How to handle this?

[Anonymous]

I have been with my NF for about 1 1/2 years, after I had been with them for a year they got a cat. I love cats and have no problem with this, however I can't take my own vacations anymore because when my NF takes vacation and goes out of town, they ask me to check on their cat daily and provide fresh food/take out litter. I come during my regular time as when the kids are here. (after school nanny-2 1/2 hrs) I don't usually go on trips anyways because I am in school so I don't mind, but they don't pay me extra. They just pay me my base salary and just a little extra if I have to watch the cat during the weekends. I would think since it's supposed to be my vacation too and I'm taking time out from everyday to check on their cat they would pay me extra on top of my weekly salary? The drive is about 30 mins and I stay for at least at and hour so I'm basically working my normal hours. This has happened for the summer vacation and now the spring vacation. Would it be appropriate to ask for more money for watching the cat? (first time nanny here-suggestions would be greatly appreciated!) thanks!

[Anonymous]

Did you negotiate for a paid vacation when they go away? If not, then you aren't on vacation - you are working os no, I don;t see how you could ask for more money since you are working the same hours.

[Anonymous]

I'm afraid you've become a doormat nanny. They need to pay you for your work.

[Anonymous]

Next time tell them you are unable to take care of their cat since its your vacation and you're not sure what you will be doing and you can't promise to be able to be there regularly. Another option is to sit down with them and set a straight fee since cars a easier to care for than dogs I would say $15-20 a day to include gas money or public transportation costs. For a nanny job you don't get paid commute which is fine but since you are only going there for a short time each day it's not worth the extra gas

[Anonymous]

I'm confused - don't you have paid vacation?

[Anonymous]

Just feed the cat a huge amount and it should be good for 2 or 3 days. I do this with my cats whenever I take a long weekend. More than 3 days and I'll have someone come check in but there's no reason you need to go every single day for a cat.

[Anonymous]

Considering that you only work for them 2 1/2 hour daily, the fact that you are getting paid vacation is a good perk from them because most nannies who work such a small schedule usually do not get paid vacation.

Taking that into account, you also are getting paid a little on top of that, though you didn't mention exactly how much so it is difficult for me to determine if it is unfair or not.

Typically pet sitters make more or less in the range of $20-30/visit daily.

So to me overall, it sounds like you are being treated fairly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just feed the cat a huge amount and it should be good for 2 or 3 days. I do this with my cats whenever I take a long weekend. More than 3 days and I'll have someone come check in but there's no reason you need to go every single day for a cat.

Bad advice here!! For so many reasons.

First of all, anyone who owns a cat should know that when their owners are away, felines tend to consume more food. This could be due to loneliness, stress, whatever. Also, you need to make sure the kitty has enough water in her bowl and you would need to go to the house more often than every three days to re-fill her bowl.

Cats also are very clean + hate dirty litter boxes. If you do not scoop out her litter box daily, she most likely will poop/pee in other common areas of the home and if there is carpet, this will not make your bosses very happy. Plus, feline urine is very strong odor-wise and is nearly impossible to get rid of.

Finally, it would be so dishonest to tell your bosses you will look after their cat properly every day, then go only every few days. This wouldn't be fair to them or their pet.

PP: You sound like an idiot to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just feed the cat a huge amount and it should be good for 2 or 3 days. I do this with my cats whenever I take a long weekend. More than 3 days and I'll have someone come check in but there's no reason you need to go every single day for a cat.

Bad advice here!! For so many reasons.

First of all, anyone who owns a cat should know that when their owners are away, felines tend to consume more food. This could be due to loneliness, stress, whatever. Also, you need to make sure the kitty has enough water in her bowl and you would need to go to the house more often than every three days to re-fill her bowl.

Cats also are very clean + hate dirty litter boxes. If you do not scoop out her litter box daily, she most likely will poop/pee in other common areas of the home and if there is carpet, this will not make your bosses very happy. Plus, feline urine is very strong odor-wise and is nearly impossible to get rid of.

Finally, it would be so dishonest to tell your bosses you will look after their cat properly every day, then go only every few days. This wouldn't be fair to them or their pet.

PP: You sound like an idiot to me.

OP here- I would never just go every 3 days. The cat eats a lot and uses her litter very often so me going everyday is extremely important to make sure she doesn't get distressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering that you only work for them 2 1/2 hour daily, the fact that you are getting paid vacation is a good perk from them because most nannies who work such a small schedule usually do not get paid vacation.

Taking that into account, you also are getting paid a little on top of that, though you didn't mention exactly how much so it is difficult for me to determine if it is unfair or not.

Typically pet sitters make more or less in the range of $20-30/visit daily.

So to me overall, it sounds like you are being treated fairly.

They pay me weekly salary (not a huge amount) and do not reimburse me for gas, and I use my car very often as charges are older kids who are in many activites, I also go get groceries, take cat to vet etc all with my car and my gas.
And yes when I started they told me they would pay me when they went on vacation and I would be off those days as well. But since they got the cat they have asked me to go during my regular hours when they went on vacation.

[Anonymous]

My cat can go longer than three days without her box scooped and she has never once gone outside the box. Not all cats are such princesses. Maybe yours is but don't judge every cat on the planet based on one cat. And my god, does no one own a Pyrex bowl that can hold more than 3 hrs worth of water and food? Or are you just unable to think outside the box. Of course daily is better, I'm just saying it is possible for a cat who sleeps 20 hrs a day to go more than one day without interaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering that you only work for them 2 1/2 hour daily, the fact that you are getting paid vacation is a good perk from them because most nannies who work such a small schedule usually do not get paid vacation.

Taking that into account, you also are getting paid a little on top of that, though you didn't mention exactly how much so it is difficult for me to determine if it is unfair or not.

Typically pet sitters make more or less in the range of $20-30/visit daily.

So to me overall, it sounds like you are being treated fairly.

They pay me weekly salary (not a huge amount) and do not reimburse me for gas, and I use my car very often as charges are older kids who are in many activites, I also go get groceries, take cat to vet etc all with my car and my gas.
And yes when I started they told me they would pay me when they went on vacation and I would be off those days as well. But since they got the cat they have asked me to go during my regular hours when they went on vacation.

Okay, I understand. If I were you I would tell your employers that you will be gone as well and remind them of their promise for paid vacation.

[Anonymous]

Why would they assume you wanna clean out their cat's litter box. Just tell them you don't wanna do it anymore because it's gross. They can't just make you do it. That's not in your job description.