To the 11:14 poster: you should pay the same or more because most 8+ year olds don't know how to eat themselves or pick out their own clothes or get themselves a cup of water.
And, as I mentioned before,
Would you rather have an entertained 10 year old, with riding bikes, baking, doing a school project, or would you rather want your10 year old in front of the TV?
My boss told me that they fired the old nanny because she sat the kids in front of the tv, the same thing she could have done herself lol

Anonymous wrote: Nanny with many years of experience here. I don't necessarily mean doing more housework tasks, but the thing is then I'm expecting to be paid more. Why should I cook your family dinner take out your trash and do all your dishes for free? So if I get a few dollars extra an hour or a tip at the end of the week I'm fine with that.

But just because you have school children you shouldn't expect a nanny to run your household. I still think they're all nice things that a excellent and then you can do with school age children. What if the 8 year-old likes to play soccer outside or paint? An excellent nanny will take the time and play soccer with her in the yard or use some paint and paint something. I think this is way more important than putting your 8-year-old child in front of the TV and have your nanny cook and clean the dishes and make beds and not compensate her for fairly. Just my thoughts.

By this theory, I should pay a nanny less as my kids get older since they require less care. Why should I pay you the same rate that I once did now that my 6 year old doesn't require you to change diapers, be burped, can use the toilet and utensils independently and can dress herself...

Your time is your time. You agree to do the required duties or you don't.

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn't matter what you call that person and yes, I get that what I have is a luxury. But, I'm willing to pay for it and my nanny/housekeeper is willing to do the job. I don't care what you all call her and I don't think it is better or worse to call her a nanny. I do think it's funny when people ask me "now that your kids are in high school, you are getting rid of your nanny, right?" as if magically my job will end at 3 s I can drive them around?

Just tell your friends your nanny became the parent substitute.

It really doesn't matter what you call that person and yes, I get that what I have is a luxury. But, I'm willing to pay for it and my nanny/housekeeper is willing to do the job. I don't care what you all call her and I don't think it is better or worse to call her a nanny. I do think it's funny when people ask me "now that your kids are in high school, you are getting rid of your nanny, right?" as if magically my job will end at 3 s I can drive them around?

Anonymous wrote:I feel like part of the issue maybe is the use of nannies by a lot more MC / UMC families rather than only the rich. If you are really rich you might have multiple staff full or part time such as the housekeeper plus a nanny.

But the large number of families hiring "nannies" now are looking for someone to replace what a SAHM would do minus the heavier cleaning. And that changes over time.

Yes, it makes people *feel* rich when they brag about having a nanny instead of a sitter or cleaning person.

They need to learn the difference and just be honest.

I feel like part of the issue maybe is the use of nannies by a lot more MC / UMC families rather than only the rich. If you are really rich you might have multiple staff full or part time such as the housekeeper plus a nanny.

But the large number of families hiring "nannies" now are looking for someone to replace what a SAHM would do minus the heavier cleaning. And that changes over time.

Anonymous wrote:I get your point PP - but I pay my nanny for that job and it includes the doing of other tasks we laid out at the beginning. These are not add-ons or surprises.

And I agree with you that the nanny should prioritize kids stuff over house stuff. I am always thrilled when my nanny is playing with my younger kid instead of doing laundry. The laundry can be done a different time.

And, by the way, many days my nanny is free during the day and also after school - if my kids have activities she might drive one or pick one up, but then is free yet again, so there is plenty of time for household tasks.

None of my kids are 8, either, so the playing is really down to a minimum, although I do miss that stage. My kids are 12 and 14 so its not really the same as when they were 8.

Sounds like she's currently more of a housekeeper.

I get your point PP - but I pay my nanny for that job and it includes the doing of other tasks we laid out at the beginning. These are not add-ons or surprises.

And I agree with you that the nanny should prioritize kids stuff over house stuff. I am always thrilled when my nanny is playing with my younger kid instead of doing laundry. The laundry can be done a different time.

And, by the way, many days my nanny is free during the day and also after school - if my kids have activities she might drive one or pick one up, but then is free yet again, so there is plenty of time for household tasks.

None of my kids are 8, either, so the playing is really down to a minimum, although I do miss that stage. My kids are 12 and 14 so its not really the same as when they were 8.

Nanny with many years of experience here. I don't necessarily mean doing more housework tasks, but the thing is then I'm expecting to be paid more. Why should I cook your family dinner take out your trash and do all your dishes for free? So if I get a few dollars extra an hour or a tip at the end of the week I'm fine with that.

But just because you have school children you shouldn't expect a nanny to run your household. I still think they're all nice things that a excellent and then you can do with school age children. What if the 8 year-old likes to play soccer outside or paint? An excellent nanny will take the time and play soccer with her in the yard or use some paint and paint something. I think this is way more important than putting your 8-year-old child in front of the TV and have your nanny cook and clean the dishes and make beds and not compensate her for fairly. Just my thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:For the love of god - the job is whatever the nanny and employers agree it is. It is not "abusive" to have a nanny do housekeeping tasks if both parties have agreed to such an arrangement. If employers want more than childcare, they must specify this from the get go, and only nannies that are willing need apply/accept employment with that family. Common sense, people.

Take whatever job you want, but you can't call it all a nanny job, just because you want to do it. Sorry.

For the love of god - the job is whatever the nanny and employers agree it is. It is not "abusive" to have a nanny do housekeeping tasks if both parties have agreed to such an arrangement. If employers want more than childcare, they must specify this from the get go, and only nannies that are willing need apply/accept employment with that family. Common sense, people.

Anonymous wrote:Nannies are not maids/house cleaners/ chefs. Stop treating them like they are

Yes,they have to stop ask us to do thing doesn't belong to nanny job.

Anonymous wrote:More abusive nanny employers...then the whine and wonder how they can't keep nannies and they're children are emotional and developmental wrecks. Treat a nanny with respect and your kids will have loving BFFs for years to come, won't have to go through changing care givers every couple months, it's so bad for young children! Most of them don't understand why one goes and a new comes, they think it's because they're not loved!
I'm a very loving nanny and try to explain it to parents, but most parents don't care. You know at the end the parents lose a great nanny, nanny loses her job, kids loose their beloved BFF, and the kids are the ones who lose the most!
Parents can find a new nanny and nanny can find a new job.
Just think about it. So sad

I can't think of one thing that has been mentioned on this thread that could be considered 'abusive.' Talk about dramatic, lady! Relax. We're not talking about sweat shops in Thailand. Per a reputable nanny agency website:

"It’s important to keep in mind that some nannies will only perform duties associated with the care and cleaning of the children and will balk at performing other household duties. Other nannies have no issue with providing services such as meals and cleaning for the remainder of the family. The most important task at hand is for you as the employer to discuss and clearly outline the duties you expect with your nanny."

So yes, there are some nannies that absolutely will do nothing more than care for the children. Fine. There are many however that will do more and it is NOT abusive. I choose to employ the latter, because I find the overall flexible attitude much more appealing, but to each his own.

PP here - not sure why it matters what I call her. If you say she isn't a nanny, ok. Do you feel better if you call it a housekeeper or house manager? That's fine. My kids stay home alone and don't actually need babysitters. They need drivers, an adult to remind them it's not video game time. I need housekeeping. The person we hired started out as a "nanny" (watching and caring for infants that need to be cared for) and now is something else. Her choice, as you know. If she wanted to only be a nanny for a baby, she would leave my job.