EXACTLY. I'm not paid quite as high as you but I do make 20/hr for 1 kid most of the day, I pick up the 2nd for less than half my day. And I don't clean. I take care of the kids, I do things with them. And their parents realize that nannies who are paid the bare minimum only DO the bare minimum

It sounds like you are doing the bare minimum!!

Anonymous wrote:The reason I earn $24 an hour is my employers want to pay me what THEY agree, I am worth. They pay the cleaning lady to do what SHE knows how to do best.
Jack of all trades, is the master of none.

EXACTLY. I'm not paid quite as high as you but I do make 20/hr for 1 kid most of the day, I pick up the 2nd for less than half my day. And I don't clean. I take care of the kids, I do things with them. And their parents realize that nannies who are paid the bare minimum only DO the bare minimum.

The reason I earn $24 an hour is my employers want to pay me what THEY agree, I am worth. They pay the cleaning lady to do what SHE knows how to do best.
Jack of all trades, is the master of none.

Well we try to pay our staff a wage that is more than just pay cheque to pay cheque. The reason we pay $21/hr is because she does our housekeeping too.

Anonymous wrote:Your responsibility is to pay her a fair wage (and you are paying too much if you are in the DC area) and you are doing just that. If she can't live on it, she needs a new profession.

This mindset is so sickening.

OP is paying "too much"? By whose standards? Perhaps you meant to say, "You are paying an above-average wage" and simply misspoke? I earn more than the average nanny but I am not paid too much - I am paid exactly as much as I need to be paid in order to do this job. If I weren't, I would take my two degrees and other skills back into the world of non-profits.

OP, I'm not suggesting you're doing anything wrong, and this rant is not directed at you but rather other commenters, but I am so sick of hearing people say nannies are paid too much. It's like saying teachers are paid too much. COME OFF IT. You want to tell us all how precious your children are but you can't humanely compensate the people who care for them and teach them? Whatever. Your priorities are clear to us. Thank God I work for folks with a different perspective.

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not going to lock up my food in my house, thankyouverymuch. But yes, I like to keep dark chocolate and wine, (my only vices) above the fridge away from DS's prying hands! It's the only cupboard he hasn't managed to open and pull everything out of.

The situation is really unnerving. Mainly because I am worried for her wellbeing if she needs to steal food. If she was honest and told me she was struggling financially I would be more than happy to provide her with extra food to take home or more hours. But I need open communication about her needs. I need honesty. I've already asked her once and she denied anything.

OP, it isn't your responsibility to worry about her reasons for stealing. Your responsibility is to pay her a fair wage (and you are paying too much if you are in the DC area) and you are doing just that. If she can't live on it, she needs a new profession. The meals you already offer are a great perk and are very generous. If she is stealing, fire her for cause and she won't win an unemployment claim.

Totally agree.