WHERE is our nanny?

Sounds like you are engineering a vibrant household, and I wish you all the luck with that. But if you ask someone to come in with their child possibly and then to become the employee of the other two house-mates, you are on delicate soil. There may be challenges to the power imbalance that you may not have considered. Living with your employee is not an easy thing to do, and even if it is work for 'exchange' they are still your employee and are entitled to certain rights.

It may be more financial feasable and harmonious in your household if you bring in another fully paying house-mate and collectively hire a non-live-in caregiver at arms length. Just a thought. Caring for your child is one of the most important tasks you can ask someone to do. Take your time.

I have to ask, and please take this with a grain of salt, but what is min. wage in Portland? Folks pay a min. of 12-14/ hour for a nanny in Vancouver. Seven years ago, the going rate was $12.00/ for live in, and 14+ / hour for live (plus taxes and employment insurance premiums). This was still less than paying for full-time daycare for two small children. I have no idea what rent is like there either, but for room and board, $750/month is standard here (has been for years without increase) so a straight exchange for room and board just wouldn't fly here.

We were lucky when we needed that extra help and couldn't get into a daycare (full and not enough of them of quality.)We were able to hire a mom whose children in school full-time, and didn't have to go through a nanny agency and deal with a long-term commitment for a full-time live in arrangement--which can work out, sometimes, but it isn't easy getting a good match.

I wish you all the luck in your home and family... take your time with finding the right person/people... Sorry can't even make a suggestion to a person as we are close, but Vancouver,BC is not close enough to Portland to be of any help... sorry.

that is an ideal situation for a single mother in school, or a childless college student going to school at night or online. I'd post flyers around your local campuses. good luck caffeine jones!