Pros and Cons working for an active duty Military Family?

[Anonymous]

Since the Military doesn't pay its service members very much (sadly), my only real concern would be that the pay wouldn't be very good.

OP, you mentioned "fair" pay.....Does this mean average pay??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess you've never heard of Switzerland or Norway? Seriously military lady, you need therapy.

Switzerland has under 2 years and is listed. Norway has under 2 years and listed, but I missed that conscription is selective and both genders. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since the Military doesn't pay its service members very much (sadly), my only real concern would be that the pay wouldn't be very good.

OP, you mentioned "fair" pay.....Does this mean average pay??

My husband makes six figures. Coupling with my pay, we're over $200,000. I realize that's not much in DC, but we don't live in DC anymore, and are wealthy compared to the locals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since the Military doesn't pay its service members very much (sadly), my only real concern would be that the pay wouldn't be very good.

OP, you mentioned "fair" pay.....Does this mean average pay??

Military pays fine, when you consider in non-taxible BAH and BAS. The problem is, typically, junior enlisted have spouses that can't work due to PCS cycles so a somewhat decent salary (read: for entry-level work) doesn't go far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since the Military doesn't pay its service members very much (sadly), my only real concern would be that the pay wouldn't be very good.

OP, you mentioned "fair" pay.....Does this mean average pay??

This is why I asked if the mom was a physician. With bonuses, they bring in well over $100K/year, plus the non-taxable housing allowance and all health care is 100% covered. If they are dual military, they get double the housing allowance, also tax free. If dad is also a professional (very common in the medical corps), they are easily middle class by even DCUM standards and can afford a nanny.

Now you know why funding a standing Army that runs its own health care system is so expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since the Military doesn't pay its service members very much (sadly), my only real concern would be that the pay wouldn't be very good.

OP, you mentioned "fair" pay.....Does this mean average pay??

OP here. Whoa, this was not the response I was expecting. Ask a thoughtful question and get a flame war.

FWIW $18/hour, on the books, OT, $250 month towards health insurance. I find that fair, and I guess I am the only one that matters in that judgment.

Thanks to the posters that actually helped me with pros and cons. 2nd working interview tomorrow, will see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Now you know why funding a standing Army that runs its own health care system is so expensive.

Now you know why funding health care for every American is so expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're a military family who have employed four different nannies over the last six years (there was a move in there). Our current nanny has been with us for almost 2 years, and my husband was deployed in the fall.

We are lefty liberals with artsy undergraduate degrees and professional graduate degrees, and we have a part time housekeeper and a cleaning service in addition to our full time nanny, so there was no job creep when DH was gone.

Anyway, go into the interview with any questions you have, but there are lots of different types of military families. The one thing to ask is how long they will be in the area, to make sure your idea of a "long term" job and theirs are similar.

OP here - thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live-in nanny here. I actually like military families, and as I can relocate with them, I'm not worried about how long they are stationed in the one place.

Yes, deployments are hard on everyone in the family. If the deployed parent is in an area where they can access Skype regularly, having kids (especially toddlers and preschoolers) Skype with the parent should take priority over anything else int he schedule. Additionally, kids can interact with the deployed parent by doing a short video everyday to email, and then watch the parent's video when they get them.

There are a few issues that can make it easier or harder, depending on the family. Is mom a single parent? If she is, you will need back up from friends and family, because 14/7 with kids while the parent is deployed is incredibly exhausting, but it is rewarding. If dad will be there, you need to ask questions to clarify what the schedule will be. You also would need to ask if dad is also active duty, whether he might be gone overnight at any point during her deployment, and what the protocol will be if he gets hurt while working and can't make it home (very slim chance, but I ask about every scenario I can think of).

If mom's a single parent, you need to have temporary guardianship. You need to have the authority to talk to the school, doctor or anyone else about the child. If they are a couple, but dad is active duty, you need authorization with the school to deal with sick/injured child, and the doctor to start emergency treatment while dad is reached.

Mom is married, husband seems pretty hands on with the kids and house. As they described to me this isn't their first rodeo. Thanks for the helpful response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the original poster -- Apparently another thing you may have to deal with if you are a nanny to a military family is that some people will tell you that you are a "war supporter" and how that is a horrible thing.

So I see