Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Man I just see so much of myself in the OP. While I wasn’t staying home (I needed before and aftercare) I remember also thinking a SAHM or college student would fit the bill. In hindsight I think that just reflected my ignorance about who applies for childcare work, and I was focused on the kinds of people I personally know/are in my own social circles.

After a bunch of interviews and extended (and declined) offers, I figured out that I had it all wrong. In the end I got an au pair.

A high school or college student can work, maybe a SAHM but most SAHM are home for their kids not yours. There is an expectation they pitch in as they aren't working but its not their responsibility to care for your kids.

I mean obviously I wasn’t “expecting” them to pitch in, I was just hoping they would respond to my ad. But they didn’t. And college students didn’t work out either.

Anonymous wrote:Man I just see so much of myself in the OP. While I wasn’t staying home (I needed before and aftercare) I remember also thinking a SAHM or college student would fit the bill. In hindsight I think that just reflected my ignorance about who applies for childcare work, and I was focused on the kinds of people I personally know/are in my own social circles.

After a bunch of interviews and extended (and declined) offers, I figured out that I had it all wrong. In the end I got an au pair.

A high school or college student can work, maybe a SAHM but most SAHM are home for their kids not yours. There is an expectation they pitch in as they aren't working but its not their responsibility to care for your kids.

Man I just see so much of myself in the OP. While I wasn’t staying home (I needed before and aftercare) I remember also thinking a SAHM or college student would fit the bill. In hindsight I think that just reflected my ignorance about who applies for childcare work, and I was focused on the kinds of people I personally know/are in my own social circles.

After a bunch of interviews and extended (and declined) offers, I figured out that I had it all wrong. In the end I got an au pair.

Decent childcare is actual work.
More people need to acknowledge that.

I'm a Sahm with time during since my own kids are at school. I wouldn't do it for less than $20 cash either because I can get a job paying that. You would have to be a good friend for me to do it for less.
What you want done may not be $20, but in DC, many can get a $20 job, so why take what you offer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, find someone you think you’d like to hire, and ASK them!!!!

Sorry, OP, you’re a busy mom with twin babies. Please forgive my frustration here.

Yeah I have three kids 2 and under I did ask and thought what she asked ($20+ in cash/hr) was outrageous. I don't want a teenager. I want someone like a SAHM whose kids are at school in the am or a responsible college student. This is the schedule that works and would be guaranteed 20hrs/week. Hence need a ballpark idea. Again, will never be left alone, live near metro. Only requirement to literally help me when I need to pump or both are screaming.

Whose fault is it that you have three kids under age 2?

If a SAHM accepts the job she is not really a SAHM. Most are home to care for their kids/families and you'd have to make it worthwhile. $20 for an adult is reasonable. $8 for a middle school, $10 for a younger high school. $14-15 for older.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, land of $40/hr nannies!

DCUM, land of entitled mothers who think they deserve cheap care!

This exactly. Why the heck do parents feel entitled to cheap childcare?

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, land of $40/hr nannies!

DCUM, land of entitled mothers who think they deserve cheap care!

If you literally ONLY NEED someone to hold one baby while you hold the other, then hire a 12 year old. Seriously.

A 12 year old will be THRILLED with $10/hr. A 12 year old isn't really old enough to have boyfriends or other social life so they can probably dedicate any hours you want to you.
Summer is coming soon, and they will have lots of free time. By the time school starts in September, you will know them very well, will have trained them to know your needs, etc. Keep hiring them a couple afternoons a week to help out. By the time they are 14 you will have an AMAZING sitter that you can trust.

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not you think the job is easy is really not important. If it were so easy you wouldn't be looking for help at all. It's still someone else's time that they are providing to you. During this time, they can't do anything else (cook for themselves, clean up, run errands, make phone calls, answer emails, relax, watch television, read a book, or work for someone else). Their time is worth whatever they decide is fair. You aren't entitled to help just because you want it. Either pay someone a reasonable rate, hire whoever will accept a lower rate, or find a family member who will help you.

I was trying to say this (a bit more diplomatically) upthread, but I'll add, you had to pay roughly what this person would get if they decided to take a different job. What would the SAHM you want to hire expect if, instead, she got a part time job in a daycare? What would a college student make on campus without having to commute to your house?

The reason childcare can be much cheaper than the wages for alternative jobs is, frankly, lots of the women doing this work don't have legal status to work. But you're not even contemplating someone who doesn't have legal status or maybe doesn't speak much English (nor should you!). But that's the secret to paying low wages.

Whether or not you think the job is easy is really not important. If it were so easy you wouldn't be looking for help at all. It's still someone else's time that they are providing to you. During this time, they can't do anything else (cook for themselves, clean up, run errands, make phone calls, answer emails, relax, watch television, read a book, or work for someone else). Their time is worth whatever they decide is fair. You aren't entitled to help just because you want it. Either pay someone a reasonable rate, hire whoever will accept a lower rate, or find a family member who will help you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, find someone you think you’d like to hire, and ASK them!!!!

Sorry, OP, you’re a busy mom with twin babies. Please forgive my frustration here.

Yeah I have three kids 2 and under I did ask and thought what she asked ($20+ in cash/hr) was outrageous. I don't want a teenager. I want someone like a SAHM whose kids are at school in the am or a responsible college student. This is the schedule that works and would be guaranteed 20hrs/week. Hence need a ballpark idea. Again, will never be left alone, live near metro. Only requirement to literally help me when I need to pump or both are screaming.

I highly doubt that those are the only things she will end up doing. List everything she MIGHT do in the contract, including having both kids while you take ten minutes to shower! And yes, $20/hour is reasonable for an adult working part-time as a secretary me paid or hands. Pay a child $12-16 if you want.

Hmm on other threads there is a going rate of $18/hr for a nanny share!

My going rate for just one child is $30/hr. It’s doesn’t matter if you’re home the whole time or if you live next to a bus stop or metro.

If you want a HS kid without a car who needs constant supervision, you can definitely go a lot cheaper.

$30/hour is my rate as well. And I agree with PP that it doesn't matter to me whether parents are home or not. However, I started my first mother's helper position (w/ a college degree) at $20/hr years ago. After that, I worked for several years at $25/hr. And was able to increase again due to additional training. However, I do think you could find a college kid for $20/hr if you can work around their classes. The families I worked with for $20/hr usually had multiple college kids help out.

It’s so much harder these days to find college students who are willing to work who are also responsible and reliable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, find someone you think you’d like to hire, and ASK them!!!!

Sorry, OP, you’re a busy mom with twin babies. Please forgive my frustration here.

Yeah I have three kids 2 and under I did ask and thought what she asked ($20+ in cash/hr) was outrageous. I don't want a teenager. I want someone like a SAHM whose kids are at school in the am or a responsible college student. This is the schedule that works and would be guaranteed 20hrs/week. Hence need a ballpark idea. Again, will never be left alone, live near metro. Only requirement to literally help me when I need to pump or both are screaming.

I highly doubt that those are the only things she will end up doing. List everything she MIGHT do in the contract, including having both kids while you take ten minutes to shower! And yes, $20/hour is reasonable for an adult working part-time as a secretary me paid or hands. Pay a child $12-16 if you want.

Hmm on other threads there is a going rate of $18/hr for a nanny share!

My going rate for just one child is $30/hr. It’s doesn’t matter if you’re home the whole time or if you live next to a bus stop or metro.

If you want a HS kid without a car who needs constant supervision, you can definitely go a lot cheaper.

$30/hour is my rate as well. And I agree with PP that it doesn't matter to me whether parents are home or not. However, I started my first mother's helper position (w/ a college degree) at $20/hr years ago. After that, I worked for several years at $25/hr. And was able to increase again due to additional training. However, I do think you could find a college kid for $20/hr if you can work around their classes. The families I worked with for $20/hr usually had multiple college kids help out.

DCUM, land of $40/hr nannies!