"An End to Mothers Parenting Alone? The $370,000-a-Year 'U.S. Parenting Dream Team'"

Hiring Live-in Helpers, Weekend Nannies, and Personal Chefs

Childcare Services for the Wealthy Becoming More Specialized

“Not Outsourcing Parenting, but Redistributing Time”

“CEO Parenting” – Running the Household Like a Small Busines

The so-called "CEO Parenting," in which affluent American families manage their homes and child-rearing operations as if running a corporation, is spreading. On July 17 (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that high-income dual-income parents in the United States are increasingly not only hiring a single nanny, but also assembling dedicated teams that include live-in helpers, personal chefs, and private tutors, introducing various real-life examples.

The so-called "CEO Parenting," where affluent American families manage their homes and child-rearing like a business, is spreading. The photo is not related to any specific content of the article. Pixabay

Christine Landis, a mother of two living in San Diego, spends about $250,000 a year, or around 370 million won, to operate her household and childcare team. In Landis's household—she is a former fintech company CEO—there is a live-in "family assistant" who lives with the family, as well as a weekend nanny, a personal chef, and a housekeeper.

Landis has never trimmed her children's toenails herself because she worries about their safety and leaves the task to the nanny. Most baths for the children are also handled by the family helper. Repetitive play—such as reading the same book five times or watching a child open and close doors for 45 minutes—is also the job of the helper. Landis claims that by reducing her chores, she is able to spend more focused, quality time with her children. She emphasized that it is not merely about delegating parenting to others, but rather about parents choosing when to be most present and engaged with their children.

In the United States, high-income dual-income parents are increasingly not only hiring a single nanny but also assembling dedicated teams that include live-in helpers, personal chefs, and private tutors. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

Alexandra Fine, CEO of Dame Products—a sexual wellness company and mother of three—spends about $85,000 annually (around 125 million won) on a team of seven consisting of a nanny, organizing expert, repairman, online assistant, and others. Fine pointed out that every moment spent folding laundry or calling a repair technician is time lost with her children, underscoring that outsourcing household labor is a matter of effective time management.

Childcare services targeting the wealthy are also gradually becoming further segmented. Staffing agencies now receive requests for "equestrian nannies" who accompany children to equestrian competitions, "baby chefs" who prepare only baby food, and even children's personal stylists. Recently, when parents requested a limited-edition Rabubu doll, a nanny posted a buying inquiry on social media and actively searched for a seller. In households that avoid using diapers, families sometimes hire a helper who recognizes the baby's cues and immediately brings the child to the bathroom.

Childcare services targeting the affluent are also gradually becoming more segmented. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

A dedicated nanny who accompanies a family on trips can earn an annual salary of $120,000 to $170,000 (approximately 170 million to 250 million won). The compensation for private tutors who handle both academic guidance and social-emotional education can reach up to $200,000 per year (about 300 million won). Global concierge company Quintessentially, for example, charges a membership fee starting from $25,000 per year (about 37 million won) in the US and offers services such as kindergarten admission support, long-term family travel planning, and arranging private tutors at travel destinations.

One of the most recognizable figures to popularize this style of parenting is fashion entrepreneur Emma Grede. A mother of four, Grede has described herself as a "maximum three-hours mom," spending time with her children only on weekend mornings. She operates a team consisting of a nanny, cleaner, chef, and chief of staff, explaining that she chooses to focus on memorable moments such as family trips rather than daily household chores.

Grede noted, "Cutting sandwiches into star shapes was never my job," but emphasizes that getting logistical and routine help during the parenting process is not about outsourcing the parent role—it is about allocating concentrated time to the most important moments. The high-end domestic staffing market is also growing rapidly. According to American staffing agencies, demand for family assistants who handle not only housework and childcare but also schedule management has soared in recent years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.