Wednesday

UWS Barnes & Noble - 82nd & Broadway

Received Wednesday, December 31, 2008.
nanny sighting logo A group of three nannies sitting on their butts on the stage area of the kids department while two little girls (I believe about 3 years old?) run around the crowded department. The employees approached the two girls but they could not communicate their names or who they were with. Finally they found the nannies who could have cared less.

As they were leaving a little later, the entire group actually deliberately left the department without one of the little girls. She was left standing confused and vulnerable in the crowded kids dept until the the employees found the nannies. Again they could have cared less.

One of the nannies was African American with long braided hair, and one of the other women was Latina I believe. I did not see the third woman. There was a Caucasian little girl with dark hair and another Caucasian little girl with dirty blonde or light brown hair. Both with big eyes, lots of smiles and either did not speak English or could not communicate yet. There was also a little boy maybe a year or two older with sandy blonde hair in a brown coat. I've seen them at this store before and each time they neglect these children.

2008 Holiday Bonus Feature - Part II

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

To read part I of the Holiday Bonus Feature 2008, please click here.

Part II
1) Bonus this year: 600
Your Weekly Salary: 600
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: at first glance it was just a clever looking wallet, no name brand. I opened it and all of the slots were full of gift cards. Nothing outrageous, $25 Starbucks, $50 Gap, $25 Chili's, $50 American Express, $25 Bath and Body, $25 Walgreen's, $25 Blockbuster. I thought it was a really nice gift. There was also one of every coin in the coin purse and in the money part, there was a twenty, a five, and a one dollar bill. I thought it was really thoughtful and it will last me a while.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 10 months
City, State and Country: New Albany, OH


2) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $550 for 35 hours a week
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Picture of the children
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 16 months.
City, State and Country: Philadelphia PA
* They are wonderful to work with and their kids and lovely.


3) Bonus: $1000.00
Weekly Salary: $875.00 (45 hour weeks)
Supplemental gift: A really sweet greeting card letting me know how much I mean to them as a family.
Length and time worked for Family: 2 years
City State and Country: Washington state
*I know most people don't think time off is considered a bonus but I also received the day before and the day after Christmas off too (paid). My bosses called me on Christmas day to wish me a happy holiday. I'm lucky that during this economy crunch I have a good job with children I love dearly.

4) Bonus this year: $1,000
Your Weekly Salary: $750 for what is supposed to be a 45 hour work week and ends up being much, much more. Getting overtime out of their rich bitch asses is like pulling teeth.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A re gifted gift bag that my employer had gone through and picked the better products out of.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 14 months.
City, State and Country: Outside LA
* The mother is an absolute nut job. Imagine Casey Anthony with millions in the bank. One time I left her with one of the children while I took the other to a public restroom and she had lost the other. The child was 4 years old. I went nuts. I was running all over, I contacted security, ran up to every adult I could find, literally ran around looking for the child and what did this mother do? She stood there and lit up a cigarette and looked completely put upon. The child was finally found by an employee twenty minutes later. The mother just looked at the child and through the child. I ran to the child and scooped the child up and hugged and kissed the child. The mother rolled her eyes and just continued to look bothered and pissed off. If she didn't have a nanny, she probbaly would have harmed or let harm come to her children. Her husband understands she is a narcissistic, self absorbed, whinny bitch and he tries to keep the peace in the house. This is especially hard when the mother is a raging psychotic who is often experimenting with mix and match pharmaceuticals. The father tries to do nice things for me and my husband throughout the year. He gives us tickets to premiers and things of the sort, has his secretary make us a nice dinner reservation or something. He tries, but what he really needs to do is kick the nasty bitch of a wife to the curb and marry a woman who has a modicum of compassion for children.


5) Bonus this year: 100
Your Weekly Salary: 550 (40 hours per week)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A really cute fleece sweatshirt I had mentioned getting for myself and a gorgeous Tiffany’s necklace.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: almost 2 months
City, State and County: Minneapolis MN.
*I was really happy to have gotten any bonus/gift at all considering the economy and the fact that I’ve only worked with the family for about 2 months. They are a great family to work for because the really respect my profession and me as a person.

6) Bonus: $3,000,
Salary: $1,200 before taxes
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: from the parents, a pair of theater tickets, gifts from the children, a basket of gourmet food items ( they know what I like, lol ), a photography book, a cashmere wrap, a toy for my cat.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 7 years
City, State and Country: NYC
*This is a dream job with a truly kind and loving family. I am grateful for the money and gifts, but even more for the way they make me feel valued and appreciated every day.


7) Bonus this year: $200
Your Weekly Salary: $675
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none... not even a card
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 2 years
City, State and Country: Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota USA
*Side note: Last year I got a $550 bonus, a car, 3 candles, an awesome framed picture of the kids, and a "necklace" that the kids made. This year my bonus was more than halved, and I didn't even get a "merry Christmas". It hurt to not get a personal gift from the kids, and leaves me bewildered as to why my bonus shrunk so much. AND I know its not because of the economic times, as my bosses have NO trouble spending TONS of money on themselves and the kids.


8) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $200 - Live-in
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Note pads, beauty stuff, photo album, mug with kid's pic.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1 year
City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA, USA


9) Bonus: $700 bucks cash!
Weekly Salary: $525 before taxes. I'm on the books, but no benefits.
Other Gifts: a week off paid (I get two a year). I got my two checks and the cash in a very nice card. I was totally floored. I was expecting maybe a $50 gift card. I opened the card on my way out, and I almost dropped it, I was so surprised.
Location: Chicago IL.
*I know this isn't as much as some people got, but I'm beyond happy. My father was laid off on Christmas Eve, so this will obviously be my best Christmas present.


1o) Bonus: $250 1st family $0 2ND family
Weekly salary: $450 1st family $200 2ND family after taxes
Gifts: none also only 2 paid days off for holidays with first family and none with 2ND even though being made to take 2 weeks off
Time worked: almost 1 year 1st family 4years 2ND family
Location: North Carolina
* I was very grateful for the bonus that I received from the first family and was not expecting as much as I did get. Their last nanny told me they only gave her $100 last year and I started right after Xmas. I did get the kids and parents of both families presents even though my families financial status made it so that my partner and I couldn't get each other anything. My second family not giving me anything hurt some as I have practically raised their little boys and love them like my own. Also the mandatory 2 weeks unpaid off the knew was going to really hurt us financially but didn't seem to care.

11) Bonus this year: $2,000
Your Weekly Salary: $500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: $50 Spa GC, Ornament made by charges
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: Just over two years.
City, State and Country: Upstate/Central New York
*I'm 24, have a BA in Psychology, live-out and love my job. I'm a nanny for two: boy and girl, ages 4.5 and 6, with the 6 year old in full day Kindergarten. Three years ago, about 8 months before I became their nanny, their father passed away and MB works from the home while traveling a bit (it varies greatly how often she is traveling during the week that I work, she is home every weekend with her children). It's a unique situation, but it works - almost always like clockwork. We get along wonderfully and we have never stepped on each others toes. The kids love having her there when she can be and things run just as smoothly when she can't be there. I work hard every day to help this family, and to provide stability for these kids and have come to feel like a part of the family.


12) Bonus this year: $500
Your Weekly Salary: $500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Earrings and bracelet
from the baby (worth $40)
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months, 35 hours/week
City, State and Country: Baltimore
*In our neighborhood I think this is a pretty high bonus -- she also
gets about four paid days off each month, since my own job has
generous leave -- but our nanny is great and I want to make sure she
feels well-rewarded. We have not been affected by the bad economy, but
even if we were, our nanny is the LAST place we would scrimp.



13) Bonus this year: $75
Your Weekly Salary: $270 for 27 hours
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: No other Gifts
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
City, State and Country: Madison, WI 53590 USA
*I felt a little hurt that I didn't receive a card. I always think that the presents with thought behind them are the best. I am terribly jealous of the nannies who get huge bonuses. But I know the people that I work for are not wealthy by any means.


14) Bonus this year: $500 cash
Your Weekly Salary: $480- take home (47 hours/week)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 8 months
City, State and Country: Saint Paul, Minnesota
* 2 kids under age 3. I have 10 days paid vacation, all national holidays paid, AND I'm paid for every day I have off that I should be working... like Monday, Tuesday and Friday (Xmas week). I have no benefits, but have had a couple surprise bonuses- extra $20 to $100. My husband and I were invited to their home on Xmas Eve before our dinner plans. We had lots of fun- everyone was soooo warm!


15) Bonus this year: None
Weekly Salary: $450 per week- 45 hours per week.
Length of time you have been with the family: 8 months.
Location: I am in Baltimore County, Maryland.
* (For Christmas, I did not receive a bonus. :( I bend over backwards for these people! You name it, I do it. I did not even receive a card from them. I am not happy with this but I guess some people don't have a job right now. I do, but it is shitty. However, these people I work for can CLEARLY afford to pay me a week's salary as a bonus and I sure as hell deserve one. I base this on my attendance, my performance, my effort and my creativity with everything I do. IT is what it is. I spent a lot on gifts for them. I'm looking for a new job at this time. I'm feeling unappreciated at this time :( It will be their loss in the end.

16) Bonus this year: None
Your Weekly Salary: $13/hr gross average 12-15 hours a week
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A couple of DVD's that I had mentioned I loved but didn't own a couple of months back, and an awesome book that showed much thought and consideration in picking out.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 Months
City, State and Country: Orange County, California
*I was very happy with my gifts from the family. I felt they put a lot of effort into picking out personal gifts for me, which meant more to me than them going out and spending a bunch of money on something I would never want or use.


17) Bonus this year:$700.00
Your Weekly Salary:$700.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: a brand new laptop!
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 11 months.
City, State and Country: Westchester, New York.
*This is an especially thoughtful gift because she works in finance on Wall Street and he was recently laid off so their generosity was even more appreciated. I am incredibly lucky-and grateful. I also have from today until January 6Th paid and off. They are wonderful, and the 14 month old baby I take care of is the love of my life!

18) Bonus this year: $0
Your weekly salary: $400 (before taxes) for 55 hrs/week *live-in*
Any Supplemental Gifts Beside Bonus: A pink tool set from Target
Length of Time You Have Worked For The Family: 16 months
City, State: Boston, VA
*I have been working for this family for a while. Last year I received a lot more, but again, no bonus. I think the gift was thoughtful because last year I was looking all over for a pink tool set. At this point I am happy to have received something as I am leaving this position in a week. Overall they have been very generous over the time I have worked for them.


19) Bonus this year : $640
Weekly salary: $640 (after taxes)
Supplementary Gifts: A nice jacket and shirt and a Borders gift card (they know I love books)
Length of time: 2 years
Location: Westchester County NY
*I also gave presents to the children and parents. These were thoughtful gifts and they are generally thoughtful people. I feel fortunate now that I've seen a lot of nannies get nothing or next to nothing. I've received higher bonuses in past positions but am happy overall.


20) Bonus this year: $3,000
Weekly Salary: $560
Supplementary gifts: none
Length of time w/ family: 8 months
City state: Rochester, NY
*I am thrilled with my bonus! They gave me $1000 of it for Thanksgiving and then another $2000 for Christmas! They know that we are going through the adoption process and that we really needed some extra cash. They are extremely generous employers. Nannies in this area of the state rarely get a bonus at all, so I'm psyched!


21) Bonus this year: $500
Weekly Salary: $720
Supplementary Gifts: Three pairs of fun printed socks (their son always has to check out my socks when I walk in the door in the morning, so this was a gift from him)
Length of time with family: four months
City, State: Redmond, WA
*I was happy with my bonus. I wasn't sure what to expect, since this is my first Christmas with them, and I haven't even been with them for half a year yet.


22) Bonus this year: $1100
Your Weekly Salary: $550
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: An adorable ornament, and a very sweet card. Oh, and a gift for my niece and nephew.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 19 months.
City, State and Country: Suburban Chicago, Illinois, USA
* My employers are probably some of the sweetest people I've ever met, they've been such an amazing force in my life.


23) Bonus this year: 5,000 dollars
Your Weekly Salary: $1400.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: White & yellow gold heart with diamonds from a jewelry store in town, basket of L'Occitane Skincare products, Golden Goose motorcycle boots, IPhone and IPhone service, cherry chocolates, 3 pictures of the children in intricate, antique frames.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 3 years months
City, State and Country: Westchester County, NY
* I work for the most wonderful, classy people you would ever want to meet. Aside to my bonus and the wonderful gifts, they are consistently kind to me throughout the year, treat all service people with tact (ask all people to call them by their first name), they are generous, do a lot of charity work and the children are involved in charity products. They are thoughtful and doting parents, hard working people with great hearts and an excess of integrity. I am happy to be part of such a wonderful family. I hope some of their attributes rub off on me.


24) Bonus this year: 300
Your Weekly Salary: 470
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: haven't received it yet
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 4 months
City, State and Country: Indianapolis, IN, USA


25) Bonus this year: $100.00- earlier in the year
Weekly salary: $500.00/ 45 hours/week live-out
Other gifts: Nice matching hat, gloves and scarf, $40 gift card for a favorite store and one other gift coming after the holidays.
Length of time with the family: This January,it will be one year
City, county or state: Michigan
* I am very thankful to be with this family. They have been nothing but wonderful and very generous. One of the best families I've ever worked with, in a long time.

26) Bonus this year: $400
Your Weekly Salary: $600
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A Christmas Card, Pictures of the kids, a calendar, and a photo frame... and an extra week off at Christmastime...
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1 year
City, State and Country: Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota USA
*Please note that I have a GREAT job, with TONS of paid vacation, and my family LOVES and APPRECIATES all that I do and it shows in more ways than just monetarily.

27) Bonus this year: 250
Your Weekly Salary: 675
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: nothing
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 19 months
City, State and Country: Twin Cities, Minnesota USA
*Note: last year my bonus was quite a bit larger, and I felt much more appreciated than I do at this time.


28) Bonus this year: 50 dollar bill
Your weekly salary: 650.00 per week
Any supplementary gifts aside from the bonus: 3 packs of travel kleenex, 1 pack of office copy paper, a ten pack of black pens (stolen from an office?) and what looks to be the free gift that came with an Estee Lauder purchase (that I was not given).
Length of time you have worked for the family: 3 tumultuos years
City, State and Country: Chicago, Il. USA


Out of Format:
29)
I make $18/hourly for my first 40 hours, $27/hour overtime (on the books) and work between 40 and 55 hours a week. I've been with my current employers approximately 8 months. I received Christmas week off (paid), as per my contract and... That's all folks. I am in the North Jersey area but decline to give my specific city. And, yes, I'm disapointed. I do not expect bonuses but am an outstanding, experienced nanny and would have expected at least a card!


30)
I received $500. and a gift basket with all products I use and love from one family (I work 2 days a week for them and make $260. a week) and $200. and some perfume from the other family (I work 2 days for them and make $260. a week from them). The other family ( I work 1 day and make $130.00) gave me a selection of bubble bath. I have been with all the families for over 4 yrs. The family that gave me bubble bath has never in the 4 years given me a Christmas bonus. They make more $$ in 1 month than my other 2 families make all year. I kid you not. I love all 3 families and their children, but have always been perplexed by the one mothers lack of gift giving skills. I also do the most around the house at the house where I was given bubble bath. I change the kitty litter boxes (there are 3), its the only time they ever get changed. I clean up and do dishes and take out the trash etc. BTW, this is my last month there...after 4 yrs, I am moving on. Im in California.


31)
Hi,
I have been at my current job for 15 months
Bonus this year: $300.00 cash plus $200 gift certificate to a clothing store
part-time 20 hours a week $320 for a 21 month old adorable girl
Place: Colorado
this is what I have received throughout the year:

Ipod Nano for my birthday
Chocolates
Piano bench
Jewelry box
Wooden picture frame
A really nice messenger bag
$320 gift certificate to hotel/restaurant Plus $200.00 Cash (bonus last Christmas)
$100 for Spring Break
$100 Zappos gift certificate for Valentine's Day
Ralph Lauren scarf
Facial for Mother's Day
Leather bag
$100 just because!
5 private pilates sessions
*The people I work for are so nice and so appreciative of me. I love my job and I adore the little girl. We have lots of laughs when we are together!

Thanks to all who participated. If you didn't get a chance to leave your response to the bonus survey, please use the comments section to share your details. Click here to read part one of the survey. If you have an idea for a future ISYN feature, please email Jane.

An Extra Second

December 31, 2008
Tonight, at 11:59:59 pm Universal Time (6:59:59 p.m. Eastern time), atomic clocks around the world will add one second to the day. That means one more second to say I love you, I forgive you, it means one more kiss, one more hug...
happy new year i saw your nannyt
Wishing everyone who reads, comments, lurks, submits or otherwise supports or enjoys ISYN a year full of peace and happiness.

Love,
Jane
& Mary Poppinz

Tuesday

Beware of Nanny Samantha from Arizona, Colorado Springs and Alaska

Received Tuesday, December 30, 2008.
danger 2 Hi, I am a Mom of three. I hired a Nanny named Samantha ******. She usually works in Arizona, Colorado Springs and Alaska. She was wonderful the first few weeks and than slowly but surely she disrupted my entire household including my marriage to my husband. She broke our brand new dishwasher, burned the counter top, ruined all the pans and shrunk nearly all the childrens clothes. She is immature and a large gossip. She talks on her cell phone the minute you leave and stops tending to the children. She is constantly on the phone or talking and not working.

She states she ran a childcare center yet every time my husband and I went out she had never changed the baby. She was verbally abusive to my twins. My daughter is Autistic and would say, "Sam why are you leaving?" Her response, "I have a life."

When she left my husband and I were arguing over her care. She stated she was a surrogate Mother..lol.
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the reason we hire a Nanny --- is to tend to our children while we work????

Was Employer's Korean Tongue Massage Distasteful?

Received Tuesday, December 30, 2008.
Perspective & Opinion I have a problem that isn't really a problem, just something that I did or partook in that came out of nowhere and is completely not representative of my character.

Let me say that I am a good nanny. I won't say how many children or their ages, but I love them and they me. I am in my mid twenties and have about 40 lbs to lose. I work for a couple that is really great to me, to each other and to the children. The mother is a knockout and is very succesful at her job. She also manages to be a great mother even though she works a whole lot. The father is about 9 years older than the mother, he is average looking and looks like a Berkley professor.

I spend a lot of time with the father and the children when the mother isn't around. Don't worry, it isn't like we are playing house. He may be near us but he is usually on the phone. I am the one tending to the children so it is always clear that he is with his nanny. We get along fine. He has a sharp sense of humor and loves to discuss current events and politics, even religion. Not much is off limits.

The other day we were talking about a cooking show that feautured rare delicacies. He was suggesting that he would enjoy trying such things and I said it would never interest me. We started talking about Korean delicacies. Then he asked me if I had ever heard of a korean tongue massage. I said no, I had not. I hadn't. I wasn't sure if he was joking or not. He said it is a massage for really wealthy women where the woman lies on her stomach and the servant drinks from different cups of hot teas and iced beverages and kneads the woman's back with his tongue. No hands, just tongue. He then told me it wasn't at all sexual and went on in more detail. As it happened I was wearing a T back tank top so my shoulder blades were exposed. He looked at my shoulder and I knew what he was thinking. He walked over and began licking my shoulder. He didn't put a hand on me. There were no drinks or anything, he just started licking my shoulder blade. And then the other. I was shocked, embarassed and could not deny that it felt incredible. This lasted no more than four minutes, maybe 5. I don't know what would have happened, I don't think anything because of the timing. The housekeeper was due to arrive, we both knew it and indeed she did. I don't for one minute think he was trying to start anything or had even though about anything.

I think it was just a random and odd thing to have happened. That was this morning. I didn't see him for the rest of the afternoon and the next time I saw him, he was making a packing list with his wife in the kitchen. He greeted me just like he always does, friendly. And his wife immediately thanked me for something I had done for her that day. I went out for coffee tonight and came back in and I could see my female boss in the office and my male boss was in the den watching television. He immediately called out to me and told me about charges being filed on casey anthony's brother and asked me what I thought they were for. We had a five minute discussion about accessory after the fact and the possibilities. During the time, his wife went in the kitchen, retrieved something and returned to the office. All of this went on as usual.

I am beginning to think I dreamed the whole thing. Maybe I am naive but can people do something like that and just not think another thing of it? I have been replaying the incident in my head all day. It's not that I am attracted to him or like him more or like him less or even feel guilty. I just feel so strange. ???????????

Saturday

The Anti Bottle Baby and the Stressed Nanny

Received Saturday, December 27, 2008
Perspective & Opinion I recently started a new position with a family with a 9 year old girl and a 3 month old baby girl. The older girl is in school most of day so my duties are 95% with the baby. The mother is returning to work January 12th. I have been here 5 hours a day since the start of December and will be full time as of Moms first day of work.

Here's the problem. The baby hates..I mean screams, wails and shakes when attempting bottle feeding. Mom is breast feeding, pumps, and plans to continue for a year.

I have tried every method, position, 4 different nipple types..no success at all. She either wails till she falls asleep from exhaustion or Mom comes home and nurses her. Even if she misses a meal, she will awake, be fine, then start wailing when she realizes she's hungry. Its been a month now and not even a speck of progress. I am dreading the day Mom goes to work. She seems unconcerned and says baby will adjust after she's away 8-10 hours a day.

I have been a nanny to 3 other infants in the last 8 years, never seen anything like this. I had no problems with any of the other three babies. I've read online that some never will take a bottle and go directly to sippy cups etc. Anyone ever had experience with this?? I am very anxious for Baby number one..and myself number two, dreading hours of wailing. Baby likes me otherwise, she smiles, cuddles with me, sleeps on me for naps, we play and she giggles..but the second the bottle appears...her face screws up and she turns beet red and the screaming starts.

This is a lovely family and I want to stay, but I'm starting to get the vibe they think its me..not the bottle Baby doesn't like, even though she reacts the same to a bottle from Dad, Mom and Gramma.

I am at my wits end..advice???? I'm imagining a starved baby greeting Mom at the door at night then keeping her awake all night feeding!

CL - WTF?

Photobucket Saturday, December 27, 2008.
.... What?!

Actress with background in Education Needed as PT Nanny (Inwood/Wash Hts)
Actress with background in Education Needed Who can get dressed as a "police officer" in my home. Must be a strong authority figure in order to get my kid to get her homework done. She constrantly defies my authority to do homework. To the point where she is giving me an irregular heartbeat. At this time I have been denied health insurrance and so I am a single mom who CANNOT afford to get SICK. This situation is ruining my life, and I am so slow at work because I go to sleep at 1 and 2 am. TRYING TO GET HER TO DO HOMEWORK and its not working. & YES I have done everything from taking away TV etc.....I CANNOT LOOSE MY JOB AND THIS SITUATION MIGHT MAKE ME. I believe if she believes a COP is watching her do her homework, then she will do it. I am open to any other suggestions.
Original URL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/kid/965233548.html
_________________________________________________________

LOOKING FOR A CHICKEN POX PARTY (New York, NY)
If your child has active chickenpox, I would like for my 2 children to be exposed. Please allow our two children 1 yo and 3 yo to come over for a chicken pox play date. we will be in the City between 12/27/08 to 1/2/09. Kindly give us a call @ 432-935-****. Thank you.
Original URL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/kid/966618384.html
_________________________________________________________

Childcare/Nanny needed (Liberty)
Full time, live out nanny needed for family in the Northland (near Liberty Hospital)*** Two children ages 3 and newborn (due in February).*** Hours are Monday to Friday, approximately 8am to 6pm **** Pay: {We’ll let our three year old decide.} **** Looking for someone who has the following attributes or characteristics which compliment our beliefs:***We believe in open, honest, and direct communication. We think that communication is the number one priority in dealing with everyone, including the little ones! {Although our 3 year old hasn’t quite mastered this}*** To make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to what is expected and hoped for. {Again…. The 3 year old.}*** We are fun, outgoing, people who love all children like they were our own. As we ourselves are children at heart. *** We believe that by communicating effectively with children and making them aware of their personal choices and the consequences of those choices is important in learning.*** We are firm (probably not as often as we should be) but very loving people and we encourage independence in children, believing that it is one of the many ways to help children become more secure in themselves and confident in their abilities. *** We believe in a lot of hugs, positive affirmation, and encouragement.
*** Qualifications: Would prefer 2+ years of child care experience. Past nanny or daycare experience is also preferred but not required. Must have own car and good driving record. A background check will be performed and references verified.*** Please contact Jeremy (816)876-**** or Bridgett M. (816)260-**** or email us
Original URL: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/kid/965399123.html
_________________________________________________________
Special Thanks this week to: northjerseynanny, jmcurcio, ckc60614, MissDee, cdhere25 and the several Anonymous Submissions we received through MEEBO. All of you did an excellent job!! These Ads were fantastic! Remember: CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday... please send next weeks Ads HERE. PLEASE, don't forget to include the URL! :)

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS SUBMISSIONS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Friday

One More Nanny Nightmare...

Received Friday, December 26, 2008
I have been a nanny for almost 6 years now. I have had 1 Live-In position and 2 Live-Out positions. All 3 families were wonderful and very appreciative of me. I found the first position, the Live-In, on eNannySource.com. Once the Mom became a SAHM, she introduced me to family #2, and once she became a SAHM, she introduced me to family #3. When family #3 no longer needed a nanny because their child entered Kindergarten, they knew of no one who needed a nanny. So I went back to eNannySource to find my next position, but had no luck. No luck on Sittercity.com either. From there, I wandered onto the Childcare section of Craigslist (cue scary shark-movie music). I started replying to posts left and right. I got an almost immediate response from a family that had 3 children, an 8yr old, 3yr old, and 18mo old. They wanted a Live-In. I preferred Live-Out, because I had an apartment lease, but the position sounded great, so I found someone to take over my lease. At the interview, they seemed very skilled at hiring a nanny. They had an application from 4nannies.com for me to fill out, I had to fill out a form to ensure I was legally able to work in the US, they copied my driver's license, and then signed a contract. The interview lasted 3 hours. I suppose I was just used to interviewing with people I already knew in passing, 3 hours seemed excessive. In hindsight, there are many things that should have been red flags to me.

-The routine-ness of the interview, they had done this many times before.
-The casual mentioning of ill-qualified previous nannies. By my memory of names mentioned, I believe they have had atleast 7 nannies in their short 3 years in the US. They were constantly mentioning little things these nannies had done wrong. Things that seemed very minor in my eyes.
-The printed-up schedule of great detail, and the forms to which I was to fill out each day describing how every second of each child's day was spent.
-The need for me to start immediately, 3 days before Christmas.
-The parents' broken record of pickiness in the way this and that should be done.
-The father's look of disgust when I suggested a rate of $10/hr for a Live-In for 3 children. He actually told me that was absurd! Having not been a Live-In in years, I just assumed things had changed and accepted $8/hr.

Nonetheless, I took the position. The duties were nothing out of the ordinary, I had done all of those things before. What I had not had before, were parents who demanded everything be done in ONE specific way, and not even the tiniest bit different, under no circumstances. I interviewed on a Saturday, and they wanted me to move in right away, even though I would not start working until Monday. So I went home and packed some clothes and essentials to get me through the week. The weekend went fine. I mostly stayed out of the house, making sure to arrive home well before my 10pm curfew. Even though my curfew was 10pm, both evenings I heard from the parents how I should try and be home by the kids' bedtime, 7pm, so they could tell me good night. I brushed the comments off, I was not going to be home by 7pm every night. Then came Monday. I don't think anything could have prepared me for what was going to happen that day. I was not supposed to start work until 8am. I had my alarm set for 7:30am. At 6:40am, all 3 kids come bursting into my room, yelling my name, telling me it was time to get up. Oh, no, I don't think so! I politely asked them to leave my room, telling them they were not allowed to be in there without my permission(per the contract). At 7am, the Mom knocked at my door. I answered, and she asked if I could possibly start my day a little early, she was running late. I reminded her of the contract, but she insisted. I asked if I would be compensated for the extra time, she said we would discuss it later. So I rushed to put some clothes on, and proceeded downstairs to prepare breakfast, which I was not supposed to do, as it was supposed to be done prior to my 8am start. I started cooking turkey sausage and eggs, and cutting up bananas and strawberries. The father comes in and looks disgusted. He takes a box of cereal from the cabinet, sets it down roughly, and says "You should just make this, really.". This is the same man, who 2 days before at the interview, gave me a list of Do's and Don'ts for meals and snacks, and cereal was on the Don't list. I insisted that it was not a problem, I was already almost done. "No, just throw that out, give them this.". Okay, whatever, it's your food being wasted. I serve the cereal in bowls with milk. All of the children are eating it just fine. The father comes in again, with a shocked look on his face. "What is this? Why there is milk in their cereals?"(please note they are french). (Me)"That is how I'm used to serving cereal." (Him)"Our children are NOT to drink milk, never. Only water, only water.". Okaaay...He then proceeds to take their cereal from them and tosses the bowls into the sink, and insists I make new servings without milk.

I'm absolutely flabbergasted at this point, and out of shock I say nothing and do as he says. When the children finish, I clean up the 18mo old and tell them to go play while I clean up. I clean the table, vacuum underneath, and put the dishes in the sink. I return to the children, brush their teeth and dress them for the day.

The schedule has nothing listed for 8am-10am, so I assume it is to be used for play-time. I play games with the children, Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, Hide and Seek, Duck-Duck Goose. The father yells for me from downstairs. "Are you done playing with the children? I need you to come down". He then proceeds to show me a cheerio that I missed underneath the toddler's booster chair. "This is unnacceptable. Bugs will find this.". I apologised. "Good." he says. Another moment of shock for me. I return upstairs and engage the children in coloring and drawing. I fold computer paper in half and encourage them to make christmas cards for their parents. They turn out great. I set them aside to dry and read books to them. At 10am, the 8 and 3yr olds both say they are hungry.

I take everyone downstairs and cut up an apple for them to share. The father comes in, "What is this? It is 10 o'clock, they should not be eating at this time.". (Me)"They said they were hungry, I thought it would be okay since lunch is 2 hours away.". (Him)"No, they do not have a snack, they will not eat lunch.". He then proceeds to take their apples away, and throws them in the sink. The 18mo and 3yr old start crying, because DUH, they were hungry! The father scolds me "See, this is why they do not have snack!". WHAT? In my mind I'm just thinking about how crazy this dude is, and how I can't wait until his vacation is over so that he won't be around all day. I proceed to take the kids outside with long-sleeve shirts on. We play for about an hour before the father comes outside, red in the face. "What is this? Where are their jackets?". (Me)"It's very warm out, I don't think they need jackets.". (it was 82 degrees!!!) (Him)"No, it is December, they must wear their jackets whenever outside.". Whatever dude, they're your kids, cook'em if you want to. But this is TEXAS! December means nothing as to having to wear jackets. Just because the high 2 days before was 36 degrees, doesn't mean you need jackets today when it's 82! Finally, 12pm rolls around. I bring the kids inside and peal their jackets off of them. I then take cold baby wipes and wipe them down since they're covered in sweat and beat-red. They wash their hands and proceed to play in the adjacent room, 100% visible to me, while I cook lunch. I choose pasta with sauce and chicken from the Do's list. The father comes in and asks why the children are not in the kitchen with me. I explain that I did not think they should be playing in the kitchen while I cook on a hot stove and oven. (Him)"Unacceptable. You never leave them alone.". Yes, Sit, Seargant Sir! Geez! I then spend the next 15 minutes stressing about the 3yr and 18mo old being too close to the stove and oven. I assist the kids in washing their hands and then ask the 3yr and 8yr to take the plates, cups and silverware from the counter and set the table. A perfectly doable task for their ages, and they were very excited to be helping. The father sees this and reprimands me for having the children do my job. Good gosh guy. By this point I am totally fed up with this man! But I keep my mouth shut. I serve lunch and he joins us at the table.

He takes one bite of his pasta and says there is not enough spices. He then takes everyone's plates, dumps it all back into the pot and proceeds to add spices. He then hands me the pot for me to re-serve it. After lunch, I leave the kitchen as-is while I quickly lay the 18mo and 3yr old down for their nap, and get the 8yr old started on some winter-break school work for quiet-time. I come back downstairs to clean up from lunch, and there is the father, with the look of disgust on his face yet again. (Him)"Why have you left the kitchen in this condition?". I explain my reasoning in getting the children in bed and occupied before spending 30 minutes cleaning. (Him)"I disagree. You must not ever leave such a mess.". I proceed to clean up. Once finished, I check on the 8yr old. She is stuck on her math, so I assist her. The father comes up and reprimands me. "You must not help her with her school work, she must do it herself or she will not learn.". Okay, I agree with that to a point. But not when it comes to math. You can't just figure math out on your own. Someone has to teach you how to do it, and that was what I was doing. But whatever.

I then go downstairs and start laundry, then proceed to pick up toys. 3pm rolls around. The father comes in. "You should wake E and G by now, it has been 2 hours.". I wake them up and bring them downstairs. The father says to put their jackets on(ugh!), he is going to take us on a drive to show me where the parks and schools are. I get into the car where the father has already loaded up the children, only to be horrified in the manner they are buckled up. The 8yr old has her seatbelt on, with the shoulder belt behind her back. The 3yr old in a no-back booster, with the shoulder belt behind his back. The 18 month old in a harnessed carseat, only she was not buckled in the harness, the father has wrapped the seatbelt around her and the seat, shoulder belt behind the carseat!!! I express my concern for their safety, explaining that the manner in which the 3yr old and 18mo old are buckled up is ILLEGAL, nevermind completely idiotic! He insists they are fine and refuses to fix any of it. My heart breaks, knowing that if these people were to ever get into an accident, all of the children, mainly the 18mo old, would be seriously hurt. We drive around for an hour and a half. Mind you, I am supposed to be off at 5pm, but have to bathe the children AND cook dinner before I can be off.

It is 4:30pm, and we finally arrive home. I bathe the children and dress them in their night clothes, then proceed to choose pork chops and baked vegetables from the Do's list. I cook with the children underfoot once again. The children eat and I put the leftovers in containers. The kids play while I clean the kitchen. Mom is now home. I whisper to the 8yr old to get the cards they made earlier. She brings them down, gives the 3yr and 18mo old their cards to give, and with HUGE smiles, they give their cards to their parents, only to watch me be scolded for using their precious computer paper. It is now 6pm, one hour past my scheduled off-time. I inform the parents that I am going, they say fine. I leave and have dinner to myself at Denny's. An hour later, I receive a call that I must return immediately. Mom needs help getting the kids to bed. WHAT? I return and help for all of 5 minutes. I question myself as to why she even needed help but brush it off and return to my room.

I decide right then and there that I absolutely cannot continue this position for even one more day. I am in my room in tears thinking of doing this all over again the next day. So I pack my stuff and plan to leave that night. The parents go to bed at 9pm, and I sneak my luggage out to my car, sure to not make any noise. I lock the door behind me and smile as I drive away. 15 minutes later, I am driving down the highway, and a car speeds past me. A minute or 2 later, they slow down in front of me, making me slow down to just 30mph on a highway where all traffic is going 65mph. I notice through the back window that it is the father. He calls my phone and tells me to pull over. I exit and stop in a parking lot. He jumps out of the car and demands I hand over his house key and garage opener. I had not even thought about the fact that I had those items. I give them to him and he gets back in his car and proceeds to stir up dirt and speed away. He did not ask why I was leaving, etc. I admit I should have spoken to the parents and quit properly instead of leaving in the night, but from what I gathered from the way he got the keys back, it was not foreign to him to have a nanny sneak away in the dark.

Friday, December 26, 2008.

Endangered Alert: Missing 6 Month Old And His Nanny - Miami
A frantic hunt stretched into the night Thursday for 6-month-old Riley Archer Buchness, who was last seen with his nanny Tuesday.
The nanny, known only as Camille, has not answered her cellphone or responded to text messages, police said.
The boy's parents said they last spoke with Camille on Tuesday, and when she didn't bring the boy back on Wednesday, they called police.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for the 11-pound boy, who was wearing a white onesie and blue jeans, with his hair done in a Mohawk and a fake tattoo of an anchor on his left arm.

''Right now, detectives have worked around the clock and are desperately trying to locate Riley and bring him back home safely,'' said Willie Moreno, a Miami police spokesman.

Police said they had only a vague description of the nanny. The boy's parents said they did not know Camille's last name.

Update:
Police say mom lied in missing kid case
Police have arrested a Miami mom who reported that her 6-month-old baby was kidnapped by a Massachusetts nanny and now they say that the 22-year-old woman made up the elaborate story to lure her ex-beau back into her arms.
Police say Meagan McCormic, who was arrested last night, does not have a 6-month-old baby boy.

Miami police say she downloaded a photo of a baby with a blond mohawk from the Internet and told police that the boy, who had a fake anchor tattoo on his arm, had been taken by her nanny. The photo was widely circulated in Florida and an Amber Alert was issued after she reported the child missing on Wednesday.
Thank you Karlise, for the Update to this Story!

Thursday

Thursday, December 25, 2008.

Photobucket

Employer's over-reaction to haircut upsets Nanny

Thursday December 25, 2008.
Perspective & Opinion I have a question or concern that I would love to voice. The employer asked if I could take their child to get his hair cut, indicating what they wanted as far as a bit off the sides, bangs, length and so forth. When we arrived at "my" salon, my hairstylist went to work. He did a great job, but the haircut was "shorter" than what Mom and Dad had in mind. Mom threw a fit and Dad has not talked to me since. They were very accusatory, demeaning and just down right nasty.

I have raised my two older children (27 & 19 yrs. old) and have a 7 yr. old that is in school and I care for her, take care of my household, prepare meals, do laundry and then go to my nanny job and do the same. I get paid $12.00 per hour and I am doing so much for the family, not just the child. I take him to his activities, out on walks, clear the walkway of snow, assist mom with laundry by folding things that are left in the dryer, do all the dishes, leaving the kitchen cleaner than when I arrived. I make beds, fold blankets, clean up all the child's toys from his playroom, bedroom and kitchen play area. We interact all day. He has to be stimulated all day. I have never seen anything like it. If you are not playing with him he throws a fit.

But the hair thing is a bit overboard, considering that I had a son 27 yrs. old that passed away from testicular cancer. I wish I just had that moment to hold that boy with or without hair. He did not have hair for four years and when this woman saw her son she completely freaked out and screamed at me, and my daughter was present. She ran to the father and indicated that "I cut all his hair off!" Then emailed me over two days with insults and questioning my parenting skills, my ability to care for her son, my judgement and so much more. I felt so bad as she indicated she was crying every time she looked at him. I was floored that someone could be so shallow!! Again, he is the same little boy and his hair will grow back. I apologized profusely, but that did not work. I hugged her and apologized in person, insisting that I did not mean any harm.

Her final email to me was that she just needed to "vent". See you on Monday. When I completed work this week and was leaving I did not get a goodbye, see you later, have a great holiday, nothing!!! I have only been with this family for a month, but am looking for employment elsewhere as I feel they both just take advantage of their workers and do not have a clue in regard to raising their child. Don't pick him up, don't soothe him, don't torment him!! I do not do any of these things and she is constantly doing them herself and then when I try to soothe him when he is crying or upset, "don't do that, he needs to know how to do that on his own and we do not want him to rely on us for comfort!" What is that?? I have never heard of such a thing. Then turns around and does the complete opposite and holds him, soothes him and picks him back up after throwing a tantrum. All the things she tells me not to do?? So, what gives??

How do I handle this woman and family until I find another job? I feel so bad for the child who is 18 months old. He seems so confused. So, if he is, how do you think I feel? I just need some advice on what to say or do, when the parents react this way. Like I indicated I have three children, been a foster parent for many children, have been a child care provider for numerous families and their children, from birth on up, so I do not feel that these individuals would have trusted me with their precious little ones without checking me out first. These people have never asked for my license or my ID, gave me keys to their home and it was like "here we are, take care of us!" Again, because I am a caretaking type of person, I enjoy children and all the aspects of raising them, but I am extremely perplexed by this women's behavior!! Please share any and all comments that could be beneficial in my circumstances. Thank you, I appreciate all your help!!

Little girl's Nanny is her only stability

Thursday December 25, 2008.
Perspective & Opinion I've been witness to one of the saddest situations I think I've seen in a long time. I'm a SAHM and a very good friend of mine is a Nanny to a wealthy family of one child, a 10-year-old girl. This is a very smart and beautiful girl and she adores her Nanny. My daughter and this little girl hang out quite a bit and also go to some after school activities together.

On playdates I've had the opportunity to talk to this little girl and knowing how many hours my friend takes care of her, was curious how she felt about it. Her parents are hardly ever home, and this little girl rarely sees them. Her Nanny is the center of her life. She gets her off to school and picks her up, takes her to activities, comes home and helps her with her homework, cooks all her meals and even eats them with her. Just the two of them. The little girl misses her parents terribly, and my friend is basically on call 24/7, raising this kid. I know she loves her and wouldn't trade it for the world, but my friend feels like she has no life - at all.

I think the parents have just found someone convenient to dump their daughter on. My friend asked me what I thought would be the best way to approach these parents and tell them that their daughter is missing them and is really struggling with their absence. I don't think I've ever seen a child so neglected, but not neglected in the way most would think because there is someone to care for her, but I wonder how much these parents really care. I just couldn't imagine being separated from my kids all the time like that. Wouldn't you do what you could, even as a busy parent, to make time for your child?

Please tell me what I can do to help my friend. There's no way she can leave this job. That is not an option. She's the only stability this little girl has had in her life for the past two years. What would be the best way for her to approach these parents to let them know how she and this little girl feel?

Tuesday

ISYN Holiday Bonus Survey 2008 - Part 1

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
isyn holiday bonus 2008
(email THIS by clicking HERE.)
A) Bonus this year: $500.00 (that I am truly grateful to have received, seeing that hundreds of people in the U.S. recieved pink slips instead of bonuses this year.)
Weekly Salary: $510.00
Supplementary gifts: Sweater and earrings (that I like.)
Length of time Employed: 2 years 10 months (this is my third Christmas with this family.)
City, State and Country : Manhattan, New York, USA
*I am truly thankful to still be employed!! Thank God!!
And for those of you who are discouraged or think they received a raw deal where bonuses are concerned, remember those unemployed tonight, and those who lost their jobs, and all that they worked hard for many years to accomplish.
If you are still employed, give thanks! That in itself is a bonus.


B) Bonus this year: $0!
Your Weekly Salary: $500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A greeting card!
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 18 months
City, State and Country: Dallas, TX, United States
*Please note that I QUIT this job yesterday! There was a multitude of issues, and the lack of bonus just added to it.


C) Bonus this year: $1500
Your Weekly Salary:$600/ 70-80 plus hours a week (live-in)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: a shirt
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: a year
City, State and Country: Right outside of NYC, very high paid nannies
*Not happy, the family takes full advantage of me, does not respect my personal time or space. I have sole charge of the children from the time they was up til the time they go to bed and then some. Signed on to work 60 hours max and its turned into at least 70 sometimes 90 hours a week, I am the most underpaid nanny in the area and I never get overtime pay. I don't even get sick days, I am supposed to but I have been seriously sick twice and the parents just leave the kids regardless. I am currently looking for a new job. The shirt was ugly.


D) Bonus this year: 0
Your Weekly Salary: 350 a week for 30 hrs
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: 125 in gift cards
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 18 months
City, State and Country: Houston Texas


E) Bonus this year: $1200.00
Your Weekly Salary: $1200.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from the bonus: 2008 Nissan XTerra
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 5 years
City, State and Country: San Francisco, CA. USA


F) Bonus this year: $230 Gift Card
Your Weekly Salary: $450
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: None
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1.5 years
City, State and Country: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
*This may not compare to what the NY employers give their nannies, but for here in the Midwest my salary is competitive and the bonus would be considered generous. I am paid on the books and also get paid sick days, paid holidays, paid vacation, plus a gas allowance. I take care of one 3-year-old boy, prepare his lunch and snacks, but do no other housework besides picking up after him. I work 45 hours per week, six of which my charge is in nursery school and I am free to do what I want and still get paid for those hours. My employers are kind, decent people with a nice clean home -- I am very satisfied with my position and have it VERY GOOD compared to the norm for this area. :)


G) Bonus this year: 2 weeks paid vacation over Christmas
Your Weekly Salary: $800.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: not that I've received yet
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 3 months
City, State and Country: Chicago, IL, USA


H) Bonus this year: I just got $1000 cash from my boss, he says is for my birthday, that was yesterday.
Your Weekly Salary: $450.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: And I will be getting a Christmas present from them tomorrow.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 14 months
City, State and Country: Franklin Lakes, NJ. USA


I) Bonus this year: I received $500 for my Christmas bonus
Your Weekly Salary: 350 a week - (Au Pair)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: A D&G purse, shoes, and two pairs of 7 jeans.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 18 months
City, State and Country: Zurich, Switzerland


J) Bonus this year:$1000
Weekly Salary: $750
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Nanny Bonus: 2 weeks off around the holidays.
Length of time you have worked for the family: 3 years. Leaving in a couple months.
City, State and Country: Los Angeles, CA.
*Overall great employers. Schedule rocks. I average about 20 hours of work a week.


K) Bonus this year: $25 ( a twenty and a five in a Christmas card).
Weekly Salary: $685.00
Supplementary Gifts: Three hard backed novels that I am pretty sure the bitch read on her last trip to the Caribbean - Double Cross by James Patterson, Shadow Music by Julie Garwood and The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.
Length of Time with Family: 11 months
Location: UES, NYC


L) Bonus this year: $200
Weekly Salary: $500
Supplementary Gifts: Fancy bath products
Length of Time with Family: 1 month
Location: NYC


M) Bonus this year: $2000
Weekly Salary: $1100
Supplementary Gifts: Kate Somerville beauty products, a yukon down parka from Gorsuch and a box of fancy candies with sea salt on top.
Length of Time with Family: 3 years
Location: New Canaan, Ct.
*I bought gifts for the parents and the child I take care of. I work for really great and generous people. I am also off on paid vacation until January 6.


N) Bonus this year: $1500 cash!
Weekly salary: $750. I do not receive any benefits though. I am off on major holidays only. I rarely get a thank you until now. I am a nanny/household manager for two children under 6 years old.
Supplementary Gifts: I was also given a day of beauty at my all time favorite salon and day spa! I received a framed picture of the kids. There is more! I am off and paid for the following days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Day after.
Length of Time with Family: I have worked for the family for only 6 months
Location: Monkton, Maryland USA
*I have not missed one day or ever been late. I work full time Monday through Friday from 8am till 5pm, and am a live out, legal citizen with my own car and a college degree.


O) Bonus this year: 500
Your Weekly Salary: 650
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: gloves, small $5 gifts from 3 dc
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: Just under one year
City, State and Country: Manhattan, new york city
*Very pleased with our nanny. (Employer)


P) Bonus: $600
Weekly Salary: $600
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Framed picture of the baby & A Bottle of Champagne
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 11.5 months
City, State and Country: New York, NY USA
*I personally felt I deserved more. Maybe a more meaningful personal gift or an extra week of Bonus.


Q) Bonus: see below
Weekly Salary: $585
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: All I received for my bonus was a $50 Visa gift card, The Tales of Beedle the Bard book (which I already own) and Pictures of the child I take care of.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: I have worked with the same family for 2 years
City, State and Country: New York, New York.


R) Bonus: $2500
Weekly Salary:PT/400.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus:I always received several gifts along with a sizable gift card.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family:Since 1994
City, State and Country: Arlington,VA USA


S) Bonus this year: One week salary from both families I work for.
Your Weekly Salary: $650 after taxes (on the books)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Gift Certificate to Day Spa
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1.5 yrs with one family and 5 months with second family
City, State and Country: Washington DC


T) Bonus this year: No monetary bonus
Your Weekly Salary: $350 gross for 30 hours work
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: So far they gave me a nice Lenox gift and she said my other gift hasn't come in yet. I won't see them again til after the holidays
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 5 months
City, State and Country: Tennessee
*I just wanted to add that I gave them a nice family game to play and some cookies. This time of the year should be about giving, not just receiving.


U) Bonus this year:$1500
Your Weekly Salary:$1500
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: No
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: a year and a half
City, State and Country: New York, NY


V) Bonus this year: an I.O.U for $1,000 payable February 15. That no doubt reflects that they don't get their bonuses until January.
Your Weekly Salary: $700
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: The grandmother made me a poncho, it sounds uncool, but it's freaking awesome. A gift basket from Lush from the children and a white gold bracelet with hearts on it.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: one year
City, State and Country: Westchester County


W) Bonus this year: a measly $60
Your Weekly Salary: $250-$300
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: none, although I got both
children and the parents nice gifts in the $25-$30 range
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: one year
City, State and Country: New York, NY, USA


X) Bonus this Year: $300
Your Weekly salary: $640 after taxes and $220/month for health insurance/gas.
Any Supplementary gifts aside from the Bonus: nice photo album book with children's pictures
Length of time you have worked for the family: 3 years
City, State, Country: Boston, MA USA
*Oh yeah, to add to that, the mother took me to Boston Ballet's Nutcracker ~$100 tickets. I LOVE my family and am so grateful for their generosity and just the kind of people they are in general. I'm VERY thankful for my job, especially in this economy.


Y) Bonus this year: $380 and 2 weeks paid vacation
Your Weekly Salary: $550/45 hr. week/live out
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: Personalized stamp (I love scrap booking)
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family:1.5 years
City, State and Country: Phoenix, AZ, USA


Z) Bonus this year: NOTHING
Your Weekly Salary: $650.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: a $20 subway gift card.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 8 months
City, State and Country: Riverdale, Bronx


AA) Bonus this year: $1000
Your Weekly Salary: $640 (before taxes)
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: black leather Coach clutch
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 1 year
City, State and Country: Massachusetts


BB) Bonus this year: I received $1,500 this year as my bonus(same as last year).
Your Weekly Salary: My weekly salary is $1,020.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: I didn't receive any additional gifts from the family.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: I've worked for the family for 7 years
City, State and Country: Manhattan


CC) Bonus this year: I was totally shocked by the bonus I got because both of my boss's are stock brokers and everything they talk about is negative. They gave me 2500 dollars and they gave it to me all in one hundred dollar bills so I wouldn't have to claim it.
Your Weekly Salary: My weekly salary is $900.
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: When I was saying good bye on Monday, my last day, the Mom said, "we have something for you". So, she disappears and comes back with a bunch of gifts. I was shocked. I had gotten them each something, I spent about $50 on each of them. The kids were there and they wanted me to open them up. I was kind of embarrassed to stand there and open the gifts. They were all super thoughtful. The little girl had gotten me a fancy dog bed with polka dots and a matching sweater for my dog, the little boy had gotten me a (Peyton) Manning jersey. There were five gifts signed from the mom and dad, they were a Nikon digital camera with 15 mega pixels, a huge box of Hershey kisses that on the little pull papers say 'thank you for everything that you do', a $150 gift certificate to my favorite restaurant, a pair of cashmere gloves and a beautiful picture frame with a picture of the children, then there was a small gift signed from the dog and it was a framed picture of him.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: I've worked for 13 months. I started right before the holidays last year and didn't get anything but a gift certificate to a restaurant. Not that I was complaining then or now- I was just not expecting all of this this year!
City, State and Country: Outside NYC
* I adore the family I work for. They are completely thoughtful all of the time. If they arrive home late at night, it's because it was unavoidable. It does happen, but she or even he will say, "have we cost you your plans". They are at least tuned in that I might have plans. What I like best about them is that they totally trust my judgment when it comes to the children. If the teacher passes on a message to them, they talk it over with me and solicit my advice. I don't even want to think of the time when this family will no longer need me. The two children I take care of are the little lights of my life. When I come back from a weekend, I am desperate to see them and give them a hug. The only bad spot is I felt like my gifts were insignificant in the scope of everything they did. And when I went home Monday night, I had all my gifts with me and was showing my fiance and his Mom who is visiting and I could tell my fiance was kind of put off. I think because he recognized the gifts were really awesome and he always tries to get me something that will make me light up. I couldn't help it, I was all lit up. And not because I had the goods but because it just made me feel that they really loved me and appreciated me. The funny thing was, after I opened all the gifts, she gave me a card. I thought it was so I could have a copy of their family card which was a picture of all four of them and the family. I packed my stuff up and slipped the card in one of my bags. Only on Tuesday, the next day, did I open it and realize it had a check in it. I thought with all of those gifts, that was surely it for me. I go back to work on the Friday after New Years and these days are all extra because I already took my vacation this year. 12/24 extra info from author- I just read the comments and I don't think I was clear about the check. When I received the cash of $2500 and all of the presents, I was going home and not returning until January. I had assumed that the bonus was combined with the rest of the days off they were giving me as extra paid days. I never would have thought I got a $2500 bonus, even without all of those amazing gifts. Like I said, both of my employers work on Wall Street and they have been very stressed and worried about things. I never thought that I would open a card and see a check for the days off (rounded up) additionally. That's why I was shocked.


DD) Bonus this year: Nothing.
Your Weekly Salary: My weekly salary is $775.00
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus: An Ove glove and a candle that smells like bug spray.
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family: 2 yrs.
City, State and Country: NYC
* Last year, I got a bonus of $775.00, so this R E A L L Y hurts.


EE) I work for a family on Mondays and Wednesdays for about 15 hours each week (I am a student, so can only do PT work). I'll also do occasional times or whenever I do not have class for a day. They have 2 6 mo old twins and a almost 3 year old who is in preschool, so I only have the twins unless the older child's school is closed. I get paid $25 per hour for the twins and $35 for the three of them. I get paid for 15 hours each week, even if they don't end up needing them all- and get paid extra for anything additional, even if they only used me for 6 of the regular hours, I'll get paid extra to work on a Tuesday or whatever. I just got my holiday bonus (my first, as I just started with them in March last year) and I got an iPhone gift card, a mac book air, and a check for $1000 dollars. I was FLOORED! and was not expecting all that at ALL! The family is amazing in general, always very considerate to make sure I have food in the house that I like, to make sure I get a break if I end up working a longer day (if I stay to do night sitting etc.) basically they are amazing!!! Plus, it was so thoughtful of them, as they know I desperately wanted an iphone and was waiting for my 2 year contract to allow me to renew!


Want to share? If you are an employer or employee, please email jane at isawyournanny@aol.com with your specifics. Part 2 will be published on December 31.

Monday

Employer feels nanny is making herself too comfy

Monday, December 22, 2008.
Perspective & Opinion Help - What is the polite way to tell a nanny to occupy herself in her quarters after hours? We have a new nanny and we told her to make herself at home and last night she was sprawled out on the sofa in the main living room wearing a flannel nightgown and cuddled up in my snuggie. We want her to feel at home but ...

Is there a market for short-term nannies?

Monday, December 22, 2008.
Perspective & Opinion Looking for feedback. I currently work for a non-profit federally mandated preschool supervising the preschool teachers. I have worked in the preschool classroom setting as well. The preschool is not open in the summer, so I seek alternative employment. I have a master's degree in health education, am an adjunct instructor at the local University, CPR/First Aid certified, Food handlers Permit, clean driving record, 10 years of child care experience and excellent references. I was wondering if there was a need for short-term emergency nannies? I would be interested in nannying for familes who need someone to fill in for their regular nanny. I would be willing to stay up to 2 weeks per job. I would request that my flight be paid for, but my salary would be fair. Thoughts? (And no, this is not a scam. I am really interested in knowing if this is something people would be interested in).

Sunday

Don't Forget!

Meez 3D avatar avatars games 2008 Holiday Bonus Survey
Nannies & Employers, please include:
Bonus this year:
Your Weekly Salary:
Any Supplementary Gifts aside from The Bonus:
Length of Time you Have worked for the Family:
City, State and Country:
Please do not leave your responses here. Please either email your survey to isawyournanny@aol.com or use MEEBO to send an anonymous instant message with your details.

Saturday

CL - WTF?

craigs list wtf Saturday, December 20, 2008.
.... What?!

Will sit for free on New Years Eve (Los Angeles/South Bay)
I do childcare for different families all of which will either be away or otherwise occupied for the holiday. If you want to go out for New Years or need help and can't afford it, I would love to help you out. I'm located just north of LAX near El Segundo Westchester and Inglewood. This is totally legit...no catches.
Original URL: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/kid/964514834.html
_________________________________________________________

This Family makes it a habit of hiring strangers from CL (check out the dates):

Need Sitter In My Home TONIGHT! (Newport News/Hampton)
Date: 2008-12-13, 4:05PM EST
I'm looking for a sitter tonight so my husband and I are able to go out for a night just the two of us. We have a 4 year old girl and a 2 year old little boy. By the time you get here they will be asleep in their beds. Please do give me a call at 757-969-****. Thank you for your time.
Original URL: http://norfolk.craigslist.org/kid/956757199.html

Sitter Needed ASAP!!! TODAY!!! (Newport News/Hampton)
Date: 2008-12-17, 11:46AM EST
My husband and I are looking for a sitter to care for our kids while we go out grocie shopping. We have 4 kids and they are great. The care would need to be done here in our home. We want to go out today at 2:45pm or so. Contact me at 757-969-**** ASAP Thank you for your time. -Colleen
Original URL: http://norfolk.craigslist.org/kid/961396116.html
_________________________________________________________

Help?? (Oceana)
In need of last minute care tonite for an 18 month old...but won't have any money for repayment until Tuesday. Any generous people out there?
Original URL: http://norfolk.craigslist.org/kid/964400322.html
_________________________________________________________
Special Thanks this week to: northjerseynanny, MissDee, WOW and the several Anonymous Submissions we received through Meebo. All of you did an awesome job! Remember: CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday... please send next weeks Ads HERE.

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS SUBMISSIONS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Pierrepont Street - Brooklyn, NY

Received Saturday, December 20, 2008.
nanny sighting logo I saw your nanny on Pierrepont street between Henry Street and Hicks Street on Monday December 15th 2008...Your nanny is of Carribean background with an island accent and has braids and was wearing a brown 3/4 length coat....your child is a approx 3 years old with Blonde hair and had pink on....your nanny was talking on a cell phone and not paying attention at all to your child who was walking behind her and could have been taken or walked into the street. I confronted your nanny and asked her why the child was walking alone, your nanny began to raise her voice at me and asked "does she look like she is walking alone?" and I said yes she does...another man in the street agreed with me and also scolded your nanny.

Heartbroken...

Received Saturday, December 20, 2008
rant on isynm I am sure I am going to get flamed but here goes. I am a career nanny and have been so for the last 7 years. I had a position (live-in) for over a year with a wonderful family in Manhattan. It was with a wonderful baby boy who was 8 weeks when I started. It was full-time and very long hours but they compensated for over-time, gave me full benefits, on the books, etc. The parents were a nice couple who worked very long hours, he worked in finance and she was in a residency program to be a radiologist. There were many days where they didn't even see him! I would be the person to get him from his crib and usually the one to put him to bed. I bathed him, fed him, set up nap and feeding schedules, introduced new foods, cooked (once he was ready for solids), etc.

I was there, like I said, for over a year and then one day in mid September it happened. I worked a regular day and the Dad got home about 5pm. We chatted for awhile and things were fine. He went into his room to change and came back with a grim look on his face. He told me with a shaky voice that his wife's mother was coming to live with them because she decided to divorce her husband (she resided in Texas) and they would no longer need me. I was in complete shock and of course my first question was, what did I do wrong?? I started crying and he assured me that it was nothing I did, and this is just the situation. They thought long and hard about trying to keep me but with her moving in (into MY room), they just didn't need me. They also told me she was arriving THAT coming monday. So starting monday, I was laid off. I started to cry. He assured me that they appreciated everything I did for the last year and that they would give me wonderful references and that they thought of me like family. They paid me 10 weeks severance pay. That was really generous of them, I know. I asked why they didn't tell me sooner and he said they kept trying but it was too upsetting. He actually got a little teary eyed also. The mother got home in a little while and we all hugged, cried and talked about things and it was decided I would come and get my stuff that weekend or during the week, which I did.

Its been 3 months and I am basically still as devastated as I was that day. I miss the baby so much. I feel like they should have given me some warning. I know they gave me great severance pay. Its just I spent so much time with him I guess I got too attached. I actually will have dreams that I am still working there or I am holding the baby or we are at the playground. We said that we would keep in touch but I haven't seen them for 3 months. I am still so sad and I feel like its affecting my life. I got a new position but I am just not happy. I keep comparing it to my other job. The weird thing is, I was at positions for so much longer than this one but I got so attached to this one baby. I didn't know it at the time, but I know now! I feel like there is more to the story and I feel like I did something wrong. I just don't know how to get over it. I guess I will in time. I know that if I were reading this about someone else my first reaction would be that this OP is crazy and shouldn't be nannying if she gets soo attached. I am not crazy. I just miss them a lot.

More Bonus Talk...

Received Saturday, December 20, 2008
Perspective & Opinion I am a Nanny and I recently got my Christmas bonus from the family I've been working with for the past 11 months. I know a lot of you are going to say that I should be thankful for getting a bonus in these hard times. But I was wondering how much bonus should one get? What is the appropriate amount to give a Nanny? Is it based on length of time at the job or your experience? One week pay or two weeks pay?

Speaking of bonuses, don't forget to participate in our 2008 bonus survey. Employers and nannies!

Friday

Sad News....

Authorities Confirm Remains Are Caylee Anthony's - CNN
The remains found in a wooded area last week in Orange County, Florida, are those of Caylee Anthony, authorities confirmed at a news conference Friday.
"It is with regret that I'm here to inform you that the skeletal remains found December 11 are those of the missing toddler," said Dr. Jan Garavaglia, the Orange County medical examiner.
The remains were confirmed to be Caylee's through a DNA match, authorities said.
Garavaglia said the cause of death was homicide, but she could not determine how Caylee was killed.

Is spoiled Nanny expecting too much from new family?

Received Friday, December 19, 2008
Perspective & Opinion I have a question that is kind of strange. We recently inherited a nanny from a good friend of ours. They were moving from Boston and the nanny has family in CA and did not want to leave. My good friend recommended that she interview with us. She came to our house. We live in one of the developments that you might see on a show like Weeds, perfectly lovely, but our friends live on a hill with 2 acres overlooking everything spectacular. They have a full time housekeeper, we have a housekeeper that comes once every two weeks.

The nanny is great with the children. She's a great nanny, but she continually makes references to our lifestyle as if it is beneath her. As I said, our home is perfectly lovely. There are things we don't have that she is accustom to, namely the housekeeper, grocery delivery, a garbage compacter, etc. etc, etc.

The vehicle we provide for our nanny to drive is a 2003 Acura MDX. The nanny had been driving a 2007 Lexus SUV. She keeps complaining that the brakes feel like they are giving out or something is wrong with the steering or that she is afraid something is going to give out. Her other comments lead me to believe she wants a better nanny car. And there are people in our neighborhood who provide better nanny vehicles, but we aren't quite ready to turn it in, yet I cannot help feel like I am being pressured by the nanny.

There are other things she does too. She wants to shop only at stores like whole foods. She eats with the children and she says she doesn't want to eat chicken from a Safeway. Nevermind, I doubt she shops at whole foods for her brood.

If she weren't so consistently reliable and great with our children and I didn't fear how bad a nanny could really be, I would make a change. Has anyone else dealt with a nanny that previously worked for a family with a lot more money? And how did that go for you?