10 Ways Nannies Can Make More Money

10 Ways Nannies Can Make More Money

Being a nanny offers daily rewards for those who love children and new experiences. But this is a job, and sometimes you need more rewards that end up in your bank account. If your budget is tight and you need to start making more money, don̵7;t despair.

We spoke with two nanny experts for suggestions on ways nannies can make more money. Brittney Schering, from Your All-Write Nanny, and Erica Christopher, the creator of Nannypology, share their insights and ideas on how caregivers can earn extra cash.

  1. Ask for a Raise
    Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. Talk to your employer about getting paid more. ̶0;If you think you deserve more, you probably do and negotiations are always okay,̶1; says Christopher. 

    Use the Care.com pay calculator to find out what the average sitter makes in your area and compare that to what you earn. When was your last raise? Have you taken on any additional duties? Do you regularly receive great feedback about your care? Talk to your employer about why you deserve a raise. If budgets are tight, the family may not be able to afford the complete raise. But talk about slowly increasing your salary over a time period and other ways you can make this work.

  2. Take on Extra Duties
    If you really want that raise, ask the family if you could take on extra duties around the house. Although the kids should always be your first priority, many parents could also use a little help around the house. Some of the more popular tasks families are willing to pay for are grocery shopping, meal creation, family laundry, light housekeeping duties, errands and household organization. Negotiate ways you could help with these tasks, without sacrificing your time spent with the kids, such as while the little ones are napping or by coming to work an hour earlier in the morning.

  3. Be a Babysitter or Part-time Nanny
    Both of our experts agree that one of the best ways to supplement nanny income is to provide child care to other families on a part-time basis during your off hours. ̶0;Nannies have a cornucopia of babysitting opportunities,̶1; Christopher says.

    Ask your regular family if you can also babysit the kids during weekends or date nights. Find out if they have any friends or family who need a babysitter. Apply to jobs on Care.com posted by other families looking for occasional babysitters.

  4. Market Yourself
    Shering has a unique way to find additional nanny jobs. ̶0;I carry a nanny bag to display that I am, in fact, the nanny. This helps others passing by see that I am not the parental figure and from there, new work opportunities present themselves.̶1; Shering̵7;s bag states, ̶0;Nope, I̵7;m the nanny̶1; and contains a link to her website.

  5. Write a Blog or Book
    ̶0;I am a writer in addition to serving as a nanny,̶1; says Shering. ̶0;Deadline pressures can sometimes be stressful, but it̵7;s that pressure that brings out my best work as well.̶1; Whether you create your own website and sell advertising on the site, as Shering does, or write online content for a public website, using your writing talents and experiences is a great way to make extra money. Christopher tells us, ̶0;Blogging and freelance article writing are easy to do during nap time and your free hours.̶1;

    Of course, make sure you preserve the privacy of any current or former employers by using pseudonyms and avoiding recognizable information.

  6. Find a Part-time Job
    Shering suggests finding a second job for some extra quick cash, such as being a part-time server or bar tender. ̶0;Make sure that your second job is something that you love and enjoy as much as nannying. Also make sure it doesn̵7;t conflict with the energy you need to perform at your best self for your nanny job. In other words, don̵7;t overwork yourself.̶1;

    Christopher adds, ̶0;If you̵7;re a part-time nanny,you can be a part-time anything! Barista, retail specialist, shoe shiner, whatever!̶1;

  7. Sell Your Crafts
    Nannies often spend time making crafty items with the kids. Upgrade your crafty skills and sell items you̵7;ve made on Etsy, an online store where you can buy and sell handmade and vintage items.

  8. Be a Tutor
    Families are always in need of tutors. Think about your areas of expertise. Did you get all As in biology or help your own kids pass calculus? You may be able to help other children. Find a tutoring job to help make more money.

    Not ready for being a full-on tutor? Learn How to Get a Job as a Homework Helper.

The opportunities nannies have for making additional income are endless. As Christopher says, ̶0;Nannies are fortunate to have flexible schedules, allowing them to do a plethora of things to boost their income.̶1;

But with all of these options, be careful that your regular family doesn̵7;t think you̵7;re ready to jump ship! If they think your attention isn̵7;t on their kids, you may find yourself with no job at all.

Sandy Wallace is a freelance writer in Lynchburg, Va. who writes about home, family and raising kids. You can find Sandy̵7;s work here.


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