13 per hr in Portland for 1 child is a pretty good rate. I would say 11-13 is the going rate. I'm from Oregon. 13-16 for 2 would be the going rate so op would be on the higher end.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ehh say what you want but there are a lot of high horse riders on this forum. Anyway I did follow the advice of a PP who said asking two day MB if she had heard about the schedule from other MB was appropriate. I also followed the advice of those who said not to bad mouth at all. I don't see how asking for basic market rate and a few paid sick days off, or wanting to know her plans for childcare over the next few months is high maintenance??

Yes, you picked and chose what advice to use and demonstrated your judgment:
You chose to gossip about it to another person, and basically asked for another job (more days from other MB and even her relatives).
So now you made it look (or made it clear) like you are shopping around for a new gig.

MAYBE the other MB threw you a bone and knows the scoop. But you also put her in a very awkward position.

Actually it read like the OP frightened the other Mom into thinking that maybe her nice arrangement would be going away if the 3 Day Mom needs more days from OP! So now they're each trying to cobble together more hours for you without the other one knowing! Hahahahha.
Seen this before, no one wins here. cobble, cobble, cobble. The best jobs are full time, 40+ hours 4-5 days with one family. Less hassle, less driving, less schedule issues, money is fine, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Ehh say what you want but there are a lot of high horse riders on this forum. Anyway I did follow the advice of a PP who said asking two day MB if she had heard about the schedule from other MB was appropriate. I also followed the advice of those who said not to bad mouth at all. I don't see how asking for basic market rate and a few paid sick days off, or wanting to know her plans for childcare over the next few months is high maintenance??

Yes, you picked and chose what advice to use and demonstrated your judgment:
You chose to gossip about it to another person, and basically asked for another job (more days from other MB and even her relatives).
So now you made it look (or made it clear) like you are shopping around for a new gig.

MAYBE the other MB threw you a bone and knows the scoop. But you also put her in a very awkward position.

Ehh say what you want but there are a lot of high horse riders on this forum. Anyway I did follow the advice of a PP who said asking two day MB if she had heard about the schedule from other MB was appropriate. I also followed the advice of those who said not to bad mouth at all. I don't see how asking for basic market rate and a few paid sick days off, or wanting to know her plans for childcare over the next few months is high maintenance??

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly OP, you do not sound like gods gift to the nanny world. You sound entitled, judgmental, and high maintenance.

Take the approach you want - if the family meets your demands, great. If not, be prepared to find other work.

I wouldn't want to hire you.

+1. Also, stubborn. In spite of the good advice here, you went ahead and talked to the wrong MB.

Yes. Maybe also just incredibly young - it all sounds pretty high school in attitude and approach, not like a mature professional.

Honestly OP, you do not sound like gods gift to the nanny world. You sound entitled, judgmental, and high maintenance.

Take the approach you want - if the family meets your demands, great. If not, be prepared to find other work.

I wouldn't want to hire you.

+1. Also, stubborn. In spite of the good advice here, you went ahead and talked to the wrong MB.

Honestly OP, you do not sound like gods gift to the nanny world. You sound entitled, judgmental, and high maintenance.

Take the approach you want - if the family meets your demands, great. If not, be prepared to find other work.

I wouldn't want to hire you.

Well, I spoke to two day per week MB yesterday. I didn't say anything bad about the other MB. I just asked if she had heard anything from three day per week MB about the schedule, going forward. She said she hadn't, and had a look of concern on her face. I told her what three day per week MB had said (she wants to wait and see, figure things out, etc). Two day per week MB said she was surprised, because she said the last she had spoken to three day per week MB about me a few weeks ago, that three day per week MB had said (discussing how she was feeling about adjusting with the new baby coming soon) "I'm just so thankful we have [Nanny], we don't have any family in town and she is just like a member of our family."

Two day per week MB thinks that maybe three day per week MB is considering asking me to come with her one day per week to her office. Two day MB also said she would be happy to offer me additional hours, and told me her sister (who I've sat for once or twice before) is in need of a part time nanny for her kids, if I need more work. I'm thankful to have her as my part time MB.

To the PP who questioned it, I know the three day per week family is well off, they own a multi million dollar home, and a very successful business. Also, she has always been very vocal about wanting to be near her kids at all times, and told me she was uncomfortable working 45 minutes away from them on a regular basis, which is why she went to the trouble of taking her son to work with her.

I see some of you are still on the "$5/hr increase is too high" bit, like I said several posts above I'm just going to ask for $16, which is a $3/hr increase. It's still high, I admit, but frankly I'm very much overdue for a raise anyway. At this point, given all the other factors, I feel that if they aren't willing to pay me fairly, the stress of dealing with them just isn't worth it.

Thank you all for your helpful insights and advice.