Is this pay fair?

[Anonymous]

I used to nanny for a family, but I had to stop because of school. Now I occasionally babysit once a month. The parents are going out of town from Feb 11th-15th. I will be with the kids from Thursday evening-Monday morning. That will be 4 overnight stays, 2 after school days and 2 full days, the kids are 15 and 12. We didn't discuss pay, and today the dad told me they left me a check of $400. It seems a little low to me, as I will be there for a whole weekend and then some. What do you guys think?

[Anonymous]

I think you should have talked about it beforehand. What were you thinking for a price range? Calculate out the time you are working and an overnight fee to see what number you get to. Sounds like they were thinking about $100/"shift".

[Anonymous]

What is your regular hourly rate? Does he usually try to take advantage of you?

[Anonymous]

Way too low.

[Anonymous]

Way too low. Depending on how old the kids are, 4 overnights alone should be around $400. Even at $75 for sleeping hours, that's $300 for for nights. Tally up the waking hours you will have the kids x your usual hourly rate plus $75 for each overnight if they're old enough to not need you at night, $100 if they do, and let them know what they owe you.

[Anonymous]

For 12 and 15, I would run the numbers like this, and email DB everything below immediately:

"DB, I received your email about a $400 check, and I'm a bit confused. I ran the numbers, and I would appreciate some input.

2 days 6 am to 10 pm, 2* 16*hourly rate=A
2 days 6 am to drop off, 2*hours*rate=B
2 days school pick up to 10 pm, 2*hours*rate=C
4 nights 10 pm to 6 am, 4*$75=$300
A+B+C+300=X

For a new family, I would add a $200 surcharge because it's Valentine's weekend and while I love staying with children, I am an adult and would have had other plans. Because of our history and because I love your children, I am willing to give you a $100 discount, so your total amount for the weekend will be X-100.

Do you want to pay half ahead and reimburse activities for the weekend with the second half or would you prefer to leave money for activities and pay me at the end of the weekend? Is the $400 supposed to be very generous coverage for food and activities, a check for my pay coming after you return? I would appreciate an email letting me know what you expect. Thank you!"

For anything involving pay, I play dumb and make it seem as if the parent confused me. It's a lot easier for a parent to pretend it was a mental oops than it is to recant when the nanny is angry or irritated. For other contract issues, I'm firm, but by doing it this way, I don't seem to have many issues.

[Anonymous]

You should have discussed it beforehand. Talking about pay now (1 day before job starts) with threat of backing out is not good manner nor professional.

I would suggest doing the work now, and tell them you want another $200. If they don't agree, there would be no next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For 12 and 15, I would run the numbers like this, and email DB everything below immediately:

"DB, I received your email about a $400 check, and I'm a bit confused. I ran the numbers, and I would appreciate some input.

2 days 6 am to 10 pm, 2* 16*hourly rate=A
2 days 6 am to drop off, 2*hours*rate=B
2 days school pick up to 10 pm, 2*hours*rate=C
4 nights 10 pm to 6 am, 4*$75=$300
A+B+C+300=X

For a new family, I would add a $200 surcharge because it's Valentine's weekend and while I love staying with children, I am an adult and would have had other plans. Because of our history and because I love your children, I am willing to give you a $100 discount, so your total amount for the weekend will be X-100.

Do you want to pay half ahead and reimburse activities for the weekend with the second half or would you prefer to leave money for activities and pay me at the end of the weekend? Is the $400 supposed to be very generous coverage for food and activities, a check for my pay coming after you return? I would appreciate an email letting me know what you expect. Thank you!"

For anything involving pay, I play dumb and make it seem as if the parent confused me. It's a lot easier for a parent to pretend it was a mental oops than it is to recant when the nanny is angry or irritated. For other contract issues, I'm firm, but by doing it this way, I don't seem to have many issues.

This is perfect

[Anonymous]

Think of it this way, it's $400 you didn't have before. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

OP please ignore the fools acting as though you should simply accept this amount of money. You are a business professional with established rates with this family. If there were to be any assumption at all on their part, it would be that they would be paying your hourly rate for the entirety of their trip. It is THEY who should have clarified if there would be a discount, not the other way around. I would go with what a PP suggested and play dumb, present them with your calculations, and ask if that money was to cover food, activities, and gas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should have discussed it beforehand. Talking about pay now (1 day before job starts) with threat of backing out is not good manner nor professional.

I would suggest doing the work now, and tell them you want another $200. If they don't agree, there would be no next time.

Why is it on OP to have discussed it? She has an hourly rate that they usually pay her, if there were to be any deviation from that rate, shouldn't the parents have confirmed with the person providing the service what their rate would be? I can't think of any other service provider that is expected to be told what their rates will be and when they will be expected to give a discount. If the parents wanted a discount, they should've asked for it.

[Anonymous]

MB here. About 5 years ago, we left our kids with our regular (beloved) nanny for two nights while we went to a wedding out of town. We paid her $300, and I always wondered if we were being cheap. I really think $400 is too low, and you should discuss it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think of it this way, it's $400 you didn't have before. Hope that helps.

I would rather not be paid than be taken advantage of. I would cancel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think of it this way, it's $400 you didn't have before. Hope that helps.

What an ass who likes to take advantage of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think of it this way, it's $400 you didn't have before. Hope that helps.

I would rather not be paid than be taken advantage of. I would cancel.

Oh yea, cancel and leave their kids stranded while they are out of town, way to go. Enjoy prison.