I Don’t Even Think Super Nanny or Mary Poppins Are Up For This Challenge

I spent a minute poking around a couple of weeks ago thinking that maybe, once soccer ended and we were down to one afternoon/weekend sport for each child, I’d look into getting a second job a few evenings a week.  It seemed incredibly daunting to think of actually working MORE and being home LESS, but I thought maybe something perfect is out there and there was no harm in looking.

After just a couple of minutes, I found this.

HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANT
Private Family – ___________MA
$25 an hour

(Hmmm….sounds, interesting, right?)

This private family is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is focused on supporting and helping the family manage a myriad of activities among all family members.

(I can do that! I already do that!)
Key characteristics for employment with the family are flexibility, discretion, trustworthiness, enthusiasm, anticipatory thinking, strong organizational skills and helpfulness. The family hopes that the working environment will be both challenging and rewarding, particularly as one develops skills and builds upon experiences for long-term career goals.

(OK. I’m with you….sounds realistic!)
The position of Household Assistant directly reports to the Estate Manager. It is a full-time, hourly position. Daily work hours and specific responsibilities may vary day to day so it is important that the Household Assistant has flexibly in their schedule. Longer hours might be required from time to time as well occasional overnights and some weekends.

(Ummm, sounds a bit more time consuming than what I have available, but maybe I’ll read on for kicks)
Job Objectives and Responsibilities
The Household Assistant will be expected to provide exceptional care for the family, children and household pets as well as manage various aspects of the home.
(Yikes…I’m not sure I even do that for my own family)
Family Management

  • Responsible for all aspects of family activities, by facilitating activities outside of the home, and creating a positive environment
  • Preparation for daily activities and events
  • Coordinate the calendar forchildren schools, appointments, and activities
  • Work closely with family and Estate Manager on weekly and monthly calendar with a specific focus on the resources and time to accomplish the kids and the family goals
  • Support around travel planning and packing organization
  • Support the family around major events, holidays, and activities
  • Grocery shopping, including the finalization of a meal calendar in consultation with family, and preparation for some children’s meals
  • Manage household inventories and provide support to the Estate Manager to ensure that supplies are up to date
  • Perform daily errands including dry cleaning, returns, meeting with vendors, and miscellaneous activities
  • Assist in the care of pets, including both cats and dogs
  • Provide support to the Estate Manager in the oversight of the primary home, as well as three vacation properties
  • Help coordinate dinners and events with family and friends at the home from catering and decorations to invitations and clean up
  • Monitor and report on all household correspondence in the form of mail and voicemail

(Wait….What????   Is that even humanly possible??)

Qualifications
The Household Assistant must be willing to accomplish a multitude of tasks throughout the day. An ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment is critical. Strong communication skills, prioritization, and organization are critical to job performance.
We would be excited to find someone who has culinary skills and enjoys the process of meal planning, preparation, and occasional cooking; service experience is a plus. This is a great job for someone with past Nanny experience or other household service experience, and wants to move to the next level. One must also be willing to develop constructive working relationships and to collaborate with other members of staff. The ideal person will always remain discreet and cooperative in the accomplishment of job responsibilities.

(and…..I’m out.)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $25.00 /hour

Local candidates only

Required experience:

  • Private Service: 2 years
  • (26 hands to juggle with.  And…no life of your own.)

Required license or certification:

  • Drivers License
  • (Sainthood.  Or at least a  Master’s in Cloning)

I have to admit, while totally overwhelmed by the job description, I was also a bit sad.  I thought, What a phenomenal job opportunity for some spunky 25 year-old go getter!

But then I thought… Is that really a job for ONE person?  I mean really.  Who can actually do all of that?

And then, forgive me please, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that my next thought was… And what’s left for the parents to do?  

And then I felt bad because I thought…Well, maybe there’s only one parent and they are extremely busy working to provide (the main estate and 3 vacation homes) for the children.  Or maybe they are volunteering like crazy for a multitude of charitable organizations!

And then, one of my last thoughts was….If I was ever sooo wealthy that I could afford four homes, an estate manager, to throw (seemingly) lavish and catered events, (seemingly) significant holiday decorating, enough travel to require assistance in packing, vendors (?) that need to be met with, a chef, a nanny, and more…..  Couldn’t I also simply afford to work less so that I wouldn’t have to post such a GIANT job description for someone else to do in my home?  

And, then I caught sight of all the dust bunnies taunting me from all corners of the living room, knowing they are safe and sound for at least 5 more days until I might have time to grab the vacuum, and I thought….sigh…maybe I would. 

I’m honestly not judging…just wondering.

8 thoughts on “I Don’t Even Think Super Nanny or Mary Poppins Are Up For This Challenge

    1. I agree with Pat D. Cracked me up. I’m thinking the assistant estate manager wrote it and it was more a “I’m dying here, these kids have me duct taped in the basement, send help now!” plea.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks, Pat. Knowing that you enjoy some of what I write means a lot to me. I’d love to write more (and getting paid for it would be a huge bonus 😉 ….some day.

      Like

  1. I can tell you (from direct experience) that being a personal assistant, estate manager and/or nanny to a millionaire / billionaire family is not all it’s cracked up to be! The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries are spot on, and this particular family seems to want a young, fresh faced newbie who will come in unaware of how much of their own life they will be expected to give up, and how $25/hr will never cut it lol. And they want them to be the chef, too! Trust me, they will not be cooking only a few nights a week lol.

    I have yet to meet a billionaire who is truly happy and at peace, and I believe the reason for this is because they deligate out everything they used to do in life, thinking that life will then be easier and thus happier. But it was never those tasks (vacuuming, paying the bills, driving kids to school) that made their life stressful in the first place. It was not being grateful for what they had that made them feel something needed fixing and something was missing. So they buy their planes and yachts and feel excited for a bit and then that stressful, something is missing feeling comes back and round and round they go, taking meds because they feel like “if i can’t be happy with all this stuff, then something is wrong with me”. And the kids suffer, and that is why I stayed every time, for those poor kids.

    SO, I did the 100 hour work weeks for you (though never for as little as $25!!!)..the meeting the parents a block away from their children’s school every day so they can be seen picking them up but don’t have to actually spend time with them etc, and I can pass along the lesson learned:

    BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING – NOW !!

    Practice every day! Not because we are supposed to, but because it really makes you feel happy! Read books like The Magic or Google ‘gratitude’ and find what methods work for you because THAT is seriously where our true happiness comes from, not from a nicer car, bigger home, thinner body etc. Not when the people around you appreciate you more. Although people who practice gratitude swear those things come when you are grateful, anyway. Win-win! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

Leaving a comment rewards the author of this post- add to the discussion here-