I underestimated my inital pay rate - now what?

[Anonymous]

LA nanny again- That being said $18/hr with a NICE family who treats you with respect is worth more than finding a new job that pays more with awful employers. It's really really really (really!!!) hard to find nice normal respectful families in this town and working for celebrities is the worst. If you're happy, stay and keep the $18/hr if they won't do a raise. It took me 10 years in this town to find a family who treated me with respect!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LA nanny here- Even illegals here make up to $20/hr. I'm paid $30/hr gross for two kids. Are you paid legally? There's a big difference between $18 cash and after taxes. If you're paid $18 and pay taxes on top of that you are way underpaid for this area!!

OP here: Yes, I am paid legally. Thanks for responding.

[Anonymous]

That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LA nanny again- That being said $18/hr with a NICE family who treats you with respect is worth more than finding a new job that pays more with awful employers. It's really really really (really!!!) hard to find nice normal respectful families in this town and working for celebrities is the worst. If you're happy, stay and keep the $18/hr if they won't do a raise. It took me 10 years in this town to find a family who treated me with respect!!

Thanks for your advice. Yes, they are a nice family and, of course, I love the baby and I'm sure I can get at least 19 an hour at my year anniversary but I probably will ask for $2 and be prepared to be told "no". You've given me a lot to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

OP here and thank you for your response. While I admire your loyalty to your employer family, I cannot work for less than what I deserve. I'm not in a financial position to give my time to a charity family even though I wish I were - I think it would be great to help out a struggling family. I don't doubt that you provide excellent care. However, in my area, 20/hour is not outrageous at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

OP here and thank you for your response. While I admire your loyalty to your employer family, I cannot work for less than what I deserve. I'm not in a financial position to give my time to a charity family even though I wish I were - I think it would be great to help out a struggling family. I don't doubt that you provide excellent care. However, in my area, 20/hour is not outrageous at all.

What area do you work in? I'm in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

You list this among your accomplishments? I got news for you, Becky, your skin tone isn't why these people love you. Its because you're cheap. They don't give a shit about your degree either. You're cheap and reliable, and they would have taken the first reliable schmuck they could get. It just happened to be you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

You list this among your accomplishments? I got news for you, Becky, your skin tone isn't why these people love you. Its because you're cheap. They don't give a shit about your degree either. You're cheap and reliable, and they would have taken the first reliable schmuck they could get. It just happened to be you.

Oh stop! Just because you wouldn't work for that rate doesn't mean you need to put this nanny down. Maybe she works because she wants to and doesn't have to and doesn't need the money. You have no idea what her accomplishments are. She said she is American because otherwise you are someone else like you would have tried to say English probably isn't her first language so that's why she's charging less. FWIW, I think $10/hr is very low also but if she is happy why do you care? If you are a good nanny you should easily be able to find a job that pays much more so what is your problem then? Is she too nice for you because she actually likes the family she works for and is doing something helpful to them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a big increase. I've never asked for a raise personally. I'm either given it or I'm not. I make 10 per hr in the dc suburbs and have been with this family for 2 years. Still no raise. My bosses have mentioned how they are so happy they found me as they can't afford to pay anymore.

You're being taken for a ride. Please don't advise others to do the same. If they can't afford to pay more, they have no business hiring a nanny. Only a stupid unqualified nanny would accept such a position, and at that point nanny care is more about convenience to the parents than quality care for the kids.

I provide excellent quality care. I've been a nanny for over 10 years. I have an associates degree in ECE. I am white, American I have never been late or taken a sick day with this family. They have 4 young children and can't afford to pay more. I accepted the job and love having it. These rates everyone talk about seem so outrageous to me as someone in the business for many years.

You list this among your accomplishments? I got news for you, Becky, your skin tone isn't why these people love you. Its because you're cheap. They don't give a shit about your degree either. You're cheap and reliable, and they would have taken the first reliable schmuck they could get. It just happened to be you.

Oh stop! Just because you wouldn't work for that rate doesn't mean you need to put this nanny down. Maybe she works because she wants to and doesn't have to and doesn't need the money. You have no idea what her accomplishments are. She said she is American because otherwise you are someone else like you would have tried to say English probably isn't her first language so that's why she's charging less. FWIW, I think $10/hr is very low also but if she is happy why do you care? If you are a good nanny you should easily be able to find a job that pays much more so what is your problem then? Is she too nice for you because she actually likes the family she works for and is doing something helpful to them?

I have no problem if an individual nanny wants to foolishly sell herself short. What I take issue with is her coming on this thread to advise the OP and to act as if she shouldn't seek a more acceptable rate. Its discouraging to other nannies who will see this thread, and its misleading to future parents. They will get it in their heads that its possible to find an educated and experienced nanny for $10/hour. Sure its possible, just as its "possible" for a nanny to make $30/hour. It is not, however, a realistic expectation. This nanny has decided to run a charity service. That's fine, but she shouldn't comment on rate threads.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you think $18/hr is charity, OP. That's a fine rate and you are not underpaid. Of course, you are fine to want more and to negotiate any raise you want.

That said, unless you could prove in concrete ways why you feel you earned such a large raise, I would not likely grant such a large raise if i employed you. Your qualifications are pretty average for a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Is it $18 after taxes or before taxes? Because it it's before taxes that is really low. People who aren't even legal in LA are making over $15/hr.

[Anonymous]

I love all the trolls who think $20-$30/hr in LA is a lie. You don't live on the west coast, you have no idea.