Am I Being Fair In Pay?

[CheekyChick]

Since she goes to your house, she could charge anywhere from minimum to $12.00 per hour. With that said, I'm sure there are people who would be willing to work for that amount. Whomever comes into your home, make sure they have passed a criminal background check and have an evacuation plan in place in the event of an emergency.

[P/t dc worker]

I guess it depends on where you live. If you google the hourly rate for night nannies, you'll see that paying the minimum wage is actually getting off cheap.

[wdmmom]

I'd tell her this:

"I'll gladly pay you minimum wage but you will be required to claim your income with the IRS."

Bet that will change her tune a bit.

[Danielle]

While I think it's a fair pay (since she's sleeping). The irs doesn't think so. She is a nanny, therefore a household employee. You are her employer and not only have to pay her minimum wage but withhold taxes, ss, etc and pay taxes yourself.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p926/ar02.html#en_US_publink100086722

[Christian Mother]

I think $55 for 2 children that are school age is a very reasonable rate. Can you tell me if she holds the position as a nanny in your home? If she is then she would be required to do other jobs other than watching your children during the night. Do you have her do the dishes, laundry, vacuum, or straighten around the house? If so, then I would def. pay her min. wage. I think part of watching children in others homes is inconvenient in a way bc your not able to do the things you need to be doing at your own place and if she works during the day and is at your home during the night she could be frustrating that she doesn't have the time to do what she needs to at her own home. That might be why she is asking for more money. I agree with a lot of the posts here about looking around for a college girl maybe even someone from your church. Maybe even asking friends or family if they know of any one looking to make some extra cash. Word of mouth is a good way to look also bc you can trust your friends or family when they are forwarding potential people over to you. Good luck!!

[MarinaVanessa]

What exactly would the point be in not letting her watch TV or use the computer?

Generally speaking, irritating the crap out of the Nanny won't get you anywhere. Your suggestions are demeaning and petty.

Personally I don't think it's demeaning or petty. She is in fact, not a nanny. But I also wouldn't just surprise her with these changes either. I would talk to her about it.

I think the point trying to be made is that there are a lot of liberties that come included with the price she is currently being paid for now. If she is asking for a higher wage and there isn't much "supervision" being done then the least she could do is either add on some responsibilities or not use up any more utilities/supplies than she has to. I know it's only 2 hours of tv/internet time and two meals (herself and her child) but I know that when I was a nanny I wasn't allowed any of these liberties even if the kids were sleeping.

Back to OP: I think that you need to keep in mind a few things first. Night nanny's start at about $12-$15 an hour. Keep in mind that they are trained in CPR and childcare, come with references, are experienced and have had a background check etc. They also typically have other household duties. If you can find another single mother that you can trust that will take the $55 a night then I say go for it and allow your current caretaker to find another job elsewhere. Ask your friends, co-workers, family etc. about whether they know anyone that could fit the bill. Maybe a close friend knows another single mom or college student that would like the job?

IMO $8 an hour seems reasonable if she were in fact a nanny with training and experience etc. and had all of those liberties that you listed and no duties (I'm assuming that you help prepare breakfast) but in my opinion I think that $8 an hour for someone that is not trained, experienced etc is a little steep.

[jen]

Personally I don't think it's demeaning or petty. She is in fact, not a nanny. But I also wouldn't just surprise her with these changes either. I would talk to her about it.

I think the point trying to be made is that there are a lot of liberties that come included with the price she is currently being paid for now. If she is asking for a higher wage and there isn't much "supervision" being done then the least she could do is either add on some responsibilities or not use up any more utilities/supplies than she has to. I know it's only 2 hours of tv/internet time and two meals (herself and her child) but I know that when I was a nanny I wasn't allowed any of these liberties even if the kids were sleeping.

Back to OP: I think that you need to keep in mind a few things first. Night nanny's start at about $12-$15 an hour. Keep in mind that they are trained in CPR and childcare, come with references, are experienced and have had a background check etc. They also typically have other household duties. If you can find another single mother that you can trust that will take the $55 a night then I say go for it and allow your current caretaker to find another job elsewhere. Ask your friends, co-workers, family etc. about whether they know anyone that could fit the bill. Maybe a close friend knows another single mom or college student that would like the job?

IMO $8 an hour seems reasonable if she were in fact a nanny with training and experience etc. and had all of those liberties that you listed and no duties (I'm assuming that you help prepare breakfast) but in my opinion I think that $8 an hour for someone that is not trained, experienced etc is a little steep.

If she's not the nanny, what is she? Either way, babysitter or nanny, the suggestion was to take away previously given "perks" simply because the employee asked for a raise. In my opinion, that is petty.

If the OP doesn't want to give her employee a raise, she should simply say so and be prepared to look for alternative care. It's just my opinion, but I think taking away her TV privileges because she asked for more money is immature.