Reasons for quitting

[Anonymous]

I nanny part-time for a 2-year-old girl. I want to give my notice(1 month) by the end of the month.
The real reasons for quitting are: hours vary constantly, basically I can be asked to work anytime 24/7, 5 days a week, but my employers only guarantee 15 to 25 hours. They give me a schedule 1 month in advance , but it's
never set in stone, it can still change at any moment(e.g.: yesterday, they told me they would need me to work Tuesday from 10:30-6:30pm instead of 10-6pm as they had told me 3 weeks ago).
The most important problem though is sleep or rather the lack of sleep. The child can be on a very good schedule(7:30-7:00 and 1-3pm), but the parents rarely respect it and will usually put her to be too late at night, have her nap in the car(means less sleep), not be able to put her down for a nap, have her nap later in the day, etc. This makes planning for activities very difficult as the child can need to nap anytime from 11am to 4 pm.

I don't think it would be very smart to tell my employers about the sleep issues because it would feel like I'm criticizing their parenting and as for the schedule, there's not much they could do about it.

I plan on telling them that the job no longer suits me, but I don't know what to tell them if they press for answers(which I know they will). Also, is 1 month notice enough? Keep in mind that I will need a reference from them.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

A 1 month notice is generous. Many nannies only give 2 weeks so I think that your time frame is plenty.

You are under no obligation to provide them with details regarding your resignation. Thank them for the opportunity to work for them and explain that your needs have changed therefore you plan to find a new position that better suit those changing needs. If/when they try to press you for details just reiterate that your needs have changed and you feel that a new position would be a better fit for those needs. If you feel as if you must provide them with more explain that you plan to find a position with a more consistent schedule because the changing schedule is no longer a fit for you.

I agree that you shouldn't mention anything about the sleeping challenges. It won't do any good and may sour the relationship if you're hoping to get a reference from them.

[Anonymous]

Give them two weeks.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you 17:37

Won't it be awkward to keep working for them for a month when I've told them the job doesn't suit me?

18:26: Why would I only give them 2 weeks? I think they wanted 2 months originally.

[Anonymous]

Agree that 1 month is generous. Also agree that you are under no obligation to give them an explanation, but if you are hoping to use them as a reference I think you are right to want to offer an explanation that will allow you to leave on good terms. I think the schedule is a perfect excuse precisely because they can't do anything about it. Just tell them that you need a consistent schedule because you need to be able to pick up a second job, want to take a class, or just find it stressful to have constantly changing hours.

[Anonymous]

I don't get why you can't just be honest with them and tell them you're leaving because of the constantly shifting schedule. Just tell them you're looking for more consistency so you can plan you're life. FWIW I wouldn't find changing from 10-6 to 10:30-6:30 a big deal. 10-6 changed to 8-6 or 3-6 would be a big deal IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why you can't just be honest with them and tell them you're leaving because of the constantly shifting schedule. Just tell them you're looking for more consistency so you can plan you're life. FWIW I wouldn't find changing from 10-6 to 10:30-6:30 a big deal. 10-6 changed to 8-6 or 3-6 would be a big deal IMO.

OP here: I don't care if it's a big deal or not to you; it is to me. I like knowing my schedule in advance. Actually, I'm often happy to work more hours with short notice as I love spending more time with my charge I just don't like the hours being shifted around constantly.
The first reason I'm leaving is because they're failing parenting 101 and it's starting to affect my job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thank you 17:37

Won't it be awkward to keep working for them for a month when I've told them the job doesn't suit me?

18:26: Why would I only give them 2 weeks? I think they wanted 2 months originally.

There is the possibility that the work environment will be awkward, but if everyone remain professional it doesn't need to be. Are your employers rational, mature individuals who don't ten to fly off the handle when presented with unpleasant news? If so it should be ok.

If you'd like to decrease the likelihood of things being awkward you can do your part in remaining professional. Ask them what you can do to help them during the transition to a new nanny. You could offer to speak with potential nannies about what you liked about the job...even it that means it's only things such as your were always paid on time or your employers didn't micromanage you. The potential nannies don't need to know about your frustration with the sleep issue...that might not bother everyone. If asked by potential nannies why you are leaving or what you didn't like about the job focus on your need for a consistent schedule due to other commitments in your life. You could also let your employers know that you are willing to have the new shadow you for a day if they are open to that.

Things will be a lot less awkward if you go out of your way to make the transition a smooth one. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Just curious... How long have you been a nanny? Do you have something else lined up?

I would definitely NOT bring up the sleeping issue, because the "failing parenting 101" attitude will come through in your tone, and it would affect your ability to get a reference in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious... How long have you been a nanny? Do you have something else lined up?

I would definitely NOT bring up the sleeping issue, because the "failing parenting 101" attitude will come through in your tone, and it would affect your ability to get a reference in the future.

OP here: I've nannied on and off for two years. I've worked in daycare settings before and I liked it a lot better because I didn't have much to do with the parents. The 2-year-olds were all on the same set schedule and we could plan activities accordingly. I'm planning to go back to working in daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why you can't just be honest with them and tell them you're leaving because of the constantly shifting schedule. Just tell them you're looking for more consistency so you can plan you're life. FWIW I wouldn't find changing from 10-6 to 10:30-6:30 a big deal. 10-6 changed to 8-6 or 3-6 would be a big deal IMO.

OP here: I don't care if it's a big deal or not to you; it is to me. I like knowing my schedule in advance. Actually, I'm often happy to work more hours with short notice as I love spending more time with my charge I just don't like the hours being shifted around constantly.
The first reason I'm leaving is because they're failing parenting 101 and it's starting to affect my job.

the crux of the problem here is inflexibility and attitude. But mostly an inflexible personality. Neither good nor bad, just not conducive to nannying or to a lot of other jobs. Rigid people tend to do better in jobs that don't involve working with people.

[nannydebsays]

IMO, you should give a simple verbal notice as well as a slightly more detailed notice in writing:

"Dear Bosses,

Please consider this letter my formal one month notice of resignation from my position as <child's name>'s nanny.

I have enjoyed working for you and getting to know your <daughter/son>. Unfortunately, I find that I need a more consistent and predictable work schedule at this time, and I will be returning to daycare work. I look forward to maintaining a relationship with you after I no longer work for you.

Thank you so much for being supportive employers, and I wish you the best in your search for a new nanny.

Sincerely,

Nanny Wants a Better Schedule"

You do need to have something lined up for work that you could start ASAP, since many times inconsiderate employers feel that the concept of a long notice period applies only to the worker, not to the employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Just curious... How long have you been a nanny? Do you have something else lined up?

I would definitely NOT bring up the sleeping issue, because the "failing parenting 101" attitude will come through in your tone, and it would affect your ability to get a reference in the future.


OP here: I've nannied on and off for two years. I've worked in daycare settings before and I liked it a lot better because I didn't have much to do with the parents. The 2-year-olds were all on the same set schedule and we could plan activities accordingly. I'm planning to go back to working in daycare.

Wait. You've nannied off and on for only two years and you think you know when a parent is failing "parenting 101"?

You should probably stick to no explanation or go with the schedule thing if you must say something.

[Anonymous]

nannydebsays wrote:IMO, you should give a simple verbal notice as well as a slightly more detailed notice in writing:

"Dear Bosses,

Please consider this letter my formal one month notice of resignation from my position as <child's name>'s nanny.

I have enjoyed working for you and getting to know your <daughter/son>. Unfortunately, I find that I need a more consistent and predictable work schedule at this time, and I will be returning to daycare work. I look forward to maintaining a relationship with you after I no longer work for you.

Thank you so much for being supportive employers, and I wish you the best in your search for a new nanny.

Sincerely,

Nanny Wants a Better Schedule"

You do need to have something lined up for work that you could start ASAP, since many times inconsiderate employers feel that the concept of a long notice period applies only to the worker, not to the employer.

Thank you nannydeb. Now I just need to find the right time to announce it to them. Is it better to text or call them the night before to ask for a meeting or should I ask for a meeting in the morning?

[Anonymous]

OP you may want to think about whether you want a reference from them. From your post it sounds like you took the job knowing that this was part time, only 15-25 hours are guaranteed (not sure how a range is guaranteed), and that you receive a schedule 1 month in advance. If the unexpected issue is that it changes from 10-10:30 then you do sound inflexible for this type of position. You may be better off letting them know that you are searching for a full time job. There would be more full time jobs with predictable schedules. If you want to be part time as opposed to only doing part time because you can't find a full time job, then you may want to consider an after school sitter job. These also would be predictable as school ends at the same time everyday.

Your issue about the nap schedule is really out of line. They aren't failing parenting 101 because the nap schedule doesn't meet your needs to plan activities. You are part time. Why do you even need to do activities on the days you are there? Just do things around the house, problem solved.