Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Working Moms

Sort:
12-19-2012 at 7:19 PM
alli2672
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-19-2010
3,281 Posts
12,751 Points
alli2672 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 3:13 PMSilver

feeling like kind of a heel: gift for babysitter/nanny

So, I had planned on giving our babysitter 1 weeks salary (a little more) for Christmas tomorrow.  However, today she brought over gifts for the kids, DH, and I.  She got DD a bunch of clothes, and the boys a little tykes basketball hoop and light up drawing thing.  She got DH and I a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant with a free night of babysitting. 

I feel kind of crappy now giving her a gift that required absolutely no thought on my part.

 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 7:25 PM
buggal28
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-13-2012
648 Posts
12,206 Points
buggal28 is not online. Last active: 05-15-2013, 5:15 PMBronze
I would love my employer to give me money as a gift.  But, I don't really have a relationship with them.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ― A.A. Milne Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 7:46 PM
honeybee11...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-04-2002
San Diego
3,192 Posts
7,253 Points
honeybee111 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:16 PMSilver
Eh, our nanny needs the cash the most, so that's what we gave her.  DD(really me) did write a really nice card for her that made her cry, so that was my effort to make a check a little more personal.  Not to mention a week's salary is more than twice the amount we spend on anyone else's gift.  So, I don't feel bad.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 8:18 PM
lexusolsen
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-13-2009
1,116 Posts
7,188 Points
lexusolsen is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 4:24 PMBronze
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers LilySlim Weight loss tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 8:44 PM
honeybee11...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-04-2002
San Diego
3,192 Posts
7,253 Points
honeybee111 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:16 PMSilver

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

If we used a day care or in home provider, I would not give a week's salary.  I believe with a nanny, we are paying for the personalized service and convenience, and she is our employee, so it's like her holiday bonus.  Plus, she cares for my child, so it's totally worth it to us.  Now, if we couldn't afford a week's salary, we would give her a different amount.  We try to be generous with her, because she is generous with us in terms of scheduling, working extra hours if needed, babysitting on date nights, etc.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 8:55 PM
MrsSDgirl
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-16-2007
124 Posts
876 Points
MrsSDgirl is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 4:19 PMNewbie

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

 

This is exactly what we're doing for our in home provider.  However, I'm adding a gift card for $50 to her favorite local resturant.  There is NO WAY we could afford a full weeks salary.  I'm also quite amazed that people do this all the time.
Photobucket Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker http://www.thebump.com/profiles/MrsSDgirl/media/photo/edit/2007325 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 9:01 PM
lexusolsen
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-13-2009
1,116 Posts
7,188 Points
lexusolsen is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 4:24 PMBronze
MrsSDgirl:

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

&nbsp;

This is exactly what we're doing for our in home provider. &nbsp;However, I'm adding a gift card for $50 to her favorite local resturant. &nbsp;There is NO WAY we could afford a full weeks salary. &nbsp;I'm also quite amazed that people do this all the time.



Whew!! I'm glad I'm not alone! We can afford to round the pay up to the nearest 50. We pay her for a full week even if she is off, so she gets an extra day or two from us when we don't have to pay her for that time. I figure it's built into my monthly budget and I can afford to do it then. But a whole extra week isn't feasible.
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers LilySlim Weight loss tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-19-2012 at 9:40 PM
ridesbutto...
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-23-2002
ontario
10,953 Posts
29,795 Points
ridesbuttons is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:27 PMGold

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

yes.

when my kid/s were being cared for by a home provider, a week's salary is what I gifted them.

I now gift the daycare teachers $50 cash each. (which is $300)

tomato/tomato
promised myself I'd retire when I turned gold, and yet here I am 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 5:31 AM
wife07mom0...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-23-2011
2,398 Posts
10,452 Points
wife07mom09 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:39 PMSilver
that is SO much but nice of you. Not required.  We gifted our nanny $200 and she was shocked and appreciative. I feel good with our decision. she is our employee and is fabulous with the kids.
My little girl is growing up! (born 12/09) Little brother is here! (born 5/2012) Thank you Lord for my precious family! 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:12 AM
emberlee3
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-07-2010
2,630 Posts
5,304 Points
emberlee3 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 8:51 PMSilver

We do a nanny share for DD.  Each family is giving her $100, plus she will get Dec. 24-26 off (paid).  She gets other paid days off randomly when our schedules allow, plus her planned holidays.  We can't afford a full week's salary as a gift, and she has been with us for less than 6 months.

OP, I am sure your nanny will appreciate the generosity of your gift.  That is very sweet of her to buy gifts for your family.

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:17 AM
alli2672
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-19-2010
3,281 Posts
12,751 Points
alli2672 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 3:13 PMSilver

I guess that I am feeling like I should have spend the money on something thoughtful rather than just giving her a check.  I'm not worried that it isn't enough money. 

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:25 AM
LoCarb
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-16-2008
DFW
4,835 Posts
22,737 Points
LoCarb is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 6:31 PMSilver
alli2672:

I guess that I am feeling like I should have spend the money on something thoughtful rather than just giving her a check.  I'm not worried that it isn't enough money. 

Money is best with a nice heart felt card.

Mommy of two girls: DD1 4/14/9 DD2 4/15/11  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:35 AM
LibraryChi...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-11-2010
4,620 Posts
24,741 Points
LibraryChica is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 10:32 AMSilver
I think cash is an excellent gift. I initially felt, like you, that it might be a bit impersonal but I was convinced otherwise by this board and my DH. We didn't give quite a week's salary, but we gave her a couple hundred dollars and she certainly seemed happy.
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:54 AM
rubber_chi...
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-07-2004
1,025 Posts
6,204 Points
rubber_chicken is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 7:04 PMBronze
alli2672:

So, I had planned on giving our babysitter 1 weeks salary (a little more) for Christmas tomorrow.  However, today she brought over gifts for the kids, DH, and I.  She got DD a bunch of clothes, and the boys a little tykes basketball hoop and light up drawing thing.  She got DH and I a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant with a free night of babysitting. 

I feel kind of crappy now giving her a gift that required absolutely no thought on my part.

 

 

I know the feeling!  Tomorrow we were planning to bring in gift cards (with a nicely written card) for each of the teachers in her room, and then a box of donuts for all the teachers.   And then yesterday, when we picked the baby up, the teachers had a gift for her all wrapped up prettily!
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 8:14 AM
madladybri...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-19-2004
Maryland
6,017 Posts
4,539 Points
madladybride is not online. Last active: 04-24-2013, 2:39 PMGold
Well, she can always use that money to buy a more thoughtful gift. Honestly, people do things differently, so I wouldn't worry about it. Plus, I think you gave a nice gift.
AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 8:37 AM
nosoup4u
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-06-2005
6,806 Posts
22,619 Points
nosoup4u is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:21 PMGold
alli2672:

I guess that I am feeling like I should have spend the money on something thoughtful rather than just giving her a check.  I'm not worried that it isn't enough money. 

Nah, cash is always a good gift!
DS1 - Feb 2008

DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!) 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 9:00 AM
PhDMomma
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-09-2012
63 Posts
567 Points
PhDMomma is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 3:36 PMNewbie
We're giving cash to our inhome provider.  Typically if DS doesn't go for any part of the week, we don't have to pay for that week.  So, he isn't going at all next week (we are traveling) and just paying her for it.  Also, we are letting her borrow our car for the week we are gone, she's been having some troubles with hers and needs to get some christmas shopping done.  Our cars aren't that nice, so it's not a big issue if it gets dented.
http://www.thebump.com/profiles/PhDMomma/media/photo/edit/1456535 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 9:01 AM
TX-Bride
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-10-2006
Austin, Tx
7,340 Posts
14,607 Points
TX-Bride is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 9:23 PMGold

If you feel you need to do something a little personal/more thought, everyone loves bath and body stuff, a small gift set would not set you back that much and put your check in an envelope and attach it to your gift.

I don't have a baby yet, but for my employees at work, each get a small gift basket around $10, and $25 GC to a restaurant.

 

 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 9:08 AM
Netty_3
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-14-2011
1,838 Posts
17,527 Points
Netty_3 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 12:54 PMBronze
Maybe you can put the check in a basket of other small things. I'm sure she'd appreciate the money though.
AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers Anniversary 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 9:27 AM
hocus
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-01-2005
New York
10,428 Posts
12,877 Points
hocus is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 4:51 PMGold

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

I don't think it is the same for a nanny and an inhome provider. But yes people really do give a one week's salary for their nannies if they can. There is a wide range of what people give. Nannies are usually pretty aware of a families situation and they understand if families can't really swing an extra $500 or more as gift.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 1:37 PM
lexusolsen
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-13-2009
1,116 Posts
7,188 Points
lexusolsen is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 4:24 PMBronze
hocus:

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.


I don't think it is the same for a nanny and an inhome provider. But yes people really do give a one week's salary for their nannies if they can. There is a wide range of what people give. Nannies are usually pretty aware of a families situation and they understand if families can't really swing an extra $500 or more as gift.



I would love to give her more and we definitely appreciate everything she does for LO. I don't want to appear to her that we don't appreciate her but we just don't have the cash. Honestly, we pay her more a week than we spent on LOs Christmas gifts!
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers LilySlim Weight loss tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 4:42 PM
DallasHorn
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-01-2003
Suburb of Dallas
1,821 Posts
1,606 Points
DallasHorn is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 6:08 PMBronze

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

 I have heard that some nanny's expect a weeks and I've heard some that always give this. Personlly, to give that much is a ton and I don't believe anyone should ever expect a large monitary gift from their employer (even if it's your nanny). We have never given our nanny's a week's salary...until this year. However, 2 of the days are contractual paid holidays, so really we are giving her 3 paid days. However our current nanny is out of this world fantastic, so I feel more compelled to show my gratitude.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 6:48 PM
rachboston...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-14-2011
122 Posts
2,302 Points
rachboston60 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 9:18 PMNewbie

lexusolsen:
Do people really give a week's salary? I am blown away by this! There is no way we can afford that. I plan on giving her a full week's pay when I am contractually obligated to only give her half since I will be on vacation. Am I just being cheap? We use an inhome provider.

 

Yeah, we could never afford that either... but also, we could never afford to have a nanny, so thats why we use an in-home daycare.  (not that its "better" or "worse", just less money for us)  We gave our daycare provider a nice gift card.  She gets paid holidays and paid vacation, I think a gift card is fine.   
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:27 PM
jetgrrrl
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-11-2004
Boston
1,289 Posts
1,426 Points
jetgrrrl is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 10:14 AMBronze
Yup, we do a nanny share and we and our neighbors have always given her a check for a week's salary - the after tax amount, not the pre-tax amount. We usually also give her a small gift "from the kids". This year it's really nice chocolate.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Lilypie Third Birthday tickers  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 3:42 PM
Strunella
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-02-2007
New Jersey
6,986 Posts
13,532 Points
Strunella is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 2:23 PMGold
We don't do a week's salary for our nanny...we just can't swing that.   And honestly, I don't get a bonus for Christmas, so I'm not sure why a week's salary for nannies has become the norm.  We are giving her a Visa gift card for a few hundred dollars and paid time off from 12/24 through 1/1.  
Baby G in the grass photo 1a00e88c-4be2-49db-8abc-050122c3004e_zpsfdfd592a.jpg Lilypie Third Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
BPaws
1,006 posts
sunlavende...
994 posts
linzeek44
611 posts
minicheezb...
413 posts
Nest Cayla
388 posts
sheacox
347 posts
NotElsie
306 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
222 posts
Love4Labs3...
203 posts
jertie
112 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! jessmclain
luvmyducks wallace323
ThankfulSnail elle.bee
Sulli20s CoffeeBeanFiend91
MrsW101011 JanieLR08
ISIH LooneyLife
vsalt31 lindsey61811
Chickypoo2468 Lcoffin
saullen54 pearlsonthebeach
JessWeck Soleil3
ilovelucas99 alawson609
nano1 crarnberg
RMama2012 thh
Valeriekudu SMA!
MommyP26 jmmacdonald
From The Nest Boards:
"Finding couple friends?"
marinomelissa on Relationships

"Favorite pumpkin recipes?"
laurasr1984 on What's Cooking?