Mom offers incredible sum for babysitting per hour, facing backlash online

A mother from Flagstaff, Arizona, found herself at the center of criticism after posting an advertisement seeking a live-in nanny for her two children. The contentious part of the ad? The strikingly low pay: just 28p per hour, equating to a monthly salary of $600 (£472). This was reported by SSPDaily.

Many social media users took to platforms like Reddit to voice their frustration, deeming the offer an unfair remuneration for what is expected to be a demanding and responsible role. The ad specified that the selected candidate would be responsible for caring for the three and five-year-old children for a staggering 55 hours each week, in addition to household duties such as meal preparation and maintaining cleanliness.

To compound matters, the job only provided accommodation between Sunday and Thursday evenings, leaving the nanny to navigate living arrangements during their off days. Required qualifications for the position included a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle, a clean background check, and CPR and first aid certification.

Naturally, the rate offered raised concerns about fair compensation, with one Reddit user questioning how anyone could responsibly consider such a position. Others were quick to point out that the payment not only fell below minimum wage requirements but also failed to provide adequate time off for personal pursuits or additional work necessary to earn a livable income.

Comparisons were made to historical wages, as one user humorously remarked that the wage of 28p an hour might have sufficed in 1924 but is certainly unrealistic in the year 2024. Similarly, another user shared their experience as a live-in nanny in previous decades, underscoring the stark contrast in appropriate compensation.