I would be really hesitant to take this job, even though it's a full-time job offer with good pay -- which is hard to find as a new grad! As a nanny, you know it's not a 9-5 job. It really needs to feel right on all levels so it will work out long-term or you will be miserable every day. At first you will try to make it work, bite your tongue a lot when small issues arise, and vent to friends/family every now and then. And then it will probably turn into a mess and you will probably regret taking the job and start thinking about how to quit. On the other hand, some families expect a lot of out of their nannies but treat them very well in return. It depends on what kind of personalities the parents have. But are you really ok with working 50 hours a week and then not being able to have any secured down time if you are supposed to be on-call 75% of the time? Essentially you will have to ask the parents every time you make plans outside of your normal work hours to make sure that they will not call you in. This is what I had to do in a similar position before. Good luck!

Yikes! They left it pretty open-ended concerning work hours, didn't they?

Before you accept a nanny job, sit down and decide what your ideal job would be, and also what things you absolutely could not live with. Keep your head in the interview, and don't let money be your main consideration.

For example, I personally prefer making less money in a good situation over making lots in a bad situation. I also want to work with children, not clean house or be a personal assistant. My current job is with one infant, and I don't do housework or errands. I don't get paid as much as you are being offered, but I am happy.

To play devil's advocate ... the boyfriend questions may have been a way to determine if she was likely to really have her overnights free, or if she was likely to suddenly get married, or if he was likely to be around their children.

OP, the red flags are red. The pay is good, but the people are crazy and inappropriate.

I just don't understand how someone can ask of that's ok. Like, I was never that dense.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and 3:14? You've been reported.

Really, people.

Oh no!

Anonymous wrote:Oh good lord, I am 1:01 and I am a democrat. I was trying to make a joke people. Sheesh, calm down.

Seriously, no one has a sense of humor anymore?

Don't do it.

As has already been established, the pay and benefits are competitive but that is nothing up against the craziness these parents will rain down on your life. RUN AWAY FAST.

I'd flat out tell them that I'm a second wave feminist lesbian left wing vegan with three girlfriends and have been arrested for public disturbance and refusal to cooperate with police due to protesting at a mitt romney event.

Leave out the part about the "second wave" feminist. They're far less progressive than serious feminists.

OP, you should probably decline the job because you're not comfortable. That said, for future reference, all the details about holidays, pay, duties, etc, sound about right except for the overnight rate. That's too low. Look for $50-$75 flat overnight rate and regular rate for all awake hours unless there is OT involved.

Oh good lord, I am 1:01 and I am a democrat. I was trying to make a joke people. Sheesh, calm down.

Oh, and 3:14? You've been reported.

Really, people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd flat out tell them that I'm a second wave feminist lesbian left wing vegan with three girlfriends and have been arrested for public disturbance and refusal to cooperate with police due to protesting at a mitt romney event.

Do it, and tell them your girlfriends are biracial.

And that on the side you are an abortionist assistant and perform gay Wiccan wedding ceremonies.

Must we really resort to petty stereotypes? This particular DB is a loon, but most Repubs (and Dems) are kind, normal people. Lets not indulge in such low levels of discourse.

Anonymous wrote:$15 an hour for duties that didn't include light housekeeping and you have no full time nanny experience is very competitive. However, if you have a strange feeling about them keep looking, 50 hours a week is a long time to spend in someone's home if you are not a good match.

I agree with the PP above. Also, the part that gets to me is the "expect to be "on call" 75% of the time and it would be "most ideal if I didn't ever really have plans in my personal life." Is that on call within the 50 hours? I am assuming so since it is with a SAHM, but if not then I would not take the job. The plans in my personal life and the asking about a BF and all the details about him would make me think WTF, and the thing about a fire in the fireplace would have me telling him that he should install a gas fireplace then that he can start with the push of a button. The $30 "bonus" for overnights would not really be a bonus since it would most likely be for kids sleeping hours, and is on the very low side of this type of flat rate ($50 normally being the lowest with the highest generally being somewhere between $75-100). All hours working with kids awake would be at normal hourly rate. I would just ask about OT when calling to let them know that you are taking/not taking the position if you are still considering it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd flat out tell them that I'm a second wave feminist lesbian left wing vegan with three girlfriends and have been arrested for public disturbance and refusal to cooperate with police due to protesting at a mitt romney event.

Do it, and tell them your girlfriends are biracial.

And that on the side you are an abortionist assistant and perform gay Wiccan wedding ceremonies.

Anonymous wrote:I'd flat out tell them that I'm a second wave feminist lesbian left wing vegan with three girlfriends and have been arrested for public disturbance and refusal to cooperate with police due to protesting at a mitt romney event.

Do it, and tell them your girlfriends are biracial.