RSVP?

Would you invite your MB and DB to your wedding?

Fair Flat Rate

How much would you charge for a regularly scheduled sitting job? My normal rate is $15/hr, but if I take this job i can't take others. Would you charge a flat rate? If so what's a fair flat rate. The job is 4 hours every Thursday.

To the person that had nothing better to do last night: I know who my Regulars are... stealing their monikers and leaving a bunch of crazy-ass comments in their name got all of yours deleted. Just in case you didn't know, you left your IP address. Do not come back.
 

SEATTLE -- A quick thinking Seattle garbage truck driver helped rescue a baby in a runaway stroller. Jeff Blackburn was driving a CleanScapes truck on his Queen Anne route Thursday when he saw a woman jogging with a baby in a stroller.

"I noticed as I was coming around the corner that a lady was just walking away from her stroller," Blackburn said. Blackburn said the woman turned the stroller sideways at the top of Bigelow Avenue, then went to apparently meet a group of other women around the corner, but the stroller just turned and took off. "She was on a hill and almost immediately when she turned the corner the stroller started to turn and roll down the hill," Blackburn said. "So I started honking the horn and speeding up so I could catch up to it before it got to the intersection, because at the bottom of the hill was a busy intersection with stop signs."

Blackburn used his truck to block any traffic, and ran to save the baby. "When I got to the bottom, I hit the brake, got out of the truck and tried to grab it," Blackburn said. "Luckily when I was honking the horn, a FedEx truck was going through the intersection and stopped because he heard the horn honking." Blackburn and a woman were able to stop the stroller just after it hit the curb. He says the little boy was smiling when he got to him. "He seemed to be having a great time rolling down the hill... he seemed to enjoy it," Blackburn said. The frantic woman arrived seconds later. "She came running in -- she was freaked out and was shaking and... I don't even think she said anything, she just grabbed the kid and ran away," Blackburn said. "She was just really, really shook up."

He says he was in the right place at the right time because the FedEx truck going through the intersection would likely have never seen the stroller had it not been for all the horn honking. Blackburn was asked if he had seen anything before in the three years he's been on the route. "No, this is the first. People usually hold on to their children," he laughed.
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Special Thanks to Anonymous MEEBO Guest for this Submission.

Parents Indepependently Contract Stupidity

I have been the nanny for a wonderful family for almost one year. When I started work last year, we agreed upon and signed a contract. The parents asked me if I would mind being an independent contractor. Being naive, I accepted this. I had no idea then what I was getting myself into. The last year has been amazing. My charge is great, and his parents treat me well. I had no complaints about my job. Until Tax season rolled around.

I went to a tax professional. We went through the whole tax process, she told me how much I owed. I expected to owe money, but not as much as I did. But I paid the IRS, and life went on. A few weeks ago, I learned some information. I was told that a nanny is NOT an independent contractor, and that if I was smart, I would bring this to my employers' attention toward the end of our one year contract. I know that I agreed to be an IC for one year, but at this point, I just don't think it's fair. I spoke with my MB who told me that I have to be an IC because I'm not a "real" nanny, She stated this because I do not drive my charge around. She said that I only clean up after him and not them (MB&DB), so therefore, that only puts me at babysitter status. I disagree.

An IC works for many clients, sets their own hours and pay, and does the job how they want to. I work full time at the hours they set. The pay me what they can afford (in fact, they are cutting some hours so they can pay me less), and I have to do the job the way MB and DB ask me to. I plan on bringing this information up this week, as I want to get this conversation over with before the contract is up. Everything I said at the conversation was shot down by MB. Does any one have any advice as how to handle this? P.S. I am not trying to get out of paying taxes. I believe it is my duty to pay them, and I only plan to ever have jobs that are legal. I only want to know whether I am being completely unreasonable by believing I should be considered a household employee instead of an independent contractor.

Worthy Rant

I am afraid I will be seeing a lot more "bad nannies" soon!! I have interviewed for many jobs lately watching 2-3 small children (infants or preschoolers) with the offered rate of $350 a week for 50-60 hours. The starting rate at fast food around here is $9.50 an hour. The quality daycares cost that much or more. I hate that anyone would treat a child negatively no matter what and would not forgive that nanny, but I do not forgive that parent who thought their child is worth less than their lunch.

Unexpectedly pregnant or have a small child and don't know what to do? We are a happy family of three and have two problems that we are hoping you may be able to use to your advantage. One is that we are having a hard time having a second child and would love to adopt! And the other is that even though we are financially very comfortable, we cannot afford a live-in nanny. Since I (the mom) work from home I want to either put aside my work for a while and dedicate my time to raising a second child, or have some more support so that I can work more. I am from the Central Jersey area, but we live in Europe at the moment. We are looking for someone who is interested in living with us for free in return for some child care, or who is looking for a great home for their little one and would like to KNOW the family their angel is going to. I know that posting on Craigslist is a bit out there, but we would of course exchange emails, maybe phone calls, pictures and info until both parties are satisfied that everyone is friendly, sane and real. Hope to hear from you!
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Submitted by Anonymous Reader.

Producing a Prolific Profile

Nannies, what do you put in your ads or profiles when advertising your services?

Will Keeping Options Open Come Back to Bite this Nanny?

First a bit of background: I'm a college student, and I've been nannying part time during the school year and in my summers. This year, I did a semester abroad in London, which I am still finishing up now, and won't be back in the States until June 9. This has made securing a summer position quite tricky. Usually I am home from school in mid-May, which gives me plenty of time to interview and find a position before schools get out in mid-June.

I've been searching and applying online, but most families are put off when they discover I am not immediately available for an interview. I have however managed to get a few nibbles and set up a few interviews for when I get back. Well one of those nibbles has turned into a huge bite. After talking to my references, one of the families has offered me a position. I have not spoken to or Skyped with this family, just a handful of messages on Care.com. On the one hand, I'm tempted to accept, because it's been so difficult finding a position this summer. On the other hand, not having interacted with them at all makes me very nervous. Is it completely horrible to accept, but secretly keep my options open?

Helping Children Transition

I am a nanny to J. He’s 3 1/2 and his parents are putting him in full time care because I am no longer able to care for him. I’m moving and won’t be able to do the commute, it’s just too far. I’ve been with J since he was 4 months old and we spend all day together. I try to explain to him that he is going to school and I’m leaving... but he doesn’t seem to grasp it. I’m hoping he transitions easily because it’ll be such a different environment for him. Any nannys out there with advice? I have FANTASTIC bosses that are absolutely generous as well. We are having lunch on my last day. I got J a backpack and lunch box for when he starts school. My heart is broken and I’m sad. It’s bitter sweet but I need to move on to the next chapter of my life.

Avoiding Rip-Off in Rhode Island

What is a fair rate for a nanny with nearly 5 years experience in the southern New England? I will be on the border of MA/RI in a place called Barrington, Rhode Island. I want to make certain I set a fair price so I don't turn away potential clients or get ripped off. I mostly care for kids up to 5 years old and will care for siblings. Thanks in advance.

Timing it with Twins

I'll keep this short and sweet: Nannies with twin experience, how do you cope? How do you plan for the day? How do you get the babies close to being on the same schedule? Many thanks.

How Should Nanny Phrase her Need for a Raise?

I'm having a hard time with something... my current employers are planning on having another baby. They only have one right now... a 1 year old. They are not planning on paying me more once they have baby #2. I love this job, this family, and I get many, many benefits but I think it is only fair of me to expect a raise for taking care of one more child. I really don't want to leave and they always talk about how they don't want to lose me... but how do I tell them that in order for me to stay, I need more money!

Employing an Expiration Date

Hi everyone, I have a quick story and question! About a year ago I babysat for a family whom I thought was very interested in hiring me. At no point in time did the mother mention that it was a trial run or anything, but I sat for them once, and then never heard from them again.

Flash forward 3 months later and she sends me a text message that says "Hello ___, this is ___'s mom, I have a proposition for you. Call when you get a chance." Initially, I couldn't even remember who she was, but then it all came back to me. I thought the text was totally out of left field, and honestly a little rude, so I ignored it. About two weeks later she sends me the same text and I responded very nicely stating that I was already employed by another family and thanked her for her consideration. My question is, how long is a normal length of time to wait for a family to get back to you about employment? A day? Three days? A week? And also, how long is TOO long for a family to get back to you? Personally, I think one probably knows if a potential nanny is the right fit for your family the second she/he walks in the door. That connection is either there, or it isn't. What are everyone's thoughts on this one?

Nanny Needs Calculated Advice

I was recently looking at job listings for next year, and I came across one post with this phrase in it. "We just started a new company and need someone who is flexible and does not prorate." Does anyone know what 'prorate' means in this case?

Job Hunting

How soon would you start looking for a job when you know the job you have will be done at the end of the year. I took a job caring for twins until their first birthday which falls at the end of the year. Would you wait until December or start now?

Setting Appropriate Fees

Hello, I am a new NYC babysitter/nanny. I have about three years experience babysitting and working at preschools. I am college educated, CPR/First Aid certified, with references. I want to have set fees for charging families in Manhattan. From experience, from both babysitters and parents, is $15/hour for one child, $18 for two, $20+ for three or more, reasonable? Also, I live in Queens and will need to take a taxi home if it is after 11pm. Is asking parents for a flat rate of an extra ten dollars, if it's after 11pm, reasonable? Any suggestions, ideas, please let me know! I will be very thankful to all of you!

Restroom Regression

I currently have 4 charges. The youngest are almost 4 year old twins. Both twins have been potty trained for about half a year now, but the little girl seems to be regressing. She'll have multiple accidents a day and doesn't seem to really care. The odd thing is, she was the first of the two to be potty trained and was the most excited about it! Does anyone have tips on how to deal with this toileting regression?

Nanny's First Steps

I've been working with kids for a few years, but I'm just starting to look for a full-time nanny job. I was wondering what you nannies wish you had known when you were first starting out. It can be general tips or things like how you get the kids to eat carrots. I feel like there aren't a lot of great resources on how to be a good nanny... it's all kind of learned through time. Anyway, anything would be helpful!! Even if it's the best book you've ever read that has helped you as a nanny.

San Diego Recommendations

I am a nanny from Orange County but I am looking at moving to San Diego in a few months and I was wondering what Nanny Agencies other San Diego Nannies could recommend?