Received Sunday, July 29, 2007
I have never taken my nanny with me on vacation previously, but would like to invite her along at the end of August. She would be working eight days in a row and the days would be pretty long. Is there a standard daily travel fee? What am I looking at in the form of cost? -ES
66 comments:
You should pay her at least her weekly salary, plus overtime for whatever hours you decide to have her work. Just because you will be there, doesn't mean she doesn't need to be.
It would be really helpful to both of you if you can sit down and write out a tentative schedule of the week. That will spell out when you expect her to be "on duty" and when she can have her alone time. (Which she absolutely must be able to have at least a couple half days of no kids time) If you can't guarantee her at least that time off, you should expect to be paying a lot... Would you want to work 8 24-hour shifts, probably including 2 flights, and in a place you have likely not been before?
Definitely pick a range of what you can afford and what you think is fair, and then present that to the nanny. Ask her what is fair to her, making sure not to candy coat anything. Tell her exactly what she should expect.
Get it all written down when you agree to what's going to happen... then you will both have a really fun trip and it should go pretty smoothly!!
If you need a vacation from your wee ones, leave them home with the nanny. It would be less confusing for everyone.
I can't imagine vacationing with my parents and spending almost all of my time with the hired help, regardless of how much I may love my nanny and vice versa.
I just went on a vacation of 14 days with a family. I was paid my regular weekly salary and a daily rate of 1/5 my weekly rate for each weekend day we were there. I was also paid 1/3 my daily rate for having to be away from home each night. In total what I was paid added up to almost double my regular pay.
Although it may seem like a great idea to tell the nanny what a wonderful experience she will have if the location is 'exotic' or new or otherwise meant to be enjoyable, in all likelihood she will feel taken advantage of. It is so easy to say that she will be working her regular hours and then eat into that time by dragging her along sightseeing or expecting her to eat meals with you or not having transport available for her and being miles away from anything.
If you don't want the nanny to resent the wonderfully relaxing vacation that you have and the way that you imagine she must have enjoyed herself in the same way, be sure to explain to her before hand that she will be WORKING and that it is just a change of location for her WORK and do not under any circumstances pretend that she is going on vacation too.
I have travelled with many families and the successful trips are those when I am told in no uncertain terms when I will be working and being given access to transport so that my non working hours are able to be spent away from the children (and the parents)
I fully understand why some people want to take a spare set of hands on a vacation. If you can afford it, you should - it allows you to be more relaxed knowing that someone else if also looking out for your precious children especially in a foreign country where your attention may be diverted by the sites or by the details such as checking in and out of hotels etc.
And you need a break too! looking after children is not restful and they will resent you more if you take them on a vacation and then spend the time feeling harrassed by them, I'm sure they'd prefer spending most of the time with someone else and enjoying the happier rested mother that is around only part of the time.
This is 8:03 again. I agree that everyone should have a break from their kids. But having a nanny work "long days" on a family vacation is a foreign concept to me. I would love a break for a couple of hours a day and maybe the occasion dinner alone with my husband while I'm on vacation, but I would also love to see my children's faces as they explore new terraine and such. I actually enjoy being with my kids. I wouldn't be able to pawn them off for 8 "long" days and feel good about it. I want their vacation memories to be of the time they spent with their family.
To answer the question though, I would expect to pay regular hourly or weekly rate plus a travel & meal allowance and overtime when needed. It doesn't sound like a vacation for the nanny, that's for sure.
when i went on a 2 week vacation with a family i never felt taken advantage of and got almost half the time off. it really depends on what kind of family you are traveling with. if they try to take advantage of you at home, they will take advantage of you when traveling.
I am paid my salary, plus my usual rate for extra hours, and an additional $100 a day for being overnight away from home. I am not on duty overnight, but if I were, the rate would be higher.
It is important that both you and the nanny understand that for her this is not a vacation. Caring for children in a hotel, on a plane etc. is harder than at home with all their familiar things around. In addition, free time is not fun time when you are alone.
That being said, don't let parents who don't have nannies guilt you. It can be a lot more fun for everyone if you can split up and do different activities for different age kids, they can get to bed at their normal time and the parents can go out in the evening etc. My employers take advantage of the opportunity to have some one on one time with each child.
Have a nice vacation!
UES Nanny
I would agree with most people on here in that this is no vacation for your nanny. Yes she may be able to travel to a place she otherwise could not afford to go, but at the end of the day she is not home and able to live her life as normal. As a nanny who travels with her family, I always get my expenses paid for, travel, lodging, transportation, ect. and also any other costs that occur because of the trip, such as any medications, visas, ect, that would normally not be an issue. I also get all of the trip paid at my normal salery and then any overtime hours that I work. I do not however have them pay me for hours that I am usually off and still not working on vacation. For instance, I do not charge for hours after 6 unless I am watching the kids. I stay away from the family and do my own thing, usually a trip to the pool, spa, whatever, just so that I am away from the family and can recharge a bit. I feel this is fair so tht I can see the sites and be on my own in a place I otherwise would not go. I hope this helps.
I do think you should sit down with your nanny and ask what she feels is acceptable pay. Ask her to be honest and then be prepared to accept what she is asking.
If you have not prenegotiated that she will be traveling with you, then she has every right to stay home and still get paid. So best to keep that in mind when you are considering her overtime. What she will get for actually being there working thos long days.
Having said all that- families who cannot go on vacation without a nanny are really the lowest common denominator. Get a sitter from the hotel for the night. Even if the only reason is to spend a week, convincing the child to call you mama and not the big, black woman back home who meets all their needs.
She doesn't need a sitter from the hotel for the night. She needs a sitter to watch the kids all day long from morning until night for 8 days straight.
The parents will "watch" them once they're asleep, I'm sure, and then hand them back to the nanny when they're awake.
I know I'm sounding like a nasty wench, by the way, I just can't help myself. Some of the stuff I read on here saddens me to no end.
I have such fond memories from my childhood of vacations with my family.
My father just passed away & I have many happy memories of him taking us all on trips every summer. No nanny was ever necessary.
agrred 809-
these people dont want to be parents. they care about their needs. when they are old and lonely, who will come and visit them? not the children. maybe their housekeeper if they paid her well or anyone else still on the payroll. no one real.
one days salary is paid at the rate of 1 days salary, plus $50 overnight, plus $15 per hour for any hours longer than her regular day.
One weekend day is paid at twice her normal salary, plus $25 for every hour longer than a regular day.
My nanny makes $700 per week or 140 per day. Her normal day is 8-6.
and it is quite expensive to have her come along, but it is an expense I am happy to foot. She's worth every penny!
I have no doubt that you are happy to foot the expense. You are incapable of any alternative.
One thing that we worked out with our nanny for overtime is paid by giving her time and a half off paid.
If she works one hour overtime, she gets an hour and a half off paid at her regular hourly rate. The week between Christmas and New Years, she gets off paid. My company is closed that week and she doesn't have to use her vacation time to spend it with her friends and family.
I keep track of her overtime and I expect her to do the same so I don't make a mistake!
We schedule time when I can be away from work and she gets that day or week off paid. I'm on a tight budget so this way I'm not doling out a ton of extra cash and I stay within my budget. Our nanny can expect the same paycheck but with the benefit of having extra time off.
wow why not spend time with children..are you the parents...keep Nannie home..be a mom and dad...children love it when mom and dad are with them 24/7.
why did you have children do have a nanny raise them or its the thing TO DO.?.NEXT TIME GET A DOG..
so sad.. i just cant get it...
As a nanny I have traveled with families I worked for, some trips were actually vacations and other were business trips where the parents thought it would be nice to bring the children along.
A full-time family that previously employed me took me along on a vacation because they trully considered me a part of their family. It was a family vacation. We were all together doing activities during the day, two evenings (out of the 4) the parents went out to a show (after the children went to bed) and the other two evenings I was free to do as I wished.
Here's how I have been compensated:
- All travel expenses paid including a pet-sitter for my dog, admission to shows, museums, etc. that I attend with the children/family
- A hotel room (or bedroom if staying in a house) that was mine
- Regular Mon-Fri 8-5 salary; plus $12/hour for any other hours I am with the children/family.
- $25/night "convenience" fee for each night (just for the fact that I traveled with them)
- 3 meals each day (generally with the children/family)
Also, before leaving, I always get a written agreement of my compensation and expectations while away. Will I be expected to remain with the family the entire time? Will I have "alone" time? Is it acceptable for me to consume any alcohol while not working?
The most important detail to clarify from the beginning is whether this is just another week of work for the nanny or if it is a vacation for you all to enjoy together.
Oh boy that's a toughie...I am a nanny and I was with a family that traveled extensivly all over the world. Traveling is rarely fun for nannies. Even during time off it takes a certian type of person to enjoy dining, and exploring alone. I am not one of them. Even in off time in London...I wasn't up for going very far alone. So my time off wasn't as enjoyable. But since this is only a summer one time deal this shouldn't be to rough on her...just talk it out before you leave, and agree on things. The only advice I have for you is the flight sucks for your nanny, trust me hauling luggage, chasing toddlers in the airport, and entertaining on the plane are far from fun, be ready to completely remove the kids from her when you land and give her a couple hours. I once endured a overnight flight to Europe, only to have my charge and her parents in first class, sleeping in these cubical looking seats that laid flat into beds, they slept all night, as I sat sandwhiched between a guy from the chech. rep. and a foriegn exchange student getting zero shut eye...so we popped off the plane , they were raring to go, no bother asking me, until I fell asleep standing upright holding onto my charges stroller in a art gallery did they send to to rest....
I can't even bother to comment, anyone who needs a nanny on vacation is failing at parenting and no comment I leave is going to save the children. I do agree with the previous poster, and that you should make sure you pay nanny well, because when your old and in a home maybe she will care for you, since you never cared for your children, why should they bother with you?
IMO, you should offer the following:
1) Nanny has her own hotel room. If you ask her to sleep with the kids, every hour of that time is OT pay.
2) Nanny is paid regular salary for regular hours, plus OT for all hours beyond that, including weekend work. Nanny is also paid $100/night for having to be away from her home. Nanny is also paid for travel time, unless she is not on the same plane that you are on - if she's with you, she'll be working.
3) Nanny has at least 2 half days off, and 2 nights off. Give nanny a little time to recover from the trip once you arrive as well. A day off when you return home would be nice as well.
4) Discuss this with nanny, come to an agreement, write everything down, and sign it, so that you both have it to refer back to in case issues arise.
5) Have nanny clock her hours and you initial the notes each day, so there will be no arguing about $$ when you get home and she is being paid
6) Have fun, and don't let other people's opinions bother you. You make the choice that's best for your family!
OP here-
Thank you for your input but there is no way I would pay this amount. We are going to a five star resort. The nanny would never in her life afford to such a destination. There is no way she is getting her own room. If anyone gets their own room, it would be my husband and I. I think your nannies have all done a number on you. Maybe it is your white guilt. Or maybe the only responses came from nannies. I am paying her airfare, her hotel and I am guessing I will have to pay for all of her meals. It hardly sonds like a bad deal to me.
OP:
You do not deserve to have your nanny go if you are not willing to pay for her time being there! Those resorts have child care for like $30/day. If you are too worried about being away from your kids and too cheap to pay your nanny for her time than you should find an alternative.
You do not deserve to have a nanny! I only hope you don't take such advantage of your nanny on a daily basis!
To the OP's nanny: Tell your employer you refuse to go on this trip without proper compensation, slavery ended LONG ago! You should quit and find yourself another employer, one who will respect you and pay you as the professional you are!
OP
Come down off your high horse...your sh*t stinks just like everyone else's.
I don't think 3:04 was the OP - just a troll trying to inflame. The OP had signed her original posting as ES and not Vacation/Travel Pay author.
I am NOT a nanny and I do not have a nanny and I agree with Chick. This is not a vacation for your nanny, no matter what it costs you to take her along. She should be compensated more than usual just for having to work all week while you live it up at the resort.
If you don't want this to be a FAMILY vacation, as in interacting and caring for your own children while you are there, why not just leave them home with the nanny. It would probably make it easier and more fun for everyone.
I think when I fly first class, it's only fair to have the nanny also fly first class. When our nanny traveled with us, we paid all expenses and her regular salary(since she did not work any overtime). At the end of the trip, we gave her a bonus (equivalent to a one week salary) and a gift/souvenir from the trip.
dear op
you can afford 5STARS but not the nannie...what is wrong with you?
you sound "stock up" ( she could never afford such a destination ).and you CANT afford to pay your nannie. So watch your own children. its called beeing a MOM..
get back to earth.. you come across like a spacecadett...spoiled
rotten.....why do you people have children?Dont you want to spend time with them? your kids spend many many hours with strangers...its time to bond and make memories...(without a nannie)
I really, truly, deeply, hope that 3:04 was not really the OP. There definitely needs to be extra pay, especially because even if she has off time, she's not in her own bed, can't see her boyfriend/husband/friends/family, etc, can't have sex, can't do all the things we all do in our own home. All the people on here seem very generous with my nanny and I hope if my family ever takes me on a vacation, I am lucky enough to get such privliges as well!
What an awful thing to do. To pose as the OP. I asked this question because I wanted input. As I stated, I have never taken my nanny with me on vacation. I have never needed her before and quite frankly, I think she looks forward to having the time we are on vacation as off. I have every intention of being fair to my nanny. If I didn't care about her and her contribution to the trip, I would not have asked. Thank you to all of those who answered. I am going to offer the nanny one of the higher estimates. She is under no obligation to say yes, but I want to make the offer somewhat enticing. I don't think she will be moved by brochures of the resort, because as I stated her days will be long. Without going in to specific details, I need the help this time around. I won't explain why. And aside from that, I know plenty of people whose nannies always travel with them and the nannies make the trip a joy for the children and the adults. Since rarely I imagine anyone loses by having the presence of an additional pair of hands, what is with the bitter responses?
ES, don't worry about the negative responses. Instead, go have a wonderful vacation, hopefully with your nanny along. I think she is a lucky gal! Oh, one more thing, if she doesn't want to go, let me know!! I'm available!
A lot of heated emotions on both side of this. The vacation pay and arrangements that each of us would choose should we bring our nanny with us on vacation is an extension of the relationship we've already entered in to before. Some of us have the resources and motivation to hire professional nannies with oustanding experience and education, ensuring that we feel good about the time we spend working. Those of us in this camp pay on the books, pay a wage we feel good about paying, and give benefits comparable to what we get in our jobs. I'm not sure why this has to solicit such nasty comments about how much we love our children, which is not possible to assess except individually. Perhaps some of you want to yourself feel better about your situation and choices?
ES: I want to appologize for my earlier statement. I didn't catch on to the discrepency in your origincal posting and the "OP" response.
Regardless of your reasons for needing your nanny on this trip, I hope you and she have a great time with the children! As I stated in my first post, I have traveled with families I worked for, and I had a great time! I was treated one of the family so they only felt it was fair to take me on vacation with them.
Nah, that's not it. Employing great help won't buy any of us the love of our kids. That must be earned through parental involvement. What a poor message it sends when parents can't even vacation without a nanny working long hours. I get the whole dinner out alone thing,but this is different.
8:26 - you don't know this mother's situation so don't be so quick to judge. Perhaps she has multiple children including infants/toddlers that require naps and would therefore hold back the fun of the older children. Maybe the children's father has recently passed or the parents are separated.
If the father has passed or the parents are divorced, all the more reason to take the kids on vacation alone. I'm a single mom. My kids go everywhere with me. Not because I can't afford a nanny, but because they deserve to be with their parent.
ps: small kids can nap just about anywhere
Oh please, give me a break. You come off sounding like a bitter, poor person. When my children were young and I had 3 under 5, we did not have help. We could not afford to have help. Two years later, our finances changed dramatically and we could and did have help. I have no problem schlepping the children from here to there. That is what being a mother is about. What I would have liked help with is our family vacations. Back then, we could not afford to go on seperate parents only vacations, so our vacations was my only "down time". What is the harm in having someone fun around? It would have made my vacations more fun, not just for me but for everyone. When mommy is frantic and stressed- everyone is not happy. I am not going to sit here and type about how I am a better person because I did not have help those first five years. I think the right kind of help would have made me a better mother!
And finally to OP, one thing no one suggested was extra time off. I know you are paying the nanny extra but if she works the week before you go away and comes back on a weekend, what kind of time off will she end up with? Make sure she gets at least two full days off when you return to recoop.
Yeah, you're right. More nannies would have made you a better mother.
9:37 100% correct...
i dont care what situation...
my sister has 3 little ones plus one 8 year old in wheelchair.. they go on vacation..NO NANNIE ever
family is family ..why do you need help = because you are lazy or want to have fun without kids.
How about a different perspective? My husband and I just got back from taking the kids to Disney World. We had the time of our life, and wonderful memories to hold forever. We had planned this trip for over a year, waiting until my husband could get the time away from work. I am a SAHM, and have never employed a Nanny, or other caregiver for that matter. I will say this ... it would have been really nice to have had a Nanny along. Did we ever think we would go on Vacation and dare to hire help? No. But there were definately times we needed a 'break'. A dinner or two alone, a walk on the beach, just some down time, you know? Parents need to recharge their batteries, also. When we came back, the whole family slept away half the day ... we were so tired. But it was worth every moment to see my kids face light up at every attraction.
We are able to take adult vacations throughout the year. My mother comes to stay with the children and the nanny works her usual schedule. Our nanny always travels with us on family vacations. We don't have seperate meals from the children. We spend all of our time together. Most of our vacations are on the beach. There are pools nearby. Sand toys to haul. Chairs to set-up and bottles to make. One person only has so many hands. This nanny, who we are replacing is unenthusiastic and acts insulted if I ask her to do something. Previous nannies have been more like the fun, hip older cousin.
859,
with 3 kids and one in a wheelchair, everyone would have a better time if you had an extra pair of hands.
get real.
put down the judgment sandwich and pick up the cup o reality.
9:37 - not all little ones will nap anywhere! And it certainly isn't fair for the older ones to spend 2 hours in the hotel while the baby is napping. Just tell me this, how is mom supposed to sit next to the stroller with the sleeping baby and also be in the pool with the older children?
8:59 - your sister's children and your sister would probably get more enjoyment out of having the help. Then they could all enjoy life a little more.
10:36 - I completely agree with you! Well said!
10:29:
I agree! BUT using a nanny for 8 straight "long" (her word, not mine) days is not "an extra pair of hands" to "grab dinner alone without the kids." It's pawning your children off and vacationing separately from them. Everyone needs and deserves a dinner alone or a day here and there to indulge in adult activities. That is not what this is.
Vi:
Actually, I am not poor. I'm upper middle class. But as long as you mentioned it, I would rather be poor and have the love & respect of my kids than to be rich and inadequate in my children's eyes.
My nanny works long days on vacation because she does everything with us. She may sleep later in the morning but when she is up, she is with us non stop. Out on the boat. Out to lunch. To the beach. On this tour and that. Water skiing, tubing, skiing, whatever the season. Dinner at night and we always try and do something fun after dinner. In the summer, we walk around town or play frisbee on the beach. In the winter, we play boardgames at home.
hourly... still pay her hourly.
10:36 and 11:08 you s...
my sister is the best mom ever you could only wish you were half a good of a human.... without a nannie
she is great with all her kids..they dont miss out on anything and my brother helps out a great deal...did florida, paris and switzerland..no nannie needed. she loves and spends time with her kids...maybe you dont...put them on other people.
maybe you need an extra set of hand to wipe your b...
nor her..
concerning your reponse to 9:37 are you that stupid...little kids sleep anyplace , anytime...get of your upper middle class horse
You know, to all the posters who are claiming the op is a bad parent for wanting a nanny on vacation....
Maybe you all don't realize that a good nanny bonds with her charges and their family. To them, having a nanny on the trip doesn't mean mom is inadequate or doesn't love them. It means they have the added security of having their nanny, whom they love, with them on a new adventure. It means that they have two people (if not more with dad involved) to give them creative energy and new ideas.
This mom could be on a business trip, going to a funeral for a family member, helping with a wedding... so many things that we have no idea and it's none of our business. Those of you who come here to nanny/parent-bash can just turn around a leave. You are the poo poo-starters... hello, you came to a NANNY SIGHTING blog, what did you expect?
The kids are lucky they get to have their daily routine on their vacation too, it gives them a huge sense of security and they will likely enjoy themselves more because they will feel so secure with their parents AND nanny giving them all their attention.
8:59 - and all others who are so quick to judge. Some families take their nanny along for a lot of help at night. Why should the parents have to sit there and "watch" their kids when that is a perfect time for them to go out and see the town? Every family is different and just because you think Mom's should be with their children 100% of the time, it doesn't mean that works for everyone. Maybe this Mom takes her children on many vacations and now she wants one with help. If that is just one more person that loves them, an extra hand, and another person to keep kids out of danger in a strange place, is it really that bad? I doubt the kids are going to grow up defective because their nanny went on vacation with them once. And no, all young babies and children cannot sleep just about anywhere.
Of course, they shouldn't have to do without some adult time, and for that privilege and a bit of extra help, this conscientious and loving mother is willing to pay big bucks to bring with her someone capable and dependable to mind her children. Sure, she could hire some cut rate babysitter at the vacation site, but no, she opts for making sure the kids are safe and secure and doesn't mind spending a little money to ensure that. I respect this mother's choice. Don't forget the selfish, cheap British couple who are now minus one lovely three year old girl because they did not think like this mother.
OP: Don't let the harsh critics get to you! If you look at every post, people feel the need to be horrible and critical in EVERY post! Don't take it personally.
You are doing a great thing by wanting your nanny to be there with your family on vacation. But, as a lot of others have stated this isn't a vacation for your nanny. For your nanny it is like working 192 hours straight! Is that something you would want to do? I think she needs to be paid her regular weekly salary for the first 5 days, and then a fee of $150 per day after that, as long as she is working no more than 8 or 9 hour days. If she is working more, you need to pay her more! I also think you should give her a $200 bonus for being away from home so long, and needing to stay overnight with you, and she should have her own room.
In short, expect to pay at least $1200 for those 8 long days!
first off, she should have a day off.
11:09 - I know my post didn't really help the OP, but I was trying to defend the need for having a Nanny on a trip, as long as the kids weren't being 'pawned' off on her - I wouldn't take back my familys experience for anything in the world, but a little alone time with my husband would have been heaven, and I think the 'key' word here is moderation, right? Don't take advantage of your Nanny, or lose the opportunity to make lasting memories with your children.
Indeed, a day off should be thrown into the mix
I grew up with a full time nanny until I was 9 (I am 29 now) who occasionally traveled with us. My parents took a number of vacations without me when I was under 10, usually leaving me with my grandparents and taking 2 weeks in Europe or Asia. And subsequently as I got older would take wkend trips without me all the time. Of course we also had amazing family only trips that I have great memories of. But I love that they took time out for themselves without me! I have no doubt that their attention to each other and time away from me has contributed to the strength and love in their 33 yr long marriage. And it helped to make me more independant without as much of a sense of entitlement that the world revolves around me than I probably would have had otherwise.
I truly believe that a strong marriage is one of the best things you can provide for your kids as well as a healthy blend of self-esteem and humility. Taking some time off to be alone on vacation and leaving kids with the nanny is a great way to work on both.
People! Mom and Dad want an extra pair of hands on their family vacation. They have not stated that the nanny will have the kids while they are off doing something else. Perhaps they will be altogether. How great would it be to have someone along who will stock the diaper bag, feed the baby, put sunblock on the kids, etc etc so that you, the parents, are free to actually PLAY with your children and notice everything they want to show you. If I had a nanny who would take care of all the organization parts of childcare so that I could really enjoy my kids on vacation, I would take her! Leave the OP alone.
12:33 and others.
Not all young children sleep everywhere and it is not fair to expect them to. Don't they deserve a rest in a quiet, cool but comfortable spot, where the lights are dim and they can relax and refresh?
Child experts recommend not moving a child after they fall asleep. How would you like it if you fell asleep in bed and woke up in the yard? They don't want to be moved and confused either!
Of course as a parent of a child under two I am aware there are times that children will fall asleep and NEED to be moved. But I do what I can to ensure my son gets the same rest time I would want for myself!
This is not the main issue here, but I think it is worth discussing as an added bonus to having a nanny on vacation who can sit with a sleeping child, who deserves quiet sleep.
My husband and I will be traveling with our infant twins and our nanny at the end of this month. Her normal salary (at home) is $800 weekly, but we've offered her $2500 for the vacation. We also will, of course, cover all of her travel expenses and she will have a private bedroom and bathroom at the villa we've rented. We love and appreciate our nanny, so we're happy to pay her accordingly.
for those of you who seem to care ... I am a white, private-school educated, middle-class upbringing career nanny and I have a bit of advice... Please don't mention to your nanny that it will be nice for her too!!! or that maybe she will enjoy getting away, or how nice it will be to stay in a 5 star resort!!!! Or you wish you could pay more, but at least she is getting a trip away!!!! Oh my gosh if parents/employers only knew how stomach-turning comments like these are. Offer what you are going to offer if you have no pre-negitiated deal worked out, be generous if she's great (there are a lot of reasonable breakdowns of vaca pay posted) and if she turns you down, pay her her weekly salary anyway of course. But please. don't say, wow, you're getting money AND a GREAT GETAWAY!!!
OMG, I started to think all the comments were overly harsh about the poor excuses for "parents" who can't even stand to be around their own children long enouggh to enjoy vacation activities with them when I came to OP's 2nd post whining about how unfair it is for the nanny to expect to be paid anything beyong her usual weekly salary for working 24/8 and having to share a room w/the kids.
The nerve of that woman expecting someone to foot the bills for her FOOD even! The pitiful creature should thank her lucky stars this family has taken pity on her long enough to pay her for her services, and they're even so generous as to offer to pay her airfare to change the diapers and tote the luggage for them in a foreign country!
Unbelievable. Take up macrame next time you need a new hobby.
Oh dear, I see I should have read further before posting. This is a LONG thread. Apologies to the real OP for thinking the impostor was really speaking your sentiments.
Unfortunately, there ARE people out there like that though, and I know someone who got really screwed in such a situation.
Hi, I'm going on vacation with my family and leaving the Nanny at home with nothing to do. Do I still have to pay her?
Damn Straight you have to pay her. Unless she is a part time employee who knew when she was hired that you would be away during this specific week.
Don't nickle and dime your childcare workers. Even if you are a frugal person, being as generous as you can afford to be with the person who comforts your child when he bumps his head or listens to his hopes and dream and sings along with him.
If your nanny isn't worth this, you are doing your children a disservice by keeping her around.
I am a nanny and on vacations I get paid my normal hourly wage, plus over-time wages if necessary, plus a $100 for over-nights. I also think it is important that you give at least one day off and one evening off so as to be considerate of taking your nanny away from her "normal" life. Though many of you readers obviously want to pay your nannies the least possible amount, but still demand top notch service, those two really don't go hand in hand. I mean, these are your CHILDREN. I care about the kids I nanny like they were my own. In fact, I probably give them even MORE patience than I would my own children! It's easy for a parent to loose their temper, or be concerned with something else, but a nanny musn't ever loose her temper or get frustrated and her entire job is to pay attention to her kiddos. Just something to think about.....you want to have a career so you get a nanny...well thats just fine, but you have to realize that this is OUR career. Its not just something we do for fun. I have fun with the kids, but i take my responsibility VERY seriously. Plus I live in NYC where the rent is crazy! If you have to pay $800-$1200 a month in rent, you want to get paid well for the hard work you are doing.
I went on a weeks vacation with the family that I am full time with and did not get paid one extra cent. Sure, they took care of transportation and gave me a money for food, but that was it. It was a ski trip so the parents skied with the older children while I watched the 6 month old baby. The baby slept in a crib in my room at night. I would have to replace his pacifier several times throughout the night so it wasn't like I was getting a good nights sleep. They gave me a couple of afternoons off and even paid for me to rent skis and for a lift ticket on those 2 half days. But I didn't have other necessary equipment (as I wasn't expecting to ski) like snow pants, long underwear, etc. and had to shell out $300 in the expensive resort town we were in. After hearing everyone else talk about how much more a nanny should be paid on vacation, I am incensed. How can I approach the family about paying me extra on our next vacation?
Some people think that just because they are bringing you along to some expensive resort, they are doing you a favor. Its vacation for them, but not for you. Next time you travel with them, sit down with them before the trip to find out what their intended schedule is.
If your salary covers 9 hours a day with three children, but during the vacation you will be spending 9 hours a day with one child (not three), they may not add to your salary.
If there are special needs involved such as OVERNIGHT TASKS like diaper & pacifier changes, & feeding, they should consider giving you extra.
About the $300 gear, that sucks. Next time, just say no to anything that requires you to purchase expensive items. If you have use of the car, go visit a local museum or historic site. My two cents :)
Hello I asked our nanny if she would like to join us for Xmas vacation, but not to work! Do I give her the option to use this as her one week paid vacation time and ask her to pay for her airfare? We can provide the accommodation and her food and if she wants to join us in the amusement parks.
I have the tips on how to save money during your hotel stay and how to get the most bang for your buck. באמסטרדם
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