JAMnews. The search for nannies in Armenia has become a highly discussed and pressing issue for many mothers. Most seek help through friends and relatives, believing this to be the most reliable method. Nannies are also found through specialized Facebook pages. After desperate attempts to find their “dream nanny,” some mothers post ads on their personal social media profiles.
In recent years, women have been eager to return to work after maternity leave to avoid missing out on career advancement and to address family financial issues. Although private daycare centers offer care for children starting at one year old, sometimes even from six months, not all mothers are willing to entrust their little ones to them. Most families prefer to find a nanny who will care exclusively for their child.
When a family no longer needs a nanny’s services and shares this online while recommending her, the nanny quickly finds new work. This allows the mother of the child she starts caring for to return to work more peacefully, relying on the positive feedback from the previous family.
How I became a nanny
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Mane has ten years of experience as a nanny, having worked for three different families, primarily caring for children under three years old.
“I’m a philologist by profession, and children are my weakness. When I turned 55, I decided to leave teaching. Since I don’t have children of my own and didn’t expect to have grandchildren, I spent time with kids in parks. If parents agreed, I would entertain their children,” she explains.
According to Mane, during one of her park visits, a child’s mother asked if she would care for her little one so she could return to work.
“I was surprised and said I had no experience as a nanny. But she insisted, saying it would be enough for me to spend a few days with her child while she was present. Then she could decide whether to hire me or not.“
Mane successfully completed the trial period and began working. She later took care of the family’s second child as well. She believes that caring for someone else’s child is a significant responsibility, but if you have a special connection with children, you can manage it.
Mane loves and values her work, but she always defines the scope of her duties herself. She makes it clear to employers that she will only focus on the children—feeding, outings, and playtime.
“I always exempt myself from daily household chores. While the child sleeps, I wash their clothes, iron, prepare meals, and tidy their room and toys. Or I simply take a break. Working with children requires a lot of energy, and sometimes I need at least half an hour to catch my breath.”
Mane has turned down work when it involved combining child care with household tasks—even for extra pay. She believes that if a parent can afford it, they should hire a cleaner separately.
“It’s not that I can’t do it; I’m fundamentally against combining responsibilities. As you age, you tire more quickly. In child care, that fatigue can lead to serious health issues. You need to take care of yourself to be able to run, sing, jump, be in a good mood, read, or create stories with the child.“
Mane emphasizes that she strives to work energetically to be satisfied with her job and to ensure the child is happy in her care. She doesn’t understand nannies who are ashamed of their work; she sees it as a “gift from God.”
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