: “She won’t help around the house.” “He doesn’t want to do chores.” “They expect everything without contributing.” And then comes the big question: How do we motivate kids without raising entitled adults? One practical solution that often surprises parents? A kids debit card for motivation. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Why a Kids Debit Card for Motivation Actually Works As adults, we work an

If you want to hire a professional nanny, you need to understand something upfront: professional nannies expect professional benefits. One of the biggest issues in the nanny industry right now is families wanting career-level childcare while offering benefits that don’t even match entry-level corporate jobs. And unfortunately, paid holidays are one of the most common areas where confusion — and resentment — starts. Let’s be blunt: if your nanny is helping raise your children,

Nannies need rest too. ✨ Our latest blog breaks down why nanny paid time off isn’t just a perk—it’s a must. And when nannies are well-rested, kids thrive. 💡 Plus: Why PTO should be standard in every family’s nanny contract. 🔗 Read the full blog now!

Every parent wants to feel confident their child is safe, loved, and well cared for-- and that often comes with wanting to be "hands on." But sometimes, good intentions turn into over-involvement. Micromanaging your nanny might seem harmless, but it can quietly chip away at trust, disrupt routines, and lead to bigger nanny micromanaging issues. Even frequent texts or overuse of nanny cameras-- while meant to ease your mind-- can leave your caregiver feelings mistrusted and wa

Many parents ask whether childcare assistance programs in Tennessee can be used to hire a private nanny through an agency. Here's why agencies typically cannot participate-- and what supportive alternatives may be available.

Can grandparents hire a nanny for their adult children? While many grandparents generously offer to help with childcare costs, nanny agencies still need to work directly with parents to ensure the right fit. Here's why parent involvement matters for successful nanny placements.

Many nannies are confused when agencies prioritize recent nanny experience over older childcare roles. The reality is that families want to see consistent, up-to-date experience caring for children, and gaps in childcare work can raise questions during the hiring process. Here's why nanny agencies focus on recent experience and what caregivers can do if they're trying to return to the field.

A healthy marriage after kids requires intention. Why dating your spouse and protecting your relationship strengthens your children's emotional security and stability.

Emotional regulation in parenting shapes how children learn discipline, respect, and self-control. A career nanny's perspective on why adult emotional stability matters more than parenting labels.