Underpaid Nanny of Three Contemplates Quitting After Argument with Their Mother About $70 Fine on Her Library Card Caused by the Children

A 28-year-old nanny is back from vacation, tries to borrow something from the library, and gets hit with a $70 penalty because the three kids used her library card and never returned the materials. She calls her employer right away, assuming this is a quick fix, maybe even a simple “oops.”

But the story twists when she spots the library books at her boss’s house the next day. The argument that follows is not quiet or polite, it is over the fine, the kids’ mistakes, and whether the nanny, who makes $300 a week for 25 hours and also balances school, should just eat the cost.

Now she is wondering if this family is going to keep treating her like the one who pays for everything.

OP got back from her vacation. She tried to borrow something from the library but was informed about a $70 penalty for the materials the siblings borrowed but never returned.

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OP called her employer immediately. She tried to downplay the issue, stating she just forgot.

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OP saw the library materials in her employer's house the following day. They argued when OP asked the mom to pay the $70 fine.

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OP tried to play it down when she called her employer, but the $70 library fine was already sitting there like a loaded receipt.

The situation with the nanny and her employer underscores the complexities of caregiver relationships, especially when financial disputes come into play. The recent argument over a $70 library fine highlights how even minor financial issues can escalate into larger conflicts, potentially jeopardizing the working relationship. The nanny, who cares for three young children while balancing her studies, is already operating under a modest salary of $300 per week for 25 hours of work. Such compensation raises questions about fairness and value in these caregiving roles. When caregivers feel their contributions are undervalued, it can lead to significant frustration and a reconsideration of their employment. This incident reflects the broader theme of misaligned expectations in caregiving, where financial stress can strain relationships and ultimately influence decisions about whether to continue in a role that may no longer feel rewarding.

She said she warned OP not to let the children borrow anything from the library. She claimed she paid OP well enough for her to afford the fine without an issue.

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OP didn't have $70 to spare. She reminded her employer of how much she does and how much they pay her. The mom thinks her salary is fair if OP accounts for the food they provide her.

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OP's friends had mixed reactions to her situation. Some think she should quit, while others believe it was OP's mistake for letting the kids use her library card.

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The next day, OP literally found the borrowed materials at the mom’s house, and that is when the “forgot” excuse stopped working.

She notes that when individuals feel undervalued, it can hinder their ability to find satisfaction in their roles.

This is also like the childhood friend who begged for money, after the OP refused to repay.

$5/day for two weeks really adds up.

thirdtryisthecharm, Relative-Designer-63

OP should try talking to the librarians and see if she can get the fine reduced. She shouldn't hope for her employer to pay.

Ickyhouse

They couldn't even pay her an appropriate wage for the amount of work she does for three children under 10.

Miserable-Mango-7366

The biggest takeaway is that OP should quit her job with this family immediately.

Miserable-Mango-7366

A librarian suggested OP should return the materials to the library because it could potentially lower the fine.

Celestial_Unicorn_

This amount of stress isn't worth what OP earns.

ComprehensiveBand586

After the mom argued that her food-covered salary should cover the fine, OP hit back with the math on how much she actually gets paid.

Even OP’s friends got split between “quit immediately” and “it was your library card,” which is exactly how messy this got.

For nannies facing financial disputes, seeking support from employment resources or professional organizations can be invaluable.

OP shouldn't tolerate being treated this way just because her employer happens to be her mom's friend.

Sloppypoopypoppy, Relative-Designer-63

In fact, OP should tell her mom what kind of employer her friend has been.

Old-Mention9632

OP should consider the library fine as a convenience fee for helping her see the kind of person her employer is. That fine will allow OP to figure out her worth as a nanny.

Her employer has been underpaying her. No amount of food or schedule adjustment could equal the $18/hour they discounted from her wages.

The nanny, who earns $300 a week for caring for three young children, is clearly feeling undervalued, especially when faced with unexpected financial penalties caused by her charges. This situation highlights how essential it is for both parties to engage in open discussions about responsibilities and compensation. By fostering an atmosphere of transparency and appreciation, both the nanny and the family can work towards a more supportive dynamic, potentially avoiding disputes that may lead to separation.

The family dinner might be over, but the $70 fight is the kind that makes a nanny start packing.

Before you judge the nanny-mom fight over that $70 library fine, read what a friend did with borrowed bill money, then blamed a “vacation”.