Mommy's Helper Pay

[Anonymous]

I have a Mother's Helper that comes over four days a week for three hours per day. She helps out with my two young children. She earns $15/hr. Lately she has been hinting for a wage increase, which is fair since she is coming on her one year anniversary with us. How much do you recommend I should increase her hourly rate? I am at home with her during the three hours and we usually divvy up the duties for the kids. She is wonderful and I want to retain her. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Why not ask her what she has in mind?

[Anonymous]

$1/hr

[Anonymous]

How old is she, OP? Besides the annual raise, I'd give her a thank you card, with a note mentioning a few things that you most appreciate about her, along with some bonus money (whatever you can afford). You seem to want her to stay on.

I remember hiring my niece to do some babysitting for me, some time ago. I gave her a generous hourly rate. When I told her how much I'd be paying her, she got so excited, and said, "no one ever paid me that much before for babysitting". I told her that taking care of my children was a really important job. And when you do it well, it should be well-paid. (Of course she would have done it for free.)

[Anonymous]

She is in her late 40s. She has a full-time job with benefits elsewhere. This is a PT job for her.

[Anonymous]

I think your nanny, PT mother's helper in your case, should receive the same percentage annual raise as you (or your partner if you don't work) receive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your nanny, PT mother's helper in your case, should receive the same percentage annual raise as you (or your partner if you don't work) receive.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your nanny, PT mother's helper in your case, should receive the same percentage annual raise as you (or your partner if you don't work) receive.

Why?

Why not?
One mb was so honest that she always told me, that she couldn't do her job without me. Every year she gave me a very generous percentage of her annual bonus. As I said, she was very honest.

[Anonymous]

Raises are based on both performance and change in responsibilities. The level of performance and the degree of changing responsibilities are likely different between nanny and MB.

When there is a new sibling, for example, nanny gets a raise and MB doesn't. Why should it be any different if MB got a big promotion at work?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I did not get an annual wage I crease this year (federal employee). So I can't really correlate my wage increase to hers. Any other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Raises are based on both performance and change in responsibilities. The level of performance and the degree of changing responsibilities are likely different between nanny and MB.

When there is a new sibling, for example, nanny gets a raise and MB doesn't. Why should it be any different if MB got a big promotion at work?

I don't completely agree with the argument, but I will say that often it is a nanny's flexibility, willingness to work unexpected overtime, and to pick up the slack going above and beyond her duties, that allows MB/DB the flexibility to put it the extra hours and effort at work earning them that bonus/raise/promotion. It isn't a given of course, it doesn't hurt to pass some of it on to the woman who helped you make it happen.

[Anonymous]

A $1/hr raise is the average annual raise for a nanny - if that feels feasible I'd think it was adequate unless she has been underpaid all year (which I have no idea).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A $1/hr raise is the average annual raise for a nanny - if that feels feasible I'd think it was adequate unless she has been underpaid all year (which I have no idea).

That's why Nanny just gets a new job. It'll likely pay better than just one dollar per hour increase in pay. But she'll tell you a different reason for leaving. No point in offending you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A $1/hr raise is the average annual raise for a nanny - if that feels feasible I'd think it was adequate unless she has been underpaid all year (which I have no idea).

That's why Nanny just gets a new job. It'll likely pay better than just one dollar per hour increase in pay. But she'll tell you a different reason for leaving. No point in offending you.

Uh, I am a nanny.

And a $1/hr raise is standard unless, as I said, the employee is being underpaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your nanny, PT mother's helper in your case, should receive the same percentage annual raise as you (or your partner if you don't work) receive.

Why?

Because a $1/hr if fairly low, but you may not be able to add much more to your childcare bill. If you get a 10% annual increase though, you should easily be able to add 10% to your nanny's salary. It combines your happiness with your nanny with your ability to up her salary.