As I talk with new to experienced nannies, one need comes up over and over again. They want to talk with an experienced, knowledgeable nanny when they have a one-off question or situation they needed help with (e.g. how to approach a behavior challenge with a child, how to manage a difficult situation with an employer). They don’t want long term support. They simply want a way to connect privately, outside of social media, and get a specific question answered or help working through a specific issue.
Nanny Hotline: How It Works
The connection point for the Nanny Hotline is a facebook group. (Please read this page before you visit.)
- Those volunteering to answer questions and those with questions are invited to join the group. (This is not a discussion group so only those participating should join. All posts must be approved by a moderator so posts will be limited and focused.)
- Volunteers will post a profile (questions below) to allow questioners to know if they might be a good match.
- Questioners will post a brief summary of their question / situation along with a few other details (questions below) to allow volunteers to know if they might be a good match.
- Volunteers can review the question and if they feel they’re a good resource and they have the time, they can contact the questioner directly. If the volunteer and the questioner connect, the question will be marked as closed in the group.
- Questioners can also contact volunteers directly if the volunteer’s profile and availability are a match for the questioner’s needs.
What You Need to Know About the Nanny Hotline
Nether the nanny seeking advice (the questioner) or providing advice (the volunteer) is vetted or screened in any way. Each hotline volunteer will complete a profile to provide information on availability, experience, and general topics they’re willing to answer questions about. All information will be self-reported and not verified. It’s up to each questioner and volunteer to use their best judgement when connecting.
The program doesn’t match volunteers and questioners. Questioners will be required to post a brief summary of their question and volunteers can respond if they’re available. Questioners can also contact volunteers privately and ask about their availability. All connections are made by the hotline volunteers and questioners directly. There will be times when there’s not a hotline volunteer available. Due to time restrictions, I and other group moderators will not be able to step in and help find a match. This is completely a self-serve resource. We do not guarantee that if you have a question, it will get answered or answered in the timeframe you need.
The program doesn’t guarantee the quality of the guidance provided. We’re not vetting hotline volunteers in any way so we strongly encourage every questioner to use common sense when putting advice into action. If you have doubts, we encourage you to speak to a different volunteer for a second opinion.
The program doesn’t guarantee confidentiality. Of course I’d hope every volunteer and questioner would understand and respect the need for all conversations to be confidential (and I’m sure most, if not all, will), however I cannot guarantee that. Again, please use common sense when disclosing private or sensitive information.
Volunteers, participate as little or as much as you want to. The great thing about the Nanny Hotline is you can help out other nannies when you have the time and the bandwidth, no long term commitment required.
Your participation is your commitment. Everyone is short on time. If you ask a question or volunteer to provide an answer or support, make sure you follow up in a timely way. I’m not hands on within the program, however I am moderating it and will remove those who do not keep commitments around communication. It’s simple; respond within the time listed in your profile or question and show up for scheduled calls.
Drama won’t be tolerated. I’ve created this program because there was a clear need and I think it’s an awesome idea. However I’ve designed it to be a self-serve resource for those who seriously want to give and receive help. This is not a place for toxicity or drama. If you’re unable or unwilling to bring a kind, collaborative, drama-free, grace-giving vibe to the program, please don’t engage with the hotline.
The password to join the facebook group is hotline. (You’ll be asked in your join request.)
How to Get Involved VOLUNTEERS
If you’d like to be a volunteer, answer the volunteer profile questions below in a format you can copy and paste into a facebook post, join the group, and post your profile either under your name or anonymously.
Once a moderator approves your profile, you can respond to any open questions by commenting on them or contacting the questioner directly (if the post is under their name).
Watch for a response from the questioner and if the details work out, connect!
Nanny Hotline Volunteer Profile (please have this ready to go before applying to the Nanny Hotline group)
I’M A HOTLINE VOLUNTEER (include this in post and include the tag #volunteer in your post)
- Years of Nanny Experience
- Description of Experience (e.g. ages, type of jobs, skill set)
- Big Picture Topics / Issues You’re Interested in Providing Support Around (e.g. behavior challenges with toddlers, potty training, communication with employers)
- General Availability, make sure to include time zone (e.g. week nights after 7 PM ET, Sunday evenings)
- Best Way to Contact You (e.g. facebook messenger, text number)
- You commit to respond within X hours / days
How to Get Involved QUESTIONERS
I HAVE A QUESTION (include that in post and use the tag #question in your post)
If you’d like to ask a question or get help with a tough situation, answer the questioner profile questions below in a format you can copy and paste into a facebook post, join the group, and post your profile either under your name or anonymously.
Once a moderator approves your profile, you can wait for a volunteer to comment or contact you directly or you can contact volunteers directly.
Watch for a response from the questioner and if the details work out, connect!
Nanny Hotline Questioner Profile (please have this ready to go before applying to the Nanny Hotline group)
- BRIEF Description of Question / Situation
- General Availability, make sure to include time zone (e.g. week nights after 7 PM ET, Sunday evenings)
- Best Way to Contact You (e.g. facebook messenger, text number)
- You commit to respond within X hours / days
