How much raise with changing circumstances?

[Anonymous]

We love our nanny who has been taking care of our daughter since she was 3 months old. We are expecting a baby in July and I will be home for about 4 months. Just a couple of months later, our nanny is up for a raise. Our daughter will be in preschool half days, 5 days a week. We have been giving her $1/hr raise the past years but I'm feeling like we may have overdone it. It comes out to an extra $200-$250/ month every time we raise her. She doesnt drive, which was fine when we hired her but is now becoming an issue with school pickups needing to be worked out. How much of a raise should we give when baby number two comes, given that I'll be home for months and our daughter will be starting school? Do we still give the same raise a few months later at review time?

[Anonymous]

I don't know where she is along the pay scale, but you could always explain to her that a raise isn't in your budget. Especially if you can manage to give her extra vacation time while you're on maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

Definitely a raise for the new baby, but not necessarily for the anniversary.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Would you give the raise when baby is born or when I go back to work? How much would you give?

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing. The nanny already knows what she needs in order to stay on with the new baby, if at all.

Why not simply ask her?

Who knows. She may think that the new situation will be less work, and she'll ask you to decrease her wages.

Congratulations on your new growing baby!

[Anonymous]

She is no doubt expecting a raise for the new baby, which should go into effect whenever she becomes responsible for the baby (may or may not coincide with going back to work) but could negotiate another perk in lieu of the anniversary raise, or if you can't swing even that, a heartfelt letter or card detailing what she has meant to your family (and you could have your daughter help!)

[Anonymous]

Why are parents so afraid of communicating Directly with the sitter????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are parents so afraid of communicating Directly with the sitter????

The same could be said about nannies. Would it be better for parents to just bulldoze industry standards and what is appropriate and expected for what is most comfortable for them? What if the nanny has no idea she ought to receive raise for a new baby? Does that mean she shouldn't get it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are parents so afraid of communicating Directly with the sitter????

These kinds of posts are not helpful. Obviously OP will at some point communicate directly with her nanny about this, she's just trying to prepare herself with some advice and opinions first. Why is that such a crime? If no one was doing their research then these boards would be empty.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you have the meeting first?

Then come to the board to mull it over?

You need a starting point.

For instance, nanny says she wants a $3/hr raise. Then you come here to debate that, if she's worth it to you and your children. But if she says she wants a 25 cents per hour raise, you've wasted endless hours and aggravation here, for no intelligent reason. Unless you're seeking some kind of sick attention?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you have the meeting first?

Then come to the board to mull it over?

You need a starting point.

For instance, nanny says she wants a $3/hr raise. Then you come here to debate that, if she's worth it to you and your children. But if she says she wants a 25 cents per hour raise, you've wasted endless hours and aggravation here, for no intelligent reason. Unless you're seeking some kind of sick attention?

Or perhaps you need a starting point BEFORE you speak to her. Do you go into negotiations blind, without knowing what you'd like from a situation, or what the standard is? It's not about attention, and the fact that you can't wrap your mind around that says a lot.

[Anonymous]

There is no across the board standard.

[Anonymous]

.... Average yes, "standard", no.

The "range" is anywhere from minimum wage, to 30/hr or more.

You can calculate the "average".

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wondering what others think/have done. My boss has never come to me and just asked how much money I want and I wouldn't do that with an employee without having a suggestion of whats reasonable. If you don't have any advice, don't you have something better to do than just write snarky comments?

[Anonymous]

You seem to have no clue that your relationship with your caregiver, who is taking your place in your own home, is nothing comparable to your office job.

Flame on.
Truth be told.