I think $18 is on the high side to start for 1 kid. That's what we pay for 2 (though 1 is in half day preschool) on the Hill. I'd maybe say something like $16-$20 depending on job specifics and other benefits negotiated?

OP, is your mom still available? Would she be interested in a part time nanny housekeeper position in McLean that require driving, cleaning, cooking and general house work? It will be for 30 hours a week.

OP, has your mother been a nanny in the United States and in this area? You mentioned something along the lines of "now currently in Northern Va." Parents would be much more reluctant to hire a nanny newer to the area or with no experience in the US. I am assuming she is foreign born since she would have been pregnant with her oldest child at 14/15 years old and that is more uncommon in the US. Has she moved around often?

Honestly, probably her age. I am 38 and I wouldn't hire anyone under 21 or over 40 because young kids need high energy, fun people who have enough life experience to discipline them. Most people in their 50s or more don't have the enthusiasm or energy to do that everyday anymore. I'm exhausted by them by Sunday night at my age.

My one hesitation about hiring your mom would be that she is set in her ways and wouldn't do things the way I wanted because she thought she knew better. Emphasize in materials that she will follow the parents' lead?

I was surprised how long it took to mind my former nanny a job (4 months - she was/is just amazing). I got real bites on neighborhood listerves, not dcurm, and I was the former employer posting. Her former employers need to step up and post for her. Those go a long way . . .

we had to let our 57 yo nanny go when our 3 yo consistently said the nanny couldn't and wouldn't buckle the lower car seat buckle.
we had her try it in front of us and sure enough, she didn't have the strength, agility or where-with-all to correctly buckle in a toddler to the car seat. And we had been through No twisted straps, Here is how you loosen and tighten things, etc. many many times with her. Since we noticed she also cannot safely install a car seat either.