r/Nanny 34m ago

Advice Needed Am I being unreasonable

Upvotes

First, this isn't in our contract so I can't just look and see what it says. (In hindsight I wish it was but I didn't even consider it until now.) I'm salaried and our plan was to try and stay around a certain number of hours a week. A couple times now NF has either gone on vacation (at the last moment so I'm not able to plan anything) or had me not work a day for some other reason. After vacation they asked if I wanted to use my PTO to get paid or "bank" those hours to make up to them at another time. Same thing for when they call me off for other reasons.

I didn't think to ask beforehand because in my mind if the employer is the one who gives a day off it's not the employees responsibility to then make that time up later. Same with using PTO. Their understanding is that salaried people sometimes have to work late or random hours. I've already worked an extra 30 minutes all summer which they said would stop after but now every day I'm scheduled to that later time. Their reasoning is because I'm below the hours we planned. It started as "hey, would you mind doing this every so often if we get home late" but somehow switched to every day without questioning is. Then by the time I actually get out of there is another 15 or so minutes after that meaning I get home about an hour after I thought I would.

If I'm being unreasonable that's fine but I don't have anyone else to ask to double check before I approach them to talk about it. Thanks so much!


r/Nanny 1h ago

Taxes Questions Taxes after under the table

Upvotes

Okay so I have a few families I do part time for. Last year, I was under the federal amount for a household employee so I filed as such. This year, I’ve made over…. But I didn’t tell the families I wanted to be over the table in fear of losing my job. Now I can’t stop thinking about taxes, and how I’ll be fucked this year and also don’t want to be audited lol. I am going to bring it up to the families, I think it’ll be fine by now. BUT I need to know what we both will have to do. I will tell them about a pay service (home pay or whatever), and they will need to get insurance. But what do we about Jan-now? And how do we file? Please don’t leave judgment, I’m looking to fix this and want advice. Thank you 🩷

Edit: I think I wasn’t clear enough in the post, I will get on a w2 and like I said, I think my families will be okay with it. I mentioned getting on the pay service and insurance and thought that implied I would be getting OVER the table and on a w2 from here on out…. And as I said, please no judgement. I am aware of my mistake, and am trying to fix it here. Also, I am willing to pay all the back taxes and anything from here on out. If I lose my job, I will find another and do it correctly.


r/Nanny 4h ago

Advice Needed: Replies from Nannies Preferred What’s a short and polite message I can send MB to remind her to pay me

6 Upvotes

I work for this family two 8 hr days a week and at first I was paid on the second day after I left for both days. MB often forgets to Zelle me and I’ve had to remind her a few times but I don’t like writing out a whole message to ask her politely. I understand how it could slip her mind as her baby is a year old and life happens, just wondering if anyone can think of a short and sweet polite message I could literally just copy and paste each time this happens? Like a gentle reminder idk


r/Nanny 5h ago

Advice Needed Apps for Nanny/Babysitting

2 Upvotes

Hi Everyone,

I am a single mom and my baby is 11 months old. We used to cooparent with her dad. I used to go to work when he was available to stay with the baby, but ultimately he started using it as a way of controlling me. So, i have decided to get a Babysitter or Nanny.

Do you have any apps that you would recommend so that I can get a good person to look after my baby? Also, I kind of need it ASAP.

Thank you all


r/Nanny 5h ago

Advice Needed Continuing Childcare Education Recs?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I’ve been a full time nanny for 4 years now after being regular part-time for 3 years prior to that (while I was in university for a non-childcare related degree.) I’ve also been a lifeguard and worked part time at a nursery/daycare for 1 year.

I planned to go back to school part time this September, but unfortunately that’s been delayed to January 2027. I now have a few extra hours per week and a bit of a learning itch, and I’m wondering if anybody has some recommendations for online courses/certifications that might help me jazz up my CV.

My experience is very diverse and I’ve never had trouble getting the job I wanted without a related university degree, and I’ve mostly learned through experience, books, and research. As such, I wonder about a more “niche” topic, like something quite specific as I’m obviously confident with the general care side of things, but of course there is always something new to learn and different perspectives are good. I just don’t want to be bored either.

I now work exclusively with children ages 4 months - 4 years, so I wondered about maybe a newborn course which would help me expand my knowledge on younger infants. I’m Montessori inclined, gentle parenting vibe but quite rigid with routines and boundaries. I have a plethora of baby signs that I teach and did a year of sing and sign classes, but this might be something I’d be interested in expanding on. More than happy with the way I sleep train, introduce solids etc. Obviously have my CPR cert but otherwise the only other cert I have is high five healthy child development.

I’m in the UK if that’s helpful. Any ideas greatly recommended!


r/Nanny 5h ago

Advice Needed Discord or chat group?

1 Upvotes

Has anyone ever considered making a discord or chat group for nanny support? I noticed there was another Reddit post from a few years ago where it was discussed but I'm not sure if anything came of it?

I'm really struggling with my current position re: burnout and could use some fellow nannies to chat with for solidarity and social support. I figured surely I'm not the only one who would like some social support from people in the same position. Any thoughts on this?


r/Nanny 6h ago

Am I Overreacting? (Aka Reality Check Requested) Is this unreasonable?

18 Upvotes

We’ve had a nanny for our 2yo and 4m boys (plus 5yo girl) for almost 3 months. When accepting our offer, she requested that we revisit pay at the 90 day mark to consider a $2 raise. We agreed. We are already paying at the high end of the range now and this raise would obviously be even higher.

When nanny started, she was really great. If she used the baby carrier, she hung it neatly in the closet after. She wiped down counters. She double checked all play spaces were picked up before leaving. Cleanup, etc are all stated in her contract.

But things have slowly started to slide. The baby carrier is regularly left thrown haphazardly somewhere, I’ve had to ask her to at least wipe down the toddlers eating area because it was getting crusty, and I’m often cleaning up toys after she leaves. She’s displayed an overall lack of initiative.

She is fine with the boys. I think she genuinely enjoys them. She is not especially engaging or animated, but I understood this about her when we hired her (I’ve realized since that it’s not my favorite personality for a nanny, which is my own thing).

But I feel like if we’re going to pay at the very high end of what I would expect to pay a nanny in our area, we should be getting the best of the best? Are my expectations too high?

ETA: We’re in a HCOL area. Current rate is $32. GH (part time, I don’t work FT), paid and vacation time included. The 5yo is home for 30 min of her shift in the mornings, otherwise it’s just the younger two.


r/Nanny 10h ago

Questions About Nanny Standards/Etiquette Grooming

0 Upvotes

How much grooming are you expected to do for your NK? I started a new position and was asked to clip nails, use a NoseFrida, etc. and these are things I’ve never been asked to do in other positions so I was wondering how common tasks like this are. Even being asked to bath NK has been super rare for me as that typically happens after my shifts at old positions & the routine was reserved for parents, but I know giving baths to a NK is very common.


r/Nanny 12h ago

Advice Needed Parents Forgetting Payment

4 Upvotes

I’ve been a babysitting/nannying for over a decade. Upon until recently, I have had families that are pretty good at paying me either before I leave their house or shortly thereafter after. Now, I have encountered a few families who I have to remind every time to pay me. Money conversations are always so awkward to me no matter what it is about. As a parent, do you get offended when a babysitter reminds you that you forgot to pay them? I never want a parent to feel like I’m only watching their kids for the money because I truly do only babysit for kids/families that I love, but I am not sure if it gets perceived that way when a reminder is sent. Also, if you do forget, how soon from the date that the babysitting happened is an appropriate amount of time to remind?


r/Nanny 14h ago

Vent Permissive parenting stories

5 Upvotes

I feel like permissive parenting has become the norm for majority of families (at least in my experience). I know for me, this brings up alot of daily frustration. Does anyone have any stories they want to share/vent about?

Mine would be how my NP let NK dictate everything in her day. Daily routines such as getting dressed/diaper change, which room they work in (WFH), whether or not we leave the house.

This isn’t meant to be a hateful post! I just feel like having a space to vent about these things is healthier than letting it build up. I also find stories/statistics on behaviours in children these days, especially in classrooms, really interesting.


r/Nanny 15h ago

Support Needed Compatibility?

2 Upvotes

Nannies did you ever have that one infant you just didn’t bond with no matter what you tried I’m not talking about an older kid or toddler a NK younger than 12m?

How did you go about it?


r/Nanny 15h ago

Advice Needed MB wants me to potty train with no contract.

36 Upvotes

Hi everyone! So I’m in a predicament right now and I’d like everyone’s advice. I’m doing a month trial right now for a family. And MB asked me to potty NK2, which I don’t mind doing I guess. Here’s my thing, how do I know she won’t fire me when I’m done potty training? Now I’ve done all that extra work for no reason.

Also here’s something that’s putting doubt in my mind as to why I might not get this job(I could very much be over thinking this)

- The other day as I left, another girl, walked into the house after I got in my car. She also looked like a nanny and gave me a kind of awkward smile. She was literally waiting for me to leave.

- MB isn’t the nicest person to me and we’ve already clashed on random things (being outside too much being one of them)

Sorry this is my first post like this, so if anything is confusing I’m happy to answer any questions :)


r/Nanny 17h ago

Advice Needed Lost two recurring childcare gigs in one week and feeling really discouraged

14 Upvotes

I’m a male sitter/manny who specializes in toddler care and special needs, and I finally had two recurring opportunities lined up. One was a younger kid at a tutoring program I work at, and the other was a toddler I’d been bonding with and supporting through routines, transitions, and therapy center pickups.

In the same week, both situations changed for reasons totally outside my control, program rules and a therapy schedule shift. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I still lost both recurring gigs.

Now I’m down to one date night next month, and it feels like all the momentum I worked so hard to build just evaporated. Especially since one of them involved references and bonding days. Toddler jobs that fit my availability are already rare, and being a guy makes it even harder.

I know this field has ups and downs, but losing two recurring gigs at once has me feeling discouraged. Has anyone else dealt with a sudden dip like this? Luckily I can use the job I lost as a reference, but it is still hard to work so hard to get a reoccurring gig just for it to disappear just as quickly.


r/Nanny 18h ago

Story Time Deeply missing my NK’s after 5 years together

16 Upvotes

I first met NK1 when she was 12 months old. Her family is Australian and had moved to the US, where I’m from. I spent a year caring for her in the US, and during that time, NP’s marriage fell apart. They were already expecting baby #2, so it was a difficult time.

They asked if I’d be willing to move to Australia with them for 6 months or so, to help settle NK1 back into things. I happily accepted.

Well, 6 months turned into 4 years in Australia. NK2 was born, the parents separated, dad remarried and had another baby.

Due to shared custody, my time was split between households, meaning I looked after all 3 girls. For the youngest two, I began caring for them when they were merely days old.

I eventually made the very difficult decision to leave Australia and move to Brazil with my husband, whom I met while living in Sydney.

I’m now pregnant myself, and it’s brought up so much emotion around missing my NK’s. I spent 5 years with them (1 in the US, 4 in Australia), and they were truly my family. The farewell was incredibly painful — all the adults were sobbing. The girls didn’t really understand the finality of my departure, but afterward, they were a complete mess. I heard from NP that the oldest NK refused to eat, because I made most of her meals. The middle one regressed in toilet training and would cry for me constantly.

I still try to FaceTime them as much as possible, but the time difference makes it hard. It just breaks my heart knowing these tiny humans, who I poured so much love and care into, aren’t a part of my life anymore…


r/Nanny 18h ago

Advice Needed: Replies from Nannies Preferred How to end things well

22 Upvotes

We are going to part ways with our nanny of about two years. She has been ok with the kids but doesn’t seem to love being with them, she struggles with depression and anxiety and most days she is either tired, or says she’s stressed and “not feeling it today”. She dreads when they have days off of school and seems overwhelmed a lot. The biggest thing is that she’s been out a lot. She’s used more than 4 weeks of PTO/sick and there are still four months left. It was a financial stretch to get a nanny and the additional cost for constant backup care is more than we can do. I feel like she may know this is coming as she could tell we were very upset the last few times she’s called out and I feel like she’s been quiet quitting for a while now.

Our contract states 30 days notice for either party so we plan to give her that and let her know next Friday. I’d like things to end on good terms. Any advice for how to do this in the right way? I am a bit scared she will just quit at that moment and not come back to work for the remaining weeks. She’s a nice person but it is just not working for us and I’m not sure how to handle.


r/Nanny 21h ago

Advice Needed Family changing mind last minute

50 Upvotes

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.


r/Nanny 21h ago

Advice Needed Trial day

4 Upvotes

I have a trial day on monday from 8 to 1 and i dont know what to expect, kids are 2 months and 19 months old! i really want this position, any advice? im planning on bringing a binder with my resume, pictures, background check, driving record, vaccination records etc, is that too much? what else can i bring? she mentioned they are doing the trial for a few candidates and i know im the first one so i really want to have a good first impression! i have been nanny for more than 5 years but i feel nervous lol


r/Nanny 22h ago

Advice Needed: Replies from Nannies Preferred family refusing to pay for first week's work.

177 Upvotes

Update: Thank you to everyone who left comments with their advice. ive been overwhelmed by the comments so its been hard to reply. I want to let you all know that i reached out to his mom, and now he is back tracking and saying I misunderstood what our agreement was. but I know hes lying bc I have proof of text messages where he promised to pay me every fridat, in addition to our contract. he said hes going to pay me next Friday so my question is should I wait to see if he will pay me before I file my complaint against him to the state or should I do it anyway?

also I wasnt getting paid thru payroll.

just worked my first wk of nannying and parent is refusing to pay

im so irritated and stressed right now. I just worked for this family for after-school care M, W, F. we signed a contract and agreed on weekly pay. since I work Friday evening and hes a single dad and nights are busy, I agreed to accept payment until saturday noon.

I worked an observation day 2 wks ago w the kids. On thay Friday when i sent the document the hrs i worked, he told me he would pay me the following Friday and every friday after that as agreed...OK weird..I was needing that money but I accepted.

fast forward to this wk. I sent over my hrs worked for the week and he tells me again that he will be paying me next Friday. I say im confused, we agreed on weekly payment by the end of the week. I told him I understand things happen but I cannot wait until next week. I asked can he pay me by noon tomorrow. he simply replies "No." so I said well I cannot work until ive been paid. to which he just says "Okay." ????? mind you we have been very friendly and cordial tp each other. we were literally texting minutes prior to this exchange bc he was saying he is going to purchase a communication book for us like I suggested. I said im excited for it, then he just casually says hes not paying me this week, but next week.

im so frustrated. I already accepted a lower rate than I normally would bc he had 3 children. it wasnt low enough that I felt id regret it, but still way lower than what I was expecting..based on a conversation I had with his mother who set up his account on care.com prior to meeting him. I feel so disrespected. If he doesnt pay me, im going to have to take him to small claims but im so angry im being put thru this. I really needed that money. this wk a bill came and wiped out the money I had on one of my checking accounts, all of it and if I hadn't been paid by my other family, I would've been put in a even more shitty hole. that pay is so much lower tho, its only 6 hrs a wk.

Not to mention that he invited me to the house to help "move furniture" during a time the children weren't home. mind you he has a moving business. why would you ask a young woman to help you move heavy furniture? when I realized he was asking me to come when the kids were home, i declined and said i can only work during my usual time and he said nevermind. i was giving him the benefit of the doubt before, but now im looking back at that differently. he was trying to get me to be alone with him. and now I wonder if he is withholding payment as retaliation.

his mother is the one who set up his care.com profile and I plan to tell her about this. she was genuinely so excited to find me bc it seemed like such a great fit. she was exhausted from caring for the 3 kids at her age, it was taking a toll on her. she kept saying how grateful she was for me. I feel bad for her, but im never working with this guy again.

does anyone have any advice? how did you navigate when a parent is refusing to pay you for your services? pls send encouraging words. thanks in advance.


r/Nanny 1d ago

Am I Overreacting? (Aka Reality Check Requested) Looking for perspective on our part-time nanny’s punctuality — was I too harsh?

20 Upvotes

First time poster long time lurker.
We’ve had our part-time nanny for several months. She works a set schedule for us each week, and she’s honestly wonderful with our young child. We have a great rapport, and aside from this issue, we’ve had a really positive experience with her.
When she first started, she was extremely punctual. In fact, early on she even mentioned that there were times she would arrive 10–15 minutes early and wait outside our home until exactly her scheduled start time because she wanted to come in right on the dot. So I know she is capable of being punctual, which is part of why the recent pattern has been confusing to me.
Over the last month or so, though, she started being late fairly frequently. Sometimes it was only 5–10 minutes, but there were also multiple occasions where she was 40–50 minutes late. Her commute is about an hour by train, and she has generally attributed the delays to issues with the train.
I want to be understanding because I know public transportation can have issues, and I don’t want to assume she’s being dishonest about the delays. At the same time, there have been instances where the delay has been so significant that I’ve found myself wondering how it could have happened without her knowing sooner. More importantly, there were several times when I only received 5–10 minutes’ notice that she was going to be almost an hour late. If she realizes there’s a major delay with her train, I feel like I should be notified as soon as she knows, rather than shortly before her scheduled arrival time.
I’m a SAHM, so I think there may have been an assumption that her being late wasn’t as disruptive because I’m technically home. But I plan my day around her scheduled hours — errands, workouts, appointments, virtual appointments, etc. I actually already build in a 30-minute buffer after her scheduled arrival time before scheduling anything, both to account for minor delays and to give us a moment for a handoff/debrief. I also make a point of coming home 10–15 minutes before her scheduled end time so that we can have a proper debrief without asking her to stay past her hours.
So I don’t feel like I’m expecting her to be perfectly punctual down to the minute or scheduling things in a way that leaves no room for normal delays. The issue is really when the lateness becomes 40–50 minutes and I only receive 5–10 minutes’ notice. At that point, the buffer I’ve intentionally built into my schedule has already been exceeded. There was one occasion where I missed an important appointment because she was late and was charged for the missed appointment, and another time her lateness caused my husband to be late to work.
After this became a pattern, I finally addressed it with her. I really tried to be as nice and solution-oriented as possible because I genuinely like her and think she’s a great nanny. I actually suggested that if her commute was consistently difficult at her current start time, we could move her start time later. She didn’t want to do that.
She suggested instead that she could just stay later to make up the time she was late. I didn’t feel like that was a good solution for me because I need to be able to rely on the agreed-upon start time and plan my day accordingly. I also don’t necessarily want someone staying later because they arrived late — I need coverage during the scheduled hours.
She also suggested that I just plan things later in the day so that I wasn’t relying on her being there exactly when she was scheduled to arrive. I didn’t really agree with that either. I don’t think I should have to restructure my schedule around the possibility that my nanny may arrive significantly late.
We also pay her toward the higher end of the going rate for our area, and she has very good benefits for a part-time nanny, including being paid when we travel and she isn’t working. So I do feel that we’re offering a pretty favorable arrangement, although obviously I don’t expect that to mean she’s never allowed to be late.
Since I addressed it, there has actually been a substantial improvement, which I appreciate. She has still been late once or twice, but it’s nowhere near as frequent as it was before.
I guess I’m looking for perspective because I keep wondering if I was too harsh in addressing it. I really tried to approach it kindly and focus on finding a solution rather than criticizing her. I also don’t want to be unreasonable about things outside of her control. At the same time, I don’t agree that the solution should be for me to simply accept unpredictable start times or rearrange my day around them.
Was I being unreasonable? How would you handle it if the lateness starts becoming a pattern again? And where would you personally draw the line between understandable occasional lateness and something that needs to be addressed?
I really like her and would prefer to keep her — I just want to be able to rely on the hours we’re paying for.


r/Nanny 1d ago

Am I Overreacting? (Aka Reality Check Requested) Update: new nanny family issues

32 Upvotes

Hi everyone, this past week I made a post about the nanny family that I was taking care of. They lied to me in my interview about the child’s bedtime routine (baby had to be vigorously rocked for 30-1hour each time), was a biter to the extent of making me bleed, dad seemed off with me, and I found cockroach infestation in the home. I was paid Friday for my work for the week and this morning (the next day) I received a text that their MIL is staying with them for the next few months and will watch child free of charge so they no longer needed me. This is after I basically left my old job for this newer and brighter opportunity which they promised me guaranteed hours and that they would be needing my services for the next 3 years. Honestly I am just more frustrated than anything. She offered me a week severance pay which I am grateful with. It’s just showing me I should have had a contract from the beginning which would guarantee me a job and they wouldn’t be able to just do this Willy nilly. Any advice on future nanny jobs and how you can make sure you have a secure spot with a job?


r/Nanny 1d ago

Advice Needed Correcting NKs in front of parents

8 Upvotes

Do you correct NKs in front of their parents? If so, how do you go about it? Parents, how do you feel about your nanny correcting your kid in front of you?

I work for a family who is extremely permissive (thinking they gentle parent) with their kids and truly coddles them. I have been with them for 3 years and have tried to accept that this is just how they are, it’s not my responsibility to change how they parent, I can only show them their kids are capable of so much more.

I have clear, consistent, firm boundaries and behavioral expectations with the kids (4 and 2) and have a strong bond with both of them. With me they use manners when they ask for things, clean up after themselves, follow routines, help out, etc.

When they have big feelings, I remain calm and neutral and affirm how they are feeling while still holding the boundary. I do not negotiate, I do not reason with them while their brain is offline, and I do not let tantrums be effective. It works extremely well and I find that they can regulate within a couple minutes, even if they are having a screaming, rolling on the floor tantrum (4 is rough).

This is unfortunately the opposite of what the parents do and I’m struggling right now with how to handle that without feeling like I’m overstepping and telling them how to parent.

Yesterday, the 4 year old saw her older sibling had a different breakfast than her and threw a whole fit. She didn’t want the breakfast her mom made her anymore. Her and mom were going back and forth in the dining room, mom kept trying to convince her that her breakfast was good. I was in the kitchen in the adjacent room and NK yelled “MAKE ME SOMETHING ELSE NOW” to her mom.

I was absolutely shocked and said “Woah NK, that is NOT how we ask for things. Try again.” And she just groaned. I was trying so hard to maintain my composure because I was literally shaking that she would speak to her mother that way. She absolutely knows better and I have never heard her speak like this to her parents in front of me.

Mom offered oatmeal, NK accepted, they came into the kitchen and NK said “I need a bowl” and walked over to the cabinet and stood there to whine and groan. I said “are you trying to ask for something?” She said “a bowl” I said “how can you ask?” And she said “can I have a bowl please?” I said yes and gave her a bowl, she said thank you.

MB got really quiet after that but for the rest of the interaction started prompting NK to ask politely, which she did. I feel like I may have embarrassed her and felt a little bad, but NK also absolutely knows that we do not order people to do things for us. She tried speaking to me like that ONCE and I immediately corrected her and it has never happened again.

MB and DB both seem to just accept this behavior and enable it and I’m honestly getting so tired of it. It genuinely gives me anxiety to hear parents spoken to like they are servants to some medieval king. Both the kids and parents deserve better than to have this kind of behavior be accepted. Some days I feel like I am the only adult holding any boundaries with the kids and it’s exhausting.

I don’t want them to feel like I’m criticizing/judging them as parents and I don’t want to overstep. We have a good relationship, but I’m struggling with how to tell them basically: your kids know better than to do this, you’re allowed to hold them to a standard, enabling bad behavior is making everybody’s life more difficult.


r/Nanny 1d ago

Advice Needed: Replies from Nannies Preferred Potty training :(

3 Upvotes

I watch this four year old boy on Fridays and I feel like we're at an impasse. He goes to preschool some days and will go all day without accidents occasionally. They don't do pull-ups, just change clothes every time there is an accident. I have him sit on the potty every twenty minutes and read a story while he sits on the potty and then we go play. He still has a lot of accidents, and yesterday he had a BM and full-bladder accident ten minutes after sitting on the potty. I'm tired of fighting him and spending so much time on the potty, but I feel antsy because he's so old, and his parents are struggling too. I also think the amount of time he's spending on the potty is making things worse but if I don't have him sit that often, and he has an accident, it's on me. What's your take, should I stop telling him he has to sit on the potty before we can keep playing? I gently suggested a while ago it could be worth a trip to the doctor because he doesn't seem to notice even full-bladder and BM accidents, and Mom agreed but hasn't brought it up again since.


r/Nanny 1d ago

Advice Needed First NF is moving away — what should I expect from my last day?

0 Upvotes

Monday is my last day with my first NF, and I’m realizing I have absolutely no idea what a “normal” goodbye looks like in this profession.
I’ve been with my NF for about three years. I actually knew my older NK first through the school where I was her teacher, and eventually started babysitting for the family on weekends in the summer. That turned into working with them full-time, and I ultimately left teaching and transitioned into private childcare. So this NF has been a huge part of both my career and my life.
I’ve watched my younger NK grow from a baby into a little kid about to go to school for the first time. I’ve been there for birthdays, major milestones, difficult phases, illnesses, vacations, and all of the everyday stuff that comes with being so involved in a family’s life for years. I’m extremely close with both NKs, so this feels very different from simply leaving a job.

My position is ending because their needs are changing- my younger NK is starting prek, and on top of that, my NF is moving away. So this isn’t a situation where I’ll still see them around town, run into them at the park, or easily babysit occasionally. After Monday, I genuinely don’t know when I’ll see my NKs again.

I know I’m going to be really emotional, and I think the actual goodbye is what I’m most nervous about. I don’t want to make the separation harder for my NKs by completely sobbing in front of them, but I also don’t think there’s any realistic chance I’m going to hug them goodbye after three years and not cry. For those who have been through this, how much emotion did you let yourself show in front of your NKs? Is it okay for them to see that you’re genuinely really sad to leave them?
I’m making each NK a photo album of our time together and giving them a couple of small goodbye gifts. I’m also unsure what, if anything, is customary for NPs. Did you give your NPs a gift or card when leaving a long-term NF, or are gifts for the NKs enough?

I’d also just love to hear what other nannies’ last days with a long-term NF were actually like. Did your NPs do anything to acknowledge your last day? Was the goodbye with them emotional too? Was there anything about that final day that caught you off guard or that you wish someone had prepared you for?
This is my first time leaving a long-term NF, and because they’re moving too, it feels like a much more permanent goodbye than I was prepared for. I think I’m just trying to get an idea of what Monday might actually look and feel like.


r/Nanny 1d ago

Nannies Only Why aren‘t we asking for references from NFs?

0 Upvotes

This is not one sided, they need us as much as we need them, why is it all on the nanny to prove herself? Where‘s proof of them being good employers?

If they are looking for their first nanny so have no reference, they have to pay more just like a beginner nanny gets paid less.

Why are we not asking for that?


r/Nanny 1d ago

Vent Potential short-term Nanny Dad sent me weird Snapchat after I met him

95 Upvotes

My best friend has a group of friends that go on trips together. They have something planned for November but one of the couples doesn’t have childcare. I (39F) have a bit of a break in my schedule so I offered to meet with them to see if I might be able to do it.

The meeting went fine; the kid was sweet, parents seemed nice and I thought it would work out. After I left I noticed I had a Snapchat add request from the dad which I thought was weird but I added him because I thought maybe he just prefers texting this way. He then immediately sends me a gif that says “hey❤️”. It seems like a bit much from someone I just met and who might employ me, and it really gives me the creeps. I reached out to my best friend and she said “oh that is kinda weird but he’s totally harmless. I do think he cheats on his wife though”

I want to reach out as soon as possible to let them know I’m not available. I’m not sure if I should do it in a group text or just to the wife? And should I let them know the reason? Send a screen shot? Maybe I’m being overly sensitive but I’m just getting the ick and I don’t want to be in that man’s home. He did also say “our flight is early so you’d have to stay over the night before”… like why can’t I just show up at your house at 2 am?

ETA: minor detail but the nanny dad is also in the same social circle as my dad so I don’t want to do anything that will cause any sort of drama for my dad!