How much should a live in Nanny be paid?? They are close friends of mine...?

Question

I am 16 years old and this summer i flew alone from Spokane, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska to be a live in Nanny. The kids are 1 1/2 year old twins. One of which has numerous food allergies and other health problems. At the moment i am not being paid anything. I was given $20 to buy some souvenirs 2 weeks ago, but that did not last long. I am supposed to watch the kids all day, getting them up/dressed in the morning, even when both parents are home, and I am in charge of feeding them and taking them on walks. When company comes over i am apparently in charge of their kids as well. And somewhere in there i must have agreed to being the housekeeper as well (I didn't). My sister is telling me to get the hell out of here before she has to come and get me, but i am not the kind of person that could just pick up and go, especially since the father is going on a month long business trip in 2 weeks. Please help me, they want me to come back next summer as well and i don't know what to say!

Answer 1

We pay our foriegn nannies (au pairs, actually) minimum wage ($5.15/hour) or better for their 45 hour week less room and board. The US government figures that comes out to $140 week. In addition, we pay airfare from overseas, agency fees (matching, background checks on both sides, health insurance), auto insurance, food, $500/semester for college classes. And coming from, say Slovakia, one woman made more (at $7000/year) than her father back home who is an attorney.

With our arrangement, there is an agency overseeing everything and a local representative to double-check that everything is working well on all sides.

You are being used, and if you don't ask/insist, nothing will change.

My mother in law will babysit for a week for free, but that is different. Very different. She's happy to have time with her grandkids, she's very well off and we still cover all airfare and meals.

Some people think a trip to Alaska is a huge gift to give and it sort of is. If the childcare was limited to two weeks or so and you'd been dreaming about it forever and had a chance to get out and play in the wilderness.

Look at www.greataupair.com to see what other families are offering and other domestic au pairs are asking for. 16 is young, very young to have that much responsibility and a lot of strangers would pass on you as an employee. But for a young woman doing as much as you are, needing no visa or overseas travel, and paying no agency fees, I'd figure on paying $300 to $500/week.

Being close friends only gets you both past the need for background checks. It doesn't in any way eliminate the need for you to be treated fairly.

But some people, if you give, they'll take. 1.5 year old twins would be tough! If you step up to plate and they get away with backing away, that is easy for them to get used to it. And they're getting all that help for free!

Bring in your mother or another adult relative or a favorite former teacher, minister or coach if you are having trouble standing up for yourself. Someone, even from a distance, to be your advocate.

Answer 2

they are using you big time let your sister come and get you or give them 2weeks notice and leave what if you didnt exist they would of found someone else right you should be making anywhere form $200-$500 a week easy with free room and board and food why didnt you do your research more on this job and family you are to young anyway go home or tell them you need to be paid set a price whether a flat fee or by the hour look up the wages in that state for nannies and the minimum wage if they dont pay up leave and take them to small claims court

Answer 3

Okay this is going to blow your mind. some nanny want to ge paid for there service and the money depends on you and the person that hired you. But some nanny don't get paid, since they are nannys with benifits, with the couple. Some nanny like to be the submissive around the couple or slave. And like to be spanked. This all happen when the children are asleep. But too me it sounds like your being used. When someone makes you do something that you don't like or want, then it is a abuse and get out. There are times that you have to put your foot down. Your a person first, before your anything and they should treat you as such.

Answer 4

You need to talk to your parent or guardian that isn't in the house itself and let them know you are being taken advantage of. The people whether your friends or not, are taking advantage of a good situation. If you can-talk to them about what exactly you are responsible for and when (this should include off time) and how much they are planning on paying you and then decide with them whether it's once or twice a month. You should at a minimum be paid 200 dollars a week. Also you should not be responsible for caring for other people's children without your consent, compensation etc. Stop it now or get out! Good Luck

Answer 5

the army doesn't pay or provide nannies. That expense is all on his own shoulders. The army does provide some day care, but they aren't in the child rearing business. While I am not positive, I do not believe the army would allow a non-relative to live in base housing this way. It would just be seen as an attempt to move a girl friend into on base housing. The best solution would be for him to move off of base.

Answer 6

Sounds like to me you ARE the type to pick up and go if at age 16 you left to go to Alaska.

Where are your parents? That they let you go at age 16 to live elsewhere? This picture is wrong from the day you left Washington.

You need to go home and be with your family. If you have to live with your sister than do that. You are not old enough to have such responsiblities for someone else's kids. They are taking advantage of you big time!

Go Home!!! Go Home!! where you should be til at least 19.

Answer 7

Do not be ashamed of telling your friends that you should be compensated of being a nanny to their kids. Assuming their responsibility of taking care of the kids is not a joke. Tell them to give you at least the minimum amount as required under the law.
They will understand you on this matter.

Answer 8

determining factors for nanny salaries. National averages:. Live In Average – $532. Live Out Average – $590.

Answer 9

NO is what to say. ask them what the law is on under age child taking care of children is. in the state I live in it is not legal to even let anyone under 18 to babysit children. If something happens the parents go to jail. Don't think I am throwing off on your age I babysat at that age. but this does not sound right to me. I think I would go home.

Answer 10

You should be getting at least $10 an hour. I can't believe as a 16 year old girl you agreed to do this and your parents let you do this.