OP believe it or not a bonus of a weeks pay or more isn't as common in RL then it is on DCUM. I've been a nanny for many years, although i'm not one now.. I know alot of different nannies and maybe 2 out of 20 received a full weeks pay. The others received gifts and maybe some gift cards or $100 / $200.. Point is, i'm sure your nanny will be delighted with a weeks pay.

You could always do what you can now, and surprise her with the rest when you have the extra lying around.. She sounds like she's very appreciative of anything she receives though, so I don't see it as a problem.

A good nanny appreciates any gifts or bonuses. What you have already done is fine, OP.

Give her what you can, and remember her for her birthday. I'm someone who's been with clients for long stretches, and I've had gifts that range from a weeks pay, to $100 and a gift card. I was grateful each time, because they remembered me, even when one parent lost their job.

You can only do what you can. If you can't afford more, then you can't afford more.

Anonymous wrote:She might be a little miffed if she is used to getting a week, but if she is generally happy with you it shouldn't be a big deal. Just be sure to actually let her know how much you appreciate her. Just an FYI, most, not all but most, of the things you listed as things you do for her are expected and even legally mandated, so they are not exceptional. The only "extra" is paying her transportation costs IF you mean travel to work, and not on the job.

I know. I just wanted to illustrate we don't cur corners elsewhere at all. And we give her a prepaid metro card that we refill every month. It's hers to use as she please (there is no work travel involved daily as she lives with us and we are within a comfortable walking distance to a lot of activities).

And this is her first Christmas with us. She said her last family (which was an au pair job not a fully paid live-in position) gave her $150 which she was incredibly grateful for.

This bonus would be more than that but it's not a full week at her current pay rate.

She might be a little miffed if she is used to getting a week, but if she is generally happy with you it shouldn't be a big deal. Just be sure to actually let her know how much you appreciate her. Just an FYI, most, not all but most, of the things you listed as things you do for her are expected and even legally mandated, so they are not exceptional. The only "extra" is paying her transportation costs IF you mean travel to work, and not on the job.

We love our live-in nanny. We got her gifts from each of the kids and a stocking full of goodies she needs/likes.

Problem is, we are so strapped for cash and can only afford half a week's pay tomorrow as a bonus.

Will she be upset with us if it's not a full week?

She also gets paid holidays, vacation, personal/sick, we pay her transit costs, and time and a half for any hours of overtime.

We are just in a crunch because of emergency dental work and car repairs that came out of nowhere last week.

I know that's not her problem and I want her to know how much we value her.

HELP!