New, scared nanny. Please help!
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Anonymous
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I think you're our TTT but if you're really asking this question the answer is no, this is not normal, and no, you should not go. You shouldn't accept any job where you haven't had a chance to spend some time with the kids, you shouldn't work for anyone who isn't serious enough that they run your background check, and you shouldn't expect to do an overnight in someone's home (particularly if they don't have a guest bedroom) for quite some time after you've begun working for the family and gotten to know them.
Cancel immediately. |
Anonymous
| The facts are that some parents are simply looking for the best they can afford and are sometimes in a bind. It happens ALL the time, just read care.com! While $400 is low for an entire weekend, it is $400 that can probably help OP significantly. I would ask to be paid up front, or at minimum require $300 paid upfront. If she can't, or is unwilling to do so, that would be a deal breaker for me. When I was younger I too had a part time family that was lower income and I got burned. If you have that feeling that you can't trust someone, listen to it! And you can request that your bf be present with you over the weekend. You can assure her that her child will be your #1 priority, but that you just don't feel comfortable with the arrangements. Though, she may find that to be too intrusive. Finally, if she pays you a portion (I would expect $300) of her bill prior to her trip, Do not do any more sitting until the balance is paid. None of this IOU crap! |
Anonymous
Don't know yet, I guess we'd discuss that when drawing up the contract later this week.
This is the second best case scenario that I thought of. She/associates (if there are any) don't want to harm or steal from me, they just want me to work for free.
I know :/ For everyone else: thank you for your advice (cept for the person who called me stupid I guess xD). I'm going to call and cancel ASAP so that she has as much time to find another sitter as possible. |
Anonymous
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I recently did an overnight for a complete stranger. She contacted me because of my religious beliefs and wanted her child to be with a Christian nanny! Fine.
Well she didn't have my resume, references criminal record or ANYTHING! She contacted me the day before and asked me to watch her child. We chatted via text message. I told her the over night would have to be at my home as I had to work in the children's church te following morning. I figured she would say no we will find someone else. But she was all for it! Asked if my home was child proof and if I had a high chair. I was shocked! But still willing!i had no idea why they needed overnight care. I asked for the child's medical number doctors number and 3 emergency contacts as well as a general idea of where the parents will be. 3 hours later she text me back on the day I am supposed to pick up! She says well I work in another province so I am getting on an airplane in 20 mins. Here's my husbands number' :O! I get the child with my roommate ( who is also a nanny but they didn't aske for any information on her) he hand s me the child with a suitcase and a garbage full of toys! I was starting to get suspicious! Dad said goodbye to child and I took him home Child is 13 months! Doesn't go down to 12 at night and gets up every 3 hours! AWESOME!!!! I didn't hear from either parent til 1pm the following day! I was giving them 30 mins to get back to me then I was calling CPS!! When I drop child off Dad paid me 100 bucks! I was supposed to get 280! Good luck op! Be caution and ask for details! Have emergency contact numbers and payment upfront |
Anonymous
| if you aren't a troll, DON'T GO |
Anonymous
| I've never had a family run a background check on me. That in and of itself is not a red flag. If I were OP I'd request to have the child at my home so I could sleep in my normal bed. I'd want more info on the moms financials....does she get child support, student loans etc. How does she expect to pay you. That said I'd do a weekend for $400 at my home. |
Anonymous
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I would never leave my child overnight with someone they had never met, especially an entire weekend. And ESPECIALLY if I hadn't spoken to references, done a background check, and met the person more than once.
All of that aside, OP, go with your gut. If something feels off, it's not worth it. It might put MB in bind, so tell her as soon as possible, but trust your feelings. |
Anonymous
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Like a pp, I have also never had family run a background check on me, and I have met and worked with probably 30+ families for as needed or part-time care in my job experience. I have met about 2/3 of them on child care sites that have my basic background check listed.
OP, frankly it sounds like you just accepted for the money, and not because you are a good fit at all. If you have this many reservations, better to tell the parent now so she can secure another care provider. By the way, it is not your concern how a family can afford to pay you. Their means of income is not always visible and shouldn't be a factor when accepting gigs as long as your rate works for them. |
Anonymous
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PP, so you would nanny for free when push comes to shove? I see this mentality all over the internet and it's stupid. Of course I can't give all my time for free.
Also if someone cannot afford to pay you, then you're not going to get paid. So yeah family income is a concern. |
Anonymous
You are missing the point. PP is saying that you can't necessarily tell whether someone can afford you based on the house she lives in or on her employment status. She may live in a modest apartment to ensure adequate cash flow for her child's needs. Some graduate students get paid a salary to study and perform research or teaching duties. She may have a trust fund or receive alimony payments. You just don't know, so you need to trust that she wouldn't hire someone she couldn't afford to pay. Honestly, the OP here sounds way to immature for overnight babysitting under any circumstances. She can't get to sleep without her boyfriend? C'mon now. |
Anonymous
You didn't meet the child and see the apartment first? While I agree a meeting first in public is good, you HAVE to meet again with all family and at the house before accepting the position! Also, I would be VERY wary of anyone that didn't ask for any references at all! Also, sleeping on a couch doing overnights (at least 2 if not 3 nights) in a row is not ideal. As you said you were very inexperienced in the interview and she is saying you are the very best candidate, I wouldn't do this. Obviously there is something you are not seeing/learning and I wouldn't even consider it. Find something else! |
Anonymous
+1 |