Letter from the Editor

Any time a group of nannies gets together, you know you’re in for fun. And since nannies tend to work alone, it’s also a fabulous chance to share tips and tricks of the trade. That’s why we’re very excited to announce that we’re the official sponsor of Nannypalooza 2008, to be held October 4 & 5 in Philly! Read all about it below, and register now! See you there!

In this edition of Nanny Net News, we also have some great information on nanny health insurance, a topic that’s important to nannies and employers alike.

Get Ready for Nannypalooza 2008!

Are you ready to catch the wave at Nannypalooza 2008?

We certainly are, and we’re thrilled to be the official sponsors of this year’s conference, to be held at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport October 4 & 5. If you’ve never been, Nannypalooza is just as fun as it sounds…not to mention informative! Packed into two days, you’ll find sessions that cover the nanny profession from A-Z.

Here are just a few:

In addition to great sessions, you’ll enjoy lunchtime roundtables, tons of networking time, raffle prizes, and a great goodie bag. Register now to secure your spot! Visit www.NannyCredential.org or call 202.318.9156 to learn more.

Postcard from Nanny Island

Nanny Island is the perfect place to take a break and connect with other nannies online. From the serious (think taxes and tantrums) to the just-plain-fun, this online nanny hotspot is whatever you make it!

Lately, food has been a hot topic, with lots of talk about healthy snacks and good eats. Here are a few tips, straight from the Island to you:

• Easy Dinners: From soft tacos and mini-meatloaf to healthy tortillas and crock-pot wonders, nannies recommend pre-cut veggies and easy ingredients for low-maintenance meals that don’t demand hours in the kitchen.
• Healthy Snacks: Setting ground rules for healthy snacks can be a challenge, but nannies on the Island have found ways to make fruits and veggies work. (Hint: throw in the occasional bag of popcorn!)

Nanny Health Insurance

Insurance for private staff (like nannies) can be very expensive, but there are solutions out there. For example, AIG has a package that provides basic health benefits. Although basic coverage is more of a discount plan than a full-coverage plan, it does provide important health benefits at an affordable price. Available everywhere except for CT, MN, and WA (with limited coverage in NY), it's worth looking into.

Learn More

Put it in Writing: The Value of Employment Agreements
By Robert E. King, Esq., Founder, Legally Nanny®

You’ve just hired your nanny or other household employee. You’re thrilled, she’s thrilled, and you’re in the employer-employee version of a honeymoon. You can’t imagine that anything will ever go wrong. While in most cases, fortunately, that’s true, in other cases things can get contentious if your understanding of the details of your arrangement is somehow different than your employee’s understanding of them. This is where ugly disputes can begin, some of which may ultimately cause the end of the employment relationship. Shared expectations are critical and, as with most things in life, the devil is in the details.
Learn More

Have something on your mind? Join the discussion at The Nanny Buzz, where you’ll find tips and hints from nannies and experts, insight into the latest nanny news, and a forum where you can connect with other nannies and families.

Ask the Experts: Nanny Raises

Q: I have been with this family for a year now and I'm thinking of asking for more money. The kids are 4 and 8. I do more than just watch them. I often do several loads of laundry a night along with making beds, etc., etc. They pay me $10 a week for gas and I use my own vehicle. How should I approach the raise question and do you think it is fair to ask for one?

A: Yes, I think it is fair (and normal) for you to ask for an annual increase in your hourly salary.

I also think you should ask for a sizable increase in the reimbursement for using your own vehicle to transport the children. A year ago gas was half the price it is today so it is costing you twice as much to provide transportation. Another consideration is that you should be increasing your insurance limits to make sure that the children are covered if there should be an accident. Just this month a Wisconsin nanny was in a horrific accident with her charges in the car. One child was seriously injured, one child died and the nanny suffered serious head injuries. If this accident had occurred in the nanny's car, benefits could have been denied because she was doing "on-the-job" driving and may have had insurance that covered her car as a passenger vehicle for personal use only and not for professional or commercial use. When your employer instructs you to drive the children, then you are classified as providing "on the job" driving. You should talk to your employer about increasing your car insurance coverage at their expense or providing you with a vehicle that they own and insure.

In regard to the hourly raise I think it is fair to explain to your employer that the cost of living increases annually and that with gas price increases and other economic considerations everything costs more in 2008 than it did in 2007. I would suggest that you be specific in regard to what you consider to be a fair raise. You might want to do some research and check with local nanny agencies to see what they think is a fair hourly wage for the duties you are responsible for and your particular qualifications and then share that information with your employer.

If you find it difficult to discuss this with your employer, as many people are uncomfortable asking for a raise, you could prepare something in writing and mention that you would like to discuss your compensation and that you are happy with your job but would like them to read over what you have written and to think about it for a day or two. Then schedule a meeting with them to discuss the increase. Sometimes an employer may react negatively when their employee asks for more money, particularly if they feel that they are paying a fair wage. If you point out your reasons for asking for the increase and allow them the time to think about the value that you bring to their life they may be more receptive to the idea.

Pat Cascio
4EverythingNanny's Nanny - Employer Issues Expert
Owner, Morningside Nannies

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