Raise or quit nanny job?

[Anonymous]

I have been working at a new position for a month with a special needs teenage girl. When we neogotiates pricing I said $20 as I usually charge that much for special cases due to way more responsibility my long term experience in the field and 24/7 monitoring. The mom told me most of the job was driving to therapy and waiting so how about $16 with $1 raise in a few months and paid vacation after 6 months? This job was 4 days after school from about 3:30-7:30 plus $15 a week driving fee so I decided fine I need a casual after school job while still taking online degree classes. Major red flags included 3 therapists telling me that there has been many nannies, they and the nannies have issues with the mom and her communication and micromanaging and expecting too much to be done, etc etc. Then at the girls school the office commented several times about the large number of nannies coming through too. The mom texts a lot and I do have to justify everything I do or don't do which is not only demeaning as a nanny but also because I have over 8 years of special education and therapy experience with all ages and settings. Ex: Did you take a walk? Me: No sorry it was 30 degrees super windy and she was cold so we stayed inside! NM: "Huh. Weird she is never cold I find that hard to believe did you try A B C ...." You get the point of the convo. Then, I started getting bothered that not only am I driving to school, I'm also being asked to drive to pick up therapy bags, take her to activities sometimes over 20 miles away, and probably the most bothersome is the mom wants every second to be filled. Whether it's therapy or homework or making me implement the child's exercise plan, there is no break for child or me! I am in this field! Ridiculous! The therapists literally told me to use my judgement and ignore her crazy requests but now the kicker is the mom just approached me about attending all child's therapies and being active during it. All for $16 less than I ever usually accept. But I'm also not doing well on money and worried to leave and want to bring up a raise but then would have to disclose the issues I'm having and risk her firing me before I can quit. Opinions???

[Anonymous]

Look for another position and never go under your quoted rate. People are earning $25 to $30 an hour for these after school gigs with able bodied kids.

[Anonymous]

Quit. And as PP said never lower your rate again. I don't know where you are located, PO, but the after school jobs are the most in demand. You don't have to put up with a bad employer.

[Anonymous]

I'd hang in there until securing something else and then leave. You could also sit down and have a conversation along the lines of "I lowered my rates based on the job you presented to me, but that isn't how the job is turning out to actually be. Instead of XYZ, I'm doing that PLUS ABC and that requires a higher rate of $X if I'm going to continue and accept the additional responsibilities." If you otherwise like the girl, the hours and location, and want to try to stick it out for her, it might be worth a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd hang in there until securing something else and then leave. You could also sit down and have a conversation along the lines of "I lowered my rates based on the job you presented to me, but that isn't how the job is turning out to actually be. Instead of XYZ, I'm doing that PLUS ABC and that requires a higher rate of $X if I'm going to continue and accept the additional responsibilities." If you otherwise like the girl, the hours and location, and want to try to stick it out for her, it might be worth a shot.

Just quit, OP. Sounds like any kind of a conversation with this woman is going to get you fired.

[Anonymous]

Good lord, just quit and do not look back. No need for notice. Just quit after you have been paid for all time worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for another position and never go under your quoted rate. People are earning $25 to $30 an hour for these after school gigs with able bodied kids.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

this woman is clearly irrational. she has gone through this process over and over again (as indicated by everyone telling you how many nannies she has gone through). she misrepresented the job to you, and you shouldn't have accepted that low of a rate to begin with. she is not going to give you a reference-this isn't the kind of situation that ends well. i would cut my losses now. the stress and lack of respect are not worth $16/hour. i would start looking for another job right now. her behavior makes it obvious that she would rather keep finding a replacement than pay someone a fair rate or treat them well.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have accepted a rate that you weren't comfortable with in the first place. I am hoping you will learn from your mistake. It is obvious that people who pay such a low rate for such a job are people that will not respect you.

Good luck!

Nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd hang in there until securing something else and then leave. You could also sit down and have a conversation along the lines of "I lowered my rates based on the job you presented to me, but that isn't how the job is turning out to actually be. Instead of XYZ, I'm doing that PLUS ABC and that requires a higher rate of $X if I'm going to continue and accept the additional responsibilities." If you otherwise like the girl, the hours and location, and want to try to stick it out for her, it might be worth a shot.

I would do this too. Try talking to her first, explain that her way of communication isnt the same as yours. If she can try your way you can keep trying, if not then you need to look for another job.