Nannies on the rise among busy parents: “I have more time to play with my little daughter”
“This summer, I myself am involved in two theater productions in Middelkerke. When I perform the first project, I also have to rehearse for the second project at the same time.” In their podcast Oops baby, Ianthe Tavernier (37) and Joren Dumont (40) explain how, due to their busy schedules, they will live by the sea for a while, together with their little daughter Lélo. “Joren also has his regular job, which becomes even busier in the summer because of numerous events. When we saw our schedule, we had to swallow hard. That’s why we are looking for someone who would like to spend the summer with us and our daughter.”
Ianthe and Joren are far from the only ones searching for a nanny due to a busy agenda. “More and more families are choosing that,” says Anja Boudry, founder of the nanny agency De Gouvernante. “There is clearly a need to provide solutions for unpaid care, something that received renewed attention around International Women’s Day.”
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The topic also resurfaced in recent days after Minister of Pensions Jan Jambon (N-VA) said that women will have to adapt to pension reform and therefore work longer or more. According to Boudry, that’s where the problem lies. “A lot of unpaid care still falls on women today. If it is expected that they work more, there must also be a solution for that care. For a woman who likes to work and still wants her children to be in good hands, it must be socially acceptable to delegate part of that care to a nanny.”
Daphné Vandenplas (40) from Averbode has been doing this since the birth of her four-year-old daughter Amélie. She was simply too busy with her work. Together with her partner, she is CEO of several companies, including the multi-family office Alluvion. “Four days after my delivery, I was already back at work. As an employee, you can take parental leave, but in my case, a company was waiting for me. That period was tough. During the day, I was often traveling for work and at night I got up to feed Amélie. We quickly decided that we wanted a nanny.”
Daphné with daughter Amélie and partner. © Dirk Vertommen
Quality time
Through the nanny agency Nanny’s, she found two nannies who alternate. There is help about five days a week. “One is a young lady who likes to go on outings, the other is a bit older and exudes maturity.” Both make sure Amélie is picked up from school, that there is a warm meal, and that she is ready for bedtime. When Daphné comes home in the evening, she can fully focus on her daughter. “Now I no longer come home tired from work thinking I still have to cook or put Amélie in the bath. I have time to play together and read a book. I prefer that quality time over quantity.”
“Now I no longer come home tired from work thinking I still have to cook”
Daphné Vandenplas
Has had a nanny for 4.5 years
For the same reason, Jelle Lipkens (38) from Kortrijk also chose a nanny for his two children Kobe (8) and Robin (6). “My children have many hobbies: music, piano, athletics... and I want them to have the space to try as many things as possible. But I often felt rushed and felt like I was mostly playing chauffeur. I didn’t consider that quality dad-time.”
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For two years, his family has had help from nanny Els. He found her through the nanny agency Martha. She is there every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. “It was never difficult for me to entrust my children to her. For my wife, that threshold was a bit higher. But I immediately saw that Els does her job with passion. She crafts things at home and brings them for the children. There is also a good connection between her and my children. If they speak positively about her, that is the best assurance for me that they are in good hands.”
Jelle Lipkens with his son Kobe and nanny Els. © Carlo Verfaille
As satisfied as Jelle is with nanny Els, he realizes there are many prejudices about having a nanny. That it is only for wealthy families, for example. Nanny Els is not cheap: Jelle pays about 30 euros per hour. “There are alternative ways that are cheaper, such as daycare or grandparents nearby. But we live far from family. And a daycare doesn’t prepare food for your children, doesn’t put them in the bath, and doesn’t make sure all their homework is done. For us, a nanny is worth it.”
“A single parent can’t afford a nanny, while a lot of unpaid care falls on them”
Ignace Glorieux
Sociologist (VUB)
According to sociologist Ignace Glorieux (VUB), the price tag of a nanny is not illogical. After all, they take care of children for many hours a day. “But a single parent can hardly afford that, while a lot of unpaid care falls on them. A nanny for every family is not realistic. Unpaid care must be better collectively supported. For example, schools could stay open longer so children can do their homework there or go to their hobbies from there.”
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If such solutions exist, parents would also feel less guilty when delegating care, Glorieux believes. Not that Daphné and Jelle feel guilty about their choice to hire a nanny, although they admit there is sometimes too little time. “Of course, I would like to have a bit more time for my daughter,” says Daphné. “Sometimes I get the comment that I’m not a good mom because I’m not always there. But when I come home, my daughter still jumps into my arms.”
Anne Schoups : March 12, 2026 at 03:00
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