Why do SAHMs charge so much?

[Anonymous]

Parent who employs a nanny here. I would be very willing to pay $12.50-$15.00 per hour for drop-in care with a SAHM I trust. Most people expect to pay a premium for the convenience of having a good drop-in option for last-minute needs, nanny vacations, etc. I might also be willing to pay that for a SAHM in lieu of a nanny, if the SAHM mom had personal characteristics that nannies in the same price range lack. For example, if the SAHM mom were a certified preschool or elementary school teacher, that would probably be more appealing to me than an even an experienced nanny with no formal training in the child development, and particularly in the finer points of childhood social and emotional development.

[Anonymous]

agree with 21:54.

[Anonymous]

Why should good childcare be cheap?

[Anonymous]

It should not but just because you are a SAHM does not automatically make you a great child caretaker. I think it likely has more to do with the price point at which middle class moms feel that taking on another kid would be worth it. They are likely doing it for some extra money - not to pay the bills and so are willing to forgo the idea entirely if they do not find someone willing to pay what they feel is worth it. That does not necessarily mean they ARE better. They could be or they could just be less reliant on the job for paying the bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It should not but just because you are a SAHM does not automatically make you a great child caretaker. I think it likely has more to do with the price point at which middle class moms feel that taking on another kid would be worth it. They are likely doing it for some extra money - not to pay the bills and so are willing to forgo the idea entirely if they do not find someone willing to pay what they feel is worth it. That does not necessarily mean they ARE better. They could be or they could just be less reliant on the job for paying the bills.

I agree. I assume that $15 or so is simply the pricepoint that makes the commitment worth it to them.

I would be willing to consider that rate if (1) I were looking for daycare, and (2) I really liked the SAHM. However, this is unlikely to happen because at the rate of $15+ per hour, I can easily find someone who will be a nanny in my home. I prefer this.

Second, I just can't shake the fact that most moms offering to take in one or two kids are basically proposing to run an unlicensed daycare. "I'm a mom and good with kids, and I have a room full of toys" isn't enough for me to go on. The mom would have to be licensed or be someone I already trusted.

Probably I am a little suspicious, but I like things to either be on my turf (so-to-speak) or have oversight. So I think it's fair for a SAHM to advertise at these rates; I just wouldn't be one of the clients. If others are willing, all power to them.

[Anonymous]

Whatever. These SAHMs can ask for whatever they want. It doesn't mean anybody takes them up on the offer. They may have just decided that it is only worth it to them if they get $15-20/hour. Fair enough. Of course I would never pay that much, and I'm definitely not alone, but that doesn't mean the women can't ask for it.

+100 but I understand why OP thinks its out of whack. From the employer standpoint the pecking order from best to worst is 1.) your own nanny 2.) nanny share 3.)nanny bringing her child and 4.) SAHM watching your kid in your house.

I would only ever do #4 if it was someone that I knew well , really needed the money and I wanted to help them out.

[nannydebsays]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for a family with two children and brought my 1 year old as well. I charged $16/hour. I was the best nanny they ever had. I have tons of experience with kids, a great education and a dedication to children. I never put my kid first. I re-arranged my child's schedule to work with the other kids. They got an energetic, engaging, loving and hard working nanny...I was also a SAHM. Most of my SAHM friends are so wonderful with their kids. They have a knack for spending quality time with children. So, that's why sometimes (not always) a SAHM can provide great childcare. Why would you not pay for that?

So you went to your employers house? Then you didn't do what the OP is finding SAHM's wanting to do. The people the OP is talking about are running pseudo family daycares, but doing it at nanny prices. They expect the people who pay them to bring the kids to the day care, probably provide the food and other needed items, and so forth.

I have no doubt you were a terrific nanny. I do doubt that your employers would have been willing to pay you $16/hour to provide daycare at your own home.

I am also quite aware that some SAHM's are terrific. But SAHM's who decide to do daycare without any knowledge of reality based pricing are are not people I admire or respect.

[Anonymous]

Some SAHMs have a weird split between insecure and being overly arrogant about their greatness. They really look down on nannies. If a nanny makes $15, they should get $20 type of attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some SAHMs have a weird split between insecure and being overly arrogant about their greatness. They really look down on nannies. If a nanny makes $15, they should get $20 type of attitude.

I think this attitude is true of most moms. Taking care of kids is the hardest, most important job in the world, that is until you have to pay someone to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for a family with two children and brought my 1 year old as well. I charged $16/hour. I was the best nanny they ever had. I have tons of experience with kids, a great education and a dedication to children. I never put my kid first. I re-arranged my child's schedule to work with the other kids. They got an energetic, engaging, loving and hard working nanny...I was also a SAHM. Most of my SAHM friends are so wonderful with their kids. They have a knack for spending quality time with children. So, that's why sometimes (not always) a SAHM can provide great childcare. Why would you not pay for that?

You went to your employer's house and fit your child into the lives of your charges, not the other way 'round. You and these SAHMs are selling two different products, hence the difference in rates. There's considerably less control over the kind of care your kid gets in someone else's house.

[Anonymous]

As a SAHM, I would not bring on another child for less than $10/hr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some SAHMs have a weird split between insecure and being overly arrogant about their greatness. They really look down on nannies. If a nanny makes $15, they should get $20 type of attitude.

I think this attitude is true of most moms. Taking care of kids is the hardest, most important job in the world, that is until you have to pay someone to do it.

You hit the nail on the head.

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder that the sitter coming to your house is an employee and you legally incur other costs above the hourly rate. Using the SAHM in her home the cost is just the hourly rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the sitter coming to your house is an employee and you legally incur other costs above the hourly rate. Using the SAHM in her home the cost is just the hourly rate.

Except if you call her a nanny share. The law is really screwed up about this. I don't really know how nanny shares get away with skirting the law. Normally if a child is being cared for outside of his OWN home, there needs to be a in-home daycare license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the sitter coming to your house is an employee and you legally incur other costs above the hourly rate. Using the SAHM in her home the cost is just the hourly rate.

Except if you call her a nanny share. The law is really screwed up about this. I don't really know how nanny shares get away with skirting the law. Normally if a child is being cared for outside of his OWN home, there needs to be a in-home daycare license.

False, look it up. There are limits on how many non-biological/legally related children can be cared for in one home, but it is certainly more than one. If your case were correct, every grandma/neighbor/aunt would need a permit. Check your facts before you post.