Wanted: Toddler's Personal Assistant

September 2, 2024
From attending lavish galas to meeting over-the-top parental demands, Kiser reveals the perks and pitfalls of nannying for Manhattan’s wealthiest families in her wry debut. After graduating from college, Kiser moved to New York City with dreams of becoming “the next Lena Dunham or Greta Gerwig,” but the low-paying PR job she landed barely covered her rent. To keep herself afloat, she began nannying for some of the city’s most well-off families, who’d discuss summering “out East” during their chauffeured carpools and treat chance encounters with Jay-Z and Beyoncé like no big deal. With a dollop of self-deprecating humor, Kiser juxtaposes her own financially challenged upbringing against the extravagant wealth she encountered during her seven years as a nanny, which taught her “the art of being the poorest person in a wealthy room.” After years of 12-hour shifts and glimpses at the corrosive powers of privilege took their toll, however, Kiser’s illusions shattered, and she quit nannying (“I had spent my twenties doing jobs I never intended”). While Kiser’s insights are familiar, her witty reflections on the value of work-life balance will resonate with readers in the midst of establishing their own careers. It’s a solid effort. Agent: Jen Nadol, Unter Agency.