I would like everyone's opinions on this. For 2 years i have worked as a Nanny. I got into the position because I wanted to change lives. My first family treated me like dirt. I got paid 200 a week for 50 + hours. My boss did encourage me to apply for food stamps though! Nothing was ever good enough for her but yet she sung the praises of me to all of her rich friends. Job #2. More money same junk. I am not anyone's MAID! It has become hard to play with the kids when all I can think about is the MOUNTAIN of chores that must be done. I do everyone's laundry and clean every room in the home as well as care for the children. Its a very cold feeling in the home. I no longer feel that I am helping anyone but the parents (as opposed to the children).
Tuesday
Nanny, the Maid
Received Monday, January 3, 2011
I would like everyone's opinions on this. For 2 years i have worked as a Nanny. I got into the position because I wanted to change lives. My first family treated me like dirt. I got paid 200 a week for 50 + hours. My boss did encourage me to apply for food stamps though! Nothing was ever good enough for her but yet she sung the praises of me to all of her rich friends. Job #2. More money same junk. I am not anyone's MAID! It has become hard to play with the kids when all I can think about is the MOUNTAIN of chores that must be done. I do everyone's laundry and clean every room in the home as well as care for the children. Its a very cold feeling in the home. I no longer feel that I am helping anyone but the parents (as opposed to the children).
I would like everyone's opinions on this. For 2 years i have worked as a Nanny. I got into the position because I wanted to change lives. My first family treated me like dirt. I got paid 200 a week for 50 + hours. My boss did encourage me to apply for food stamps though! Nothing was ever good enough for her but yet she sung the praises of me to all of her rich friends. Job #2. More money same junk. I am not anyone's MAID! It has become hard to play with the kids when all I can think about is the MOUNTAIN of chores that must be done. I do everyone's laundry and clean every room in the home as well as care for the children. Its a very cold feeling in the home. I no longer feel that I am helping anyone but the parents (as opposed to the children).
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16 comments:
You review and clarify the job description before ever starting work. Think first and practice discussing your expectations as a nanny. Expect to be paid fairly for your level of quality work. Try to get a contact, and be legal/be on a payroll, with taxes withheld. Consider working through an agency if you feel you need a go-between in dealing with your employers. Don't whine and complain, make good decisions and respect yourself.
Best wishes.
Sorry about my typo. The above comment should say "try to get a CONTRACT," not contact. Although we can all use good contacts also.
I've been in the same position you're in and it sucks, but the only one who can change things is you. For me, by the time I tried to stand up for myself it had gone too far and couldn't be fixed. I had to get a new job and speak up from the start. I'm all for helping the family out if I have some extra time, but never again will I let the tv babysit the kids so I can clean the bathroom.
If you want to change lives, focus on people whose lives need changing (impoverished children living in the inner city for example). Rich people who can afford nannies don't really need any help with their lives. Like so many nannies have stated on here - nannies just make it possible so they can ignore their own children and pay someone else to raise them.
I am not a nanny. I am a cleaning lady, with my own small business. I am also a mom to grown children, who did not have a nanny. Do you know how much money cleaning ladies make? I don't do laundry or pick up, just clean- and I make upwards of $35 an hour. If you are cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, you are now an offical cleaning lady and should get paid accordingly. These lazy rich people should be ashamed of taking advantage of you!
I would say you should ask for extra money for the household cleaning, at $35 an hour. The only thing I would say a nanny should be responsible for is making the kids beds and cleaning up after meals.
Or, tell your boss what I tell clients who try to take advantage of me and ask for extras for free- since I've done all the heavy cleaning, you should be freed up on Saturday to do it yourself!
Christine,
I have a cleaning lady with a crew that cleans my apt once a month; I gave her half of a cleaning service bonus for Xmas in a nice thx u card. We didn't have much money to give but I've been feeling horrible for not giving a whole cleaning service bonus. They have only worked for us for 5 months and We did give them an extra $20 after the third month but I still feel bad. As someone in that profession would you be upset by this?
I must add that I did recommend her to my employers who did hire her but didn't give a bonus at all. I almost said something to them but I didn't want to start problems at my own job.
You might want to read the post below this one. It's important to get a contract that outlines your duties with the children, ONLY.
I recieve different things from different clients. Some give a weeks salary, some round up from $65 or $75 to $100, and I have two who give me two weeks pay. This year I had a client give me six chocolates in a plastic baggie, then left a note to do extra stuff for free and then texted me the next day to complain that the free things I did weren't done good enough! Merry Christmas, huh?
I don't usually get upset about bonuses. They are "bonuses" after all and I am well paid all year long. Most of my clients are nice and appreciative and that is enough most times.
One more thing on the nanny cleaning the house... I said she should make the kids beds but I'd like to add that if the kids are older than say, six, she should teach them to make their own beds. After all, some day the children will grow up and need basic skills to get through life. Nanny doesn't = slave. My kids always knew how to do basic chores like folding laundry and running a vacuum.
NANNY: Take care of the children, make food for the children, bath the children, do activities with the children, teach the children, go to play dates with the children, clean up after yourself/children, take children to the park/fun outings, read to the children, play with the children, discipline the children, love the children. AND THATS IT!!
PERSONAL ASSISTANT: All of the above PLUS: do laundry for the adults, clean the house for the adults, grocery shop for the adults, organize for the adults, run errands for the adults, make food for the adults, clean the car for the adults, sweep the porch for the adults, clean out the fridge for the adults, do the dishes for the adults, clean up after the adults.........pretty much do everything for the adults including listening to them complain about their busy lives, and how your not doing enough around the house ;-)
I had one bad experience , and now I make it crystal clear that I am the Nanny......NOT the Personal assistant.
I have been a nanny now for six years and almost every job interview i have been on lately asks about housekeeping but doesnt want to pay more. Its just expected now for your nanny to do housework without the extra pay.
I agree with a mom. If you really have an altruistic yearning to change lives, you're in the wrong profession. After you're gone, the kids will grow up to be like their parents (for better or worse).
OP Here...I accidentally hit enter before I could finish typing so I'm surprised it ended up on here
I think these people just have no clue on Nanny etiquette
And yes I know that rich people do not need their lives changed or greatly impacted. I am considering elderly care. I think our aging population is often forgotten and they just want someone to talk to! I can't imagine working hard my whole life only to be put somewhere and ignored or not listened to.
Thank for the advice. I plan on having a discussion with the MB and DB Monday :)
If you want to help people, go into Education. Be a real teacher. As long as you are a nanny, you are merely caring for children while their mothers ignore them.
I have wondered this as well, why do many families consider a Nanny someone who also keeps the house clean? I mean, has the definition changed or what??! A Nanny is there to care for your children first and foremost, then IF there is any down time then it is reasonable to ask her to perhaps do the children's laundry, wash children's dishes/bottles, clean up any toys, wipe strollers, etc. Anything not child-related is slavery. Period.
OP, it may be too late to fix things with your current family since they seem to not understand the true definition of a Nanny. It might be best to move on unless they admit they are confused to what a true nanny does.
In the future, stress many times during interviews that your primary concern is the safety and welfare of the said child. Let them know you are willing to do "child-related" tasks ONLY as time permits and only tasks that contribute to the well-being and happiness and care of the child.
Elder care sounds great op. My aunt works in a nursing home run by nuns and says it's the best job ever; She handles their finances.
Teaching is also a very good field, we could always us more teachers!
I do agree with others who say this family might not change and prob will start treating you a little different once you bring up the issues, so be prepared.
If your boss said you should apply for Food Stamps, then she is admitting she does not pay you enough. What a loser she is!! Leave.
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