MBs like OP are kind of cheap. If you are considering taking a nanny on a vacation with you, that means you have the financial means to do it. Offering $400 is just a way for you to save. I had a situation like that where my employer wanted me to come on a 10 day vacation with them (her, her 2 year old daughter and her husband), they rented a 2 bedroom apartment, so I had to share the room with the 2 year old. A month before leaving, I made a contract with my fees, duties so they could look at and go over it. They were surprised I did that and quoted them $1500(which I thought was really low, but I did not want them to think I was overcharging them) for the whole 10 days. MB looked at me and said "I thought we discussed compensation and agreed on $500?" LOL. That is when I told her we never agreed on anything, she vaguely asked what would I charge,and at the time I did not know what to say or think about it and blurted something in the range of $400-800, but I will have to get back to you on that... Then I realized that I had to charge for overnight and the convenience of them having me there. My hourly rate is $15. And she tells me "We just do not have that amount in the budget" They wanted me to be happy with $500 for the 10 days. I just don't get how someone with a $1.2 Million home and 2 luxury cars can tell me they can only afford $500 for their nanny. I nanny part time 3 days a week for 5 hours each for them. They justify it by saying that it is a vacation for the nanny too, the nanny will get to rest (nannies usually don't know anyone in the places they travel to with the parents), so please parents, have some respect to not say it is a vacation for them too; it is only YOUR VACATION!!! Well I declined their offer, then they came back a week later offering me what I asked for,but I declined, why work for people who do not respect me? I gave them my notice and stopped working for them when they left for their trip, without any nanny.

OP, I am glad you upped your amount to $1000, but I do not think thats enough, you might want to give her some bonus ($300-$500) when you get back from the trip, may be two weeks after if you don't have it right after you get back.

Anonymous wrote:I presume that the children will be staying in her room for 3 of the 7 nights? I understand wanting to have quality time with your husband while on vacation, not sure why that is hard for others to grasp. You certainly should not be expecting the children to sleep in her room the entire time. You absolutely need to clarify hours (a higher price would grant he 10 hour flexibility that you're looking for) and increase the pay. $16/ hours for waking hours plus $75 for each overnight. You should also give a small stipend for foods and expenses while she's on her own time.

I get that the OP wants some time with her husband, and that's fine, but the point is that if the kids are sleeping in the nanny's room, the nanny needs to be paid for that time. I agree that the OP should pay the nanny's normal rate for any awake hours that she is caring for the kids and a flat fee for each overnight. $400 is way too low.

I honestly just don't think you can afford to take her on vacation and thats ok but don't try and guilt someone into taking a low paying job because it would make life easier for u.