The nanny of a super-wealthy family seems to have it all: wearing designer clothes, traveling on private jets, relaxing poolside at exotic resorts…but there's got to be a catch. right?
Chandi Vajana from The Funny Nanny has been a nanny for a wealthy family for over a decade. After her two years of training, she got her first job as her live-in nanny when she was still 19 years old. However, living with her family during her training did not prepare her for what was to come. Here she shares her own thoughts on the myths and facts about what it's like to work for the super wealthy and whether it's really as glamorous as it seems. doing.
Myth #1: If your family has a stylish summer vacation, it means you'll have a stylish summer vacation, too.
fact: Sure, you're on vacation, but you're working 24/7.
Vajana explains: “I go to a lot of places, but I don't see anything because I'm with my kids. I go to activities and shows and spend time on the beach and on a yacht, but it's never a vacation. I enjoy my employer. You have to make sure you have a good time, but it doesn’t really matter if you have a good time or not.”
Myth 2: Summer nannies can make insane amounts of money.
fact: In some cases, a highly paid nanny can take home a higher salary than a pediatrician.
Vajana explains: “I work 24/7 and earn a six-figure annual salary. However, as with many jobs, the higher the pay, the higher the expectations and demands. There is a lot of pressure, especially during the summer, and I have to do more than just childcare. Since we are constantly traveling, I am fully responsible for preparing my children for their trips, including shopping for clothes, vaccinations, and planning activities. I don't get involved, which means I'm responsible for packing and coordinating my kids' schedules no matter what. Even if my kids are sick, I have to travel. That means even if one of us vomits, Even if the other one wants to play, I still have to pack my bags, and I'll take care of them on the plane.”
There were also plenty of, well, unpleasant moments that Bajana had to deal with while living with his family over the summer. Imagine one of your child's parents going through your personal dresser drawers on holiday, or your room being in the basement. Fathers tend to wander around there in their underwear. Wow!
With greater pay comes greater responsibility and higher expectations. Achieving six figures is great, but it's also important to consider how much more effort you'll have to put in to get there.
Myth 3: Ultra-wealthy nannies can afford the ultra-wealthy lifestyle they deserve.
fact: Although they often make more money, super-rich summer nannies generally don't live like the Kardashians.
Vajana explains: “Instead of feeling like they're celebrities, some nannies feel lonely and isolated because strict non-disclosure agreements with families are required. That's why some nannies feel lonely and isolated. I've had dinner with people and been invited to famous people's homes, but I can't share my story with anyone. In fact, I'm so inconspicuous that I enter foreign countries and get stamps in my passport. is not pressed. I have been to a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere and no one knew that I went there. I have attended a very important event and the guest list I don't have my name on Why? Because there's only one reason why I attend these events: to make sure the kids are seen at their best, and to show my care and their extended families It's about providing the best care possible. I'm a helper, but sometimes it hurts my pride.”
However, nannies in ultra-wealthy families are exposed to a lifestyle that many of us can only dream of. Of course, you might be willing to give up a bit of your personal life if you can take a private jet to New York for lunch and another private jet to San Francisco for dinner with your kids.
Myth 4: Summer nannies spend personal time during family vacations.
fact: Most wealthy families who decide to hire a nanny for the summer will expect you to be with them all day and night. You will be working all the time. And your kids are probably sleeping in your room too.
Vajana explains: “During the summer, I don't make any plans myself and basically just live with my family and make sure it's a great summer. But I have amazing kids, a constant sense of adventure, and to be honest… Money allows me to do it over and over again. Plans change suddenly, because one minute I'm going on vacation to Spain, and the next I'm actually going to Antarctica. , which obviously meant having to change the entire suitcase. You also have to be very adaptable. One summer I was traveling with a family with three young children. We were on vacation and we spent quite a bit of time at sea and if you weren't in the water you were on a boat with the kids and you had nowhere else to go so it was really It was tough. You have to go with the flow, no matter what the situation brings.”
Myth 5: It’s a wonderful life.
fact: The satisfaction you get from work depends on how you perceive it and the family you work for.
Vajana explains: “What I find most rewarding is being able to travel to new places with my kids and open their eyes to new cultures. I also get to see them grow and develop into little people. It's great. And my career has also broadened my horizons. Being a nanny for a wealthy family has allowed me to live in six countries on two different continents, and have I have become fluent in a language and am open to trying a few more. I have gained experience from my role, but I have also learned how to live and connect with different cultures around the world. As a former HR manager and teacher, I love continuous learning and helping others discover skills they didn't think they had.”
