Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What nannies don't realize is that some starting salary lawyers don't even make 45,000 a year. I made less than that at my first law job. And law students usually have loans. You find ways to get by. I think some nannies on this forum think they should make more, but they don't realize that the employer can't always afford to pay more.

Then don't hire a nanny!

Exactly.

What parents don't realize is that just because their job title reads "doctor" or "lawyer" does not mean they can afford a nanny. It is the most expensive form of childcare. You are not entitled to it. The end.

This doesn't make sense. You can afford a nanny if a nanny would like to work for you for the amount you are offering to pay. Nannies are NEVER obligated to take a job that doesn't meet their needs financially or otherwise. If there are nannies out there willing to work for $15/hr or less (and the reality is that there are a lot) then parents offering that much can afford a nanny.

Anonymous wrote:Every profession has pros and cons. One may not dictate to another, what those pros and cons may be, for they are different for each individual.

While this is true, one of the cons (or pros depending on your situation) is that the market rate in DC for a nanny is $15/hr. As with every job there are employers who pay more and employers who pay less but for the most part, if you want to make more than the $15/hr market rate for being a nanny in DC, you should consider other professions ...

Every profession has pros and cons. One may not dictate to another, what those pros and cons may be, for they are different for each individual.

Anonymous wrote:

It's a shame that that is the only option though for a college educated woman who truly enjoys working with children, specifically in the very special one-on-one capacity that you get to do as a nanny. Sure I can go make more money as a receptionist or as a teacher, but I love building such close relationships with my charges, the freedom I have in planning our days and tailoring everything to their interests and needs.

Translation - being a nanny is much, much easier work than being a teacher. Go check out the nanny perk thread and see how many nannies love the downtime during naps and netflix time. Check out the constant threads about being able to run your errands while your charge enjoys developmentally appropriate independent play. As a teacher you need to be on at all times or you lose control of the group. You don't get to do your own thing and go wherever you want. You get a set a break and lunch time.

Yes, its too bad that the easy less work job doesn't pay as much over time.

Yes! Former nanny and current teacher. You (nanny) are not a martyr. You have weighed the pros and cons and would rather not have a classroom full of kids, 20 sets of parents, and a boss/admin team who is in your classroom on a daily basis. That is a fine choice, for sure but its not a 'shame'. Just like if I leave teaching in DCPS and go to a private school that caps class size at 15, it will not be a 'shame' that I get paid less. It will be a choice I made.

Anonymous wrote:
When you outsource the childcare, you and/or your spouse, need to earn enough to actually support another human being, and have some change left over for yourself.

If you and/or your spouse don't pull in that kind of income, what entitles you to cheap, but high-quality childcare?

We are ALL for women getting ahead,

but NOT over the backs of other women,

unless you pay them a fair living wage.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She doesn't know what a professional career nanny is. She's not even paying her taxes! Troll, anyone?

I do know what a professional career nanny is, thank you very much. I have always paid my taxes in past positions. My current employers asked me whether or not I wanted to claim my earnings in this position. I am engaged so don't have to worry about building my credit or having things in my name. Can you really blame me for wanting to bring home an extra $150 per week?

Wow. First, it IS a little ridiculous to claim that Nannies who don't pay their taxes (and employers who don't pay their share, either) are unprofessional. This situation is (sadly) common. But I couldn't resist the disturbing, tangential point that this Nanny thinks that, because she's engaged, she no longer needs to build credit or own things in her own name. What a dangerous was of thinking: You really should continue to worry about your ability to build credit ... marriages end for a lot of reason. If you've made the decision to forego a legal arrangement so you can take home more money, so be it. But I know plenty of people who have been burned when a marriage has ended (through death or divorce) and they've not given thought to what they've done to make sure they have good credit individually. Just something to keep in mind as the years go by!

There are indeed many fine nannies who may be not be degreed, but nevertheless, do an excellent job of childrearing. They are some of the best, thanks to their extensive experience.

PP here - I had a couple but first nanny was with us from when I was born till I was 6 or 7 I think? I remember being very very close with her. Eventually she wanted to move to a different city and my parents helped her find a job with some family friends. Actually later nannies were also not educated or spoke good English (my parents tended to hire nannies from our country of origin and this is common I think) and I have very fond special memories of them as well. Still in touch with a few of them. Basically though, I am not arguing with paying nannies fairly/the market rate but lack of education and good English does not equal a bad nanny.

You had only one nanny throughout your childhood, pp?

Anonymous wrote:Decent English isn't even a given, in your bloated pool.

Agree that you need more than a warm body to take care of your child but shocked to hear a nanny (?) say something so snobby especially since the nannies on here are always accusing MBs of looking down on nannies. As a child I had an amazing nanny who was neither educated nor spoke good English. But she was loving and sweet and kind and took great care of me and my sister and when I look back on my childhood I think how lucky I was to have her in addition to two involved and loving parents. And now as an adult, I am well educated, have a successful career and a wonderful family so I would say my lack of an educated, English speaking nanny has not done significant or permenant damage ....

Each person may speak for themselves. You need to stop your control obsession.

Oops, it's our friendly forum nazi again. Sorry about that, everyone.

Geez, you have got to stop using the term nazi. Are you the slave poster too? You are embarassing everyone.

Anonymous wrote:The idiots on this thread are not worth minimum wage let alone $15 an hour.

Oops, it's our friendly forum nazi again. Sorry about that, everyone.

The idiots on this thread are not worth minimum wage let alone $15 an hour.