Anonymous
03/10/2014 11:43
Subject: How much of a raise to give?
OP, a few things need to happen here if you want to keep your nanny, and to keep her satisfied.
1) If you cannot find a substitute family for your maternity leave, you should really consider paying her something, even if it is not the full rate.
2) Do you know what the other family is planning to pay her while you are on leave? If it is only their usual half, then... yikes. Major ill will to be had.
3) As far as raises going forward, considering you all seem to be very happy with her, two things need to happen IMO. The first thing is an earned raise for her tenure and excellent performance on the job. You and the other family should discuss this. The second thing that should happen is a raise for the third child. So, for example, consider raising her rate for two children to $22/hour. Then, add an additional $2-3/hour for the third child, bringing her to $24-25/hour. Just as an example, but I think those would be good amounts to bump her by, too.
1) If you cannot find a substitute family for your maternity leave, you should really consider paying her something, even if it is not the full rate.
2) Do you know what the other family is planning to pay her while you are on leave? If it is only their usual half, then... yikes. Major ill will to be had.
3) As far as raises going forward, considering you all seem to be very happy with her, two things need to happen IMO. The first thing is an earned raise for her tenure and excellent performance on the job. You and the other family should discuss this. The second thing that should happen is a raise for the third child. So, for example, consider raising her rate for two children to $22/hour. Then, add an additional $2-3/hour for the third child, bringing her to $24-25/hour. Just as an example, but I think those would be good amounts to bump her by, too.
Anonymous
03/10/2014 10:52
Subject: How much of a raise to give?
MB here and I have to agree with the other posters about not paying the nanny during your maternity leave. If your child was in a traditional daycare and you chose to not pay during your maternity leave, then the risk is you don't have a spot available when you want to use the daycare again. It's the same with a nanny. I don't know how you can expect her to take home 1/2 her usual pay for three months because of a decision you made.
As a practical matter, I also highly recommend keeping the older one with the nanny while you are home. It keeps DC #1 in the usual routine and gives you a chance to spend time with the newborn.
As a practical matter, I also highly recommend keeping the older one with the nanny while you are home. It keeps DC #1 in the usual routine and gives you a chance to spend time with the newborn.
Anonymous
03/10/2014 04:48
Subject: How much of a raise to give?
Have you really thought through the difficulties of having your older child home with you on maternity leave? Just about everyone I know kept their older child in whatever child care they had (be it nanny, share, daycare, or preschool) while they were on maternity leave because they didnt want to lose their spot. But they were all very glad for it in the long run. It helped maintain a sense of normalcy for the older child, and allowed some bonding time with the new baby without being overwhelmed by having to care for both children full time.