How many families pay above the minimum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the comments about housing. More than likely you have that extra bedroom regardless of it is used so its not costing you any more and you have her/him living with you for your need, not theirs.

Maybe not for you.

For us, it's definitely an expense. Welcome basket with tolietries, snacks, gift certificates, metro card, etc. New towels/sheets. Custom decorations specifically for incoming AP based on their likes.

Plus an extra adult is slightly more power/water/other utilities in addition to extra food.

It's nice if you're rich enough not to notice these costs. It definitely weighs into our budget and whether we go with AP vs nanny vs daycare, etc. decision because the cost is not strictly agency fee plus stipend.

Or, pay them more and they can choose their own sheets/bedding and other stuff. Yes, it is an extra expense but its your choice to have someone live in. It isn't that much more for power/water/food/utilities. That's just an excuse. A welcome basket is a gift, not an expense. If you don't want to do it, then don't. Most people would rather go buy their own hair and other products of their choosing. Same with snacks. Metro card is more for them to take your kids places than for them. Maybe you shouldn't have had kids if child care is that much of an issue. You will have similar expenses regardless of which you choose, including staying at home.

This is the most insulting, least helpful comment ever, especially on a parenting board.

No, its not insulting. Its reality of having children. You don't have huge extra costs in terms of housing and other stuff as you already have a house large enough for a live in caretaker and you are looking for cheap care. If a one time welcome basket is that much of an issue then you got bigger issues.

DP and I certainly sympathize with the childcare cost pinch. And I even think the taxpayer needs to subsidize more of it. But the childcare providers themselves aren’t to blame here. If you’re stretched so thin that the cost of a metro card is even on this list, you might not be a candidate for the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the comments about housing. More than likely you have that extra bedroom regardless of it is used so its not costing you any more and you have her/him living with you for your need, not theirs.

Maybe not for you.

For us, it's definitely an expense. Welcome basket with tolietries, snacks, gift certificates, metro card, etc. New towels/sheets. Custom decorations specifically for incoming AP based on their likes.

Plus an extra adult is slightly more power/water/other utilities in addition to extra food.

It's nice if you're rich enough not to notice these costs. It definitely weighs into our budget and whether we go with AP vs nanny vs daycare, etc. decision because the cost is not strictly agency fee plus stipend.

Or, pay them more and they can choose their own sheets/bedding and other stuff. Yes, it is an extra expense but its your choice to have someone live in. It isn't that much more for power/water/food/utilities. That's just an excuse. A welcome basket is a gift, not an expense. If you don't want to do it, then don't. Most people would rather go buy their own hair and other products of their choosing. Same with snacks. Metro card is more for them to take your kids places than for them. Maybe you shouldn't have had kids if child care is that much of an issue. You will have similar expenses regardless of which you choose, including staying at home.

This is the most insulting, least helpful comment ever, especially on a parenting board.

No, its not insulting. Its reality of having children. You don't have huge extra costs in terms of housing and other stuff as you already have a house large enough for a live in caretaker and you are looking for cheap care. If a one time welcome basket is that much of an issue then you got bigger issues.

DP and I certainly sympathize with the childcare cost pinch. And I even think the taxpayer needs to subsidize more of it. But the childcare providers themselves aren’t to blame here. If you’re stretched so thin that the cost of a metro card is even on this list, you might not be a candidate for the program.

The tax payers do subsidize. They get child tax credits and deductions. Why should tax payers pay for child care when having kids is a personal choice? k-12 is at tax payer expense. They are looking for cheap child care, which is fine and hopefully their kid will be well cared for but to complain about things that are not necessary like a welcome package and gift cards is silly. Take her shopping and let her pick out some basic products she likes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the comments about housing. More than likely you have that extra bedroom regardless of it is used so its not costing you any more and you have her/him living with you for your need, not theirs.

Maybe not for you.

For us, it's definitely an expense. Welcome basket with tolietries, snacks, gift certificates, metro card, etc. New towels/sheets. Custom decorations specifically for incoming AP based on their likes.

Plus an extra adult is slightly more power/water/other utilities in addition to extra food.

It's nice if you're rich enough not to notice these costs. It definitely weighs into our budget and whether we go with AP vs nanny vs daycare, etc. decision because the cost is not strictly agency fee plus stipend.

Or, pay them more and they can choose their own sheets/bedding and other stuff. Yes, it is an extra expense but its your choice to have someone live in. It isn't that much more for power/water/food/utilities. That's just an excuse. A welcome basket is a gift, not an expense. If you don't want to do it, then don't. Most people would rather go buy their own hair and other products of their choosing. Same with snacks. Metro card is more for them to take your kids places than for them. Maybe you shouldn't have had kids if child care is that much of an issue. You will have similar expenses regardless of which you choose, including staying at home.

This is the most insulting, least helpful comment ever, especially on a parenting board.

No, its not insulting. Its reality of having children. You don't have huge extra costs in terms of housing and other stuff as you already have a house large enough for a live in caretaker and you are looking for cheap care. If a one time welcome basket is that much of an issue then you got bigger issues.

DP and I certainly sympathize with the childcare cost pinch. And I even think the taxpayer needs to subsidize more of it. But the childcare providers themselves aren’t to blame here. If you’re stretched so thin that the cost of a metro card is even on this list, you might not be a candidate for the program.

The tax payers do subsidize. They get child tax credits and deductions. Why should tax payers pay for child care when having kids is a personal choice? k-12 is at tax payer expense. They are looking for cheap child care, which is fine and hopefully their kid will be well cared for but to complain about things that are not necessary like a welcome package and gift cards is silly. Take her shopping and let her pick out some basic products she likes.

Clever enough to know some of the ways taxpayers subsidize childcare but not clever enough to understand what the word “more” meant in that sentence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We pay minimum. And your question is stupid.
But we also fly ap to Disney World for a week with a friend and they have their own room on property. That alone is $3500+. AP will work maybe 6-8 hours that week.

We will fly ap home once during their year home/or fly them anywhere in the USA. Value of 500-1000.

AP will live at beach house for most of summer, work 30 hours. Off by 4pm and at bars by 5pm all summer.
Try to put a value on that, basically every 20 somethings dream.

You are delusional. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pay minimum. And your question is stupid.
But we also fly ap to Disney World for a week with a friend and they have their own room on property. That alone is $3500+. AP will work maybe 6-8 hours that week.

We will fly ap home once during their year home/or fly them anywhere in the USA. Value of 500-1000.

AP will live at beach house for most of summer, work 30 hours. Off by 4pm and at bars by 5pm all summer.
Try to put a value on that, basically every 20 somethings dream.

You are delusional. Get over yourself.

A beach house is for your enjoyment and the location is for you, not them. And, they cannot afford bars all summer on AP pay. I am going to assume the flying is also because you have frequent flyer miles or its a bribe as they work far more than you say.

I spent a summer with a family at a beach house nannying. It was miserable. I worked far more than agreed and it sucked. Parents relaxed and did little. Kids always came to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pay federal minimum.wage, but starting at the minimum.

We've found all out out APs via closed FB networks. Word gets around feom.former APs and who is offering what and how the family dynamic plays out. We can easily bypass the system and quite frankly bump other families.

The stipend takes into account federal minimum wage. That is how they come up with the amount. It is federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hr) x 45 hrs less 40% for room and board.

Yes, everyone knows that. What is your point?

That some people like to say they’re on some moral high ground for paying federal minimum wage in addition to room and board. The rest of us are not immoral for paying the minimum stipend, because it’s set at minimum wage already.

I think you are projecting your own insecurities. Nobody said you are immoral. As long as you are following the program rules you are fine. We just consider the minimum, the minimum. Not the maximum. Ots no skin off my back to pay minimum wage. Its wayyyyyyyy less than I'd have to pay for live in legal childcare in DC. Like nearly half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the comments about housing. More than likely you have that extra bedroom regardless of it is used so its not costing you any more and you have her/him living with you for your need, not theirs.

But if a young woman was to try to be a live-out nanny - she would have to pay a lot of money for housing in this area. So host families are providing a huge financial benefit to these au pairs. How do you possibly not understand that?

Putting the au pair program aside, this is why live-in nannies are paid less than live-out nannies even when the job is typically a lot harder.

How is this a hard concept to understand?

Actually, I’m not, thanks. I live in for the family’s convenience: the job description could not be done by someone living out. Therefore, I’m paid the same way I’d be paid if I lived out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the comments about housing. More than likely you have that extra bedroom regardless of it is used so its not costing you any more and you have her/him living with you for your need, not theirs.

But if a young woman was to try to be a live-out nanny - she would have to pay a lot of money for housing in this area. So host families are providing a huge financial benefit to these au pairs. How do you possibly not understand that?

Putting the au pair program aside, this is why live-in nannies are paid less than live-out nannies even when the job is typically a lot harder.

How is this a hard concept to understand?

Actually, I’m not, thanks. I live in for the family’s convenience: the job description could not be done by someone living out. Therefore, I’m paid the same way I’d be paid if I lived out.

I bet you are paid a lot less than your employers would have to pay a live-out nanny to get the same services you provide.

I know several live-in nannies who were not able to find affordable housing in this area. They live with the family during the week and then go "home" on the weekends. "Home" is usually somewhere west of DC area. They charge a significant amount less than a live out nanny in this area. They do not live with these families for the families' convenience, it is for their own.

I'm not bashing you, I'm just saying that you are getting something out of this as well.