Feeling Kind of Done
Childcare. Finding it in East Dulwich is kind of a nightmare. We are still hoping to do a nanny share - where you and another family jointly employ a nanny and split the cost between you. It's not cheap (but then, nothing else apart from getting a family member to look after the baby actually is), but it's not substantially more than daycare and it's a lot less than having a nanny on your own.
We found a fantastic nanny (well qualified, loves kids, not too attractive), but have really struggled to find another family who is, well, reasonable. My latest frustration is a woman who I know through other channels who has dithered now for about a month whether she wants to share a nanny with us. We have weathered and overcome many of her issues so far - I just tell her I am flexible within reason and understand her need to do what is right for her family, but her latest one is going to be the last, cause I'm just not budging.
Our nanny wants an hourly rate that is at the top end - but still within the relatively narrow band - of what several independent people have told me is what I should expect to pay for a nanny looking after two children. She has first aid and educational qualifications, seven years of experience and her own son. I think she's worth it. Unfortunately, the potential sharing family has just told me that they are only prepared to pay less than half of what she wants - incidentally their ideal rate is below minimum wage.
Call me crazy, but I pay my (also very good) cleaner £3/hour more than minimum wage (also in line with what people in this area generally pay their cleaners). Yes, she has keys to my house, but everything in my house is just stuff. My daughter is far more precious than anything I own, and I feel like the person looking after her should be qualified and competent enough to expect more than someone who is looking after stuff, however attached to that stuff I might be.
It's got me really tied up in knots because, sadly, this family is the most suitable we have come across in months of looking for a share. We can't afford the nanny on our own if I am going to train as a teacher. I could always stay in banking, at which point childcare costs no longer become an issue, but that's not what I want to do for me. It feels awfully early to be feeling like what's best for me and what's best for my family are in such opposition. Pfeh.
Anyone got a spare few boatloads of cash lying around that I could borrow for a while? You'd get it back eventually, I pinky swear...
PS - why does LJ spell check think that "pinky" is not a word? Bizarre...
We found a fantastic nanny (well qualified, loves kids, not too attractive), but have really struggled to find another family who is, well, reasonable. My latest frustration is a woman who I know through other channels who has dithered now for about a month whether she wants to share a nanny with us. We have weathered and overcome many of her issues so far - I just tell her I am flexible within reason and understand her need to do what is right for her family, but her latest one is going to be the last, cause I'm just not budging.
Our nanny wants an hourly rate that is at the top end - but still within the relatively narrow band - of what several independent people have told me is what I should expect to pay for a nanny looking after two children. She has first aid and educational qualifications, seven years of experience and her own son. I think she's worth it. Unfortunately, the potential sharing family has just told me that they are only prepared to pay less than half of what she wants - incidentally their ideal rate is below minimum wage.
Call me crazy, but I pay my (also very good) cleaner £3/hour more than minimum wage (also in line with what people in this area generally pay their cleaners). Yes, she has keys to my house, but everything in my house is just stuff. My daughter is far more precious than anything I own, and I feel like the person looking after her should be qualified and competent enough to expect more than someone who is looking after stuff, however attached to that stuff I might be.
It's got me really tied up in knots because, sadly, this family is the most suitable we have come across in months of looking for a share. We can't afford the nanny on our own if I am going to train as a teacher. I could always stay in banking, at which point childcare costs no longer become an issue, but that's not what I want to do for me. It feels awfully early to be feeling like what's best for me and what's best for my family are in such opposition. Pfeh.
Anyone got a spare few boatloads of cash lying around that I could borrow for a while? You'd get it back eventually, I pinky swear...
PS - why does LJ spell check think that "pinky" is not a word? Bizarre...