Comments on: Our Reality-Show Worthy Childcare Journey. So Far.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:18:04 +0000

@albe – i’m sure there are several resources, but the popular ones in my circle of MoMs are breedlove-online dot com, which provides tax prep, filing, and remittance, labor law guidance, and payroll management for household employers; with a few other using a payroll service called intuit dot com. this should not be construed for tax advice, however, and as always, it is best to contact your tax advisor

By: Sadia

Sadia — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:17:18 +0000

Wow! Just … wow!

I thought we had childcare drama because I
1) Moved the kids from a program we LOVED to one we thought we’d love that was more convenient.
2) Didn’t like it and moved them back to the original daycare.

The not-so-great daycare made a huge deal about needing 30 days’ notice, which was fine. This week, when my friend told them they wanted to withdraw her autistic son, they didn’t say a word about 30 days. She thinks they’re dying to get rid of him, and I don’t disagree. It’s a pity, because he’s sweet boy.

When what you have works, stick with it!
Sadia´s last blog ..Close to home

By: reanbean

reanbean — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:19:11 +0000

We’ve just started looking into childcare for next fall when our two will be two and a half. It’s so overwhelming and the cost is outrageous. One center wanted $770/week, and that was with the sibling discount! At that rate, I might as well continue to stay home, because I won’t be making any money by going to work.

By: candi

candi — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:03:22 +0000

Benefits of hiring a nanny This is just another childcare option!
1. The Obama family is moving in their mother-in-law to the White House. More and more families are looking into hiring a Granny Nanny.
2. Affordability of a nanny in today’s society.
a. Nannies are not just for the wealthy.
b. If you have 2 or more kids in daycare; you would be paying the same for a nanny in most cases.
c. If your kids are sick, you can still go to work – a nanny could stay with the kids and kids seem to stay more healthy out of daycare settings.
3. Families hiring nannies online and saving thousands of dollars rather than using a Nanny Placement Agency.
4. A nanny can simplify your life.
5. Nanny Share – Where 2 families are sharing a nanny due to cost.

By: Leigh from 123 blog

Leigh from 123 blog — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:11:22 +0000

Hmmm, my twins are 4 months old (on Sat) and I’m just finishing up my maternity leave.

We decided on a full-time day nanny who started with me when they were 8 weeks old so I could “train” her – am very exact in how I like things done so this is great.

An earlier commenter mentioned how her mistake was staying with a bad match too long. I fear I may be doing that too.

She is good with kids but does not communicate and she and I don’t really get along – we talk enough to get by… but not great communication.

But am too terrified to try and cope with these babies on my own……………

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:20:46 +0000

OMG. That whole process sounds awful. Makes the struggles I have getting coverage for the occasional meeting or doctor’s appointment seem not so bad at all.

By: Nanny agency

Nanny agency — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:30:31 +0000

I have to say being as chatty as you are Rachel you’re born for blogging – don’t worry about not Twittering! I see a lot of blogs and just going by the comments you get this should have more Page Rank than it does. I’m sure it’ll come. If you’re in any doubt (I hope you’re not), you really should keep this up.
Complicated getting a nanny, not just because you need someone with the right temperament for your household but because of the finances too – tell me about it!

By: Tina

Tina — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:04:46 +0000

My childcare saga is as twisted. Thank you for sharing…live in full time nanny is the only thing that has worked for us. Worth every penny. Not sure what will happen when the twins hit preschool next year. Eek, don’t even want to think about it. One day at a time.
Tina´s last blog ..The Ex-Nanny Chronicles Part I: Is that clear? Crystal.

By: Ree

Ree — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:35:42 +0000

Oh yeah – we went through crazy babysitters, unreliable babysitters, language-barrier nannies, and finally, finally, decided on utilizing an au pair agency. Our current au pair is great. The tax issues are much much easier, and my urchins get the benefit of learning a new language, a new culture and new skills from each au pair that we’ve had.
And her hours flex around my schedule, which, yippeee!

In looking over our childcare craziness over the past five years, I have to add that a huge part of it is also that I have learned an awful lot about how to be a better “employer”. In the beginning, I probably stuck with a “bad match” longer than I should have, and failed to make the job requirements crystal clear. Am getting much better at that…..

By: albe

albe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:10:08 +0000

So can anybody with a nanny share how you deal with the taxes? Up until now we’ve had a part-time nanny who has her own LLC and is an independent contractor, so she paid her own taxes and we never had to deal with it. We pay her $17/hour but it’s been worth every penny both for the taxes issue and because she’s a retired pediatric nurse with tons of twin experience.

Anyway, she specializes in infants and as the kids approach 2 she is going to move back to infants with another family, and we’re now looking for a traditional nanny. The amount of taxes we’ll have to pay for that is a bit daunting and it seems confusing to have to do all of the paperwork. But I’m way too scared to not do it, seeing as how it’s illegal and the penalties are so stiff if you get caught. Any tips?
albe´s last blog ..November Already?