Imagine being asked to babysit full - time , overnight , for less than a dollar an hr .
Sophia Pagliucais a South Carolina-based nanny who has been in the industry over seven years.
So, as you can imagine, she’s learned a lot (and encountered many different parents — aka employers) over the years. She currently shares nannying tips to her 28,000 followers on TikTok:
answer to @Francesca Luca Part one ! ! ! How to text parent who you re going to babysit or nanny for!!#nannytok#babysittingtok#babysittingadvice#nannyadvice#nannyvlog#nannysalary#nannylife#nannytiktok#fypシ
However, what recently caught the attention of over 3 million people on the platform was when Sophia shared the shockingly rude and disrespectful texts she has received during her career. Let’s take a look now:
Here’s one where the parent is upfront about their budget but not about how many hours Sophia would actually be working:
These parents are one of many who openly like to do business “under the table”:
Here’s an eye-blinker. These parents wanted food to be Sophia’s pay:
And these parents don’t understand that gas costs money:
This parent wanted to pay less than a dollar an hour because they claimed Sophia would “not even be working” while the kids slept:
These parents who tried to get away with paying about half of what was owed:
This parent who doesn’t understand that, while they can sympathize, nannies have to pay bills the same as everyone else:
This parent who based their nanny rate off of how muchtheymade each day at work:
These parents who thought that trying to be polite would negate the fact that they were attempting to take advantage of her rates:
Here’s another overnight job where the parent doesn’t think that the overnight safety of their child warrants even minimum wage:
And this parent who matter-of-factly stated they would pay her $8 less per hour than what she charges (but her kids were calm and she would get free pizza!):
There were others who didn’t understand how Sophia set her rates, however:
Many factors influence nanny rates. TheMorningside Nannies has a great postexplaining how things like education, experience, the current market, and wage laws come into play when nannies set their rates.
BuzzFeed spoke to Sophia who said she got her start babysitting on the side while simultaneously working in a breakfast cafe. “One day, a random family I had babysat for once came into my cafe, and I ended up serving them. By the end of the meal, I had my first nannying job — very unconventional, but it was such a fun way to jumpstart my entrance into the industry! I quit my job at the cafe and have been nannying ever since,” she said.
Sophia told us there are many more “pros” than “cons” in the nannying world, however, she acknowledged that even one con can make or break a job. “The worst, most frustrating thing is lack of respect. This is a career. Nannies are the backbone of many people’s lives! Too many parents believe that nannying is a side gig for young women to make some ‘quick cash.’ The best nannying positions are ones where the parents realize the invaluable contribution that a nanny brings. I do want to add that it’s not just parents who bring this mindset — I have had many acquaintances ask me when I’ll be quitting nannying to get a ‘real job.'”
Having to continuously advocate for fair pay and wages and deal with entitled parents is another unfortunate realty of the job. “I wish more people (including parents) realized that it’s not easy — each day can be starkly different from the last. I’ve had an abundance of people remark about how they wish they could nanny because it’s so ‘easy!’ Nannying can not only be physically exhausting but mentally exhausting. Caring for the physical, mental, and emotional health of children, often several at a time, is not for the weak!”
“The prevalence of disrespect combined with being overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated is felt by all nannies. Every professional in this industry has experienced those texts in their real lives at some point,” said Sophia, explaining why she thinks her text video went so viral.
In addition, nannies like Sophia find themselves constantly explaining how they are different than babysitters. Nannies dedicate extensive one-on-one time with kids, forming bonds with the children and providing them with individualized needs. “In a daycare setting, there may be a classroom of 10+ children fighting for a daycare worker’s attention,” she added.
Nevertheless, Sophia says nannying is her biggest blessing, and she has had so much fun in the profession. “I truly believe a nanny’s job of nurturing, guiding, and teaching children is one of the most important careers because children are the future. When parents find that amazing person to assist them in raising their children, the most important thing they can do is appreciate their hard work!”
You can follow Sophia onInstagramandTikTok.
