what to do for nanny who is taking my kid for a day

[Anonymous]

My friend's nanny has agreed to help me out in a bind and take my toddler in addition to her two charges for a day when I'll be traveling. I offered to pay and she said no charge. I'm not sure what her hourly pay is. I'm guessing somewhere around $20 per hour? We're typically a daycare family so I'm clueless on what's proper in this situation. I'm very thankful and want to express that clearly. What should I do?

[Anonymous]

Hopefully you checked with her current family to see if it was ok. I'd be livid of my nanny without my knowledge was caring for other children along with mine.

[Anonymous]

It was arranged through my friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully you checked with her current family to see if it was ok. I'd be livid of my nanny without my knowledge was caring for other children along with mine.

Long day? Or do you normally sound like a b?

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, I'd give her a thank-you note with some cash. You want her to say yes next time you're in a pinch. The amount depends on how much you appreciate her work and what you can afford, maybe something between $50-100?

[Anonymous]

I'd do a $100 gift card if friend knows her favorite store. Cash may get uncomfortable given she said no charge. Friend is paying her.

[Anonymous]

I would give her a "Thank You" card/note w/about $14-15/HR at the end of the day.

Trust me, ALL nannies would prefer to be paid no matter what they may claim.

Especially this one.
After a long day w/three young children she will most appreciate the compensation!

[Anonymous]

Don't forget a thank you gift / card for your friend. The nanny having your toddler to care for will be disruptive to the other two. Your friend is being quite generous for having arranged this.

[Anonymous]

Our manny did this for someone in my kids playgroup. The mom was having minor out-patient surgery that wound up having a complication. They gave him $100 in cash and a bottle of bourbon. I think he had their son from 6am to 6 or 7pm.

[Anonymous]

Agreeing with everyone else (and you) that some form of payment is appropriate but a gift card is a nice way around honoring her loveliness in declining payment, but still honoring her as a professional who deserves to be paid.

I like the note for your friend also. Or you could order in a favorite lunch for everyone the day that your child is there, or send them all to the movies and out for ice cream, etc...

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I wrote the nanny a thank you note acknowledging her graciousness but saying we wanted to give her a little something anyway for her hard work. I put $100 in the note. My friend will be getting flowers. Or wine. Or both.