https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:17:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836725 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 05:31:44 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2836725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just posted a position on Care.com for a nanny. Some nannies wanted mileage reimbursement. Not quite the same as gas money, but still related to your car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836702 Sun, 29 Jul 2018 21:23:29 +0000 Anagram 2836702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@threeplusme: when we had a full time nanny (well, even now when we have a part time sitter that does after school pickup), we paid $3 more an hour when she had both girls. So if her base rate was $16, then we paid $19 for 2 kids if she had them together.</p> <p>Our full time nanny got 2 official weeks paid vacation but the contract also stipulated that any days we went out of town were also paid for her, so she ended up getting about 3.5 paid weeks a year. She once asked for another weeks vacation on top of that, and we gave her the week but unpaid. She had 5 paid sick days, and 1 week's pay holiday bonus. I think that's pretty standard in our town. Her only duties were to do the kid's laundry 1x a week during nap time. I didn't expect her to prepare food or do anything else other than really engage the kiddos and keep them busy and on schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836538 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 16:56:46 +0000 sooz 2836538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in the SF Bay Area, which is considerably more expensive. We have a nanny who takes care of my two sons and we pay her $25/hr. We've had her for 5 years going on 6.</p> <p>She doesn't drive, but takes the bus, so we do purchase an unlimited bus pass for her. Nannies that drive in our area get a stipend for gas.</p> <p>We also provide at least 2 weeks of vacation per year with one week her choice. I say at least 2 because we usually take anywhere between 3-4 weeks of vacation per year and we pay her for that time. She also gets one week of sick days which she uses for doctor/dentist appts. </p> <p>We also pay her 2 weeks pay for her Xmas bonus and also an additional 1/2 weeks pay for her birthday and random extra small bonuses/gift cards throughout the year. And, sometimes she takes the boys out to lunch or some activity and we give her extra money for that and let her keep whatever is leftover.</p> <p>We value our nanny a lot and I know we provide her more than the average, but it's really difficult to find good, reliable, trustworthy nannies and she is amazing. She's become part of our family and all of us (kids and parents) love her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836403 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 08:51:38 +0000 Sams Mom 2836403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OK. so our nanny is a family friend, so kind of the same boat as you. I know we got a great deal with her, so I try to do extra when I can because we couldn't swing a lot more. </p> <p>So I'm in the midwest and not in a super large city. We pay her $150 a week. I have asked her how much more a week she would charge for another kid, it would be in the $50-$75 range. </p> <p>Because of where I work, I have a week or more off around christmas, so she gets paid for that week, and then we try to coordinate our vacation weeks, but if it doesn't work out then we take separate weeks. </p> <p>As far as pay, she claims it as income, but since she's older and already drawing social security it doesn't effect her taxes and we still get to claim the childcare credit. </p> <p>As far as food she can eat whatever at our house, but usually brings her own. Sometimes she takes our son out for a kids meal and she won't let me pay her back for it. I have memberships for her so she can take our son to the zoo and the family center, I have bought punchcards so she can take him to other facilities. </p> <p>We give her a bonus at the end of the year. and we always get her at least a $50 gift card for her birthday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836382 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 06:52:57 +0000 Littlebit7 2836382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d reach out to a local nanny agency for guidance. Here in nyc-ish area, pay is probably 17-22 for two kids per hour. Two weeks paid vacation (one of nanny’s choosing,<br /> One of family’s) all federal holidays and sick time (2-5 days). Bonus is typically a weeks pay. If I were you, even though it is family, I’d have a written contract. Also you’ll need to figure out a plan if your kids are sick; what happens to their kids?<br /> Outline expectations: laundry for kids only, shopping, cleaning? This could be a great arrangement for everyone, or it could ruin relationships bc significant amounts of money is involved.<br /> I typically don’t provide food but they are welcome to the fridge/pantry. They should maybe do a small stipend for gas and sundries for the kids snacks if you are at activities.<br /> You and they need to decide on or off the books. If you are off the books and hurt yourself on the job you can’t claim short term disability, etc. if you are on the books your take home might be lower and there’s more leg work for them but it’s all above board.<br /> Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836376 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 06:33:38 +0000 MrsBucky 2836376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Working for family is tricky! One thing to consider is that they might prefer to pay an employee rather than family if they are going to pay the going rate anyway. Also you may want to look into the tax law exceptions for paying family members for childcare. There may be some sort of exceptions that benefit you both without pay having to be off the books, but I’m not sure- just a thought to look into. Other things I’d consider: would you be willing to nanny for a non family member to make more money? Sometimes thinking through those types of alternatives helps me decide whether a situation works for me or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836366 Fri, 27 Jul 2018 01:13:48 +0000 lamariniere 2836366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can’t comment on salary because it varies so much by location. But I agree that you are due a raise with the added responsibility of caring for a newborn. </p> <p>We have a helper who is currently part time nannying my LOs while they are on school break. She takes them to activities or just watches them at home. She will feed them when I’m gone and is usually very good at cleaning up their messes. I pay her hourly, and I cover all expenses. Taxis when they go places (or I would cover driving expenses if she drove), food and activities while they are out, an occasional coffee for her, taxis home when she babysits late night. As per local laws, I give her paid vacation, paid sick and holiday leave and I also pay her a fixed weekly rate when we are not here (she cleans and does laundry and waters the plants when we are gone). I don’t necessarily cover food, we don’t eat the same things (different cultures), but I wouldn’t mind if she ate our food or bought a meal while watching my kids. I also give an annual bonus.</p> <p>ETA: our lady sometimes brings her daughter when she babysits in the evening. She’s a widow, so she doesn’t always have a care solution. She asked me about it when I interviewed her and of course I was fine with it. My kids love playing with her since she’s a little bit older than they are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nanny-responsibilities-and-pay#post-2836346 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:06:19 +0000 threeplusme 2836346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all. Looking for some nanny advice and would love to hear from those of you who have nannies or are nannies. I nanny for my SIL. Her husband is a teacher so i work school hours and just the school calendar. Last year I watched my nephew from the age of 5 months to 14 months. My youngest was in preschool for 4 mornings 4 days a week so she was with me while i watched him when she was not in school. I was able to bring him along anywhere i went from school drop offs and pick ups to food shopping and classroom volunteering. They paid me but not what a nanny would cost in our area which i was fine with since i had my daughter with me and i had so much flexibility. As to duties beyond basic care i made his breakfast and lunch, bottles, did his laundry, cleaned up after him and did some basic shopping for him (grabbed things I'd think he'd eat and supplies for seasonal crafts.) My SIL is due in two weeks so come November when her maternity leave ends they'd like me to watch my nephew who will be 19 months and the new baby who will be 3 months old. All my kids will be in school full time as my youngest heads off to kindergarten. I feel like a significant jump in pay is warrented. I'll now be watching a toddler and an infant and i can't imagine having the flexibity i had last year. What do you think is a resonable salary and what duties do you expect a nanny to do? Pay hourly or salary? Pay for gas? On the books or off the books? Do you provide food for the nanny? Paid vacation? Any advice would be great. I don't want to undervalue myself nor do i want my SIL to feel like I'm being unresonable. Thanks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081797 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:14:37 +0000 travellingbee 2081797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our nanny brought her LO who was the same age as mine. They played very nicely together and her LO didn't eat any of our groceries (she brought lunch for her). She always put her job first when she was there. It was a nice situation. I thought the benefits outweighed any negatives. Also, she still had time to do dishes and clean up.<br /> Oh right the cost-- we paid her $10/hr but that is on the lower end here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081785 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:11:28 +0000 ksnow 2081785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviabolivia I checked care.com's recommendation in our area for 2 kids and it was $11. So 5.50 seems too low (like it'd be hardly worth the gas/effort) so I think if I split the difference around $8 that may be about right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081779 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:09:51 +0000 ksnow 2081779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny - yes! But in no way would you ever want to use them. I was on care.com at the time and so had a range of $ set and in messaging she said $5. I usually set up several in a row to meet me at starbucks since I can really quickly decide in person if it's worth looking into someone more. Somehow during a 20 minute conversation she told me her (current) boyfriend set her mother's house on fire (intentionally). I was so glad we weren't at my house. After that I decided to bump up my $ range to hopefully only encounter better applicants! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081765 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 13:56:38 +0000 travelingnanny 2081765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ksnow- Are there really nannies asking for $5/ hour?! That's less than minimum wage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081628 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 12:43:40 +0000 birdofafeather 2081628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: that's a really great idea for breaking it down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081445 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:56:03 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2081445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We structured our arrangement like a nanny share. Figured out how much a nanny would make for two kids which is more hourly than one kid and divided that by two. Care.com should help get you an idea of what a nanny share would cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081439 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:52:50 +0000 ILoveLettie 2081439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @ShootingStar and @blackbird: $8 an hour would make sense since she is saving a bit of money on taking her kid and not having to find childcare, and that you're going to be spending some extra in groceries for her child. I do agree that for her, it will add an extra layer of difficulty to watch 2 children--however, I do think in a lot of circumstances it would be a convenience because they wouldn't have to pay childcare for their kid. I know women that would only be able to accept a nanny job if they could bring their child with them and would accept a pay cut for this purpose because it's way better than nothing! Especially if she would be earning nothing otherwise and was looking to supplement SAH income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081433 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:51:34 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2081433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted $9 to allow for the cost of groceries. For an 8 hour day that's $8 in food cost. $8 per day more than makes up for food. I would see the second child as an asset...a built in play mate for your lo! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081428 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:48:55 +0000 ksnow 2081428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2peasinapod - can you explain more why you don't think it's a convenience? To me - she's got the benefit of spending the day with her LO. Plus the actual cost savings that she no longer has to pay for daycare (or family/friends/whatever). </p> <p>I'm intrigued by the idea for the idea of a play mate and cost savings. But honestly if it's not even a small cost savings I'll go with regular as less kiddos eating food, less kids sick days, less wear/tear on house/toys/utilities, nanny can likely stay up more with dishes/baby laundry, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081425 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:47:03 +0000 blackbird 2081425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think $8/hour would be reasonable in this situation, considering her kid will also eat up some groceries and it adds up over the course of a couple of years </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081424 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:44:42 +0000 ShootingStar 2081424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if your caregiver's attention is not 100% focused on your child because she brings her own then I think a 20-25% discount would be reasonable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081422 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:41:29 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2081422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's much of a convenience to allow someone to bring their toddler along with them, so I voted $10/hour still. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-to-pay-nanny-who-brings-toddler-with-her#post-2081416 Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:32:49 +0000 ksnow 2081416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a fairly low cost of living area - I've found nannies who requested as low as $5/hour but for our past nannies to find one I liked/experienced we've paid $10/hour. This is for 1 child, toddler aged. Our previous nanny moved so we're looking for a new one and I'm considering expanding the listing to include nannies who want to bring their own LO with them. I'm hopeful I could save a bit of money as well as a play mate for my LO. I'm going to limit the age of any prospective nannies' kids to 1.5-4. So if $10 was the regular rate, what would you expect to pay if a nanny brought their child with them? (I'd expect both kids would eat our food since it'd be simpler to one shared meal prep.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951296 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:39:04 +0000 doodlepoodle 951296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I think you hit the nail on the head...having the roots of kids and a house make it more difficult. Not impossible. Just hard.</p> <p>@wheres_c: is it bad that j and I face timed my dad two nights ago? He lives less than a 10 min walk away!! I agree that the options for contact could be different-quality over quantity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951293 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:35:27 +0000 wheres_c 951293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mynoahbear: having retired parents helps! My mom is retired and I see her 5-6 x year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951291 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:34:26 +0000 BSB 951291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved across the country almost 5 years ago for my job.</p> <p>It was a great career opportunity. We were newly engaged (now married). For us, we were young and didn't have kids at the time. </p> <p>It was good for us to move because it helped us not have to rely on family and friends. Our relationship is stronger because of it.</p> <p>It can be hard socially to be away from family and friends. We would need a 5 hour flight to go home. It's hard missing family milestones.</p> <p>We are planning on moving back to the area but looking back it was a great opportunity for us and my career. I'm pretty sure, if it weren't for this job, I would be stuck in PA. It was an opportunity that I just shouldn't turn down.</p> <p>Now, if we had kids and a house, I'm not sure if I would have uprooted our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951290 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:34:18 +0000 wheres_c 951290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: my thought process though, is despite missing the weekly closeness, you can still keep up a connection these days.<br /> We Skype/FaceTime with my family and FIs dad that's in Peru. I'm great at finding cheap flights so my mom, who is retired comes to visit every 3 months or so. Since I'm at home, I find that the quality of time I get to spend with her is better.</p> <p>I also haven't done it yet, because things are hectic, but if I found cheap flights I'd stay for a week with her twice a year.when you are a SAHM you have that luxury!<br /> I went to England for 3 weeks, to visit my grandma because I was a WAHM.. I would never have been able to do that as a working mom. The flight was the only expense and I got to spend quality time with her.</p> <p>I guess this reply is my long winded way of saying that I feel you can still stay connected, even when you're away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951287 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:33:23 +0000 doodlepoodle 951287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: wow cool!! He still as a while but heck yes! What city r u moving to? I think I know but not for sure... (You can put it on my wall!)</p> <p>@brownie: I'm thinking there's no way it could be permanent but maybe 5-10 years. </p> <p>@lilteacherbee: that's my hesitation, until now we never would have, but the pay basically doubles...not that it's all about $$ but it sure doesn't hurt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951288 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:33:23 +0000 mynoahbear 951288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved out of the country because DH was offered a good job and great benefits. We don't have family close by at all but we are able to afford a housekeeper who also helps with LO. When I have my next baby in December, we will fly my mom out to help us. She's retired so she can basically stay as long as an extended visa will allow her. I miss living near family but the the benefits and lifestyle definitely outweigh that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951276 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:28:00 +0000 wheres_c 951276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: oh how cool! My cousin is a manager at a petroleum company in Houston (although she travels a lot for work.) she makes BANK!<br /> If the pros outweigh the cons and you're actively looking out of state, Le me know and I can pass along his résumé. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951261 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:22:15 +0000 brownie 951261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved away years ago and then they all moved away. We are now looking to move closer for a crappier job. BUT we need that connection. I have great friends but it is really hard and friends are not the same as family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-rather-2#post-951260 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:21:22 +0000 Mrs. Pen 951260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would 100% move if that meant DH getting a good (better) job. In fact while looking for jobs, we have consistently looked at several positions out of state. We don't feel limited to live where we are just because my family is here. I love them to pieces and they are an amazing support system for us, but I also wouldn't mind living somewhere new if it meant a better life for my little family.</p> <p>We also don't plan to live here the rest of our lives. We're not sure what the future holds, but once I get more experience at my job, and hopefully finish school; we just might look more seriously into moving. </p>