What is a Family Assistant?

A Family Assistant, as facilitated by Brooklyn Manny and Nanny, provides comprehensive family support, akin to a doula who nurtures a family through significant periods. This role includes not just focused childcare but extends to managing daily household tasks that keep the home running smoothly. Key responsibilities include grocery shopping, assisting with meal preparation, and handling personal errands.

Emphasis on Balanced Support

While a Family Assistant handles various tasks to support your family, it is crucial to remember that this role is not designed to utilize every waking hour of your nanny’s day. Just like anyone else, Family Assistants need time to recharge. Brooklyn Manny and Nanny guides parents in understanding how to communicate their needs fairly and effectively, ensuring that tasks are distributed in a way that respects the Family Assistant’s time and energy.

Navigating Needs:

While the online world might feature nanny-family relationships like a mini saga, the real story often hinges on clear communication. Here at BMAN, we stress the importance of being transparent from the outset. Families, it’s totally fine—and necessary—to be upfront about your needs. Whether it's managing school runs, meal preps, or ensuring a peaceful home, clear communication is crucial. Also, if your family includes pets, make sure your nanny is prepared and happy to care for them too.

Establishing these expectations early on facilitates a smoother relationship, reduces misunderstandings, and enhances overall satisfaction. This approach ensures that daily operations are not just about managing tasks but about fostering effective teamwork, creating a harmonious environment where everyone, including pets, feels understood and valued.

Are There Tax Benefits to Reclassifying Your Nanny as a Family Assistant?

To the savvy parent who has already outlined their needs clearly in the job description, a pertinent question might arise: Is reclassifying a nanny as a 'Family Assistant' simply a strategic move for tax benefits? Unfortunately, despite the vital role Family Assistants and Nannies play in our homes, current tax regulations do not offer specific advantages for this reclassification. Household staff, regardless of their title, are still considered by the IRS to be part of a "luxury" service, without the tax benefits that businesses receive for similar roles. Ironic, yes. Fair, we don’t think so do you?