My situation. WWYD?

[Anonymous]

My current job ends this summer when DC ages into full time preschool. I've been with him since birth, and his parents pay me 52000 a year for full time (this part is relevant). I do just slightly above light housekeeping, everything related to DCs care, and 4/5 days we go to activities that are not reimbursed either in mileage or cost. The money has been phenomenal in our area (not DC) and has allowed me to give my grade school DC incredible opportunities. I love spending my days with my charge, but I hate going to work every day (mainly because the place is always trashed and his parents are really not that nice). I left a family I enjoyed immensely simply because of the increase in pay with my current family. Which brings me to today.
I interviewed with 2 amazing couples for an infant nanny share. I can't exactly pin point specifics, but I felt an instant click with the parents and baby A took to me immediately (4mos). Baby B is due any day. Anyway, here's the share pro points: *zero housework, not even baby related, *reimbursement for mileage and activities, *all school holidays paid (teacher families), *summers off, *I can watch tv during nap (this has never been allowed in my decade of nannying). So all of these points make it sound great. Until this one: the pay. They can only afford 200-250 a week, full time, per baby. Realistically, I can eek by on their proposed salary, but it would be tight.
So, if you were me, what do you think carries more weight? Higher pay with a family you may not click as well with on a personality level or less pay for parents who you mesh with instantly? I'm pretty sure I already have my decision, I just wanted to hear other view points.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Not sure what area you are in. Would it be difficult to find another job that pays what you're making now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what area you are in. Would it be difficult to find another job that pays what you're making now?

Mid East Coast. I could probably find something close to my current pay, but probably not an exact match (700s), but probably only in a share, not for a singleton like I have now.

[Anonymous]

So what would your total take home pay be?

[Anonymous]

2000 gross, 1600 net
When I look at the figures side by side, I know I should decline this share, and quickly. But there's just something about the parents of these babies that just clicked and I wish I could explain it. It's been a long, long time that I've liked an MB/DB as more than just the folks who sign my paycheck. I've always much preferred my charges to their folks.

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a rich spouse, that type of paycut doesn't seem to be a good choice.

[Anonymous]

Keep looking for something that pays at the rate you need. It's been a long time since you clicked because it's been a long time since you looked.

[Anonymous]

Could you accept the job and then find a summer nanny position that pays more (large family or share for the summer)? That way during the school year you would be with your kid on holidays etc. but could still bring home more in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you accept the job and then find a summer nanny position that pays more (large family or share for the summer)? That way during the school year you would be with your kid on holidays etc. but could still bring home more in the summer.

I've thought about this as well, trying to "bulk up" my pay with a higher paying summer job. It's an option, sure, but not one I feel like I can readily depend on. For the pp a few posts up, no spouse. Just me and my kiddo.

[Anonymous]

Are the summers off with or without pay? This would make a difference in my decision.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it, OP. People who cannot afford to pay their nanny a decent wage have no business employing nannies (ESPECIALLY when it's a nanny share! jeez!) They should be using daycare, and the fact that they're not makes me think that they feel some amount of entitlement. Not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the summers off with or without pay? This would make a difference in my decision.

Unpaid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't do it, OP. People who cannot afford to pay their nanny a decent wage have no business employing nannies (ESPECIALLY when it's a nanny share! jeez!) They should be using daycare, and the fact that they're not makes me think that they feel some amount of entitlement. Not good.

Good point. Mom B did mention she wasn't willing to pay more than daycare rates for a nanny share, however a 5* daycare here is 310-330 a week per baby with 8-10 babies in one room.
I started this post thinking I would bite the pay bullet and accept the position, but now that I've had some other views, I believe I need to just keep looking.

[Anonymous]

Even if you have a great relationship with the families, I guarantee that you'll begin to resent them once the reality of how little you make sets in. Struggling sucks.

[Anonymous]

Negotiate. Come back with a rate that would make it acceptable to you. If they turn that down, then you have your answer. If they accept, wonderful!