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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
20:02 again.  You seem to have missed my statement that we paid her $15 per hour instead of the $13 that she requested.  I don't regard that as underpaying because (1) She was very happy with the rate and I respected her intelligence enough to believe that she is capable of valuing her own services, (2) Newborns basically just eat and sleep, so she had hours of downtime each day in which to read magazines and relax while holding the baby. (3) I was able to give her some scheduling flexibility and a calm, respectful work environment, all of which were more important to her than the rate. (4) When I parted ways with the baby whisperer because I needed more hours than she could provide, I hired a wonderful, college-educated, full time nanny and a wonderful part time nanny with a masters degree, also for $15 per hour.  Both have stuck around and received raises, but were entirely comfortable starting at $15 per hour.  (5) Over the years, I've hired multiple long-term sitters at $13-15 per hour.  All have been very bright and responsible law students or young, college-educated professionals in their mid-twenties with years of babysitting and camp counselor or swim instructor experience, and in many cases, a lifetime of exposure to the needs of younger siblings.

[b]If every one of these high caliber women was happy to get $15 per hour, it is not rational to conclude that they were all happily underpaid by "people like me."  Instead, the logical conclusion is that $15 per hour buys some very good childcare options in the DC marke[/b]t.[/quote]

Another MB here whose experience in interviewing and hiring a nanny mirrors this poster's (though I have done less hiring thus far).  My experience is so similar that I also started our chosen nanny at a higher hourly rate than she requested because I felt she was undervaluing herself.  We are all subject to market conditions and the truth in this area seems to be that excellent care is available at this level of pay.  For some people that is a great rate (twice minimum wage for starters).  For others it is not enough to live on.  That reality is not the fault of the individual employers - who, by the way, are subject to their own economic pressures and realities.  Am I happy I can get excellent childcare at a level I can afford?  Absolutely.  Do I wish my housing costs were not among the highest in the nation and my commute is a total, unavoidable nightmare?  You bet.  Do I consider it my boss's problem or fault if my personal economic situation is a challenge?  Nope.  I'm an adult and I've built my life, chosen my profession and position, made my decisions about marriage/house/kids/location/etc... and it's my responsibility to make all of that work.  Same is true for any adult, regardless of their profession.  [/quote]

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