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Mum's posts advert for live-in nanny and is branded 'completely unreasonable'
Daily mirror | January 17, 2026 2:39 PM CST

How far would you go for a nanny job?

A mother's demanding list of expectations for a live-in nanny has gone viral after being posted online, with some jesting that even Mary Poppins herself might balk at the role. The nanny is expected to share a bedroom with the baby during the week but must leave the home every weekend.

They're also required to share a bathroom with the couple, work nine to ten hours daily, and be on standby for babysitting duties two or three times a week in case the parents are delayed. While the role includes travel, which may sound appealing, regular working hours still apply unless alternative arrangements can be made.

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In exchange, the nanny will receive half a bedroom to share with a newborn baby in London and an unspecified salary. The woman sparked controversy on Mumsnet when she asked if her demands were reasonable. She posted: "We have a two rooms house near the centre of London and I want to hire a live-in nanny to be part of our family and help us with our first baby.

"Because the house is only two rooms I want to check if sharing the room with the baby during working days and they can stay out during weekends (visiting their family/partner/friends) is common or not. We have a guest toilet that they can use it but for taking showers and baths they will need to use our bathroom. We have a cleaner that comes regularly so the house (especially the bathroom) is tidy most of the time. Am not expecting the nanny to take care of the baby at night if the baby woke up in the middle of the night.

"So I will get up and get the baby out of the room and take care of this. Also if the baby is sick for a few days or something I can keep them in my room." Following her extensive wish list, fellow parents tore into the posting, with hundreds declaring her demands completely unrealistic.

One fired back: "You are f****** joking? No, it is NOT reasonable. "If you have a live-in nanny you provide them with their own room, every night. You don't make them sleep in your baby's room for five nights and then kick them out for 2 nights. F**** sake." Someone else added: "Christ, you better be paying top dollar for that package. To answer your question: no, you are not going to get a lot of nannies finding that appealing.

"No proper personal space, no privacy, no real home since apparently, they aren't welcome on weekends, and lots of travel, which isn't exactly a benefit for most people." A third said: "Working approx 60 hours + per week, sharing room, no room at the weekend, no bathroom of their own. The salary would have to be incredible for anyone to do that,". Another slammed the arrangement entirely: "Completely unreasonable, I'm glad I'm not employed by you!".


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