$26. seems totally fair for all that work, OP.

OP Here! The incoming child is a 6yr old. Not an infant. Thank you all for the advice. I think I am going to ask for $26. The kids are all pretty easy but I want them to know that they can't just keep adding kids. They agree that the rate should go up and that it should then be split equality. So family two knows their rate will go up which they seem to be ok with. Thanks all!

OP I think that with what you feel it would take for you to be happy with all the work 4 children from 2 families would entail (and I think you are perfectly deserving of that rate for that amount of work), and what most parents in a share are willing to pay in a share ($15/hour can get you your own nanny, so why share?) this situation doesn't seem like a good deal for anyone. The kids get very divided attention, the parents don't save any money, and you are working your tail off for less than you think is fair. If you are truly set on sticking with this set up, I'd ask for $24/hour with 4 kids which is a bump up for you and still a deal for the parents. They are unlikely to find their own nanny as skilled as you for $12/hour.

That's high. I could get my own nanny for that rate who wouldn't be splitting attention with other kids.

"^^how many children have you ever watched at one time?? Those are daycare ratios there, and if its the set up the parents truly want, OP deserves to be making what a small home daycare would charge. "

I'm PP replied to. I have not watched that many at a time. That does not mean that it is anywhere near likely to fly for OP to charge $30/hr. Her rates actually are already pretty top end. You can't expect each share family to pay the same amt they would pay on their own - why would the share be any benefit to them at that point? Of course OP should ask for more - the question is how much more. Most PPs are saying that a few dollars more would be in line with what typical market bump would be.

MB here. I cannot understand why Family 2 would be paying these rates for a nanny share. If they are paying 18-20/hr then they can get a very experienced, professional nanny for that, without sharing.

I would never do this with my kids. And 4 in a share, w/ a newborn and this complicated schedule? It just seems so difficult for everyone and if there is no financial incentive/value, no added value for the kids (and this seems like it would diminish the value, not add) then I can't understand why the parents would choose this. It also seems nightmarish for you.