Going off another post I recently did on my main blog- I have been dealing with something lately that greatly disturbs me as a parent. I used to be a nanny for a long time before I had my son and got my degree. I always knew I wanted to be a SAHM. Even before I had children, I couldn't imagine anyone else caring for my kid on a regular basis.
In tight times, I've opened my home to being a nanny once again. No, it's not ideal for me to have my attention split in two but I am/was hoping to take in just one child whose parents wanted quality, home care and that 2:1 ratio I could offer. I discovered something that blew my mind.
Nannying in my area is typically $10/hr. For a full work week, well- you do the math. I was shocked to find many parents looking for a deal and wanting to cut corners- actual ILLEGAL ways they were doing this left me open-mouthed. I had parents wanting me to be a nanny to their child for less than $2.50 an hour. I'm not joking.
I don't like doing things under the table due to my fear of doing illegal things in general (it is, I checked with the IRS). So- in my search to find how I could do this above table and we could both put it on our taxes- I found it is illegal in the United States to hire help of ANY kind full time (more than 8 hours a week) and pay them less than minimum wage per hour. In fact, parents doing this kind of thing under the table are not only breaking the law, but risk being sued or caught by the government and forced to pay massive fines.
For less than $2 an hour we're talking grossly under qualified caregivers (mostly, not ALL)- or excessive child to caregiver ratios. People doing this are in it for the cause of saving money. But at the expense of their own child. I'm as broke as they come but I would never, ever imagine breaking the law to find a nanny to pay less than minimum wage to. If I want that 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, I'm going to expect to pay for it rather than go with the cheapest person and hope to God they don't sue me- OR I don't sue them for child neglect should anything happen while I am away.
I have cried multiple times in the past few weeks. I set my rate at 5/hr which is under minimum wage but I *hoped* would still attract more reputable families who want nanny care. I've cried because these parents say 'no way' even to my prices which are less than reputable daycare centers. I've cried because I know without a doubt these parents, some I consider friends, would choose to put a value on their child's safety and well being at $25 a day or less.
Before I sound pretentious, I must remind you that ALL these parents are dual income families. ALL have two cars, fancy collections at home their kids aren't allowed to touch, fun family vacations. Benefits. The works. They are not single parents, they are not in want of anything but comforts.
It just breaks my heart that these parents would prefer situations where the caregiver HAS to take in more kids than is safe to make up for the terrible wages. They could be the best person in the planet but if they have to watch 5 kids at a time, there's no way that will end well.
Times like these, I'm reminded why I do what I do. We've made sacrifices for a reason. Because my son needs ME, not someone else. Not someone with 3 other kids to watch. I could never put a price tag on his care. Deals are something you search for in the produce aisle at the market- not in the care and well being of your precious children.
