Received Tuesday, July 3, 2007
This nanny is still in the bread line! The child she takes care is now older but she is still in line with him surrounded by mentally unstable, derelicts and homeless people. She is either Filipino or Asian/Hispanic. The child she cares for is blond and is now about10-14 mo. boy. I have seen her multiple times begging for food on W.82nd church sandwich line, where she turns her back on the little boy who is in the stroller so she can collect a sandwich and coffee. One of the homeless guys asked her why she was in line and she said her employer "doesn't have coffee" All around her are these homeless men with drug addictions and mental illness. If this was my child I would want to know what nanny was doing. I reported her here last fall to no avail. It was just yesterday (7/2) that I saw her on the sandwich line. Today I saw her at the River Run playground(83rd/Riverside). The little boy was in swing. The nanny would give him a big push periodically and then go talk to friends several swings away. She kept this up for at least 10 min. If I were employer, I'd want to know! Something is definitely off with her.
To the OP: Could you give an approximate age of the nanny? Is she young, middle-aged, or elderly? My grandmother (also asian), who survived a war, still has this hoarding mentality when it comes to food. Once I found government cheese in her refrigerator. I have no idea where she got that. She is well-off now and her pantry is well stocked with gourmet food. But, she still cannot (for some psychological reason) pass up free food when it is handed out. Anyways, I was just wondering if this sighting is a similar case.
ReplyDeleteOh no. Not this nanny again. This will lead to the on line, in line debate.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's so weird at all. I do home daycare and man, I feel like going to the bread line, it pays such crap. Not all childcare providers make good money. Why are you so surprised?
ReplyDeletebecause the least i ever heard a nanny making was $12 and even then there is outrage.
ReplyDeletebecause the nanny needs to say where she takes your kid. she has not the right to say. you do.
I have heard of alot of nannies making less than 12 an hour. Maybe most nannies in big cities make more, but in my city which is smaller than new york, many nannies make 8-10 an hour. And I am sure there are those families in places like New York who pay less than 12.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you just don't associate with them or know who they are.
6:59PM
ReplyDelete$12 an hour doesn't go far in NYC, especially if you are supporting children, which many nannies are.
GET THE HELL OUT OF THE BREAD LINE. I don't donate money to feed people who have access to food, water and shelter. Leave more for the many who have nothing.
ReplyDeleteSheeeesh.
$12 an hour is nothing in New York!~ Especially if you are single and possibly have children to take care of.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying it is right to pay them below 12 an hour I am just saying that people sometimes only care about themselves, and if they can find someone to watch their kids for less they will. You would be surprised what some people will do. People hire unqualified people all the time, or people who are in desperate situations and who they can take advantage of.
ReplyDeleteAt $12 an hour in NYC, I can totally see why she would be on a bread line.
ReplyDeleteMany people work for less than $12 an hour in NYC and don't see a bread line. $12 is very decent money for 1 child. Are you kidding me?
ReplyDeleteThe bigger question is why the parents of the child aren't leaving anything for her to eat.
I'm thinking she's like my dad. He could NEVER pass up anything free even though he could well afford to.
$12 an hour at a 40 hour work week means the woman is making $480.00 per week. If she is the sole income provider for her household, that is nothing! it might be ok pay to take care of one child, but, as a salary, it comes out to nada
ReplyDeleteMost nannies of full time workers work about 45-50 hours a week because they have to cover the children during the parent's commute time as well.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I know tons of people who make in the neighborhood of $500 a week. It's great money for someone who is young-ish & single with no dependents.
My nanny has more DISPOSABLE income than I do. She shops often and saves a bundle.
If this, if that.... give me a break, so much speculation. The point is if the parents knew that the nanny was hanging out on the bread line - whatever the darn reason - they wouldn't be happy. Forget how much she does or does not get paid. Its always the parents' fault for not paying enough - how about the nanny is just nuts??? Is that possible? Even remotely?
ReplyDelete10:03-
ReplyDeleteYou sound poor. And bitter.
I think you would prefer to learn your nanny was in a breadline and not shopping at H&M on the weekends. The horror.
I'll never understand why people like you hire nannies. Nannies are not for the middle class. Look at the benches around you. These women are not nannies. Go to the Upper East Side, Greenwich and Darrien, CT and Scarsdale. Nannies belong on estate and in nice houses. Not working for some ninny who has to cut coupons.
Put your child in daycare.
Or better yet, stay home.
With the price of childcare, the only reason to work is because you enjoy your job and want a career.
I don't anyone faults the nanny for taking help if she needs it, but I would think most employers allow their nanny to eat while they are working. Whether she truly needs the food or not, is not the issue. The issue is she is taking this child into a potentially harmful environment. I hope the parents see this post this time.
ReplyDeleteBTW...to 10:39: Well said! I coudln't have put it better myself.
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised actually. I know of at least one chinese nanny; a citizen; who works in an affluent building in downtown manhattan. She earns $225 per week for a 50 hour week looking after a baby and cleaning. Her employers, like so many others in battery park do not leave her either money or food for lunch. She must provided her own. She lives in low income housing.
ReplyDeletePlease, I understand the concerns about taking the child to a place like this but think for a moment that her employers may be placing her there in the first place out of necessity. Please don't assume that all nannys are well paid or given food while at work. It isn't always the case.
At first I was unnerved that a nanny would take someone's little innocent child into a line of such unknown characters. But, if this nanny is paid so little that she needs to be in the bread line, then the parents can go f themselves. And if you know a nanny who is working for scraps like this- please help her to find a better job. It isn't hard. Anyone who would pay a nanny 250 a week in NYC is a shitty, shitty person and karma is going to come back and bite them square on the ass.
ReplyDeleteThat is what people who lament on here, "why didn't you do something instead of coming here to blog about it don't understand".
ReplyDeleteHaving tried to help a child known to me out of harm, at every turn I was told by someone- a doctor "I cant discuss it with you", a family member, "I don't want him angry with me", a teacher "I can't get involved", another parent "he knows too many people".
Everyone wants to pass the buck. And there isn't a whole lot you can do if you are not the child's parents. So here is hoping the parent sees this posting and all of them from the last three days.
I find this troubling...
sorry ^^^ wrong post.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost sad that many of you obviously have been sheltered from the realities of the world to the point that you do not know that MANY of the people who go to food pantries, bread lines, etc DO NOT need to be there and are just getting something for free. There are honestly just as many people there who do not need the help as there are people who do, if not more. And, yes, I know this from past experience.
ReplyDeleteI do understand that some do not pay their nannies enough or provide well for them, but most do, and regardless, if they are such a great nanny, they should be able to find a job with another family who pays them at least a living wage.
It is hard for me to gage my reaction to a post without JMT. Is she on vaca?
ReplyDeleteto 10:32,
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't make someone nuts because they are in a bread line. True, it's a questionable place to take another person's child, and even though many children every day wait in bread lines and on lines at soup kitchens, that doesn't mean that a nanny should be allowed to take their charges to one, even if their parents are elitist snobs who care more about their children being "seen" there, or being among the "great unwashed" than they do about their employee's hunger.
Who knows in this case: only the nanny in question and the parents know how much she is payed. But that being said, it certainly does not make someone "nuts" if they are hungry. I am willing to bet that most of the people who frequest these boards, (yes, you ble included) have no idea what it's like to be hungry, nor do you try to understand what it is like.
That's what's sad if you ask me.
12:31
ReplyDeleteHow sad for you that you don't have a mind of your own.
1:14....you do not know me to judge whether or not I have ever been hungry or have had to go to soup kitchens or food lines for food.
ReplyDeleteFYI, as if it is your business, in the past I had to stay in a homeless women's shelter and have had to go to these places for food...that is why my post said I know from experience. It is only by the Grace of God and my own hard work, that my life has much improved.
Any more personal info you need?
I did not personally judge this nanny, just said perhaps this was case, but regardless, she should not be taking her charge there, yet you feel you know me well enough to judge that I have never been in a desperate situation? You should be ashamed.
I'm wondering how much you were "willing to bet?" I could use the money. Better yet, donate to your local food pantry!
Well said, ble. I think this entire issue goes back to knowing your nanny well. I'm not blaming the parents - they may be being lied to. I'm also not blaming the nanny - we just don't know enough. The sentiment that the parents should be at least roughly aware of the nanny's location during the day makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteTo 10:39 - I can't believe you think those with "estates and rich houses" have the right to a nanny, and the rest of us don't. What a way to kick off Independence Day.
If "the only reason to work is because you enjoy your job and want a career", I guess you meant to say "want a career as a lawyer, doctor or stockbroker." What about all the well-educated men and women who take lower-paying jobs and make sacrifices so their kids can have more personal attention than daycare provides?
Please don't retort that I'm "poor and bitter". I'm neither.
ble,
ReplyDelete1:14 here and you are so full of crap that it's not even funny.
You are very judgemental and I don't believe you have any experience to speak of. Try being hungry on a regular basis: I know you have not been, so don't lie for the sake of this stupid board and say you have.
I don't care if you had to stay in a woman's homeless shelter: that is not the same thing as being homeless. Many many women are in that situation at one time or another in our country, and you were probably the exact type of person you were speaking of: the one who was taking from others who really need it.
As I said, you are full of crap. You don't know what you are talking about and know nothing about homelessness. Go back to your life, away from all the problems of others that you entertain yourself with on this site but don't truly understand.
If the nanny does truly make SOOO little pay she has to do this... maybe she should consider another career, or maybe if she is actually a good nanny--since she is being defended--then she should consider working for a family who appreciates her more....
ReplyDeleteanybody here looking for a new nanny??
10:39:
ReplyDeleteYou are an elitist prick. And a moron. Nannies are NOT just for wealthy, lazy stay-at-home Connecticut mothers who are screwing the gardener and who get off on all sorts of domestic help they have acquired just for the flick of it.
I would LOATHE to be lke you.
Anyone who feels that $500 is chicken feed for a single, young nanny with no responsibilities is the type who gets off bragging about the fact that they can afford $1500 a week so they can ignore their kids while they are in the next room.
Good riddance.
--happy mom (happy except to share space with you) with happy nanny
CEO:
ReplyDeleteYou made me roll.
Yeah, I'll hire the nanny from the breadline and give her $1000 a week just so she can afford her own sandwich. What the heck.
837, What does this even mean.
ReplyDelete"happy mom (happy except to share space with you) with happy nanny"
NP If your nanny has more disposable income, that just must eat at you. What happens when nanny wants a slice of cheese for an afternoon snack. Do you go berserk? Or is your carefully allotted food off limits to the nanny?
There really is no arguing with the statement that nannies are not for the middle class. The nerve of these meager women hiring their barely English speaking illegals and slapping the name nanny on them only to compete with the Joneses. And then you wonder why a blog like this is needed? People like you have "nannies" that are nothing more than housewives. They feed the children, make the meals, clean the house, do the laundry, walk the dog. Do you think that is in line with the expectations of a professional nanny? Do you think a professional nanny would ever show up on your warped doorstep for an interview? Are you one of the mothers who I hear bitching and moaning about the nanny who won't clean the bathroom while the child is taking a nap, because "that's what you do".
Daycare. D A Y C A R E
Possibly even state sponsored.
happy mom,
ReplyDeleteI was right there with you agreeing with you until you said,
"a single, young nanny with no responsibilities."
That just makes you sound ignorant and agist.
Young people also need to pay rent and pay bills and buy food and shampoo and tampons and feed their pets and pay for the doctor, dentist, etc. Just because someone is young, does not mean they are free from responsibilities. Did you have any responsibilites when you were younger, like college, car payments, phone bill or let me guess, did daddy pay for all that?
It is true that some people cannot afford to pay their nannies more than 500, but it sound to me as if you could afford to pay yours more. For her sake I hope she finds a better boss who doesn't think so lowly of her, that she is "young and without responsibilities." To be honest, you sound just as elitist as some people on here!
10:02:
ReplyDeleteNice try. My nanny doesn't clean. If she cleaned, I'd fire her for ignoring my kid. If she cleaned while my son was napping, I'd wonder why she couldn't relax enough to take a proper break.
And 10:28, $500 is a lot of cash. That's 2 grand a month, no taxes. As I said, my nanny says she banks half of that every month. She's a happy clam and loves working for me.
It doesn't make me bitter or angry that she banks money and shops like a Trump, it makes me proud that I have hired an intelligent woman who is financially savvy.
She could go work for more money, but then she'd be exploited by the likes of a neurotic stay-at-home Connecticut or UWS mom who won't let her wear tanktops on the job because she'd be afraid that her husband would cheat.
Instead, she gets no hassle. I already know she does a great job, so why act insane like the rest of these employers?
Some of you don't like hearing about happy relationships. That is plain to see.
Continue to overpay your employees so you can justify all the horrible things you make them do. I don't really care!
I will never use daycare for my child. I don't have to.
Further, 10:28, there are people who can afford to pay their employees millions a year. Does that mean they should?
Not very smart, are you?
How can that be 2 grand a month?
ReplyDeleteAre you telling me you don't pay taxes? Your poor nanny isn't paying in to social security? She isn't paying her share of taxes?
This is outrageous. You should be locked up in jail.
Oh and by the by, if you put your child in daycare, you wouldn't have to worry about the taxes.
And to everyone reading, the IRS has a program now just for women like this. If you are as poor as she is and lack disposable income, know that you can anonymously report her and her nanny to the IRS and get 10 percent of what the IRS gets.
Pay on the books. Or pay.
500 is peanuts.
ReplyDeleteWas it your nanny in the breadline?
My nanny requested to be paid off the books. That may change in the next year, but I will do what she requests in the meantime. If you are shocked by nannies working off the books, you live under a rock.
ReplyDeleteIn my neighborhood in NY, $500 is the going rate, plus overtime pay, 2 weeks paid vacation, 3 bonuses per year, 5 guaranteed paid sick days (more with doctor's note) and misc. gifts whenever appropriate.
I proudly employ my nanny with these wages. And to think so many try to lore her away with promises of more cash to no avail.
She's worked for your type before and will never do it again!
It doesn't matter why she's there, but THAT she's there. This is an extremely dangerous scene in which to bring a child. There is NO defense, and ignorance never counts as one.
ReplyDeleteYeah-I guess $500 a week is good money if your nanny is 20, lives at home and has no one else to support. It is not good money if she is older, has her own apartment, has bills to pay and possibly children to support. Again, this is New York where rents are high.
ReplyDelete1:14...I have nothing else to say to you other than this. You are obviuously one of those people who enjoy a fight and have to be right. Think what you want. You are sad. I would not lie about such things. I could direct to a website that I am a part of that actually states my whole story on it (and was veryfied), but I have nothing to prove to you. God is the only one I serve and He knows the truth me...and YOU!
ReplyDeleteshould say "He knows the truth about me"...sorry.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she prefers government cheese over chemey?
ReplyDeleteMy friend's nanny would ignore the organic fruits and veggies, fresh baguettes, multi-grain breads, free range deli meats, etc. that she stocked for the nanny and anyone else who comes into my home.
Instead, she'd buy herself cheetos, a regular coke and a cheap ham sandwich on white from the deli almost every single day.
Some people prefer to eat junk which I (as well as my friend) refuse to bring into my home.
What sort of example do these folks set for the kids?
11:35 AM
ReplyDeleteAre you in NYC? If your nanny is not live in, I would love to know where she found an apt. she could afford on $500 a week, and still have $ left over to pay for food, transportation, medical care (does she have insurance?) let alone shop! Are you paying into her S.S.?
to 11:35/happy mom
ReplyDeleteI'm smarter than you are, because I am with my children full time and have a full-time income from my business I run from home. I'm smart enough to know that a child needs their mother. I am smart enough to not have to pay a nanny for a job I can do for myself, a job I love doing: mothering.
However, from the sound of your ranting, it would seem that your children are better off with their nanny, so stick with what you've got.
You are delusional. The going rate is not $500. What "area" of New York do you live in? Or is it Newark? That I could see.
ReplyDeleteNice to know your nanny calls the shots. You are her bitch. She tells you when to pay her and how. Yet another reason, people like you should not have nannies, or any employees- you do not know how to manage. And why would you? You're nothing but a bitter low level employee yourself.
3:05:
ReplyDeleteActually, I think it's your husband who is smart, not you. You give yourself way too much credit, and you sell him short.
I'm glad you feel smarter than anyone who has a nanny though. That's good. Keep telling yourself that.
In the meantime, I hope the fact that I have a happy life aggravates the hell out of you, as it obviously does. Maybe if you weren't so stressed out you'd be able to shrug it off.
Happy 4th!
3:17,
ReplyDeleteI must say you sound anything but happy! You just keep telling yourself that, though, sweetie.
As far as my husband, he had prostate cancer and passed away when I was pregnant with my second child, which is why I started my business from home. He was smart, though, and kind and good. And I never sold him short: I did and still take excellent care of our children and keep his memory alive.
I do not think I am smarter than anyone who has a nanny: I merely said I believe I am smarter than you are.
Happy 4th to you, too.
So it's the life insurance policy that enables you to stay at home, not your business sense. Yawn...
ReplyDeleteYour kids sound the smartest of all though. They must be in order for them to entertain themselves 8 plus hours a day while you do your "full-time" job.
Who watched your first kid before your husband passed away and you started your business from home? Or was the child minding himself or herself way back then as well?
I have friends who are nannies who complain that they have to provide there own food even though they are on the job by 7:30 am, and have to work until 8:30pm or later.And are not allowed to bring outside food into the employer home because they are Jews or something like this nature.
ReplyDeleteI worked my way through College by nannying (I recently graduated.) Just last year I worked for a family who felt $500 a week was GREAT pay and would not go any higher or give me any raises, regardless of my extensive experience, skills and education. I searched endlessly in what spare time I had (which was very little juggling both a 40 hr work week and 3 classes-full course load.) To make a long story short, I ended up "stuck" with them and because it's so expensive to live these days I lived in horrible low income houseing (bad neighborhood) and was constantly late paying my bills (rent, car insurance, telephone, electricity...you name it I couldn't afford it.) It got to the point that almost every cent I had went into paying bills and trying to eat. I ended up in that damn bread line feeling very ashamed and I worked damn hard to be in that line too Oh, and might I add, even though my boss was loaded and had a full kitchen stalked with groceries she went into major panic and hissy fits if I touched the food (my god, if I ate a cracker all day she'd glare and count out the rest sighing all the way!) My point is, that sometimes it's not easy to find another job (certain areas are full of cheap tight wads, time and family don't always permit for the necessary "job hunt" either etc) If I haven't made it clear enough already, $500 a week is not enough money to live...shopping sprees on THAT salary??? You are crazy. I didn't even always have enough to properly feed myself, let alone go on shopping sprees! That is a mere $24,000 a year which is at the poverty level in some places, and at least the "low income" level in all places of the USA. My rent alone was almost half of my entire paycheck, now add in car insurance, electricity bill, telephone bill, cell phone bill (I was required to have one on me at all times) groceries and any other normal expense a person occurs from gas money to car maintenance, (and heaven forbid I have internet or tv, which of course I couldn't afford)...and you can easily see why I was completely devoid of money. I am just now finally able to start buying new clothes again (thank God, over a year of no new clothing, not one single piece, and chasing and crawling around with children and your clothing starts to look a little shall we say worn?) I am finally getting on with my life (or get it back depending on which way you look at it) restoring my credit etc. If I had to look back on it now, I'd say nannying is one of the worst ways to earn a living, and would never recommend another young woman take that route. To clarify, it is the job that is horrible for many reasons, not the children (I will always love children and am very proud of every thing I taught my charges and the time I spent with them) What I am not proud of is the way our society views nannies (sub-human domestic workers etc) How incredibly ironic, when we have the most important job in the entire world keeping your children safe and rearing the next generation.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone take a job for $500 a week? If the family thinks that is great pay, let them find a sucker to work for that. The only people who would work for that are inexperienced nannies or convicts.
ReplyDeleteOur nanny makes 830 on the books. And many of our friends pay more.
5:45,
ReplyDeleteYour comment is extremely naive. Many, many people, nannies included take jobs that make about 500 per week. It doesn't mean they are a sucker for taking the job, it doesn't mean the family is cheap. It depends on many factors, and what part of the country you live in, and what area in that part of the country are key factors.
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but there is a large spectrum to the nanny pay scale.
An inexperienced nanny or a convict? You don't know what you are talking about. Mass, RI, Florida, Georgia, etc. etc. etc. New York City is not the only place in the world.
You sound sheltered. Go out. Meet new people. You need to broaden your horizons. There is more to life than your small circle. Some people and places outside of your circle are actually worthwhile.
Good point, 8:49. I am from a large city (and not New York) and $500 a week would be great pay and not so hard to live on at all. Everything in the country is not gaged by NYC standards.
ReplyDeletejust a quick comment,
ReplyDeleteall of you are arguing about whether or not $500 a week off the books is enough for a nanny to live on but i'd like to make a point that the men and women protecting you, your nannies and your kids on the streets are making even less than that. NYPD officers make $691 EVERY 2 WEEKS to start. these are the people protecting you, putting their lives on the line for you. stop complaining about it and get your heads out of your asses. people make a hell of a lot less and work a hell of a lot more just to keep your rich pathetic selves safe.
signed,
a pissed off nanny/proud wife of an NYPD officer
well said, 9:29
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should get so pissed off at ignorance: the people saying such things are obviously idiots who don't know what they are talking about. Must be nice to go through life with blinders on, huh?
I admire your husband and you!
signed,
a childcare provider/wife of a blue-collar husband
I have a very delicious macaroni and cheese I make with the government cheese. It really is to die for. (In case anyone is interested.)
ReplyDeletedo tell! can I have that recipe?
ReplyDeleteDarling Nanny married to the NYPD officer,
ReplyDeleteDoes it really matter what people who work for the city get paid? Teachers get paid crap too. But they know that going in. Starting shortstops make 133,000 per sneeze. It's like comparing apples to oranges here.
$500 is an unacceptable salary. Sure hope the nanny bill passes. Would love to see all the illegal nannies and criminal employees nailed to the wall and forced to pay on the books and provide insurance.
Now, that's America.
Macaroni and Cheese (to die for)
ReplyDeleteIngredients
* 1/4 cup butter
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp. salt
* 4 cups milk
* 1-1/2 cups elbow (or other smallish) macaroni
* 2 cups shredded Government Cheese or similar
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is tender but not browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Stir in the flour and salt. Then pour in the milk and the macaroni all at once. Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often to keep the macaroni from clumping together and sticking to the bottom. When it reaches a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender.
3. Remove saucepan from heat, add grated cheese and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
yes it matters what city workers get paid. i don't understand why you people are so damn ignorant. i really wish that you rich snobby people had to walk a day in the normal working person's shoes. and went back to their childhood. money isn't everything. learn from it.
ReplyDelete8:19
ReplyDeleteagreed. Most of the people commenting, including 10:22, have never had to work an honest day in their lives. It's easy for them to talk, never having had to take out a student loan, never having had to put themselves through school because their parents did it for them. It's easy to get by in life if someone else has given you that start. But it does in no way mean that you should be proud of it.
I just feel bad for their kids/future kids. They will no doubt pass on this sense of entitlement and lack of work ethic to their poor children. And I do mean poor in the truest sense of the word: unable to think or act for themselves and unable to see or appreciate what they have.
And the argument "you knew what you were getting into" does not fly with me: you are in your own situation in life because of many factors.We should think of public servants like cops and teachers in a very honorary sense if you ask me, and not call them stupid for making a small paycheck. We should feel fortunate to have such brave hardworking people helping us and our families in life, because you rich jerks are sure not contributing to society in any way.
p.s.
ReplyDeleteYou all couldn't be cops or teachers if you tried. You would fail.
not contributing to society? what about all those donatins to the police athletic league I've made?
ReplyDelete9:29:
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. These folks moaning about $500 a week for a 40 hour work week for a nanny have NO CLUE about salaries for the rest of the world.
$500 for nannying, comparatively speaking, is an excellent salary. My now-departed dh was making $520 per week (after taxes) as an accountant with 3 years experience when we married. He was working towards his cpa, which would have meant more money had he made it that far.
That means that a nanny would have been making $20 dollars less per week and would not have to buy suits to wear daily, pay commuting costs (nanny employers provide that), buy lunch at midtown prices (provide by employer as well) and so on.
I now employ a nanny, and I can say that there are PLENTY of excellent nannies who work for $500 a week. Hords of them. And they are not the idiots you read about here.
And on that note, most of the idiots you read about here work for wealthy people in Park Slope and the UWS who scream about how unfair $500 a week is. I bet that sleeping slope nanny we read about every other month makes a higher salary.
And there you have it. A high pay scale does NOT nessarily translate into a better nanny. Smart employers know that.
And a higher pay scale does not necessarily mean a better employer. I have more respect for my nanny and treat her better than any other employer I know and she'd agree with that.
While I may pay $500 a week, you can bet my nanny is rewarded as I see fit with bonuses.
In fact, she is going to get a pre-vacation bonus in August. Something for her to have a great vacation with, or sock away.
The rest of the world is not relevant. This post was in NYC. You cannot live in NYC on that. Your reasoning for paying her so low is so elitist. If you paid her more, perhaps she could go to night school and educate herself. but wait, probably not since I doubt she is working 40 hours a week. I am guessing she works 60.
ReplyDeleteGive it up, lady.
PS It's a good thing for you that there is a class system with the nannies. So your nanny won't get to hang out with nannies who make a fair wage. Isn't that strange how that works out?
There are many jobs in NYC who employ hardworking people that pay less than $12/hr. I guess everyone needs a raise.
ReplyDeleteThe issue here is that regardless what this nanny makes, she should not have her charge with her when she goes to the bread line. It's wrong. Either there is something wrong with her and her employers should look into getting her some help or she does need the free food because she doesn't make enough. If the ladder is the case, then she needs to find another job that will pay her better or speak to her employers about giving her food. I’m sure that they would rather provide her with three meals a day than to have their child go to a bread line. Communication is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteHowever, having said that it's easier said than done. There's all this talk about getting paid $500 or more but truthfully there are only a handful of nannies making this kind of money. Try interviewing and you will quickly discover how many nannies are out there searching for work because they have been holding out for the "$500 or more a week" that they heard about. But as months come and go and they are still unemployed and bills are mounting, less than $500 doesn't seem so bad. The majority makes $300-400 a week and some even less. I think $500 a week cash is very good money and I don't care where you live. Many people have a problem living within their means and they have never learned how to budget so even if they make $1500 a week it would not be enough.
Because Metro New York is so affluent, many nannies are under the impression that they can name their price and they will get it. While there are those who are wealthy and can afford to pay pretty high wages, the majority of families these days hiring nannies are middle class families who find themselves having to work. A nanny is a necessity to them, not a luxury. Many of these families wouldn't be able to survive if they had to pay someone $500 a week. It's not because they don't feel that some nannies work hard and deserve a better pay, it's simply because they cannot afford to pay that much since they barely make that much themselves. For every rich SAHM who can pay high wages there are hundreds who can't because they are struggling to survive just like the nanny.
I don't blame anyone who wants to make as much money as they can possibly make and they should if they can it. However, it's unfair to be nasty to someone who can't afford to pay $500 a week or to tell them to stay home and raise their own children as if they are bad people who are working to avoid being with their children. Daycare is one option but not every person's work hours coordinate with the daycare hours. Sometimes a family has no choice but to hire a nanny and why should they be called names because they can’t afford the “going rate.” A little sympathy and understanding can go a long way.
I believe that a family should be fair and pay a nanny as much as they can afford. In addition, they should treat the nanny with dignity, respect, kindness and be fair at all times. Someone who takes care of your child should be treated with the utmost respect. It's up to the nanny to say no to a salary that they don't think that they can live on. But don't take the job and not do what you are hired to do or mistreat a child because you are not getting paid enough. No matter what you are getting paid, you should always do a job to the best of your ability with honesty and dignity. It may take a while for someone to recognize your high standards, but make no mistake that someone will and you will be rewarded for it.
I hope that the parents read this post about their nanny and child. I hate to think of this little kid standing in line wondering what he is doing there. If the nanny has some kind of mental health issues, I hope that they find it in their heart to get her some help.
1224, what a wonderful point of view you have. thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
ReplyDelete10:32...you say that the rest of the world is not relevant because this is NYC and $500 a week doesn't cut it. Well why don't you consider the fact that $500 a week isn't relevant because we have NO IDEA how much this nanny makes!!! This is all speculation and we cannot be sure why she is there, how much she does or doesn't make, if her employers really do have food and coffee or not, etc.
ReplyDeleteAll we know is that her charge shouldn't be there with her, and the parents have a right to know about it.
12:24 rules the day. Someone with a brain!
ReplyDeleteAnd to the person who said "give it up," you are a fool.
You CAN live in NYC on $500 a week. Google away, Einstein.
I laughed my tail off when I read your ignorant post. Shocker: my nanny DOES go to night school! And the nanny before her got her masters while working with me. I got her into that masters program. These days she still takes time out of her busy schedule to dine with us once or twice a month. Ewwwwwww...... I must have been one evil employer. Ha!
Stick that in your know-it-all pipe and smoke it.
5:31 back, I would like to clarify one thing, never at any point did I say I worked "off the books". That is how much I made period after taxes, unless my employer was having "a bad month" (meaning she wanted to vacation more without paying me), and then I averaged around $430 per week after taxes. As I stated, I am educated (I have a Bachelors Degree now, and am planning on continuing my education even further.) I was a Junior in University at the time she was doing this. I also did not have perks (you'd be surprised by how many nannies actually don't!) I did in fact commute to work, and I did not get reimbursed etc. As I stated prior, I did try to find other work, but again this was easier said than done. Time after time I'd interview after a full work day, and before a night class (exhausted) only to find the same situation in a different house. I may have ended up with a cheap employer, but I didn't have the time, money or resources to commute even further to the possible "pot of gold" at the end of the tunnel. (I'm not even going into the earlier "convict" statement which is absurd as I'm sure you are all aware.) I worked in Child Care because that is what I knew at the time, (as I worked all throughout high school in a Daycare) and love children, and because I had to support myself...survival is a definite plus in life and living on the streets did not seem pleasing. *sarcastic smile* Oh, and just to be even more crystal clear, I am a US citizen born and raised in NY. AND on one final note, I am 22 years old and a lot of times people view "youth" or young adults as being ignorant or having it easier, I had the same bills as my employer too bad she couldn't figure that out. It's hard enough to start out in life without having to deal with what our world has become (over priced and under appreciated workers...every where in many different fields, with the cost of living climbing higher and higher!) I feel truly heart breaking-ly sorry for small children today, they have an awful lot to "look forward" to.
ReplyDelete3:59:
ReplyDeleteThe youth of today, in my opinion, have a sense of entitlement that is simply outrageous.
My first, 2nd and 3rd jobs in this world were minimum wage jobs. Still, I excelled at what I did while at these silly gigs. I wasn't the slug you see at McDonald's now who speaks in ghetto slang and can't count back change.
If you do a good job and polish yourself, you will succeed eventually.
I went from minimum wage at 19 to low 6 figures by 30. Not bad for someone who never completed their college degree.
9:29/8:19 here,
ReplyDelete9:02, i agree, i doubt any one of you could make it as a police officer or teacher..
12:24, thank you.
I totally disagree with anyone saying that $500 a week isn't enough to live on. my husband and i live on about $2500 a month after taxes. we pay our mortgage (yes we own a house) and all of our bills on time. no we can't go out every night, and no we don't have the newest most expensive things but we're comfortable and happy. $2000 aka $500 a week off the books is more than enough for a single person to live on. even in NYC. people need to open their eyes and realize that money isn't everything. health, happiness and family come way before money.
thanks for letting me rant..again
I find it hilaroius that all of these elitist pricks recommend daycare as an option for those who can afford "only" $500 for a nanny.
ReplyDeleteMy nanny made $420 when she worked in a daycare. She did not get paid vacation. She did not get sick days. She was th eonly one there who cared about the kids, so she basically got stuck entertaining the children by herself, and there were many of them.
Here she makes more money and gets treated like a human being.
5:30: you are RIGHT ON.
Something to keep in mind. It's not what you make but what you do with what you make. I bought my first two-family home in Metro Boston area when I was making $19,000 a year. Yes, $19,000 and that was before taxes. Not only that but I put myself through 4 years of college.
ReplyDeleteI was able to do that by cooking and not eating out, riding buses and trains and buying clothes at bargain prices and many other sacrifices. I knew my limits and I had a goal in mind. I worked with people who made so much more than I did and yet they continued to rent because they refused to live within their means. They would rather rent than buy a home in a working class neighborhood, they drove nice cars because they wouldn't be caught taking the bus or train and they had to be seen wearing only the latest designer clothes. We live in an instant gratification society. It’s all about “What can I get now.”
My parents never made more than $25,000 a year combined, yet we had a beautiful home and happy family life. They were up at 4:00 AM every morning and worked in factories doing hard manual labor. They never complained and were always happy and thankful to have a job when so many didn't.
So, I'm sorry but I find it very troubling that someone can't live on $500 a week cash even in NYC. I have personally interviewed nannies who flat out told me that they could not accept a job below $500. Most wanted more but said that they would settle for $500 because they hadn’t worked in so long. These people would rather sit at home unemployed than work for less than $500. These are nannies without any formal childcare training, shady recommendations, barely high school graduates, can't drive, can't swim, no CPR training, and many had very little comprehension of the English language. Call me crazy but coming from a very hard working family, I can't understand the logic. What is wrong with our country?
This has nothing to do with what the nanny makes. This debate has taken a wrong turn. This about her taking the child there with her.
ReplyDeleteIf she makes so little that she needs to go to the bread line, then she needs to address her employer or hone her nanny skills to get a better job and go to the food line on her OWN TIME, NOT take a little child with her.
What most of you are failing to notice or comment about the post is that she obviously tries to hide the child from the food people and when asked why she was there (apparently not looking as if she needed to be there) her reply was NOT that she gets paid so little that she is hungry, it was that employer doesn't have coffee!
I am sure some nannies (and various other people) need to suppliment their food supply in this way, but this one clearly does not.
12:43 PM
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. It has taken a wrong term. We all got caught up in what nannies make and forgot the issue here, which is the child. Thanks for the reminder.
This site has gone mad! It's turned into one big bitch fest. Desperate Housewives gone (even more) rabid! ha
ReplyDelete11:56,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! My husband and I make under 50,000 combined and we own our own home. We make sacrifices. We couldn't care less what elitist snobs think of us and our used car (that we share!) We also put ourselves through school to get our BAs and are both working class. But our child isn't even a year old and she has a college fund with several thousand dollars in it. We don't buy expensive clothes, or name brand foods etc. we clip coupons and do whatever we can to save money. But we have a nice, clean house, no debt, our daughter is clean and well-fed has plenty of books and toys. We know what is important in life and it's really not money or what kind of a car you drive. It's about being with your family and having the kind of fun that doesn't put you into debt. It's about living healthy and feeding not just your body but your mind. It's not to say you can't travel if you want, or go out to eat etc. but you should do it in moderation. My sister goes on two cruises a year, gets her toddler and preschooler mani-pedis once a week, pays a crazy amount for them to take three different kinds of lessons/activities just to "fit in" with the crowd in the neighborhood that she really can't afford and is always complaining about money.
People just are not smart these days. I don't know what it is or why what other, snobby people think matters so much to them.
7:27...although your comment still didn't really pertain to the posting, your comment was the best thing said all day (other than my own, that is...LOL/JK)!!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't care what sacrifices I make I could never afford a home on $500 per week, and believe me I've tried!! Do you know how much houses CURRENTLY cost? Maybe you live in a different area than I do, but I've looked and they are WAY more than I can afford. As far as cutting costs go...I don't eat out (it's no healthy any way), I don't have cable TV or internet, and shopping is a luxury I have once every several months...usually at Value VIllage or good ol' Walmart. The library is where I spend most my social outings...no joke..at least I can check out books and movies for free entertainment! haha I'd like to know how any one can afford a house (AND mortgage) on what I make!! If there is a way please do tell, I hate renting, BUT have found that renting IS the only way for me to live WITHIN my means! I am absolutely baffled by the fact you think someone could afford a mortgage and down payment on what I make! I think the very vast majority would rather OWN than rent! (P.S I am supporting myself, my husband who is a full time college student and doing an unpaid internship as well as a dog on my salary...so two are living off of this.) P.P.S...until I land a good job I will continue to live in my means renting, rather than borrowing money I don't have to live in a house I can't afford. You want to talk about living in your means, meet my family...we don't have much, but what we do have we worked for and we're proud of, and we have hope for the future a future that we deserve because we are working very hard for it!
ReplyDelete12:24 PM
ReplyDeleteYou make some good points, but you are way off on two issues. Remember, this post is about NYC.
"But as months come and go and they are still unemployed and bills are mounting, less than $500 doesn't seem so bad. The majority makes $300-400 a week "
1. If a nanny can't find a job for $500 in months, there is something very wrong with her. $500 would be rock bottom for a full time nanny with no experience, and frankly, some employers would see it as a red flag if an experienced nanny was willing to work for so little, thinking maybe her refs. are fake.
2. The majority absolutely do NOT make $300-400 a week! Take a look at the nanny salary survey.
7:50,
ReplyDeleteOf course you can't afford a mortgage and down payment, your husband doesn't work. It doesn't really matter where you live, if you are supporting your husband while he sits on his laurels in school, you will never afford a house. Your husband needs to take night classes and start working.
We all make our choices in life and live with them. Stop bitching about how you can't afford a house. Maybe when you grow up, you will own one.
I don't get it...I don't know anyone whose mortgage payment wasn't less than rent. My husband works and I am a SAHM. We struggle at times, but we own a home. I agree that if it is that hard, your husband needs to go to work. I hope he at least cleans the house, since it seems he is not contributing financially or is a SAHD!
ReplyDeleteBTW...that last comment was for 7:50, if that was not obvious.
ReplyDelete