Are we expecting too much from our nanny?
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Anonymous
I think you misunderstood my post. Our date night/part-time nanny is NOT a high schooler. She is 42 yrs old, has 2 grown children, a high school degree, great references, and works full-time at the hospital, and readily admitted during our interview that she has not had any experience with babies other than her own children. But she is wonderful with our baby! She is loving, a very hard worker, energetic, and just seems to have good judgement when it comes to safety. Incidentally, she also does not have a smart phone. She only charges $10 per hour but since she does such a good job we often give her a bonus. Our other nanny that I described is also in her 40's. She has one grown child, a masters degree, great references, and nanny experience with babies. She works about 8-10 hours a week for us. She is loving, but not energetic and arrives to work every day with her Iphone AND Ipad. Frankly, I think other posters are right that she is lazy. And because she does have a masters degree she may feel she is too above reading to or interacting with a baby. My point was that I'm beginning to think that work ethic, good judgement, and a sincere interest in the child is more important than education or professional experience. I don't mean to insult any professional or highly trained nannies here. Im sure there are many of you who are wonderful and some who are not. I'm just saying that I don't always think "you get what you pay for" or that experience means they will be a good nanny. I also don't know how to tell from an interview who is a hard worker vs lazy. I think its very easy for every nanny or baby sitter to have all glowing references - they just don't give the names of prior employers/families that would have anything negative to say. |
Anonymous
| The only part I misunderstood is the age of the person with a high school degree, but the rest of my post is correct. If you paid your nanny with a masters degree and lots of a experience a fair wage you may find you get better results. I'm not saying offer THIS nanny a huge raise, but for next time maybe consider paying a proper wage and you will find better workers. |
Anonymous
Agreed. |
Anonymous
| What exactly do you consider a "proper wage?" |
Anonymous
For someone with a masters degree in babysitting? Over $30 to start. Then adjust depending on experience and other qualifications. |
Anonymous
That is insane. There is no reason to pay $30/hr for babysitting one child. Never. |
Anonymous
Then don't go looking for people with master's degrees and 12 years experience with multiples and a car and can cook and will do all your housework. |
Anonymous
Her nanny accepted the position, with all of her "qualifications", knowing the pay. Why does she get a free pass to do a shitty job just because she thinks she isn't being paid enough? I doubt at $50/hr this "nanny" would do any better. Just curious, what institution grants an advanced degree in babysitting? |
Anonymous
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Op here.
We didnt seek out a masters degree nanny. SHE sought out our posting. We don't think a masters or even a college degree is needed to provide safe and nurturing care to an infant. As I've already stated, we are very happy with our other datenight nanny who has less education and experience. |
Anonymous
Why hire such an overqualified nanny then at such a low rate of pay? You knew she was either going to leave or be a pain. No surprises here. |
Anonymous
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OP again.
Our nanny has a masters degree in Education with a concentration in teaching reading. (Not that it was any benefit to our baby since she wouldnt read to her.) She does not have a degree in babysitting. She use to be a school teacher but complained that it was hard work. She tutors a few kids on the side now and babysits. |
Anonymous
I would never hire a nanny who found teaching "too hard." My God they have a day off every other week and summers, Christmas, Thanksgiving, spring break it goes on and on and on. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't have if she had said that on the interview. That was just a side comment she made recently. |
Anonymous
| Wait, you guys actually think teaching isn't a hard job? Are you serious? |
Anonymous
I wouldn't. A master's is simply not necessary for a babysitter. Also, I'm not sure what thread you are reading, but OP says nothing about cooking and housework. OP is overpaying a lazy sitter who does her homework and surfs the internet. For some odd reason, you think this is worth $30/hr. Dream on. 
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