If it's difficult for them to pay you $455, they would have struggled with $500. You made the right decision.

Those "jokes" are the writing on the wall, OP. They don't have the money for this, but can't see other options. I would start looking for a job. Joking like that is sooooo inappropriate, and it means they either resent how much having a nanny cost, or think you are overcharging them already.

You made the right decision

Anonymous wrote:They simply can't afford a fair nanny wage. Most families can't.

This! OP, you've been there for a year, ask for a raise and guaranteed hours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You made the right decision. They just realized it was more than they could afford, so they've cut your hours back. You are due for a raise, so address that, and maybe look for an occasional babysitting gig.

I agree with all of this. Ask for the raise and see if you can pick up some extra hours somewhere else.

OP- Well said! You are both correct, I am overdue for a raise. And if I was to get a raise of $1, that would be an additional $35 per 35hr week and would bring me up to a consistent $490 per week. I would feel much better about my situation then, because if things continue I can see myself becoming resentful.

I have been hesitant to ask for a raise because they seem to already have trouble paying me, so I'm afraid that they will either say no, or let me go for someone who will work for less. MB has also 'joked' about how easy my job is now that the oldest is in kindergarten and the youngest takes naps. "You have so much down time, I wish we could switch jobs!" and stuff like that. So maybe she'll think that I don't get a raise because the job is easier now? I do use the down time to tidy up and do dishes and laundry.

Anonymous wrote:You made the right decision. They just realized it was more than they could afford, so they've cut your hours back. You are due for a raise, so address that, and maybe look for an occasional babysitting gig.

I agree with all of this. Ask for the raise and see if you can pick up some extra hours somewhere else.

They simply can't afford a fair nanny wage. Most families can't.

You made the right decision. They just realized it was more than they could afford, so they've cut your hours back. You are due for a raise, so address that, and maybe look for an occasional babysitting gig.

OP here. Thank you for all of the helpful comments. As for the person who said "and now it's MB's fault. Grow up", wow what a nasty thing to say! What part of "did I make the wrong decision" did you not understand?! Clearly I am taking responsibility for my own decision to be paid hourly. The details of how MB tried to change me to salary were just explain how I got to the point where it was my decision to either stay hourly or change to salary. Maybe you should have reread what I wrote before insulting me.

Lesson learned?

You're being taken advantage of, and grossly underpaid. Get another job.

If it's been a year, have a meeting to discuss a $1/hr raise.

*$500

So let me get this straight. You were offered a flat rate of $509/week you said no, and now it's your MBs fault?

Grow up

- from a nanny

I was hired for 35hrs/week, $13 per hour for 2 kids ($455 weekly). It was less than what I felt I deserved, but I desperately needed a job and the hours and travel distance were good so I accepted. Luckily, the parents immediately needed more coverage than they first expected and I found myself consistently working at least 40 hours, and bringing home $520 or more. After a few months MB asked if I wanted to change from hourly to salary, a flat rate of $500 per week. She tried to explain that this is what they did with the previous nanny and that she loved it. She claimed that she often let her leave early and that she always worked less than 35hrs but was still guaranteed $500, and then pressured me to accept. I refused because it seemed like this would only benefit her, because even when paying hourly I was never let out early, and if being paid salary she would have even less motivation to let me go early or work less than my promised 35hrs.

I continued to work 40+ hours weekly, and was paid hourly, for my first year with them and I felt great about my decision. But now for the past year they have been sticking to my initial promised 35hrs, and I have gone back to $455 per week and not a penny more, if they can help it. Of course now I wish I had accepted the flat rate of $500 because I am missing out on a possible $45 more per week. But part of me also thinks that if I was getting paid salary that I would be doing well over my 35hrs every week.

Oh, and they have complimented me several times on how much better I am than their previous nanny who they had to let go because she was lazy and call out too much. So it really pisses me off that the "lazy" nanny was being paid better than I am when I'm working my butt off!