Had argument with MB and could use perspective. Lengthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Professional nannies can earn $20 an hour because they know how to behave professionally and they take initiative. Some nannies get lucky and land in a $20 an hour but it doesn't last if they behave as bare minimum only type nannies. This doesn't mean that you scrub the floors but you certainly don't turn your nose up at running to the grocery store. $20 are not paid to sit around on their rears and their phones. They know how to present themselves and take their job seriously. They don't ask to leave early on the 3rd day of work. They don't create an annoyance by making a big deal out of waiting in building vs a car. They don't race at the door the minute they get off. They prepare logs and are ready with an efficient update on the kids.

+1. Sorry, OP. You want this rate, that's fine, but you have to deliver. Professional nannies don't take any downtime by sitting on their phones. They proactively look for some way to add value.

[Anonymous]

Think of this as a trial week. Good thing you see now what she's like before you're stuck long-term. No need to add her as a reference, just start looking for something else and move on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Professional nannies can earn $20 an hour because they know how to behave professionally and they take initiative. Some nannies get lucky and land in a $20 an hour but it doesn't last if they behave as bare minimum only type nannies. This doesn't mean that you scrub the floors but you certainly don't turn your nose up at running to the grocery store. $20 are not paid to sit around on their rears and their phones. They know how to present themselves and take their job seriously. They don't ask to leave early on the 3rd day of work. They don't create an annoyance by making a big deal out of waiting in building vs a car. They don't race at the door the minute they get off. They prepare logs and are ready with an efficient update on the kids.

Sounds fine. For the third time, money wasn't my motivating factor in taking the job. Initially being told no housekeeping, no errands, and being reimbursed for gas were. In my last position, I was paid 16/hr, did light housekeeping (family laundry, sweeping, loading/unloading dishwasher, sanitizing tables and counters, pick up in game room and living room) and ran errands (grocery shopping, dry cleaning and post office mostly). I was leaning towards the lower paying position because the distance being closer and traffic very minimal were huge advantages and it INCLUDED light housekeeping as part of the job, but after talking it over with a friend, and getting feedback on here decided the rate and not doing tasks I did in my last position would make up for it.

I should have known it was too good to be true. My mistake.

[Anonymous]

+1. Sorry, OP. You want this rate, that's fine, but you have to deliver. Professional nannies don't take any downtime by sitting on their phones. They proactively look for some way to add value.

This. I mentioned once to my nanny that it was a pain to find shoes for DS because he has XW feet and is picky about his shoes. A few days later, she let me know that she called around and found his size in the same style of shoe he had/liked. She had put them on hold under her name in case I wanted to get them or DS and nanny could go sometime during the week if that was easier for me. I hadn't expected her to do this but she saw a problem related to DS, solved it, and then presented me with the choice.

[Anonymous]

Agree that your MB was wrong for not honoring the original contract and for expecting things that she didn't specifically ask for. I also agree that expecting someone to stay later than their end time is not ok.

But don't brush this off as a too good to be true mistake, OP. you made mistakes too. So next job - don't ask to leave early until like months in, anticipate not spending any time at all on your phone (this is a huge deal to many MBs, just like it would be at their jobs), and maybe don't rush off at end time on the dot for the first couple weeks at least. Show your boss you value the job and that you want to take initiative. This will be a good learning opportunity.

Agree that you should not use this MB as a reference. Probably best to just forget it ever happened. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that your MB was wrong for not honoring the original contract and for expecting things that she didn't specifically ask for. I also agree that expecting someone to stay later than their end time is not ok.

But don't brush this off as a too good to be true mistake, OP. you made mistakes too. So next job - don't ask to leave early until like months in, anticipate not spending any time at all on your phone (this is a huge deal to many MBs, just like it would be at their jobs), and maybe don't rush off at end time on the dot for the first couple weeks at least. Show your boss you value the job and that you want to take initiative. This will be a good learning opportunity.

Agree that you should not use this MB as a reference. Probably best to just forget it ever happened. Best of luck!

Thanks pp.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't get why you keep saying that money wasn't your motivating factor? What does that have to do with anything? So even though she's paying $20/hour, she should be fine with not getting the service level she wants because money wasn't your motivating factor for taking the job?

And wait, you said it your last sentence that it WAS one of two motivating factors - the rate and not having to do housekeeping.

She doesn't sound like the type of boss you're looking for and you don't sound like the type of nanny she's looking for. Good for her for speaking up so early

[Anonymous]

OP - any interest in salvadging it? You could apologize specifically for the things that were your fault, ask her to clarify your contract and expectations and give it another couple weeks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't get why you keep saying that money wasn't your motivating factor? What does that have to do with anything? So even though she's paying $20/hour, she should be fine with not getting the service level she wants because money wasn't your motivating factor for taking the job?

And wait, you said it your last sentence that it WAS one of two motivating factors - the rate and not having to do housekeeping.

She doesn't sound like the type of boss you're looking for and you don't sound like the type of nanny she's looking for. Good for her for speaking up so early

To make up for the distance and time, the rate was fine to me with no housekeeping and errands. I get paid $20/hr just to sit on a Tuesday evening while kids sleep for a few families, so while the rate is high, it is not something I haven't received and so high to me that it was a big factor in taking the job. You're right. We aren't a good fit. We should have had a couple trial days beforehand and I plan to do this with future family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - any interest in salvadging it? You could apologize specifically for the things that were your fault, ask her to clarify your contract and expectations and give it another couple weeks?

No. I plan on apologizing again for asking to leave early and having my phone on during work hours, but other than that, I don't feel too much like I did anything else wrong. She was home everyday this week. She knows I wasn't a sit on my butt nanny at all, and honestly, with her being home, I tried very hard to be constantly engaged and 'on' since boss was right there. I think the pregnancy has stressed her and I really feel for her. I do wish them the very best and if I were in her situation, I would definitely seek someone who can do housekeeping and errands since it's dificult right now. For $20/hr, she will absolutely find an appropriate fit for household and child care needs.

[Anonymous]

Is the other job still available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the other job still available?

I told the other family I wasn't available, but did notice she posted the position again a few days ago so assume the other applicant did not receive an offer. I don't plan on reapplying. I will seek a position that ends before 6pm this time around.

[Anonymous]

Sounds good OP. Sounds like it will all work out for the best. Hope you find another position soon.

[Anonymous]

You sound pretty nasty. At $20 an hour, you should not be sitting in your car but watching the child. For that money, knowing she is not feeling well, you could offer to do more to help out. I'd be pretty pissed at paying you that kind of money to sit in your car, not watch my child and play on your iPad/phone. I'd also be annoyed given you only work a few hours and want to leave early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound pretty nasty. At $20 an hour, you should not be sitting in your car but watching the child. For that money, knowing she is not feeling well, you could offer to do more to help out. I'd be pretty pissed at paying you that kind of money to sit in your car, not watch my child and play on your iPad/phone. I'd also be annoyed given you only work a few hours and want to leave early.

Well, I don't think I'm a nasty person, but not going to change anyone's mind. If parents aren't allowed in same room as kids, how can I be 'watching the child?' Using my ipad while waiting is not allowed???