Why do parents never respect end time??? Even when in my interviews I specifically mention I am a human and need to be leaving at my end time not 5-10-20 mins later because parents walk in at end time and want to talk about the day after.

Genuinely may just be me and my OCD but I value my time and I just worked with your kid for 8.5 hrs and would like to go home???

I just think it’s so disrespectful 😭

i work with my absolute unicorn of a family and truly love coming to work for them each day. right now there is just 1 NK with #2 on the way.

my only responsibilities outside of watching NK is dishes and bottles related NK(s) and any toys that need washed. i have found myself doing other little random things here and there to help when i can like sometimes loading dishes in the dish washer, emptying the trash, sweeping the kitchen, and changing the diaper pail. they haven’t asked that i do anything extra and i really don’t mind helping out if i have the time however i don’t want to start a job creep where these regularly become something they expect of me, i don’t foresee this happening but i know it can happen. is there a way a can toe this line without making it part of my responsibilities in the future??

so i’ve started working a nanny share a month ago with a 7 month old and an 8 month old. their naps were lining up which was great for me i got a break, but then quickly the parents of the 7 month old wanted to start transitioning from 3 naps a day to 2, which meant the nap schedule shifted. now their naps are the complete opposite one wakes up and the next go to sleep which means i’ve had no breaks at all for 10 hour days or i just have a 30 minutes break if it overlaps. i’ve brought it up to the 7 month old mom (actually i’ve said it to both moms but the 7 month old one’s schedule is the one that completely changed) like hey this is just something on my radar that i know babies are unpredictable i prepared for that but not only are they not even interacting which is a huge point of nanny share that they found important (but when i brought that point up the mom suddenly said that’s not her importance??) but it’s really not feasible for the long term i’m EXHAUSTED being on the whole entire day with no breaks and by the end of the day i have no energy to truly interact with them like i should be able to. i mean there’s also a ton more “issues” that is also a reason why i’m probably nitpicking on little things and wondering like is this worth it because to be honest me and the 7 month old family don’t really match that well but it’s just at bay enough to finish out our contract… anyways any advice is appreciated, am i just being a brat and i should suck it up because it’s what i signed up for? idk.

So I started with this family recently and I'm so close to walking out. They keep the air at 76° and keep walking in and making the baby cry from separation anxiety and getting mad at me saying I'm not doing enough to make him stop even though I DID EVERYTHING!! he's also teething and barely knows me since I've been gone all week. They also keep waking him so he's gotten no sleep. He is 7mo and only allowed 30min-1hr naps. I have a list of things to get done and barely have time to eat or drink water. They've said I don't wear him out enough for naps. Mind you I did tummy time, read him book, sang to him, took him outside, fed him, and gave him a bath. I'm going crazy but need a job. They only pay $20hr which is 5 below what I charge for one kid and I have a 40 minute commute. I'm so desperate for a job and about to file for bankruptcy. Also let me know any other side gigs all do because I'm over this. Allssooo they want him to eat with a spoon and hands on his own with no help

Hello!
I’ve been having some issues with my NF in my last 5 weeks of my contract. Context for leading up to this is below.
The questionable comment is “My name knows nothing.” Coming from NK and she shouts it and points to her nose and laughs. She’s 3 so it makes sense if “knows” is confused with “nose.” This happened last Friday, but it was towards the end of the day so I let it go and wanted to give the parents the benefit of the doubt.
But over the past three days, she has said it repeatedly and this morning said it in the kitchen while MB was in her office, just a few feet away. It obviously wasn’t acknowledged, but I’m really trying to think of anything else it could mean other than “Nanny knows nothing.” I asked NK who says that and she says MB does. What do you guys think?

Context:
On an intense night between the parents, DB reached out to me close to midnight to berate me about where I have slacked on the job and how it’s making MB work overtime. (I do more than what’s in my contract like grocery runs, returns, and package drop offs because I just want to be helpful and yes, I do follow my contract obligations minus changing bedding. I checked this after being accused.)
All while throwing her under the bus and calling her a bad manager. I addressed it saying it was inappropriate and unprofessional. Things did not go well the next day when I didn’t accept his apology. (I would have eventually, but it was too soon and he wasn’t supposed to be home so I was caught off guard.)
Things got heated, and apparently MB had told him that I had not done some of the things asked, but I revealed to him in our conversation that I was never asked to do these things. When he asked her if she was lying, I stopped them and said “this has nothing to do with me anymore.” I left 30 minutes early that day and took the next day off because it would’ve been too soon to see them.

The next day, I text MB (this was a mistake) apologizing for losing my cool and reiterating how I’m impressed that she keeps things afloat and I value our relationship and hope for it to go back to the way it was, but understand if it doesn’t. I explained that I want to apologize in person. I know it seems like I’m taking her side BUT the morning after the text, she verbatim tells me “I’m so sorry, I’m so embarrassed. DB has a problem with how demanding my job is and thinks if you aren’t working OT, then why am I and that has nothing to do with you. WE are good. I have addressed anything that needs to be addressed.”

She turned around on me and accused me of ignoring DB over the years and being disrespectful to him. (I was hurt because I would never do something like that.) She also accused me of never following through with tasks in my contract. And then she said “you need this job as much as I need mine.” And honestly that’s ringing heavy in my ear today. Since then, MB has been passive aggressive and the kindness is fake. Any kind gestures went out the door. And there is a power imbalance that is being used to full advantage by dangling my income over my head.

I was brought into an uncomfortable and disrespectful situation because of their marital issues and then I was used as the scapegoat to get their marriage back on track so they seem like a team again. And none of it had anything to do with me. With 5 weeks left.

I’m so done, but I raised NK for two years and want to cherish my time with her. There’s only 9 days left, but I won’t stay if she’s telling NK that I “know nothing.”

I’m beyond words for how hurt I am that this is where we are at.

TLDR: DB berates me for slacking on the job at midnight. I call out the unprofessionalism. I don’t accept apology because it’s too soon. MB who was “embarrassed” by his behavior and said there was nothing to fix in person, flipped on me and accused me of being disrespectful and not doing my job via text the next day.
We squashed it, but MB is passive aggressive and now NK is parroting rude and disrespectful things MB has said.

Edit to add: I will probably delete this in a few days because I’m not sure if NP use Reddit.

I have been with a family for a little over a year as a 40+ hour a week nanny and house manager. It has been very hard work. After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, pots, and HEDS, I need to retire due to chronic pain. I’m in my late 40s. Both parents are physicians and I don’t want to have to disclose too much personal info. How would you word your discussion/ letter of resignation? I am dreading this because I know it is going to be so hard on them to find another nanny. It just sucks on both ends.
Thanks for your advice!

B23 months loves The Lion King and says, “Coo coo Tata, no worries!”

I got a text from my NF during the weekend. The 3 girls will be in school full time starting August 17th and mom will be taking care of them in the afternoons. Which is great, they need family time. I adore these girls. They have taught me so much and we love each other. I’m sure this won’t be goodbye forever. And I’m honestly pretty burnt out.
That gives me a month to find another job. But I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do next. And I think I desperately need to switch careers.
I’m getting my certification to be a Spanish Medical Interpreter. I don’t think I’ll be done on time. But maybe I could find one time jobs here and there until I’m ready to start.
I’m just so scared to start over! And it feels nostalgic already. But the thought of a new family and the adaptation process makes me so much more anxious.
I’ve enjoyed my years as a nanny. And I’ve loved so many kids. But I just can’t keep doing it.
Maybe this is the push that I need. And maybe it’ll be better in the long run.
I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and experienced as a nanny. And I hope to see my girls again in the future.

My nanny family has a six year old and a nearly three year old and I swear they forget how old their youngest is! They got rid of all the Lego duplo, they throw away pieces to the number and letter match puzzles, And when I buy things like color and shape cards and games, I get told it’s useless. The three year old doesn’t know their colors, can’t recognize their name, and struggles with animals and body parts as well. He is behind and I don’t know how to get it through the parents’ heads that he has interests other than what his brother likes and sports. He would kill for a kitchen set but they are buying him a bike for his third birthday in two weeks. They also don’t do out of the house one on one time with him at all, and the ND wrestles with him even when he screams and cries because he “likes sports”. He hates it and it makes me so sad.

Hi there! I need advice from the Bay Area parents and Nannies I don’t want to be taken advantage of again.

I’ve been a nanny/babysitter for about 3 years now, 1 years as a live in ages 2, 5, and 7 where I was left alone with them for weeks at a time due to single mom being in the military. Managed EVERYTHING completely independently that was related to them and the household besides mom’s schedule.
Now I’m looking at a job offer in the Bay where they want me to give them my desired salary. Same ages 2, 5, 7. Id be handling some household chores (kids laundry, clean up, dishes, cooking here and there etc) with drop off and pickup here and there in my car, and the 2yr old would be with me all day. They seem like a lovely family and have had Nannie’s before they moved as well so they’re not new to this.

They want me to give them a weekly salary, on a payroll system. My question is what’s reasonable for the Bay Area in the 510 area. I’m ok with being a little cheaper, but I don’t want to be underestimating myself either. I find that I am a people pleaser and it’s hard for me to ask for what I’m worth. It’s a big job I’ve done it before when I was 19 and naive, and I’m terrified of getting stuck again. Any tips or things I should bring up in the contract? Thank you in advance!!
Edit: long hours, 48ish a week

Just feeling super misunderstood and sad about this and want to chat. I was a nanny for a 1yo baby girl, I’d been with this family since she was around 2 or 3 months so I care about her a lot, she’s the sweetest thing. And I always thought I had a pretty solid working relationship with her parents.

NK isn’t walking yet so she pulls up on any furniture she can to “cruise”. Last week there was a wad of cash sitting on the coffee table where NK frequents. She’s at that age where she gets into everything and I didn’t want her to mess with the cash, didn’t want it misplaced and also didn’t want her to put it in her mouth (money is so filthy) so I moved it to the kitchen table where she can’t reach. Didn’t think anything of it.

But when I left for the day I got a text from MB in our group chat with DB and she asked if I’d seen the cash because it’s missing. I told her I had put it on the kitchen table so NK didn’t get into it and explained my reasonings. There was no response for about 20 minutes then MB replied and said she found the cash on the table but there was money missing. There had been $400 there and now there was only $250. Of course I was freaking out because she thinks I took it but I didn’t know what else to tell her other than yes I moved the cash but I absolutely didn’t take any. And that’s the truth! That was Thursday, I went to work Friday like usual and it was a little awkward but they didn’t bring up the cash again but then they fired me over the weekend over TEXT. Said they were letting me go with cause and referenced the missing cash so I’m not getting any severance and I suddenly don’t have a job with no reference letter from them.

This really sucks because previously I had no genuine issues with this family. I like their baby a lot and the position was supposed to last until she was 3, and I‘m devastated I won’t be able to see her grow into toddlerhood. And I just don’t understand how they could think I’d do something like that :/ Like I have no idea what happened to the cash….maybe she miscounted or maybe DB took it and didn’t want to speak up. Or maybe they wanted to fire me and just didn’t want to pay severance or give notice. But wth, it wasn’t me.

We've had our nanny about 5 months for infant twin girls. I work from home but stay in my office as much as humanely possible to give her and the kids space. No surveillance system. She's very nice but very young and I'm unsure if the problem is the job offering or the nanny.

Context: moderate COL area, 6.5 hours/day Mon-Fri, payroll, sick leave, $25/hour. All food is prepped so she's just reheating and serving. Cleaning is only their playpen area, highchairs and their dishes used for meals that she feeds them and loading our bottle washer (any messes made outside of her work hours are absolutely not part of her duties).

My concerns are she just seems to be on her phone all day, scrolling, phone calls, FaceTime. The TV is on all the time even though we've asked for very minimal screen time. If I walk by to sneak into the kitchen she'll put her phone away and act like she's playing with them. The bigger factor is she doesn't seem to do anything like play with them, developmentally appropriate activities, go for walks, or take them outside where we have a play area and their bouncers set up even though she's been directly asked to do these. We recently reviewed her contract with her and emphasized these things. Cleaning is hit or miss, we've had convos on being on time but she's young so idk trying to give her some grace. Otherwise she's mostly reliable, communication is fine, and she's very sweet to the kids.

I guess I just thought a nanny had more child development skills? Having a nanny is already a financial stretch for us so I'm wondering if we're just paying too low for my expectations and need to reconsider (although good luck finding two infant spots at a daycare) or if we're being taken advantage of?

TLDR: Nanny doesn't do any activities or play with the kids but everything else is mostly fine- are we not paying enough for a nanny or overpaying for an average babysitter?

This happened last year, and I've always been curious about it.

I had a simple intake interview with Adventure Nannies where we mostly went over my resume and experience. After the call, I was invited to create a candidate profile and upload my references, certifications, education, and other documents to their portal.

I hadn't even finished uploading everything yet—this was only about two days later—when I received this email.

Has anyone gotten one of these and later ended up working with them? Or once you get this email, are you essentially out of consideration indefinitely?

Hi,

Thank you again for taking the time to chat yesterday! It was a pleasure getting to know you and learning more about your experience and background. Following your agency interview, the ___ family has let us know they’ve decided to move forward with another candidate. Because we invest between 10 and 15 hours in our vetting process for each candidate, we are intentional about the paths we pursue. At this time, we will not be moving forward with the next steps. Our goal is always to support successful placements and to invest in candidates where we see strong alignment with current opportunities.

We truly appreciate your interest and the care you bring to your work. and share in the disappointment that we’re not able to move forward. While our decision is final, it is a reflection of our internal process and policies, not a reflection on you, your skills, or your ability to support families in your community.

Wishing you all the best in your search for the right long-term opportunity!

Warmly,

NK1 is absolutely obsessed with the Roomba. NK3 is screeching high-pitched, climbing me like I’m a tree, afraid of the Roomba.

Which reminds me I need to do NK3’s fingernails

My MB just lost her great grandmother last week and now her mom is in the ER for how she’s been acting. She confessed to me that she’s worried she’ll lose her. Is there anything I can give her to help her through this?

I have a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. What are typical activities a nanny can do with the kids? I’ve had a more proactive nanny in the past, but I think my current one just kind of watches them in the house, though she’s nice. I have encouraged her to go to the park and library. What are fun activities that are reasonable to ask my nanny to do with my age kids? Is it also okay to ask my nanny to plan these out or should I figure the activities out?

Our nanny’s birthday is coming up in September, and I’m curious what other families (and nannies) think would be a thoughtful gift. She’s been with our family for almost 2 years now. To be transparent, we’ve had some pretty rocky bumps along the way this year, but I genuinely believe we are all on the same page now and moving in a much better direction. Through it all, she’s been excellent with our 2.5-year-old daughter, and she’s become an important part of our family’s life, so we want to get her something she’ll genuinely enjoy. We’ve gotten her some really nice gifts in the past so wanted to hear any other ideas from other people. Us as a family and her are not the type of people who just do cards and cash.

Hi I just wanted to come on here and ask for advice on how I should go about this situation or if I’m just overthinking this.

So I work for surgeons and I’m almost always working 6-6 and they only see their kids(2) maybe about 30min until they put them to bed for bedtime. And they’re on call most weekends so either I come in or they have someone else come in if I’m not available. So I’ve been observing my NK (T3) and I’ve noticed he’s always had behavioral issues. I’m just worried that this might be something he has to go to a specialist or therapist for because I feel like now it’s going to the point where he’s just not kind at all or even wants to be kind. He’s been aggressive even after his sister was born. He’s been very aggressive towards her to the point he laughs when she’s hurt or any kid at that. He always says mean things about everyone like “I don’t want to share” “I want them to go away” “I want such and such to never come back” he always also wants to decide for everyone and always says things like “he doesn’t want to play with my toys””he or she doesn’t want water or to eat” “he or she hates playing with me” etc. He would say he wants to put his sister in the oven and says he’s going to k*ll or wants to and that’s when I immediately told his parents but they just seem to not want to take it seriously and say he probably meant it as kissing or doesn’t know what it is so I feel like maybe I’m just over reacting since they are ped surgeons. I feel like he’s very smart for his age and he knows what he says because he’s said to me the oven is hot and his sister needs to go in there to get hurt. So I know he knows what can happen. Whenever we go places he’s always being aggressive if a kid gets by him and he likes to only be on his own. I hosted a birthday party for his sister one time and he went to the living room to play by himself instead of the playroom area where everyone was celebrating and playing games. I’ve made a folder on my phone documenting things he does that bring a concern to me or a red flag he might be on the spectrum or have some type of behavioral disorder because everyday is a tantrum and he always says he doesn’t want to calm down he wants to be bad and sad. If it’s not a bribe with a matchbox car he won’t be nice or kind. Anytime I ask him to be gentle he doesn’t want to and says he likes being mean and that he doesn’t have to be kind. I just want to know how to go about this or if this is normal for a toddler his age to do? I’ve been nannying for years but never a case like this where no matter what I read up on or try to do like deep breaths or time out or cuddling or support he chooses to hit me scream in my face with no type of control because he says he doesn’t want to be nice. I know it also has a lot to do that he doesn’t see his parents so that’s why I don’t know how to go about this or talk with his parents in a very serious manner. Like what do I say to them even after already documenting everything and writing it down in their everyday journal?

Hi friends!
I’ve been a professional nanny for around 5-6 years (28y/o female). I love it but want to go into a career that offers healthcare, PTO, etc.
I have an unrelated bachelors degree (performing arts).
I’ve thought about going into multiple avenues still including kids (Speech therapy assistant, daycare director…)
Lately I’ve been looking into getting my CLC certification, childbirth education certification, & becoming a pediatric CPR teacher— my goal is working in private doula/midwife/birthing practices.

Has anyone had success in this? Or, does anyone have any recommendations for a career path?

Thank you in advance!!

Looking for advice! I'm a former nanny now nanny employer with an 8-month-old. I have been their primary caretaker up until a few weeks ago, when our part time nanny started. The first couple days were great, but on we'll two, my baby started crying hysterically when I handed them over to the nanny and basically has spent every hour of care crying.

It's heartbreaking to listen to, it makes it really hard for my spouse and I to work (we both WFH), and I feel terrible for our nanny! He is doing everything right and trying his hardest to soothe our kid, but our kid is just not having it.

Does anyone have tips for easing this transition? I just don't know what to do.

Helllooo!

I am a certified parent coach and wanting to expand that to Nannie’s and ECE teachers.

My main focus would be helping Nannie’s with neurodivergent kids or are neurodivergent them selves or both! (Like me!)

I want to create support material, opportunities for workshops and individual coaching.
I feel like a lot of the resources sways hard to families but the challenge can be so much greater for the caretakers who are part of these families.

Do you see a need for this?
If so, what would you like to see?
And overall response/reaction to this idea is welcomed!

I really am not trying to advertise anything but seeking what could be needed to help others here.

I am just so frustrated with my job. I work for a nanny agency as a floater where I get sent shifts. I was hired under the idea I’d get full time hours and that hasn’t been the case. It’s been so annoying and so hard and I finally caved and found a nanny family. I start the first week of August. I’m very excited as this is a family I’ve floated with before and I’m ready to just have a consistent schedule and work with people that like me.

These next two weeks until I start I’m with this family that’s driving me crazy. MB texted me this morning (while I was here) and told me she wouldn’t need me tmr. Technically per agency policy that’s not allowed and she’d need to pay me anyways but I really need a break and I didn’t even press it I was just like okay no worries! And then I texted my mom and made plans with her and made plans with another friend. 3 hours later she comes to me in person and was like oh actually can you work 2 hours tmr I have an appt. I was caught very off guard and I was just like oh maybe I have plans with my mom now and I think we have reservations. I plan to text her when I get home and be like yes we do have reservations so I wouldn’t be available during that time.

But I’m scared because I am technically scheduled to work. I am just so done. I really need tmr off and I feel like I can barely stand to even come in the next two weeks. I need like 16 hours for my budget and I’m scheduled for over 40. I really would rather just back out fully and find someone to babysit for on Facebook for 2 days or something. The shifts are so awkward with this family because they have three Nannie’s including me for 2 kids and also the mom stays home. It feels like I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing because everyone else here is a regular and anytime I try to help I feel like it’s wrong. It’s so mentally tiring and makes the days feel so so long.

Idk basically I’m just ranting because I’ve been struggling so much with this job.

I posted a few days ago about how I hated my current nanny jobs and I got so much helpful advice so now I’m wondering where to find good nanny jobs? I feel like everywhere I look parents are offering $15 an hour which is just way too low. I’m in Utah so I’m not sure if that changes things? I have 6 years of experience and think I’m worth at least $18 an hour lol, any advice would be helpful!! Thanks!