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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think paying 75% when your child has less than 50% of her attention (maternal instinct is a hard thing to shake), is not right. I've always thought (and many here agree) that paying 50-60% of normal rate is fair. In the DC area a normal nanny rate for one infant is $16-20/hr so you're looking at about $8-10/hr.[/quote]

I'm the MB who said 75%.  I think that it's a bit different than a true share situation.  The nanny only has one boss, the care will always happen in my home, etc...  I would expect to be able to be more specific and directive about the schedule, activities, diet, etc... in this situation than I would be in a share.  I also would just never feel right paying $8-10/hr for full-time care in my home.

But if I find a terrific, qualified, nanny that I really like, who wants to bring her own child but whom I feel I can trust to still provide excellent care for my baby, then it could be a win win.  I'd be thrilled to find someone I could so easily afford (and easily afford to keep for several years while offering raises).[/quote]

There is a lot more wear and tear on your house and your toys and books when the nanny brings her own child (vs a nanny who does not bring her child), which should also be considered as well. Plus the biggest advantage is that your nanny is getting to bring her own child to work and spend the entire day with him/her and not have to find her own childcare. That is an ENORMOUS advantage and one that must be considered here. Also, what will nanny do when her child is sick? Bring her sick kid to work and risk getting your child sick? Or stay home? Every illness that goes around might result in twice as many sick days (a day or two off if nanny herself is sick, a day or two off if her kid gets sick the next day?). There are many things that need to be considered here.

Personally, I've seen one too many nannies at the park or library who have their own child and a charge with them, and every single time it is PAINFULLY obvious which one is her own (because her own child is getting very special treatment and her charge is often being neglected). I've seen it many times before. If you want to cut childcare costs, it makes sense to go in on a share with another parent; that way there is no maternal instinct and less chance of nanny playing favorites.

Honestly, I am a nanny, and I've always known that when (or, if? At this point, I'm 31 and still not quite ready) I decided to become a mother that I would no longer be a nanny. You just cannot be an effective or competitive nanny when you have your own child. That's just one of the things that need to be considered when you go into this line of work. Don't like it? Don't be a nanny. Or, learn that once your own child is present you are worth 50% (in my mind, less, but reasonably, 50%) of what you were before you became a mom, too.[/quote]

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