Sometimes CL Ads Make Me Angry (Kind of a Vent)

[AfterSchoolMom]

Today's ridiculous CL ad, seeking childcare (leaving out some identifying details for privacy purposes):

I need child care for my 5 year old daughter -

The hours I need are Monday - Friday from 8:30am until 4:00pm.

I prefer in my home

I am willing to pay $100 a week - payable on Fridays. I will subtract $20 every day she is out sick, which doesn't happen often. I will provide snacks and meals every day. She has a severe peanut allergy.


Please do NOT contact me if you cannot pass a criminal background check and random drug screens.

Please do NOT contact me if you have NO experience with children.

Please do NOT contact me if you cannot provide at least 5 references.

Sorry if I'm being sensitive today (preggo hormones, ), but I am SO, SO sick of seeing ads from parents wanting Nanny care for less than half of minimum wage, parents who INFORM us that they "will be subtracting X amount" for sick days, and yet expect the very best provider there is. I just wish they could walk a mile in our shoes. I'd bet that two days of doing what we do would change their tunes drastically.

[Creek]

I'd be only TOO tempted to msg her and say "HAHA, GOOD LUCK!!!!"

[Kaddidle Care]

$2.67 per hour - sign me up! ::::::

Tell her "Good luck honey!"

[Heidi]

My 15 year old daughter would do it for that, but considering mom's criteria, I don't think she's looking for a teenager.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

$2.67 per hour - sign me up! ::::::

Tell her "Good luck honey!"

I just don't see someone jumping up and down to be a nanny in her home for that price.

[juliebug]

good luck with that! wow that is crazy. I am sure she will not have to many applicants.

[cheerfuldom]

she's crazy, plain and simple.

[e.j.]

Well....I guess it never hurts to put it out there and hope that someone bites. I think the tone of the ad would turn me off almost more than the rate of pay she's offering!

[sharlan]

If it's not an ad that you're interested in, why care what someone else is advertising for?

People have their budgets and have to try to live within them.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Sharlan, I normally try very hard to stay away from conflict here, but in this case I feel like the point of your post above was simply to make me feel petty and foolish.

The actual point of my post was that providers are underappreciated and often underpaid, and that some parents don't realize it...or they do and don't care. She didn't say "all I can afford is...." or "My budget only allows for". She said "I am WILLING to pay" and "I will be subtracting" and "do NOT contact me if....". I feel that parents who feel this way would benefit from a day in the life. Now, by the same token, I don't know this person, and I don't know her situation, so the same could be said of me - she could be going through a hard financial time. However, I'd think that someone who was looking for something for nothing, whatever the reason, would take the time to word their ad in a less condescending, authoritative way.

[BumbleBee]

Honestly, $100 a week is just below average where I live. The only difference is that deductions for sick days wouldn't fly.

That being said, I think it depends on the area. Around here, cl ads say they are willing to pay $75 per week.

[Sunchimes]

Actually, I make under $100 a week for one of my kids. And until I found my backbone last winter (again, thank you!), she deducted for sick days. But, this is a very poor rural area. She couldn't afford to pay me $100 on her barely-above-minimum wage job.

I get the same amount each week now, since she pays for a spot not for use.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Honestly, $100 a week is just below average where I live. The only difference is that deductions for sick days wouldn't fly.

That being said, I think it depends on the area. Around here, cl ads say they are willing to pay $75 per week.

Actually, I make under $100 a week for one of my kids. And until I found my backbone last winter (again, thank you!), she deducted for sick days. But, this is a very poor rural area. She couldn't afford to pay me $100 on her barely-above-minimum wage job.

I get the same amount each week now, since she pays for a spot not for use.

For group care in your home, though, right? Not nanny care. Or are nannies making that amount too?

[Country Kids]

I really didn't like some of her wording but her pay is pretty much on for most areas anymore it seems like (well most places). We have a place here that is $1.50 an hour. I think even for nanny care for 1 child it isn't to bad. I guess you would have to see what your other responsibilities were but I think it would be an awesome job especially the hours!!!!! We don't make minimum wage per child so why would a nanny?

[AfterSchoolMom]

We don't make minimum wage per child so why would a nanny?

Because it'd be a nanny's only source of income? It's just one child/family, so it isn't a per child situation. Not many can survive on $400-500 per month, TOTAL income, with even that being before taxes.

I'm not really sure why I'm continuing to argue about this. Again, I apologize for my current hormone levels.