Nannyoftheyear said...
Wow, this is a tough one. If the parent agreed to pay you that much then it is completely wrong for them to not do what was agreed to. Was that payment agreed to ever in writing or even in s text or anything that can be seen and proved that was the rate agreed to? I do honestly think that's a crazy amount to charge for babysitting when the children are asleep the entire time. I know charging at night when a child is sleeping is always a big debate over what's enough.... But $17.00 an hour is more than I make being a nanny with two children during the day, although I do love in smaller city than New York city. Question to parents....would you pay a good amount more to have an extremely qualified nanny there with your children while they are sleeping or is experience a little less necessary than s decent rate when you know it will be unlikely your child will wake up? What's the average rate most pay a babysitter (because if it's a few hours a month at night then I don't consider that a nanny job)? I am pretty shocked that you actually find families to pay you that much for evening care, op do you have other families you do date night care for with their children asleep the whole time that actually pay you that rate?
Why do you care? Does it sting that you're being paid a piddly amount? All of the families I've ever provided care for as "babysitting" or occasional care have paid my full rate. Why in the world would I take less? It doesn't matter that they're sleeping. If I cannot leave the premises, I get paid- full rate! What if there's an emergency? Would I say, I'm not making enough to deal with that?
ReplyDeleteI'm just flabbergasted that nannies (some) can be so uninformed/self-sabotaging.
Well, apparently Leigh loved this comment. And you know, her opinion is all that matters on this site.
DeleteI charge $20.00 in the Bay Area for one child for my babysitting rate which is more than my nanny rate. If I'm going to spend time away from my hubby and dog on a night or weekend day/night then I'm going to get paid enough to make it worth my while. Good for you for charging what you believe you're worth!
DeleteWhy are we featuring a comment?
ReplyDeleteThis makes no sense. Why feature a comment from another thread? What is the criteria?? Most helpful, most rude, ect.... If people have a need to respond to a comment they can do so in the orig thread.
ReplyDeleteI am the OP from that post. That comment seriously pissed me off too, but maybe its a mistake to go into the specifics of pay, but to be clear 17 something we negotiated and agreed to, not my normal rate
ReplyDeleteLike I said in my post, despite never bringing this up until getting a text after having to hassle remind her twice to pay me, and then calling me dishonest for asking our agreed upon rate which she been consistently shorting me, I doubt I am going to hear from her again, and even if I do and we come to some agreement, this has just become just a tacky situation for so little profit, I don't think I'd feel comfortable in her home.
That being said, they are all yours.
I agree, I think this is kind of odd - to feature a comment without any context doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeletemy ad min SS featured this comment, she is coming over today to work on the blog with me - I will ask her your question - stay tuned. I am not sure why SS featured this comment, I have featured ONE so far because I thought it was representative of many people's view and a little funny , too.
ReplyDeleteWe will from time to time feature a comment and that suggestion up there to categorize them is a good one - stay tuned!
We are specifically publishing almost anything people ask us within reason because amny people say they come on here every day and like to see something - TU!!!
I took a long break from this blog because I was disappointed with the way things turned after the new "team" took over. I am disappointed to see that upon returning, the same nonsense is going on. Really Leigh, why do you insist on commenting on every post? It's so off putting. Guess this is it for me.
DeleteWhy would someone be paid less if child is sleeping? The parents have peace of mind, knowing their child is safe. They can go out and enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteRates depend on your location. Nannies in small Midwestern towns would most likely never see the babysitting rate large cities have to offer. Rent in NYC is insane! The Bay Area of CA, crazy too; I pay $1,400/month for a STUDIO, and its a great deal I found (others go for 17+). Yes I charge rates similar to the OP, for nanny work and date nights, and guess what 50% of my income goes to RENT!I am sure rent prices are similar for OP, living in a big city. Also, food prices, I have been to several Midwestern towns, bought my usual weekly groceries and actually paid less; Bay Area Stores charge more. My family in a northern Midwest state pay's $9/hour for a babysitter (and that's more then the going rate! for the area).
ReplyDeleteMy rates are more then justified, given the cost of living in my area; just as they are for OP's area. Cost of living differs from state to state and from city to city, sub area to sub area. Let us not bash others for what they charge and look into other factors: Experience, Education, LOCATION- LOCATION- LOCATION! One thing all sitters and nannies should be united for is: treatment, fair-pay (given the above and at least min-wage), families sticking to what they promise us and visa-versa.
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ReplyDeleteI live in the Bay Area, and my nighttime babysitting rate is an absolute minimum of $20. When I babysit for my regular full-time nanny family, I am paid my normal rate of $29ph. I also have other regular clients that pay $22-25ph. I am constantly overbooked and have to turn down work all the time. Plenty of parents will pay for a qualified, experienced caregiver. Rate, of course, depends on where you live, but don't sell yourself short.
ReplyDeleteSS here, (the admin that posted that as a featured comment) The reason I featured it was because I thought the writer hit the nail on the head on both sides. She brought up some good questions for both.
ReplyDeleteanonymous - I'm sorry you feel that way, you have actually just accidentally made an inaccurate statement, I do not in fact comment on every post ;), but I do respond when people address me and if I can offer experience from my nanny days to someone who needs advice. Readership is up, and we have a wide swath of professional contributors from many venues - we know we cannot please everyone, but anytime you drop by we'll be glad - have a great weekend !!
ReplyDeleteJust weighing in with others - having a Featured Comment is a bit odd/confusing without context, I agree. I am interested in the discussion now and thought the link to original discussion might be here in the comments.
ReplyDeleteI think a Featured Comment would be great if it contained a story, suggestion or issue that merited its own post. For example, if someone comments with a truly funny anecdote, a great link to a resource, or something, I could see that being featured. But when part of a discussion it feels off.
That's really good Kira - I will tell my admin SS your suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThat is one reason we do it - because not everyone initially reads every post - and new readers come on every day, and many times the readers will say really valuable /intelligent things - great suggestions, we will take them!