^^Don't you think it's kind of a crazy indication of the sad state of affairs in this country, that a grown woman who chooses to make her living carrying out the care of our nation's (wealthiest) children is considered to have too luxurious of standards to expect to be able to live in a simple 1 bedroom apartment with a full time job?
This country will continue on its downward spiral until we reassertion the values we once held so dearly. We once believed that people who worked hard for an honest living should be able to be able to live a decent lifestyle. We once valued families, and children, and we respected the people who cared for and shaped future generations. What the hell happened that no one gives a f*ck about teachers and caregivers? From a selfish point of view, I genuinely believe that paying your nanny only enough to scrape by is doing your family a true disservice. The nanny who is scraping by, living with a bunch of roommates, driving the beater, avoiding the doctor, hungry, and burnt out because she can never have fun, because she can't afford it or doesn't have time after her 50 hour workweek, evening sitting, and weekend gig, IS NOT going to be an excellent nanny. If every day is a physical mental and financial struggle you have nothing left to give to a stupid job. And that is exactly what your child becomes when she is scraping by. She will become burnt out because nannies the "ceiling" for nanny salaries are incredibly low, and every new MB expects to start you at the bottom again. They *need* a nanny, but she doesn't *need* a safe apartment or privacy. |
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." |
Arguments like this are appealing because it is easier to attack the individual then to take on a poorly functioning system. No person should have to live without bare necessities. We aren't talking about a 'great lifestyle' here. If you reduce the rent to $1000 but add in utilities, washing clothes, and saving for emergencies you still get to an amount that is not sustainable on $15. And that is not a reflection of a nannies skill set. That is not the pay of a new graduate or someone without experience. That is the pay rate with all of those assets. This same argument is used to block laws that protect child workers and increased the minimum wage. It focuses on the individual, suggesting that they alone create the social context that makes disparity possible. It suggests that the failure is in the individual because they could not make the world a better place to live in. It is the same argument used to fight civil rights legislation in the 60s and to deny women the right to vote. I am fed up of hearing it. There is an obvious inequity in working 45-50 hours per week and not being able to see a doctor when you are ill. This is not nannies 'living above their means.' Not nannies living in so called 'hip' neighborhoods. Not nannies wanting 'luxury' accommodations. Those words are being used to distract from what we are really asking for: that if we work forty hours a week our pay be enough to fill our fridge and keep our lights on. |
Excellent post by UrbanNanny. Are you in DC or where? |
In DC. |
Are you a mother to? |
Okay, I refrain from posting this all the time, but it literally makes my eyes hurt. There is already a huge stereotype that nannies are stupid and uneducated, so let's try not to perpetuate it!
To is an expression of motion, or identifying an affected person or object. Too means in addition or also. They do not mean nearly the same thing, and cannot be used interchangeably. |
Sorry to make your eyes hurt. Perhaps you should go to sleep. It's almost 10pm. |
While I agree the nanny could do things to live within her means, to say she doesn't need healthcare is crazy. |
I don't know how you determined the poster was a nanny. I also don't know how you determined it was not an autocorrect that does not reflect their grasp of the English language. Most of all, how did you read the entire thread and decide a grammar coreection was the best contribution you could make? |
* dang autocorrect. |
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. |
I've posted on this thread multiple times, thank you, and you can tell from that poster's previous questions that is our resident overzealous nanny troll. Whether or not it was an autocorrect issue in this case, which I doubt, it is a common enough mistake on this board that I think *some* posters need to be reminded. Whether you believe it or not, bad grammar and spelling undercut any good arguments you might have and get you dismissed as a whiny nanny. It is much more difficult to dismiss a calmly-presented, well-articulated argument. I am honestly trying to help, and I hope that you can get past your defensiveness and consider what I have said. |
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.... |