PP- that's the conundrum I have. I was a live-in nanny for almost 6 years. Left that job, moved to NYC. MB made comment that wouldn't it be great that when they come up to NYC, that the kids can spend the day or night "visiting" with me! Would I charge for this? Even though I was a live-in for such a long time, I was never treated as part of the family. I would love to see the kids again, but I am not FREE "Aunty" all of a sudden.

If you want to stay in his life then stay in his life for free. Take him out on a Sat afternoon for ice cream or take him to a movie now and again, something like that.
I was a nanny for 7 years for 1 family and really loved the kids. Its been over 10 years now and I still see the kids. I dont get paid for it though, thats my choice.

OP, Don't you think that the parents would value you over the less experienced sitters? Isn't what you bring to the table worth your regular rate? If they're having financial troubles, then I'd be more inclined to offer them a discount, assuming of course that you have enough to live on.

Anonymous wrote:Good plan OP. you do not need to work for peanuts but sitter rates are lower than nanny rates and it is an easier gig. So why make yourself more expensive for them ?

I agree. Sitting is easier than nannying and you have a great relationship with this family so I can understand you offering to lower your rate slightly. It also wouldn't hurt to let them know that you're really going to miss the little boy and you would love to be their "go to" sitter.

OP, if I were you I would just mention to the family that you would love to stay involved in DC's life and would be available for babysitting on an occasional basis. Since it probably wouldn't be on the books, you could charge them $15-18 an hour or you could say nothing and see what they are willing to pay. If they really love you, they probably would use you over a new babysitter who may charge $1-2 less per hour. Good luck.

You said that when working for them FT you were on the books. I would never expect to be paid on the books for a family only using me for the occasional sitting job, so I would expect that lowering your rates to whatever your take home per hour usually is would make sense in this scenario.

Anonymous wrote:Good plan OP. you do not need to work for peanuts but sitter rates are lower than nanny rates and it is an easier gig. So why make yourself more expensive for them ?

What are sitter rates in comparison to nanny rates?

Anonymous wrote:Maybe she doesn't need to earn a living cause she's independantly wealthy.

"She" being the OP? OP here - nowhere near wealthy, but I make $20/hr with them as a nanny and that seems obscenely high for babysitting a single child - I'd like them to choose me over other sitters, because I'll miss the little guy and want to spend time with him, so I want to make sure that along with our great relationship I'm also bringing a competitive rate to future work with them.

Maybe she doesn't need to earn a living cause she's independantly wealthy.

Good plan OP. you do not need to work for peanuts but sitter rates are lower than nanny rates and it is an easier gig. So why make yourself more expensive for them ?

How low can you go, hon?
Can I hire your clone?

I sometimes do a lower rate with the expectation that I won't be doing laundry or other cleaning and the kids will be in bed a good chunk of time. I think it's the honest thing to do.

Most...

My people would maintain the current rate, but if you want to discount or donate your services, they'll probably kiss your feet.

Question for nannies and MBs - when my position as a nanny ends, I'd obviously like to stay involved in the child's life (and stay connected with the parents) via babysitting. My question is, I get paid a reasonably high rate (much higher than I would charge for babysitting) as it is all pre-tax etc. so my question is, would it be odd or unusual when we're saying our goodbyes for me to extend the offer of babysitting at a lower cost? Nannies, have you done this? MBs, have your nannies done this? Or is it expected that my rates would be the same?