Pulse: Society: Really Desperate Housewives

“If you’re prepared to pay for an apartment on the Main Line, and they’re used to a fabulous cottage on an estate in the Hamptons, a nanny doesn’t want to come here,” says the Villanova woman who e-mailed the following plea to friends: Philadelphia family seeks experienced nanny for 2 year old twin boys and newborn. Must have 3 years prev nanny exp. Early childhood development or nursing degree preferred. Must be available to travel w/ family. Duties: Childcare, child meal prep and light housekeeping related to children only. … Benefits: 5 paid holidays, 2 wks paid vacation, med ins, bonus, $800 per month housing allowance and $45,000 – $50,000 per year. “One girl said our house wasn’t nice enough,” says the mom, a former model. (It’s a 10,000-square-foot mansion with double-height ceilings and a granite kitchen.) “Another wanted to know if we flew first-class or had our own plane.” This stay-at-home mom turned to New York- and California-based nanny-hunters, she says, because local agencies’ candidates were largely unqualified and, in some cases, illegal aliens. But so far, candidates have said they’d rather work for families in Miami, California, New York City or the Hamptons. “I just interviewed Christie Brinkley’s nanny,” says the mom hopefully. “She loved the house!”