Anonymous wrote:So...she has been with us for 3 years now and lived with us since October. She lives with us rent free/all expenses paid. She works with my three children (1 in school all day) (2 half day), she doesn't drive so she uses our account to get rides (uber). Lately, I think she has become spoiled. I always get little things for her, manicures, hotel room for her birthday, etc. she has her own level floor which includes bathroom, kitchen and room. She works about 10 hours some days and some days 4-6. We also travel a lot (gone three weeks in December) gone for a 8 days in April and a week in May and wil be gone most of the summer. She gets plenty of time off and we always pay her. When we are away she takes care of the dog and fish that's all that's asked of her and she cleans before we return home. Lately she's been complaining about her pay and hourly pay, etc. I think our time together has ended and I truly believe she has become very spoiled being with us. I'm not sure how to explain to her that she has it so good! Before coming to us she had no experience with children. We love her so much but it's taking a toll on me. She has given us one more year- and then wants to take off for three months (vacation) and then work part-time somewhere. Not sure how that will work out.
Would love to hear thoughts.
Wow. No, you have issues, but they are your issues, not hers.
You chose to give her perks, then you talk about her pay as if they are related. They aren't.
Part of being a live-in nanny is giving up your expectation of complete privacy and a completely set schedule. In exchange, a live-in nanny then has no overhead costs.
Most families don't have parking space for a live-in's car, or they don't want a cheaper model in their driveway, so they provide transportation. You chose to provide access to uber instead of a vehicle, which works.
She has a full floor of the house, with bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. That's exactly what most live-in nannies require as the minimum. Better accommodations have laundry hookups, a separate living room, a separate enteance, and a door that can be locked between the nanny's area and the rest of tGhanage house. Those are billed as a mother-in-law or nanny apartment.
you listed all the time she isn't working. BUT! You said she takes care of the dog, fish and cleaning while you are gone. That means she's working every day, she can't go anywhere else, and yes, of course you should pay her. It sounds like you thought that would be her vacation, but it isn't, it's yours.
The number of hours she works per day doesn't matter if she gets salary, it does if she's paid hourly. A live-in nanny should be making $10/hour minimum, and most make more ($12-20/hour). If she's not getting that, and/or you docked her pay when she moved in, yes, of course she would be raising the issue. She should also have had a raise for the last two years, so she should be getting about $2/hour more than when she started.
She had no childcare experience when she started, but she's worked for you for three years. She now has three years with your kids, so she knows them well.
How her life goes after you is her business. She's given you one year as notice, which most nannies won't do. Have the courtesy to give her a factual reference and at least a month's notice if you let her go. Be aware that what you are providing is the minimum, not a great perks.