More babies more problems

[Anonymous]

We’re expecting our second child in mid August. Our older boy will be 2 when he’s here and we’re not planning to start him in school until at least January, and probably more like July (bad timing, too much change, etc etc). Wondering how we should talk to our wonderful nanny of 2 years about her expectations for a raise. We’re prepared to offer around $2/hr and she won’t be taking her lunch break (WFH Mom) because it’s unlikely they’ll nap at the same time consistently, so we’d pay her an additional hour (it was a paid break, we just feel guilty that it was a nice perk she’ll no longer have). Should we approach her about this, or should we wait until she comes to us? I’d like to give her a chance to negotiate for herself as well, we would be able to pay a bit more if she had some reason behind it (newborn training, sign language experience, things like that). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re expecting our second child in mid August. Our older boy will be 2 when he’s here and we’re not planning to start him in school until at least January, and probably more like July (bad timing, too much change, etc etc). Wondering how we should talk to our wonderful nanny of 2 years about her expectations for a raise. We’re prepared to offer around $2/hr and she won’t be taking her lunch break (WFH Mom) because it’s unlikely they’ll nap at the same time consistently, so we’d pay her an additional hour (it was a paid break, we just feel guilty that it was a nice perk she’ll no longer have). Should we approach her about this, or should we wait until she comes to us? I’d like to give her a chance to negotiate for herself as well, we would be able to pay a bit more if she had some reason behind it (newborn training, sign language experience, things like that). Thanks!

We were in the same situation with our nanny who has been in our life since our daughter was four months and she will be 3 in July however our nanny is so amazing that both kids were sleeping at the same time and she did get a lunch break every day at 1 until 3. She was really good at pulling our oldest daughter on a schedule and when the new baby came home she worked her magic and he's been on a schedule ever since birth so if your nanny is as good as you say she is she should be able to figure out how to juggle two kids because it's not reasonable to have someone work for 10 hours straight and not sit down . We offered her a $2 raise as well but we also started giving her bonuses every 3 months because her job did increase in regards to the laundry, bottles, figuring out a schedule, activities and everything else.

[Anonymous]

Her reason for deserving a proper raise should be what she has proven to you already. Does she use sign language? How was she when your first was a baby? Do you feel that she has proven that she will be successful? Does she honestly need to reiterate her strengths or can you clearly see them?

It is generally feasible to have a little bit of overlapping nap, enough to sit and eat in peace, so hopefully she will be able to find that. I would not at for an extra hour as it will cause resentment when you take it away. I would give a proper raise of $3-5, depending on her current salary, how pleased you are with her overall, how many raises she has already received, and if this raise will incorporate her annual raise as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re expecting our second child in mid August. Our older boy will be 2 when he’s here and we’re not planning to start him in school until at least January, and probably more like July (bad timing, too much change, etc etc). Wondering how we should talk to our wonderful nanny of 2 years about her expectations for a raise. We’re prepared to offer around $2/hr and she won’t be taking her lunch break (WFH Mom) because it’s unlikely they’ll nap at the same time consistently, so we’d pay her an additional hour (it was a paid break, we just feel guilty that it was a nice perk she’ll no longer have). Should we approach her about this, or should we wait until she comes to us? I’d like to give her a chance to negotiate for herself as well, we would be able to pay a bit more if she had some reason behind it (newborn training, sign language experience, things like that). Thanks!

We were in the same situation with our nanny who has been in our life since our daughter was four months and she will be 3 in July however our nanny is so amazing that both kids were sleeping at the same time and she did get a lunch break every day at 1 until 3. She was really good at pulling our oldest daughter on a schedule and when the new baby came home she worked her magic and he's been on a schedule ever since birth so if your nanny is as good as you say she is she should be able to figure out how to juggle two kids because it's not reasonable to have someone work for 10 hours straight and not sit down . We offered her a $2 raise as well but we also started giving her bonuses every 3 months because her job did increase in regards to the laundry, bottles, figuring out a schedule, activities and everything else.

Honest question: why not give her a better raise versus a small (too small if you ask many) raise and several bonuses?

[Anonymous]

I would not offer the extra hour and give her a $1 an hour raise and wait a year and do the extra $1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not offer the extra hour and give her a $1 an hour raise and wait a year and do the extra $1.

$1 for a new baby? Do that and be prepared to be looking for a new nanny very soon. But you do you.

[Anonymous]

I would also just give a slightly higher hourly raise to reflect that her average work day is now more demanding, rather than pay an extra hour that doesn’t really exist. Would get tricky if you ever needed extra/different hours and as a PP said, you wouldn’t really be able to take it away when the older kid went to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re expecting our second child in mid August. Our older boy will be 2 when he’s here and we’re not planning to start him in school until at least January, and probably more like July (bad timing, too much change, etc etc). Wondering how we should talk to our wonderful nanny of 2 years about her expectations for a raise. We’re prepared to offer around $2/hr and she won’t be taking her lunch break (WFH Mom) because it’s unlikely they’ll nap at the same time consistently, so we’d pay her an additional hour (it was a paid break, we just feel guilty that it was a nice perk she’ll no longer have). Should we approach her about this, or should we wait until she comes to us? I’d like to give her a chance to negotiate for herself as well, we would be able to pay a bit more if she had some reason behind it (newborn training, sign language experience, things like that). Thanks!

Definitely go to her and present your offer. Our nanny loves our older daughter so much that she wanted to stay. We increased her hourly wage by $3 an hour. It’s worked out extremely well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not offer the extra hour and give her a $1 an hour raise and wait a year and do the extra $1.

You'd be looking for a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

^^ Newborns are a ton of extra labor.
Throw an infant into ANY childcare situation & watch it blow up.

Multiple/Frequent feedings, diaper changes, soothing from getting overtired, overstimulated, etc.

[Anonymous]

At the minimum, add at least an extra $3 more per hour.

Your Nanny will be getting an entire brand-new dynamic!

[Anonymous]

omg cheapos. Definitely 3-5$ per hour.

Would you work 10hours straight with no break every single day for a $1 an hour raise??

[Anonymous]

I certainly hope the nanny is not expected to do any household chores while minding the new baby!

[Anonymous]

OP, you should repost this in the Childcare other than Daycare and Preschool to get more parents to give you input. This forum tends to berate parents who offer standard compensation packages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:omg cheapos. Definitely 3-5$ per hour.

Would you work 10hours straight with no break every single day for a $1 an hour raise??

It really depends on the total compensation package, including PTO and bonuses. What is she getting now, OP?