bringing the nanny with us for a DW

flyjawn

we are planning a DW in vegas... very small and low key.  i have 2 kids (3 & 5) and I have a nanny that normally works M-F  from 8-5.  she's a live out nanny.

for our wedding we'd like to bring her with us to help out with the kids.  my whole family will be there and they are very involved with the care of my children but my sister will also be there with her 2.5 year old and her newborn baby.  i think an extra set of hands will help a lot.  we will probably be there from a Thursday - Sunday.

We will obviously be paying for our nanny's airfare and hotel but my question is what else should we do to compensate her for accompanying us and working hours she normally wouldn't work.

We pay her a monthly salary so I was thinking of paying her an extra week salary.  We would also be paying for any meals and expenses that she incurs while we're there.  

I would also make sure she has at least one whole day to explore Vegas on her own as she's never traveled outside our city before.  

Does this sound fair?  thoughts?

noodle_oo

I'm no expert, but I think that sounds totally fair!  An extra weeks pay for 4 days of work and all expenses paid on the trip sounds great to me.  And if she is close to your family, she might enjoy being at the wedding as well.

However, even though this does sound like a very attractive deal, just be prepared that she may decline and don't pressure her into it (ie. make it difficult for her to say no if she doesn't want to do the trip).  Not that I think she will, but just be understanding in case she does.

TheCranberry

Yes, I think paying her an extra week's salary is fair since she's going out of town, working on days she doesn't normally work and working longer hours.  Even though it's work, it may be a fun trip her too since you're giving her a day to explore. 

spenet1

As a nanny myself, that sounds fair. I agree with PP that you need to be prepared for if she says no, but I certainly would want to take advantage of an all expense paid trip to Vegas!

andy71781

I think that sounds fair.  She might have other ideas but that sounds like a good initial offer.

jcamm11

Ask her what she thinks is fair.  If she asks for something unreasonable, propose the above plan.

ehathewa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bringing-nanny-dw?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7852d3c4-566b-494a-953a-9174c74f2343Post:7b13d3ee-5218-43d9-8a14-419b4eecd61e">Re: bringing the nanny with us for a DW</a>:
[QUOTE]Ask her what she thinks is fair.  If she asks for something unreasonable, propose the above plan.
Posted by jcamm11[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't ask her to make a proposal...  Everyone here agrees that your offer is good, so make it and she what she thinks. 

MobKaz

I think that you will need to be very clear as to how long within the day she is expected to be "on call".  I also have to ask, "Will she be expected to attend to your sister's children as well?

Finally, without knowing the details of your "relationship" with the nanny, how would you feel about the nanny bringing a friend (at their expense) along on the trip?  As nice as the built in "down time" might be for the nanny, I'm not sure how much fun it will be for her to roam around Vegas as a "party of one".

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I think that's fair. It's only an extra 3-4 days of work for a week's salary, but if it's Thursday-Sunday I'm assuming the only "day off" she'll have for 2 weeks will be her downtown in Vegas (as in, she';; be back to work the day after you guys return from your trip). It's hard to not have a weekend to yourself, but a week's salary makes it a lot easier!

ExpatPumpkin

I think that's fair.  She shouldn't have any out of pocket expenses unless she has the afternoon off to go exploring, etc.  But I wouldn't offer to have her bring a friend since she'll be working, and not really on vacation. 

[Deleted User]

How about a weekday or two off to off set the weekend lost?

Otherwise I think it's fair.  

flyjawn

thanks guys.

i should have mentioned that i've already spoken to her and she loves the idea.  i just wanted to make sure that i'm compensating her well for her time and not overlooking anything.

COkristi

I've been a nanny for the past 5 years (with a college degree) and I think you are offering fair compensation. I personally do not enjoy going on "vacation" with the families I work for because I am giving up my weekend time at home with my husband and friends. I think paying her an extra week is a good offer, and I would assume she wants to be at your wedding. I am close with the family/families I have worked for and would absolutely want to be at their weddings. If you give her plenty of off time I think she will be happy. GL!

kriscriv

I am a nanny as well, and I think you should make the offer as is.  It is very uncomfortable for me when I am asked "what I think is fair" or what I expect.  The offer is extremely fair, and she will appreciate having the expectations/compensation laid out for her so she can make an educated decision. 

Most people who offer this sort of thing often are less thoughtful of their nannies, and I think your consideration of giving her a day to herself and offering her substantial pay above the all-expenses-covered trip is great.  I think the offer is awesome, and I would accept it with my current family.