35 Reasons Why Nanny Should Earn More Than Minimum Wage

35 Reasons Why Nannies Deserve More Than Minimum Wage

I’ve been going to a several interviews for new nanny position in the last few weeks. Just that information itself it’s a struggle for me, since I always accept the first job offer I get. I jump right to it and dive in, because hey, it’s a job!

This time I rejected 3 families that I could easily see myself work for. Am I crazy? (yes, yes I am)

Potentially, this could be really bad, ruin my finances and I might have to find a different job, regardless how much I like being a nanny. However, all those families I rejected had one thing in common – They wanted everything I had to offer and so much more, while only wanting to pay very low rate (for my area).

Families I interviewed for had many, many demands. What they asked of me seemed reasonable and I knew I could keep up and give them what they need, but not if I can’t pay my bills with my paycheck.

I can respect that not everyone can afford a nanny, but families need to be aware that you can’t demand “high-end” nanny and offer to pay her rate that is little disrespectful honestly.

As a nanny, I need to (constantly) remind myself that I am worth the money. I am capable, responsible and dependable.

We all need to remind each other and ourselves that no one is doing us a favor by keeping us in the family as a nanny. I am not trying to be mean or make it seem like we need to take advantage of our nanny families, but we are worth the money. We are worth the love and respect.

Nannies do so much more than what are we given credit for.

We keep asking to be respected, but settle to be treated and paid poorly.

Employers buy new houses, cars, Apple watches, go on fancy vacations (and that is amazing, kudos to you, people), but make you feel guilty when you ask for a raise? Bonus? Thank you card?

 

Well, no thank you! I am done feeling guilty for asking for my rate. I will not feel guilty for demanding what I know I deserve.

It’s not just money. It’s respect. Gratitude. Love. Safe and pleasant working environment. It all starts by us, nannies, asking ourselves what do we want, what do we need, what do we deserve, and most importantly –

What do we have to offer to justify our demands?

Here is the list of reasons why I will not settle.

35 Reasons Why Nannies Should Earn More Than Minimum Wage

  1. You get what you pay for

  2. Most of the nannies have several years of experience working with multiple children

  3. Nannies are doing extensive research before every single position about area and child related activities they can do

  4. I am keeping/paying my vaccine shots, CPR and First Aid up to date to be able to provide the best care for your children

  5. We are educating ourselves on different parenting philosophies

  6. While you are learning to potty train one child, most nannies have potty trained several of them

  7. By using our previous experience, we know dozens of healthy and fun snacks/meals that your child will eagerly eat

  8. Nannies are having their degree’s, certificates, years of educating and learning about children’s well being

  9. While you deal with one cranky, sleep deprived child, nanny often has experience with dealing with several at once, can soothe them, and sleep train them in matter of days

  10. Nannies are reinforcing manners and age appropriate chores

  11. We are making doctor and dentist appointments

  12. We observe your child’s behavior and health, and address it if there is slight chance something might be wrong

  13. We take care of your pets, feed them, train them, take them for walks, to vet and often alter schedule we have with kids, for the sake of the pet

  14. We home sit, and walk your dog when you are on vacation

  15. We organize kids closet, plan and shop for your child’s seasonal wardrobe

  16. We cook family meals and prep food for you

  17. Often it becomes “normal” that families don’t bother emptying/filling dishwasher, because nanny will always take care of it

  18. We clean your home

  19. For parents with long working hours who see their kids only on weekends – we raise your kids for you

  20. We are always available if there is an emergency

  21. We go to school tours, talk to the teachers, help with the homework and cheer kids on soccer practice or band performance

  22. We interact and be-friend your neighbors, friends and moms at park to have playdates

  23. We work 10-15h shifts when you want to have a date night

  24. We often don’t know when we are done working and we have to rely on your promises

  25. We don’t have union or HR to work things through and often we are verbally abused

  26. Rarely we can do something personal while working, including using our phone or sending private email.

  27. We don’t have lunch break to catch up on our favorite show, call mom, or drive to Baja Fresh if we are craving burrito

  28. We are washing your laundry, sheets, towels and folding your underwear

  29. We are picking up your dry cleaning and rushing in the morning when you remember you need us 15 minutes earlier

  30. We don’t get to take sick days just because, or if we have mild headache

  31. We rarely get to choose our own vacation days

  32. Often we are forced to have unpaid days off while you travel

  33. We have bills, responsibilities and families to support

  34. We clean poop. C’mon, right? I need more than 7.25$ for cleaning diarrhea from carpet

  35. We don’t have health insurance covered or 401K

 

Would you work 60 hours a week for $10? Nannies do so much more than what are we given credit for and minimum wage isn't cutting it. We keep asking to be respected, but settle to be treated and paid poorly. I will not feel guilty for demanding what I know I deserve. It's not just money. It's respect. Gratitude. Love. Safe and pleasant working environment. Here is the list of reasons why I will not settle.
Would you work 60 hours a week for $10 per hour? 

 

35 Reasons Why Nanny Should Earn More Than Miniumum Wage #nanny

After reading this, do you think you should work 60 hours a week for 10$per hour? Depending on the area and living standard, of course. Where I live, in one part of the city you are paid 15-25$per hour, and in another you work your buns of for 6-11$.

 

 

 

I had 167 nannies sharing their story about being underpaid recently. Check out post about underpaid and overworked nannies here.

 

Check out what several nannies have to say why they deserve to be paid well.

Why do you think you should be paid more than minimum wage?

 

“Because many/most of us have degrees in early childhood education or a related field.

Because we don’t receive health insurance.

Because we are able to give really personalized care for the kids and families.

I can pretty much run the household for my family; I’ve written checks for kids’ activities when the parents forgot, I’ve signed their kids up for camps, I help clean the house, I’m an emergency contact for their schools.

Nannies deserve a lot for what we do!”

 

 

“As  nannies, we are placed in the unique position of raising someone else’s child/ren. We are both mommy and daddy to our charges and this is a huge responsibility. It takes so much trust, patience, love, kindness, skill, compassion (did I mention patience). 😁 It’s not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.

You become more than an “employee”…you become family. You give your time, your love and even your money to this child. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who can’t pass up splurging on my NK. Target Dollar Section…thank you!! Without you I’d be broke. 😄 Nannies aren’t “in it for the money”…the rewards are priceless.

That being said, great responsibility deserves appropriate compensation. Minimum wage doesn’t even come close!”

 

 

“because you ( parent) are trusting this person ( nanny ) with the most important person in your world….you get what you pay for in this world…and when it comes to children no amount should be too much for dependable, trustworthy, loving help with your babies….”

 

 

“Great responses. How can you even add more? You’re are the caretaker for everyone in the family. You end up taking care of the parents. You are a marriage counselor, a school counselor, the perfect balance between a friend, older sibling and a parent to the kids. You sacrifice time with your friends and family if the family needs you. They are your own. You’d stand in front of a bus for them if needed. You care for them when they are sick and sometimes you have to suffer through your own sick days because you know calling in makes your job that much harder. The list could go on. Have you done a list on annoying things people say when you tell then you’re a nanny/house manager? My top pet peeve is people giving me grief that at least I get to go home at night….. “

 

Almost everyone agrees with this statement: “being a mother is the hardest job in the world.” But for some reason, nannies are often looked at as “the help” or “just playing with kids all day.” If caring for children, cooking, cleaning, chaperoning, chauffeuring, doing laundry, being a good influence, helping with hw, giving advice, etc…is the hardest job in the world then doing this for someone else’s kids while maintaining professionalism and a good work ethic should pay pretty darn well….minimum wage is for minimum work something that being a nanny is the opposite of!”

 

“In  my case, one of the girls has autism, one has behavioral issues and the youngest will be getting tested for autism soon too. It’s a CHALLENGE but I absolutely love them.”

mom and baby

Nannies are so much… Chef, house keeper, educator, nurturer, chauffeur, moral compass, playmate, family support and advice giver to parents. We have a skill set just like all other professionals and I see no reason why we shouldn’t get paid accordingly. I have known tons of people who claim to be nannies who fall short of the tasks given them. It is like every field… There are slackers who make the rest of us look unworthy. I strive to provide the best possible care when parents are not an available source and by no means am I a replacement for them, but a substitute to provide a similar love and care that any family would wish for their little ones. Like any career you must love what you do or you won’t do it well. “

 

“First, I have a college degree. Second, i work long long hours and my time is as valuable as anyone else’s. Third and most important, I am teaching, watching, explaining, giving, showing, training, caring for, guarding, protecting and loving these kids on a minute by minute basis. And their parents are entrusting me with the LIFE of their CHILD, every day when they walk out the door. Why anyone would pay their nanny less than “minimum wage” (which by the way is a bullshit concept and we live in a wealthy enough country where EVERYONE should be paid a LIVING wage, but that’s another rant…) is the real question for me.”

 

The future of the world is in our hands at any given moment. We could be raising future presidents or doctors who cure terrible diseases. They are their parents most important and cherished gift…HOWEVER, although most parents would give anything for their children to be safe, happy and loved, that doesn’t necessarily carry over to childcare. It is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. The parents love and cherish these kids, as do we as nannies. But the pay will NEVER be commiserate with the responsibility. We are educated, loving, dedicated and we give up a LOT for these little people. I liken it to being a grandparent without being older. But if we are working for the salary, it is a moot point. We do it for the love, the joy and the feeling of knowing we are changing the world one little person at a time

 

 

If families that I rejected came to me and said: “D, we like you and think you would be a great fit, but we just can’t afford your rate. What can we do to come to mutual agreement?” I would gladly lower my rate, or find a way to meet them in the middle somehow.

Problem is that people roll their eyes on nannies who ask for more, because you are just the nanny! You want 15$-18$? Hahaha. And that is, my dear people, problem here.

I deserve it.

I’m worth it.

It’s time for childcare providers to raise their voice and say no, thank you.

 

35 Reasons Why Nanny Should Earn More Than Miniumum Wage #nanny

Thanks for reading, please share your opinion in comments!

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4 thoughts on “35 Reasons Why Nannies Deserve More Than Minimum Wage

  1. Have you considered working with a nanny agency? Most high end agencies do not charge the nanny anything to work with them, and the agency will pay for background checks. The agency I work with charges the family a percentage of the agreed salary for the nanny.They act as the middle man between the family and nanny- writing the contract for agreed on duties and negotiating pay. Working with an agency really gave me the job of my dreams (and salary!)
    Where are you located? I am sure the right fit family will come along for you!

  2. I have been a Nanny for over 27 years, my last post ended when the parents decided to hire a babysitter who cost much less a month than myself and has minimal experience. They have 3 children, the youngest I cared for since birth, I worked a 10-12 hour day for £700 per month which works out around £3.50 an hour!! I was like part of the family, yet always spoken of as “just the nanny” which in my opinion is how most child carers are referred as, the hired help. Unfair and unjust

  3. Oh I am so glad to read this! I have many years of experience working with children. However, after much positive interaction, I had a mom write to me to say that she thought that I should rethink my rate as she had many nannies applying with “substantially more experience” that were willing to work for less. There are definitely people out there who are able to or are willing to receive less – but the question is, what effect does that have on quality of care?! Her tone had me thinking that my rate was too high and questioning my worth – until, soon after, I could hardly keep up with interview requests! This is an important post. Nannies, you are worth it!

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