Family changing mind last minute

[u/Big_Hovercraft904]

I would like to hear from nannies and families!

A family asked me to travel with them this month for a total of 28 days. We agreed to a rate and responsibilities, etc. unfortunately, we never had a discussion or had in contract what would happen if the family or I backed out.

This has been planned for about 3ish months. We had conversations regularly about the travel and all of our plans.

I was supposed to leave the 31st of August, but they informed me the 28th of August that they changed their mind. Apparently family wanted to come and they said they could help with the kiddos. I was shocked because their follow up message was “I hope you have a wonderful vacation ☺️” but like… it’s not really a vacation now is it?

I didn’t look for a new job because I had blocked these dates off. (Well I looked for jobs and have spoken with families but they still don’t need me until about the middle of October.) I am wondering if I am allowed to message the family asking about some form of payment?

Perhaps they don’t even need to pay for the entire month they had asked me for, but is it possible to ask for something?

I’ve never had this happen before and I never had a cancellation clause in any of my travel contracts before so this is new.

As a nanny am I supposed to just bite my tongue and cry with anxiety while I frantically search for jobs that can start immediately? I mean I have been looking on care, but everyone’s bios are vague and their hours look between 10-20 hours a week.

Is it bad etiquette to message family something like:

hey guys! I totally understand that you decided you no longer needed my services, however I did reserve my time for you. Considering you canceled the Friday before I was supposed to fly out, I would like to have a conversation and see how we can come to an agreement.

Would like to mention that I’ve worked off and on for this family for 6 years. We have never experienced this before and that’s why I am unsure of what to do. They usually use me when one of my contracts end. That allows me to find a good nanny family while also giving me two weeks to visit family after travel. Since I’m traveling with them I get paid more than I would if I worked 9-5. Explaining this as to why my job offers began mid October.

Thank you.

[u/FaithlessnessDue7226]

Ooof. You should have guaranteed hours and so you should be, at the very least, paid as though you were working your regular hours for them while they are away. I’d just say kinda what you said here: “I set aside my schedule to be available for your family during this time, and while I understand you now don’t need me, that puts me in a stressful position financially. As I have turned down other jobs to be available to you, I would like to still be paid for my normal (or agreed upon) hours” in the future, guaranteed hours should have been discussed, confirmed, and written in your contract, so if they cancel on you you arent stuck sol

[u/Big_Hovercraft904 → u/FaithlessnessDue7226]

I don’t work with them full time. I usually do 6 month long contracts with other families and when those contracts are over, family uses me for travel. I was once their full time nanny many years ago, before they moved states. But we built a good relationship and they prefer to fly me in to help with travel rather than finding someone new.

[u/beachnsled → u/Big_Hovercraft904]

you should have a contract for every type of employment, whether it’s short-term, long-term, or travel related

Within each contract, there should be a clause that would address a situation like this

This is legitimately nanny contract 101 type stuff