Nannies - did you/have you ever felt you were being let go?

[Anonymous]

Just a "feeling" or a inkling.

I've been with my current family for almost a year and though they always say they are thrilled with me, my work, my attitude etc I've just felt a little thing this past week.
Maybe it's MB seeming a bit more distant? Just the little things. I know that she is thinking of a career change and I'm not sure if that is what is bothering her.

I did reach out to an agency I worked with years ago (this current position I got off care.com) for that just incase I walk in one day and they sit me down for a talk.
I have a bit in savings so would be fine for about 6 months. Of course I don't want to touch that, hence why I reached out to a prior agency.

Has any nannies ever had that "feeling" ? And did that "feeling" turn into being reality?
If yes, how did you prepare?

[Anonymous]

I think it's extremely hard being a nanny because even though it is our work, it becomes very intimate and personal. I've struggled before with looking too much into my mb/db actions and attitudes and would obsess over it. You should talk to your mb and see what is up. If its nothing then you can relax. If it's actually something then at least you know and can start to move forward. A career change is a huge source of stress so I wouldn't be to concerned though.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I had that feeling the only time that I was let go. All other positions were me deciding to leave or knowing ahead of time that the position was only going to last a year. I have very good intuition though, freakishly weird at times.

It was hard because I knew and I saw they were looking for someone new (I could easily see all the signs) but they didn't know that *I* knew and were trying to hide it still. I started looking for something new myself then, but didn't mention it to them as I wanted to give myself enough time to find the perfect position (I was a live-in with that job).

I knew that they would go along with the amount of notice that was in our contract, or pay up until that time if they didn't need me the whole time, so I used it to protect myself to not have them give me notice earlier than they planned.

[Anonymous]

You sound smart and prepared. You should always stay on your toes and not get too comfortable since nothing is guaranteed. Keep your résumé up to date and keep saving

[Anonymous]

Yes I had that feeling. I checked MB's history on the computer and snooped in her email (yeah yeah yeah I know I'm horrible, no need to flame me) and saw that she was looking for my replacement. Then the kids told me about MB looking on a webpages at 'pictures of nannies' (I'm guessing sittercity or care). Plus one of the kids told me that a nanny came on the weekend 'to play' for the whole day. I"m guessing this was the trial period? I know from reading the emails that MB wanted to hire this nanny. So basically I worked my ass off hoping to at least leave with a reference. Not sure what happened, but MB never hired the other nanny and I saved my job. Maybe the other nanny didn't want the job, who knows. But all that is to say, I worked so hard just to get a good reference and eventually talked to MB (who told me that she wasn't looking for another nanny - lies!!!). I aksed her what I could do to improve and asked her for a list and went to work fixing the issues. I worked hard every day so that even if I was let go, I could use them as a reference as I am a long term nanny with that family. It's now a few years later and things are good. I saved my job and I've been really happy. It's a very high paying job and I love the kids. MB was trying to see if she could get a nanny/housekeeper for the same price as me. I guess she realized the grass wasn't greener!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I had that feeling. I checked MB's history on the computer and snooped in her email (yeah yeah yeah I know I'm horrible, no need to flame me) and saw that she was looking for my replacement. Then the kids told me about MB looking on a webpages at 'pictures of nannies' (I'm guessing sittercity or care). Plus one of the kids told me that a nanny came on the weekend 'to play' for the whole day. I"m guessing this was the trial period? I know from reading the emails that MB wanted to hire this nanny. So basically I worked my ass off hoping to at least leave with a reference. Not sure what happened, but MB never hired the other nanny and I saved my job. Maybe the other nanny didn't want the job, who knows. But all that is to say, I worked so hard just to get a good reference and eventually talked to MB (who told me that she wasn't looking for another nanny - lies!!!). I aksed her what I could do to improve and asked her for a list and went to work fixing the issues. I worked hard every day so that even if I was let go, I could use them as a reference as I am a long term nanny with that family. It's now a few years later and things are good. I saved my job and I've been really happy. It's a very high paying job and I love the kids. MB was trying to see if she could get a nanny/housekeeper for the same price as me. I guess she realized the grass wasn't greener!

That would have really bothered me and I think I would have ended up quitting, but that's just me. Wasn't it uncomfortable working for the family knowing they were looking to replace you? Even if they were happy with you and just looking for a more affordable option, they could have given you a heads up. Horrible that you found out by snooping.

[Anonymous]

Trust your gut/intuition here. It exists for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you're being smart in how you're preparing but I'd also suggest talking w/ your MB. Perhaps there is nothing wrong and you can relax. Or maybe there is something bothering her that you can talk about and easily correct.

Give her a chance and try to have an honest conversation before it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Good luck.