I see a lot of back and forth between the MBs and nannies on this board about pay. At the end of the day, no one is right or wrong but perhaps MBs don't know what it costs to live in DC. For a parent who can not afford a nanny, cost HS no bearing on their ability to pay. Some parents do have a choice, however. For parents who have the ability to pay a competitive wage, you might benefit from knowing why you nanny, even at $15 feels undervalued.
Here is where my money goes: Apartment: $1,500 Metro fare to nanny job: $160 Health insurance: $250 Groceries: $170 - 200 (with coupons) Phone: $70 That is $2, 180. I have not put anything aside for emergency saving or factored in my cost of transportation just to get to the grocery store. That is without me going any place except my job, buying personal care items, or covering the copay at a doctors visit. I have not included the cost of my internet service. There are no utilities in that number, like my electricity or water. Just to function in my nanny job, that is all that $2, 180 covers. A job that pays $15 an hour at 40 hours per week grosses $2,400 per month. After taxes, I have to decide whether which utility I can live without this month. If you can not afford to pay any more for your childcare, I pray that we both find a way to break out of this month to month nightmare. If you are in a position to pay your nanny a living wage, I hope you will do so now. |
Thank you, OP. This is excellent information for parents to have.
Can you please copy your post to "The $15 per hour nanny" thread? Thanks again. |
Considering that the Metro is implementing another fare hike and rent will probably go up when your lease expires, $15 is already unsustainable. I will have to start looking for another job before my yearly review in case I don't get a raise. |
Actually, utilities are necessary to function in any job, it is also a Heath and safety necessity. Add $80 during spring and fall, $ 120 during winter and summer. |
Parents,
Are you listening? Do you care? Is your child ready for yet another new nanny? -another concerned nanny |
No - we're not listening. No we don't care at all. This nanny's financial scenario clearly represents all nannies fully, as do the presumptions about employers speak for the reality of all working relationships. Do you actually think you're causing anyone to rethink anything they do as an employer? If so you're sadly mistaken. You're simply reinforcing negative opinions and doing your peers a disservice. |
Your reply is a jumble of defiant words that do not speak to the merits of the issue. No one is saying this situation has the be the same for every nanny. If anything you could adjust the months expense a couple hundred dollars either way and still be in trouble because major expenses were not included. The OP does not sink to your level of negativity or defensiveness. I sort of wish you had not posted at all, lest we encourage more of your aggressive lot onto this thread. |
Well, we pay DS' nanny a livable wage so.... |
That is good. What is her rate/weekly gross? |
Well said, 9:13. |
The problem with your thinking is that just because you work hard does not mean you are entitled to all the nice things you described. If you want those things you should get a degree and earn more.
Would you stand up for the same idea if you replaced the word nanny with McDonalds worker? Stop trying to change the wage for nannies, if you have a degree and don't like the pay in this field then go somewhere else. If you don't have a degree then you should be grateful for $15 an hour. As a nanny here is where your money should go: Rent: $500 ($1500 2 bedroom split 3 ways) Transportation: get a bike Health Insurance: not needed Groceries: $200 Phone: $35 T-mobile, you don't need an iPhone, you are a nanny That's $735. Since you earn well over $2000 a month you have plenty left for personal things or to put at least $500 a month away in savings to go to college. Hope this helps you realize the error of your ways. |
You're so pathetic, it's ALMOST funny. |
No it was not well said. I'm an MB NP and I greatly appreciated the OP. I thought it was well stated and respectful at the same time. 8:54 was obnoxious and condescending, assuming parents don't care about the nanny. We pay the nanny WELL over $15/hr so to be honest the OP wasn't really necessary for me but I thought it was helpful for new parents looking to hire a nanny for the first time and trying to figure out what is a fair wage. The bad/cheap parents aren't going to care regardless. The parents who might find the OP helpful will be turned off by 8:54. 8:54, if you are really a concerned nanny then be polite and stop making nannies look bad. If I was a FTM I'd probably put my child in day care because of some of the nannies on DCUM. Fortunately I had a nanny before I ever found DCUM so I know that posters like you are not the norm in the real world. OP, thank you for your thoughtful post. I hope your employers appreciate you and if not, I hope you can find a family who does so you don't have to try to scrape by month to month. You should not have to live that way. |
What you pay your employee is a reflection of your respect for human rights and dignity. This says nothing about the issue at hand and everything about the person writing it. You have not done anything to minimize OPs argument. Now you just look stupid. |
$28/hr, comes out to 1120 a week. Works 35 hrs 75% of the time, but has guaranteed 40 hrs. She has insurance through her husband, but otherwise she has full benefits and is paid on the books. She's coming up on year 3 and shortly after that, I will be having another baby and the oldest will be going to school so she will be bumped to $30 with an extra week of vacation. |