Where my pay goes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you think you can get a room mate?

Seriously? Is everyone going to focus on the fact that this adult woman is living alone? We do not know OPs circumstances. Nor do we need to. Her argument has merit whether she lives alone or not.

No, if you want to live alone that is a luxury. It is a luxury afforded by education and hard work. If you want to be a nanny, which is her choice, for the lack of any official requirements, no degree needed, no training or barrier to entry, easy work, flexible hours, etc etc then don't expect to be making the same as a teacher with a masters. A "living wage" does not mean a house, an iPhone, the fastest tier of internet and 400 cable channels, and a 2010+ car. It means a roof (probably with roommates), basic internet with no cable, a flip phone, and transportation in some fashion (old car, bike, metro pass, etc.)

Just because you can't afford the latest and greatest everything does not mean everyone else is holding you down. You take kids to the park for pete's sake! You warm up milk and watch Maury while kids take a 3 hour nap. And you have the nerve to complain about $15-20 an hour. My God....

The 'latest and greatest' and high speed internet and premium cable and a new car, that is what you think OP's post is about? That she can't find anything to watch on HBO tonight? A house and an iPhone, you found those expenses in her post? No, of course not. You can not justify the reality that even in the great USA there are people who work full time and yet don't earn enough to lead a normal life. You have to make up facts that don't exist in her post because you can not fathom or accept responsibility that she is not one case of poor money management but an example of widespread inequity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9:37's tone was a bit insensitive and I disagree with the notion that a nanny does not need insurance, but she is correct in her assertion that the problem lies in the nanny's lifestyle expectations.

$15 an hour is not a rate that affords a great lifestyle, but as in any career, a nanny who is new or lacks a college degree should not expect to earn as much as someone with better credentials or a better skillset just because she wants a certain lifestyle. When I was a new college graduate earning a ridiculously low administrative assistant salary in New York City, I managed by renting a single room for a while and then living with roommates in an apartment where we converted the living room into a bedroom, so we had no real common space. This kind of arrangement is very typical for young professionals in NYC. A few years later I had worked up and was earning more, so I upgraded to a rundown studio that was maybe 350 square feet total without a real kitchen. It wasn't great, but that is what I could afford at the time. Eventually I went back to school and found a way to earn myself better housing and more luxuries.

So, while I recognize that $1500 is low for a one-bedroom apartment in DC proper, I agree with 9:37 that a one bedroom apartment is a luxury for a nanny earning $15 per hour. If the nanny is ambitious and great at her job, she should be able to work up to a better rate and lifestyle over time, like everyone else in every other profession. Also, very few nannies in DC work 40 hours a week, so the income level in OP's post is artificially low.

Thank you for agreeing with me. I am glad some people on this board can still think critically. The vibe I get from all these nannies is "I am RAISING your child! You can't even be decent enough to let me afford to drive a BMW? WHAT A CHEAPSKATE."

You just equated thinking critically to agreeing with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you think you can get a room mate?

Seriously? Is everyone going to focus on the fact that this adult woman is living alone? We do not know OPs circumstances. Nor do we need to. Her argument has merit whether she lives alone or not.

No, if you want to live alone that is a luxury. It is a luxury afforded by education and hard work. If you want to be a nanny, which is her choice, for the lack of any official requirements, no degree needed, no training or barrier to entry, easy work, flexible hours, etc etc then don't expect to be making the same as a teacher with a masters. A "living wage" does not mean a house, an iPhone, the fastest tier of internet and 400 cable channels, and a 2010+ car. It means a roof (probably with roommates), basic internet with no cable, a flip phone, and transportation in some fashion (old car, bike, metro pass, etc.)

Just because you can't afford the latest and greatest everything does not mean everyone else is holding you down. You take kids to the park for pete's sake! You warm up milk and watch Maury while kids take a 3 hour nap. And you have the nerve to complain about $15-20 an hour. My God....

The 'latest and greatest' and high speed internet and premium cable and a new car, that is what you think OP's post is about? That she can't find anything to watch on HBO tonight? A house and an iPhone, you found those expenses in her post? No, of course not. You can not justify the reality that even in the great USA there are people who work full time and yet don't earn enough to lead a normal life. You have to make up facts that don't exist in her post because you can not fathom or accept responsibility that she is not one case of poor money management but an example of widespread inequity.

Where are all the nanny positions that include just taking kids to the park, warming up milk AND watching Maury for 3 hours?
I want to find that job...only with the Price is Right. I'm not a big Maury fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.

OP here. I am not embarrassed. This is the best place to share personal stories and the whole point of DCUM is to allow ordinary people to get feedback about their experiences. I love that people share here because it allows us to crowd source the best answers to some of the most common concerns, doing a great deal of public service. Even though I wince when I see people resort to bad behavior I also am happy to see people get real help. A while back someone posted about a child injury that was hard to detect or diagnose. She was scared and upset because she believed she would be blamed for harming her charge. DCUM posters rose to the occasion, she got some great information that likely saved her employment because she had been on the verge of quitting.

Now you too have posted anonymously, sharing your beliefs about an issue that is of vital importance to all of us. If it is an over share then Perhaps its because your input was not useful. Mine was, as acknowledged by MBs who would like to know the cost of living in DC.[/quoV

Very noble OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents,
Are you listening? Do you care?
Is your child ready for yet another new nanny?
-another concerned nanny

No - we're not listening. No we don't care at all. This nanny's financial scenario clearly represents all nannies fully, as do the presumptions about employers speak for the reality of all working relationships.

Do you actually think you're causing anyone to rethink anything they do as an employer? If so you're sadly mistaken. You're simply reinforcing negative opinions and doing your peers a disservice.

Your reply is a jumble of defiant words that do not speak to the merits of the issue. No one is saying this situation has the be the same for every nanny. If anything you could adjust the months expense a couple hundred dollars either way and still be in trouble because major expenses were not included.

The OP does not sink to your level of negativity or defensiveness. I sort of wish you had not posted at all, lest we encourage more of your aggressive lot onto this thread.

But you sank to PP's level didn't you? Btw, stop trying to appear intelligent because you're failing miserably. If you nannies want $15/hour or more you need to go get a college education and a job where the market rate is higher. People in alot of jobs don't make a "living wage" but they don't have the motivation to do something about it, like, get a higher paying job elsewhere. You know why? Because that would require them to actually work at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents,
Are you listening? Do you care?
Is your child ready for yet another new nanny?
-another concerned nanny

No - we're not listening. No we don't care at all. This nanny's financial scenario clearly represents all nannies fully, as do the presumptions about employers speak for the reality of all working relationships.

Do you actually think you're causing anyone to rethink anything they do as an employer? If so you're sadly mistaken. You're simply reinforcing negative opinions and doing your peers a disservice.

Your reply is a jumble of defiant words that do not speak to the merits of the issue. No one is saying this situation has the be the same for every nanny. If anything you could adjust the months expense a couple hundred dollars either way and still be in trouble because major expenses were not included.

The OP does not sink to your level of negativity or defensiveness. I sort of wish you had not posted at all, lest we encourage more of your aggressive lot onto this thread.

But you sank to PP's level didn't you? Btw, stop trying to appear intelligent because you're failing miserably. If you nannies want $15/hour or more you need to go get a college education and a job where the market rate is higher. People in alot of jobs don't make a "living wage" but they don't have the motivation to do something about it, like, get a higher paying job elsewhere. You know why? Because that would require them to actually work at it.

You believe millions of people live in poverty as a matter of preference?? MBs need to just stop now. You are being incredibly cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents,
Are you listening? Do you care?
Is your child ready for yet another new nanny?
-another concerned nanny

No - we're not listening. No we don't care at all. This nanny's financial scenario clearly represents all nannies fully, as do the presumptions about employers speak for the reality of all working relationships.

Do you actually think you're causing anyone to rethink anything they do as an employer? If so you're sadly mistaken. You're simply reinforcing negative opinions and doing your peers a disservice.

Your reply is a jumble of defiant words that do not speak to the merits of the issue. No one is saying this situation has the be the same for every nanny. If anything you could adjust the months expense a couple hundred dollars either way and still be in trouble because major expenses were not included.

The OP does not sink to your level of negativity or defensiveness. I sort of wish you had not posted at all, lest we encourage more of your aggressive lot onto this thread.

But you sank to PP's level didn't you? Btw, stop trying to appear intelligent because you're failing miserably. If you nannies want $15/hour or more you need to go get a college education and a job where the market rate is higher. People in alot of jobs don't make a "living wage" but they don't have the motivation to do something about it, like, get a higher paying job elsewhere. You know why? Because that would require them to actually work at it.

If everyone did as you suggest, and leave behind the jobs that don't pay a living wage, who would do them? Then you all would be crying (louder) about the state of affordable and quality childcare in this country. Child care is important, whether or not you think it is hard work. Someone has to do it. The people who do it should not need or qualify for government assistance. Jobs like fast food employees in my opinion are meant for teenagers, not meant to be a full time job or career and not meant to sustain an independant lifestyle. Jobs like nannying require a responsible adult and a certain level of commitment. This work should be valued, and the adults we ask to take on this responsibility should be able to sustain themselves at a reasonable level, and no splitting a 1-bedroom apartment with 3 roommates in a sketch neighborhood is not a reasonable level, nor is it good for the continuity or quality of care for our children. We should want nannies to have safe places to live. We should want them to be able to be healthy and to be able to visit a doctor. We should want them to be happy and rested when they work with our children. We should want them to be smart and educated to understand and educate our children. Why some of you don't feel any kind of responsibility for this I will never understand. A nanny who is not struggling is better for your child. A nanny industry as a whole that encourages healthy smart and happy women to join it is better for your child and our society as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents,
Are you listening? Do you care?
Is your child ready for yet another new nanny?
-another concerned nanny

No - we're not listening. No we don't care at all. This nanny's financial scenario clearly represents all nannies fully, as do the presumptions about employers speak for the reality of all working relationships.

Do you actually think you're causing anyone to rethink anything they do as an employer? If so you're sadly mistaken. You're simply reinforcing negative opinions and doing your peers a disservice.

Your reply is a jumble of defiant words that do not speak to the merits of the issue. No one is saying this situation has the be the same for every nanny. If anything you could adjust the months expense a couple hundred dollars either way and still be in trouble because major expenses were not included.

The OP does not sink to your level of negativity or defensiveness. I sort of wish you had not posted at all, lest we encourage more of your aggressive lot onto this thread.

But you sank to PP's level didn't you? Btw, stop trying to appear intelligent because you're failing miserably. If you nannies want $15/hour or more you need to go get a college education and a job where the market rate is higher. People in alot of jobs don't make a "living wage" but they don't have the motivation to do something about it, like, get a higher paying job elsewhere. You know why? Because that would require them to actually work at it.

If everyone did as you suggest, and leave behind the jobs that don't pay a living wage, who would do them? Then you all would be crying (louder) about the state of affordable and quality childcare in this country. Child care is important, whether or not you think it is hard work. Someone has to do it. The people who do it should not need or qualify for government assistance. Jobs like fast food employees in my opinion are meant for teenagers, not meant to be a full time job or career and not meant to sustain an independant lifestyle. Jobs like nannying require a responsible adult and a certain level of commitment. This work should be valued, and the adults we ask to take on this responsibility should be able to sustain themselves at a reasonable level, and no splitting a 1-bedroom apartment with 3 roommates in a sketch neighborhood is not a reasonable level, nor is it good for the continuity or quality of care for our children. We should want nannies to have safe places to live. We should want them to be able to be healthy and to be able to visit a doctor. We should want them to be happy and rested when they work with our children. We should want them to be smart and educated to understand and educate our children. Why some of you don't feel any kind of responsibility for this I will never understand. A nanny who is not struggling is better for your child. A nanny industry as a whole that encourages healthy smart and happy women to join it is better for your child and our society as a whole.

Brilliantly said. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I'm tired of the whole you get what you pay for and you will have a better nanny if she doesn't have to struggle arguments.
Nannies are not this special group of citizens who should be getting paid boatloads of money when the majority of them are people that have no business being around children.
Early in my nanny career, I struggled. But you know what, most people struggle when they get their first jobs. I was working 55 hours a week and doing weeknight and weekend babysitting jobs. I did what it took to make the money I needed. I didn't ask my employers to pay me more money until I had proven myself and then I got yearly raises.
Eventually, I started working for new families who paid me more because I had experience and had taken classes and went to seminars to gain new skills.
You go into certain careers and jobs knowing you are never going to get rich doing them and being a nanny is one of them. Yes, there some families who pay great salaries, but they are not the majority and most new nannies are not going to get those jobs.
Everyone needs to learn to live within their means and if that isn't working for you, then find a new family to work for, get a second job, read books on development or take classes to increase your earning potential.

[Anonymous]

OP here: wow. Ok, I don't really know where to begin. There are assumptions about what kind of phone I use (a 2008 purchase lovingly known as spidey since the screen was cracked a year ago) and my level of education (bachelors in ECE, some grad in Edu.) and my amenities ( don't even own a tv, are there really 400 channels?? Who has time for that?) and my neighborhood (let's just say those Spanish classes are coming in handy, and I happen to like the smell of curry, weird I know) and my money management (don't own a credit card or carry any debt outside of my education) and something about me driving a BMW (when I do buy a car it'll probably be something much more nerdy, like a Prius, forget buying new that's for chumps) and my health insurance - does not warrant an explanation... But most of all my professionalism and ability to do my job. My job is to love my charge like crazy. After that to meet all of their needs including helping parents to achieve their goals for childcare.

[Anonymous]

Starting salary for a teacher is around 45K with Bachelors degree. That's 50% more than you're making at 15/hr. Financially it doesn't make sense to be a nanny if you can do something else for more money. You're in the low skilled market competing with many people with no post HS education. I am sure there must be solid reasons why you chose nannying, but then the answer to the question "Why don't I get paid more?" is in those reasons. Nothing to do with MBs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starting salary for a teacher is around 45K with Bachelors degree. That's 50% more than you're making at 15/hr. Financially it doesn't make sense to be a nanny if you can do something else for more money. You're in the low skilled market competing with many people with no post HS education. I am sure there must be solid reasons why you chose nannying, but then the answer to the question "Why don't I get paid more?" is in those reasons. Nothing to do with MBs.

Dude, enough already. Go back and read the OP. That part where it says some employers can afford to pay a living wage but are choosing not to because people keep telling them they can have excellent care at a cheap cheap rate. You are intentionally diverting the conversation claiming the OP attacked MBs.

[Anonymous]

Just because I happen to have a 20$ in my wallet it doesn't mean I sould pay that much for a pack of gum. Everything has it's value, including labor - mine, nanny's, everyone elses. Do you think "pay me more because you can" is any kind of a reasonable proposition? And even if so, then I should give away my money to minimum wage people first because they have it way harder than the OP.

[Anonymous]

Paying a living wage to a valued employee is not "giving money away."

Many of you are very out of touch with the reality of our country right now. No, it's not likely (m)any of you are in the .01% but his words have meaning for, frankly, anyone in the top 10-20%. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/the-pitchforks-are-coming-for-us-plutocrats-108014.html#.U619QfldWao

This level of inequality never ends well folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just because I happen to have a 20$ in my wallet it doesn't mean I sould pay that much for a pack of gum. Everything has it's value, including labor - mine, nanny's, everyone elses. Do you think "pay me more because you can" is any kind of a reasonable proposition? And even if so, then I should give away my money to minimum wage people first because they have it way harder than the OP.

+1. If the OP has a bachelor's in ECE and takes her job seriously enough to apply that learning and make sure the parents understand how she is doing that, then her market value after a couple of years of good experience as a full time nanny will be closer to $20 per hour rather than $15. $15 is the market wage for a newbie nanny working with one child. There is nothing unjust about that and nothing unreasonable about parents declining to pay more for an unproven skill set.