Thursday

CL - WTF?

craigs list wtf Thursday October 2, 2008.
CHILDCARE NEEDED ASAP! (Fernley)
SOMETHING CAME UP WITH MY BABYSITTER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE WENT BACK ON OUR AGREEMENT SO NOW I NEED A BABYSITTER ASAP- I CAN LOSE MY JOB IF I DONT FIND SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY. MY SON IS ALMOST 2 AND MY DAUGHTER IS 4.

I WAS PAYING 50 A WEEK FOR BOTH MY KIDS AND STILL PAYING THE SAME PRICE FOR ONE AT THIS TIME(DAUGHTERS IN TX)

HOURS ARE
11-4 MONDAY-THURSDAY
10-4 ON FRIDAYS
-ILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE- OR IF YOU CAN COME TO MINE-- THAT WOULD WORK TOO!
THESE ARE MY HOURS TILL NOV. THEN ILL NEED SOMEONE FOR 2 HOURS FOR 3 DAYS A WEEK. ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP ME??? THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Original URL: http://reno.craigslist.org/kid/859276724.html
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WAHM Needs Sitter Willing To Negotiate (Tecumseh)
DETAILS:
*childcare in my home (no exceptions)
*2 girls, one almost 3 and the other 8 mos
*4-5 days per week
*4-8 hours per day
*$5/hr negotiable, payable when i get paid (twice a month)
*hours vary between 9am-5pm
*no nights
*no weekends
*no holidays
*no benefits
*you can bring your kids under the age of 4
*1099 provided for taxes
*meals provided
*i'm in the home at all times.
*very flexible schedule - watch them when you can, at least 4 days (24 hours) per week
BASIC DUTIES:
*playing games with my kids
*reading to them
*giving them meals
*taking them to the park (sometimes with our puppy)
*diaper changes
*keeping them entertained
REQUIREMENTS:
*female, at least 18 years old
*own transportation and valid driver's license
*compassionate, patient, understanding
*experience with infants and toddlers
*2 references
*clearance through local DHS to provide childcare, no criminal history
*easygoing attitude
*flexible schedule
*must be willing to work out payment details (we are in financial distress, but the more I can work undisturbed, the more you can get paid)

If this sounds like something you would love to do, please contact me through email. My husband and I would like to interview you and see how you do around the kids.
This is NOT a job for someone who: doesn't understand the development of young children; is impatient; is prone to screaming or yelling or swearing in anger; is physically or verbally abusive; doesn't love kids; would shake my baby in frustration; would let my kids watch tv all day; or needs a full-time job because they're supporting a family and this is their only hope.
This job will NOT pay all your bills ($5/hr is far below minimum wage) and my husband and I are VERY picky about who cares for our kids. If you fall into any of the above categories, please don't respond.
Original URL: http://annarbor.craigslist.org/kid/859803884.html
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I NEED A NANNY (West Side - Madison)
I am looking for someone to babysit for two sometimes three children on an as needed basis. The children are a 8 year old girl, 6 year old boy, and a 2 year old baby. Must have transportation, and pass a drug test. Also, background/criminal check is required, but does not disqualify unless the crime is in relation to the job, and if it is over ten years.
Original URL: http://madison.craigslist.org/dmg/842693255.html
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HouseKeeper/Nanny Wanted (Sarasota)
Looking for someone who can help single father to take care of two children and housekeeping. Kids are self sufficient but need assistance in picking up from school, homework, and general activities. Housekeeping consists of general organizing and keeping things neat, clean and straight. Must be able to prepare meals, grocery shop,errands, etc. We are a fun family who enjoys traveling and having a good time. Prefer someone younger to associate with kids and someone who is easy to be around. Beauty is a plus! Will have own seperate guest suite and bathroom. Would not consider this a full time job but must be flexible in hours and time. Wages would include free rent plus $150.00 per week. Please send resume and pic!
Original URL: http://sarasota.craigslist.org/lab/842309795.html
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I Need a Part-time Babysitter/Nanny Type Person For My Children (Westside)
Hello- I am trying to get a part time job after being home with my children for the last 5 years. The only problem is --that I will probably have some "time conflicts" when it comes to my children's school. My oldest son is 6 and goes to full time kindergarten 8am-230pm and my youngest son is soon to be 4 and will be going to afternoon pre-school classes at my son's elementary school from 1145am-230pm. So, they will both be getting out at the same time.

If I do get this job--she said that my schedule may be somewhat flexible, even possibly "job sharing" this position with someone else. So, I am not sure what the hours would be. I need someone that could be super flexible. Someone that could possibly take my son to pre-school if need be and pick up both of my kids from school if necessary and then be with them until either my husband or myself got home (most likely within 2-3 hrs after school). I would provide a car seat for each of my children-I would like someone that has a clean driving record and has experience with children.

I would pay $15.00/day (for anything from 1-5 hrs) and $25.00/day (for anything beyond 5 hrs) and I will give you $15.00/week for gas.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in-please give me a call. My interview is set up for Sept 4th-so I would like to get something lined up before that. Thanks for looking-and I look forward to hearing from you-Angie 633-****
Original URL: http://cosprings.craigslist.org/etc/804285891.html
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I Babysit And Housekeep For $1.25 An Hour 24/7 Hire Me Great Reference (Brooklyn Only)
Did I say $1.25 per hr? I meant whatever you can afford. as long as I can move in with my son and have visitors. I cook/clean/laundy. If i cant move in then fine.. but some nights i want to stay because it gets crowded at my house.
Original URL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/kid/860582514.html
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The Desperate Housewives Of NJ (NJ)
Is there any other nanny/babysitter out there who is sick of these woman??
We all know who they are. Here is the description in case you are unaware.

They dont work and have no intentions on ever going back to work
They have no idea on how to discipline children, so we have a ton of BRATS running around bergen cty

They hire us, so they can go get facials, massage, nails, hair done ect and then complain to us that THEY are under STRESS.
They sit on the phone or computer for hours and chat with their friends while their husbands pay for us to be there.
They have no idea how to be a parent. Most probably just wanted kids, so they don't have to work anymore.

They end up short changing the nannies because "life is very hard financially right now"
Hmm then maybe you better get back into the work world and help your husband.
They complain that they have to make their husband a home cooked meal every night because they just dont have the TIME..
They are UNGRATEFUL, FAKE, SNOBBY, and expect you to be a slave to their children and sometimes even them. Because they just don't have "the time" to do it.

If that's how you want to live your life, thats fine. But please STOP complaining about your life to your NANNY. We dont want to hear it. It sickens me because these moms dont appreciate what they have. They have no idea how much worse most of have it. We are barely making it by and after taking care of your famiy all day, we then have to go home to take care of ours.

PLEASE STOP BEING SO UNGRATEFUL. YOU HAVE IT MUCH BETTER THAN US NANNIES DO.
Original URL: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/kid/861235607.html
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Special Thanks to MissDee, cdhere25, NorthJerseyNanny, KelJustKel and Everyone else that Contributed! Please DON'T FORGET the URL of the Ad, or we cannot use it. Keep them coming! All of you are doing a great job!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why do people think its okay to pay only 50 bucks a week???
or 5 bucks per hour knowing that they are under paying their employee?? Its just funny how people think they can find amazing nannies for that price lol.

and I guess I've never nannied for anyone I didn't like. The desperate housewives of NJ just makes me sad for those relationships between nanny and mom. and for those nannies...you chose to be a nanny there lol.

I like these, the craigs list adds and all, very interesting to read.

Anonymous said...

Boy, the WAHM from Tecumseh sure is picky as hell for $5 an hour!! What a joke!

And the one needing a nanny from West Side-Madison? What, if your a felon, she'll hire you? What exactly does "no crimes related to job mean"? I guess as long as you haven't been convicted of child abuse, you'll pass her stringent requirements.

And I love the "Desperate housewives from NJ" ad, lmao!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I looked at the West Side of Madison one on craigslist. Right below it is another wanted ad stating that this mother "can't pay much - $3-4 an hour" for a 3 year old and an 18 month old, 2-6 hours a day.

10:47 AM
RE-POST FOR ANONYMOUS!

Anonymous said...

I kind of see where the $5/hr lady is coming from. There are people out there that just really love kids, don't paticularly need an income, and would like to fill their time in a rewarding way. The income is a bonus. If you're this lady with such a flexible schedule, why not throw a line out and see if you catch one? They make better nannies than SOME that have to work to eat. I realize this could sound like sarcasm, but I'm dead serious. :)

Anonymous said...

I get where you're coming from dc, but I think most people have got better things to do with their time than working for a pittance.
Maybe for an elderly grandma-type.. whose kids are grown and gone.. that I could see.

Emily said...

Well, even if we see where she's coming from, isn't the $5/hour lady breaking the law? We have minimum wage laws in this country. Also, she's only offering a 1099 tax form--isn't she required by law to fill out a W4 for her employee and pay all the applicable taxes?

In home care is a luxury and there are guidelines for a reason.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, aren't people required to get minimum wage?

I think that lady who wants to pay $5 should look into getting an au pair.

It saddens me for several reasons to read about all of these people looking to pay their babysitters such low wages.

1) It shows that people need reliable childcare but can't afford it. IMO we need high-quality state-subsidized daycare like they have in France.

2) It shows that there is at least a chance that someone out there is desperate enough to work for $5/hr or less. Maybe 1 in a million people is just some kind elderly lady with an assured income who misses being around children and doesn't need the money, but come on. People (in general) do not take JOBS, especially demanding jobs like childcare, unless THEY NEED THE MONEY.

3) The poor kids. Parents can't care for them because they are working. The only babysitters their parents are going to be able to find are those who cannot find work at higher rates. NOT likely to be the best caregivers, in fact likely not to be good at all.

My mom once got in a jam when my sister and I were little. Summer daycamp ended a week before school started and she had no childcare. So she took us to this lady's in-home daycare. It was such a horrible experience. The lady smoked cigs and watched TV all day while we and the other kids there just wandered around in her yard. There was dog poop all over the yard. Anyway, this is the image that comes to mind when I think of people who do child care for ridiculously low rates. If they were any good, they wouldn't be working for a pittance.

paperbagprincess said...

Ack! I'm glad the cigarette-smoking lady didn't make you pick up the dog poop!

Anonymous said...

I posted the ad for the $5/hr BABYSITTER, not nanny. I don't need someone to parent my kids. I'll be in the same room most of the time, one of the perks of my job, but I am paid according to my production, which is severely limited when my children are home.

If I could afford more than that, I'd put them in daycare, which, around here, doesn't even cost minimum wage. This wage is based on what my friends pay their sitters and what they would ask me to pay them if they were to even ask for compensation for watching my kids on a consistent basis. Most of them would do it for free or trade if they didn't have other obligations. Yes, this is below minimum wage, hence the phrase "don't apply if you have a family to support."

Also, I expressed in my ad that I would provide a 1099 at the end of the year, indicating the sitter's position as an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR who can charge whatever she wants for her services. I can afford to pay $10,400 a year for childcare, which comes down to $5/hr full time. I have interviews this weekend with women who have no problem being paid this amount without needing any formal education, with extreme flexibility in their schedule, with the ability to bring their children to my home on the job, with all necessities provided for them, and with the expectation of being a stable individual.

I suggest those of you nannies who are experiencing "strife" at work need to stop judging your employers and perhaps consider another career. I would love to be able to just sit around with my kids (or even with my kids, with someone else's kids) all day long, but I have to work to pay bills. I can't work outside the home because daycare costs half of any wage I would get around here. I can't NOT work because then bills wouldn't get paid, and we are not superfluous spenders. We've been married a year, lived in this house a year, and I don't even have a welcome mat.

Snarking is a waste of time.

Anonymous said...

And, employing an IC, I am not required to pay or withhold any taxes for them whatsoever. I know this because I recently worked as an IC for a time.

Anonymous said...

WAHM - how are you going to 1099 an employee you aren't even paying minimum wage? You want someone to report that you are paying them illegally...

Anonymous said...

To WAHM, a nanny/full-time babysitter is almost never legally considered an independent contractor. In fact, your conditions for the job specifically preclude an employee from being an independent contractor. Here are some resources for you to consider:
http://www.4nannytaxes.com/news/EeOrContractor.cfm

http://www.enannysource.com/nanny/contractor_or_employee.aspx

http://www.nannynetwork.com/library/NannyLib/nan-advice.cfm

Simply calling the position "babysitting" instead of "nannying" doesn't free you from your legal obligation. I think it's great that you are trying to pursue things legally (I assume, in providing a 1099), but I think you are being inconsiderate of your potential future employee. It is unethical to hire someone for, as you state, "far below minimum wage."

Anonymous said...

Is that the first time a CL OMG poster commented?

I understand childcare is expensive... but you are still paying someone illegally.

It's just sad that there are people desperate enough to take a job that pays "far below minimum wage". Even if you think they are "just sitting around with kids". I took care of two of the most enjoyable, well-behave kids who would do absolutely anything I said because they adored me (and I them), and it could still be a challenge at times! And most kids aren't half as well-behaved and enjoyable to be around as they are... it is a JOB... not fun time!

The same people watch that Fast Food Nation movie and say how sad it is that people have to cross the border to work in bad conditions and earn little will still exploit these same people themselves in a "babysitting" job.

I worked for a family my second year of college. They had a three year old, a handful; and two newborn twins. Parents were home, mom on maternity and dad was taking time off from work to be with kids. I had all childcare responsibility and then if kids were napping or someone was engaging them then I was expected to do the laundry, stock all the baby areas, sanitize bottles, do the dishes, prepare dinner for the whole family, clean the two play areas, sweep, etc. for $8/hr. After a month or two the mom let me go saying they couldn't afford it and her mom was coming to stay to help. Then I found out they hired a Mexican lady to come in and do all I was doing plus full housekeeping duties for LESS hourly than I was making! In the town I was living in at the time, I didn't know this but the going rate for that sort of job would be closer to $14-15 hour. When I found that out (I ended up working for a friend of hers the next year, who she scoffed at because the friend was paying me $10/hr for her two school aged kids) I was so furious at how she was exploiting this lady.

Sorry that went on a tangent... these CL posts can just be so a) ridiculous, b) depressing, and c) infuriating!

MaryPoppin'Pills said...

A Texas Nanny said:
"Is that the first time a CL OMG poster commented?"

Funny you should ask! No, it isn't. We've actually received a couple of comments from people that saw their Ad on ISYN - the most recent was about 2 wks. ago from a Dad in Montreal that saw one of his up and he commented, very graciously I might add, that he liked seeing it on the Blog - then contributed a couple of Ads himself the following week! :)
I imagine most people wouldn't be too happy seeing their Ad here, but he was really nice about it!

Anonymous said...

WAHM, I feel sorry for you and your children.

People like you suck it up and pay your mechanic $60.00 per hour to work on your car, $50.00 and up to your stylist, $25.00 and up to your manicurist, but when it comes to your children, you look to go the cheapest route.

I have news for you. Even if the person only spends a few hours a week with your kids, they will be influencing them and helping raise them. I seriously doubt someone who can work at home can only afford $5.00 per hour for childcare, it's usually more like that's what you are willing to pay.

And it's your reply that reeks of snarkiness. Justifying grossly underpaying someone to care for the most precious treasures in your life because all your friends do it speaks volumes about you and your friends.

BTW, being a nanny or sitter for a SAHM is much harder because we have to try to keep your children entertained and quiet so they don't disturb you. I charge a premium to care for children with the parents present because I have to think of fun, creative, entertaining and educational activities that will keep the children entertained and quiet while mom or dad works. BTW the ability to plan the day requires intellect and education. Then again, I would never even consider working for someone who placed an ad like yours, not because of the hourly rate so mach as the lack of respect that radiates from the very tone of the ad, which is enforced by the arrogance of your reply which you obviously thought would justify the ad.

Good luck with the people you will be interviewing. You may need it and so may your children, although I pray to God you get someone good in spite of yourself.

Anonymous said...

Damn Metronanny, great comment! 'Nuff said.