Returning nanny

Anonymous
Our nanny is returning to work for us after having a baby and staying home for six months.

When she left, she made it pretty clear she was leaving, which I didn’t entirely understand since I would have given her paid leave and guaranteed her job. I would have even entertained her bringing her baby to work. She seemed adamant she was just leaving.m and I accepted it.

She recently let me know she’s available to work in the fall and wants to earn a certain amount a week. There was some confusion over the hours I need and she’s suggesting that we pay her a flat rate, which ends up being $34 an hour off the books. I live in a MCOL city and $34 is well above market for two kids.

Since I didn’t know she was returning to work, I signed both my kids up for FT daycare and aftercare. So I’ll have this expense plus her additional hours.

I am willing to pay what we were paying six months ago - $28.

We do very much value her and my kids love her. She’s been a great nanny outside of the strangeness around leaving.

I hate getting into practically an argument around her pay, and also feel cheap not just forking over the extra $60 a week. But I also feel like she might be taking advantage of me as I’m sure I seem very wealthy to her.

Thoughts?
Anonymous
You’re a patsy for hiring her back, especially when you made other plans. She’ll treat you like a doormat going forward.
Anonymous
How old are your children and how many hours a week would you have the nanny?
Would she bring her baby?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You’re a patsy for hiring her back, especially when you made other plans. She’ll treat you like a doormat going forward.

The fact that OP’s children love this nanny is an important consideration.
Anonymous
You shouldn't have hired her back. She needs $34 an hour, so she's going to leave you to go get it. You should have said we already made alternate childcare arrangements since you said you weren't coming back, and we can't afford your new rate, but if you're interested in babysitting occasionally for date nights I know the kids would love to see you.
Anonymous
Are you sure daycare is really the best thing now for your children?

Compromise on 31. an hour. The children should be the primary factor here, not the adult negotiation process.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You shouldn't have hired her back. She needs $34 an hour, so she's going to leave you to go get it. You should have said we already made alternate childcare arrangements since you said you weren't coming back, and we can't afford your new rate, but if you're interested in babysitting occasionally for date nights I know the kids would love to see you.


To be fair, we can use the additional help and we can afford the new rate. It’s more the principle of it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You shouldn't have hired her back. She needs $34 an hour, so she's going to leave you to go get it. You should have said we already made alternate childcare arrangements since you said you weren't coming back, and we can't afford your new rate, but if you're interested in babysitting occasionally for date nights I know the kids would love to see you.


Is she though? She’s not likely to earn this in my community. She knows my kids and the job is a known.

This is only for 13 hours a week. I’d assume if she needed more money, she’d offer more hours, no?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Are you sure daycare is really the best thing now for your children?

Compromise on 31. an hour. The children should be the primary factor here, not the adult negotiation process.


Yes. Youngest is 4 years old and it’s a preschool environment she loves. I enrolled her when the nanny left and she has loved daycare.

Anonymous
Read up on negotiating.

You have your reasons snd she has hers.

Psychologically she wants to make $X per week.

I would ask for more work somehow for that extra $60.

Anonymous
Girl, 60 a week is like Chinese take out, its one music lesson, its downtown evening parking, its coffee for the office, its really not a big thing. Like be honest what is 60 bucks to YOU vs her.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Read up on negotiating.

You have your reasons snd she has hers.

Psychologically she wants to make $X per week.

I would ask for more work somehow for that extra $60.



This is what I am considering.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Girl, 60 a week is like Chinese take out, its one music lesson, its downtown evening parking, its coffee for the office, its really not a big thing. Like be honest what is 60 bucks to YOU vs her.


Yes but I can’t help but feel like I’m being taken advantage of.
Anonymous
Don’t hire her back. I have had a nanny that wanted more per hour than I could pay and it created a very uncomfortable situation and she was always trying to renegotiate. Truly her weirdness about leaving , etc are red flags. Kids will love another great nanny too - truly!
Anonymous
You sound cheap. Do you know how hard it is to find someone you like? You want to ruin that over 60 bucks?
post reply Forum Index » Childcare other than Daycare and Preschool
Message Quick Reply
Go to: