Leaving the nanny world

[Anonymous]

and I feel fabulous.

I loved being a nanny (or so I think/thought) I've had 3 long term nanny positions.

First was fine. I was underpaid, but I loved my charges, I was young and didn't have many bills, and my boss was pretty easy to work with. The second was better, and I'm still really close with the family. The last family was the worst.

If it wasn't for the last job, I probably would not have looked for a job in another field. However, the SAHM micromanager with diagnosed OCD sent me literally running for the hills. I found a job in the medical field, and I'M SO HAPPY.

I don't have to worry about coming home with dirty clothes every day. If I can't work a shift, I have co-workers to cover me (without bosses freaking out because there's no back up option), I never have to worry if MB/DB will be late at the end of the day (and if I do stay late at work, it's an OPTION and I'm paid for every extra minute I'm there). I actually have co-workers and interact with adults -- which has helped socially outside of work, too. I can go to the bathroom without worrying. I don't have to clean up anyone's mess, or dishes, or laundry, or dust. The list is endless.

On the flip side, I don't have a sweet loving child or baby to look after. I do miss that. But after realizing nannies are dropped and replaced so often, it's rare to stay in your charges life post-employment. Which is just sad to me. From now on, if I'm looking to build a relationship with a child, it will be within the circle of my close friends or family... or my own kids (someday down the road).

If you're a nanny and love your job, I'm happy for you. I'm not bashing you! But if you are like I used to be...in a miserable nanny job (due to whatever circumstance)...finding a job completely unrelated to childcare is something I'd definitely suggest...EVEN if you think childcare if your "calling".

[Anonymous]

(It's been 5.5 months since I left the "nanny world", by the way. I meant to clarify that.)

[Anonymous]

Im thinking of doing the same

[Anonymous]

Parents are really doing their child harm when they "cut" the primary caregiver out of their child's life. Of course sometimes it can't be helped, but far too often it's frivolous, lack of clear understanding of what they're getting when they hire a nanny.
OP, thank you for sharing your experiences. I wish you continued happiness.

[Anonymous]

Sadly working for the wrong family can do this to you. Trust me...I have felt like leaving the Nanny profession many times over due to families underpaying me, micromanaging me and not respecting my time, etc.

What keeps me in this line of work is the families that do none of these.

I do not see working as a nanny a forever job, but it works for me now.
I am so glad you are happier now OP.
Someday I may take the step you took and find myself a different type of work to do.

Until then, I will just keep the faith that there are good families out there who would love to find a great nanny like me!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I wanna quit too

[Anonymous]

OP, I posted a couple months ago with a very similar topic. "Finally leaving the nanny business"- or something like that.
it's been a little while and I'm still very happy with my decision. My new job is great, I'm happier, and feel more satisfied at the end of the day. I'm not saving lives or even making the world a better place (I'm in an office), but the differences have made such a difference in my life.
Many of the things you mentioned resonate with me. I have coworkers which is a huge deal to me. I challenge myself intellectually, which I honestly wasn't doing before. I have good benefits, job security, and a lot of room for growth.
I am in no way saying nannies don't have these things. Some do, and that's good. But most don't, and I hated that feeling.
I miss the kids, a lot. I learned a LOT from being a nanny, mostly about how to raise them and care for them. My patience has grown, my ability to redirect and stay calm and think quick have all gotten greater. And I'll take all of that with me.
I just couldn't do it anymore and was in denial for a long time. If any nannies out there feel burnt out, done, frustrated- think long and hard about it. There are other fields to use these skills in. Post here if you have any questions or need some encouragement.

[Anonymous]

Just curious what fields you have all turned to...I've been nannying for 10+ years and physically it's exhausting even though working with children is my passion in life. I've entertained the idea of getting my real estate license but I'm unsure what I would do if I actually left the nanny business. Any suggestions are welcome.

[Anonymous]

I don't have to worry about coming home with dirty clothes every day. If I can't work a shift, I have co-workers to cover me (without bosses freaking out because there's no back up option), I never have to worry if MB/DB will be late at the end of the day (and if I do stay late at work, it's an OPTION and I'm paid for every extra minute I'm there). I actually have co-workers and interact with adults -- which has helped socially outside of work, too. I can go to the bathroom without worrying. I don't have to clean up anyone's mess, or dishes, or laundry, or dust. The list is endless.

Yes BUT you can forget about getting to spend an afternoon at the park talking with nanny friends, running your own errands while being paid, and getting to surf the web or talk on our phone while being paid. If you stay out late the night before you can't take it easy and hang around the house, you'll be expected to be on your feet and performing at the same level. You can forget getting windfall paid weeks off from guaranteed pay. Your company/practice/hospital is going to close early on a Friday or shut down for a week and still pay you. If your workload declines, you will be laid off not kept on and forget about expecting yearly raises if they need you less. You will not get a bonus just for showing up, doing your job and expecting it so you feel appreciated. If you want Starbucks you'll need to get up earlier and get it before you start work or on your lunch hour unlike as a nanny while you you do it while you're on the clock. There will be no mall trips to window shop and pick a few things after your charge plays in the indoor play yard. You will not be given lunch or snacks let alone asked what you want your employer to buy for you. If you are late, it will be deducted from your paycheck.

[Anonymous]

This is so funny to me!

OP and anyone else who's changed careers and found themselves happier, I'm so happy for you! I came back to nannying after 8 years of nonprofit work and cannot believe how good I have it now. It is a temporary situation for me, I only have one more year of nannying to go, and perhaps that's the difference (I know there's an end date to these luxurious days and am trying to savor them) but I can't imagine ever going back to the office.

Different strokes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't have to worry about coming home with dirty clothes every day. If I can't work a shift, I have co-workers to cover me (without bosses freaking out because there's no back up option), I never have to worry if MB/DB will be late at the end of the day (and if I do stay late at work, it's an OPTION and I'm paid for every extra minute I'm there). I actually have co-workers and interact with adults -- which has helped socially outside of work, too. I can go to the bathroom without worrying. I don't have to clean up anyone's mess, or dishes, or laundry, or dust. The list is endless.

Yes BUT you can forget about getting to spend an afternoon at the park talking with nanny friends, running your own errands while being paid, and getting to surf the web or talk on our phone while being paid. If you stay out late the night before you can't take it easy and hang around the house, you'll be expected to be on your feet and performing at the same level. You can forget getting windfall paid weeks off from guaranteed pay. Your company/practice/hospital is going to close early on a Friday or shut down for a week and still pay you. If your workload declines, you will be laid off not kept on and forget about expecting yearly raises if they need you less. You will not get a bonus just for showing up, doing your job and expecting it so you feel appreciated. If you want Starbucks you'll need to get up earlier and get it before you start work or on your lunch hour unlike as a nanny while you you do it while you're on the clock. There will be no mall trips to window shop and pick a few things after your charge plays in the indoor play yard. You will not be given lunch or snacks let alone asked what you want your employer to buy for you. If you are late, it will be deducted from your paycheck.

Wow!! I think you have a problem with your nanny. May be you're a doormat and your nanny figured that out. When I was a nanny I did none of those things.
Now that I work in an office environment I actually do surf the web during the day, can talk to my friends on the phone during the day and I get better bonuses.

You seem bitter, please let your nanny go and stay home with your kids.wait don't do that we don't need your kids around you that much to learn your bitterness.

[Anonymous]

Wow!! I think you have a problem with your nanny. May be you're a doormat and your nanny figured that out. When I was a nanny I did none of those things.
Now that I work in an office environment I actually do surf the web during the day, can talk to my friends on the phone during the day and I get better bonuses.

Those are all things that nannies on this board regularly post as basic expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Those are all things that nannies on this board regularly post as basic expectations.

Some of them, yes, because our jobs are different from yours.

Get an emergency phone call at work? You can step outside to take it.

Need to have a follow-up call with your doctor about a recent biopsy? You can find a private place at work to take the call.

Forgot your lunch? Pop out during your break to pick one up.

Need to leave early to pick up your kids from practice or get a head start on the drive to the lake? Coworkers can cover for you.

Having an off day? Pop in some headphones and build your own little bubble to get some work done in.

Those are all things nannies cannot do that happen regularly in the office. And yes, my office used to close early sometimes and we were always paid regardless. We also had snacks provided at work every single day, whether it was pastries or leftover birthday cake or the enchiladas that didn't get eaten at that day's training. Also, I spent significantly more time online at the office than I do as a nanny, on my phone or my computer.

Now for the few I need to contest:

You can forget getting windfall paid weeks off from guaranteed pay

- Nannies expect to be paid every week. They also expect to work (or take PTO) every week. None of us has said we expect to get random paid weeks off from work, that's a choice the parents make. Plan ahead when you hire your nanny and figure out how to coordinate vacations if this is such a problem for you.

If your workload declines, you will be laid off not kept on

- What? Nannies do get laid off when their workload declines. That's why we talk about families or children outgrowing nannies.

You will not get a bonus just for showing up, doing your job and expecting it so you feel appreciated.

- I don't expect bonuses. I don't know any nanny who does. I do know that we feel extremely appreciated when we receive them, but presumably we're doing more than just "showing up" to earn them. I don't know, take it up with my boss maybe?

If you want Starbucks you'll need to get up earlier and get it before you start work or on your lunch hour unlike as a nanny while you you do it while you're on the clock.

- BS. Everyone from my office used to leave to get coffee, or soup, or take a ten minute walk while the sun was out. Don't pretend only nannies get to do that.

If you are late, it will be deducted from your paycheck.

- Firstly, this never happens at my old office, but secondly, it should happen for nannies. My contract says I lose pay in 15 minute increments beginning at 8 minutes late (for the record, I always without fail and without exception arrive at work 10 minutes early) - it also outlines how much extra the parents pay me if they're late. If you left that out of your nanny's contract that's your fault, not ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Those are all things that nannies on this board regularly post as basic expectations.

Some of them, yes, because our jobs are different from yours.

Get an emergency phone call at work? You can step outside to take it.

Need to have a follow-up call with your doctor about a recent biopsy? You can find a private place at work to take the call.

Forgot your lunch? Pop out during your break to pick one up.

Need to leave early to pick up your kids from practice or get a head start on the drive to the lake? Coworkers can cover for you.

Having an off day? Pop in some headphones and build your own little bubble to get some work done in.

Those are all things nannies cannot do that happen regularly in the office. And yes, my office used to close early sometimes and we were always paid regardless. We also had snacks provided at work every single day, whether it was pastries or leftover birthday cake or the enchiladas that didn't get eaten at that day's training. Also, I spent significantly more time online at the office than I do as a nanny, on my phone or my computer.

Now for the few I need to contest:

You can forget getting windfall paid weeks off from guaranteed pay

- Nannies expect to be paid every week. They also expect to work (or take PTO) every week. None of us has said we expect to get random paid weeks off from work, that's a choice the parents make. Plan ahead when you hire your nanny and figure out how to coordinate vacations if this is such a problem for you.

If your workload declines, you will be laid off not kept on

- What? Nannies do get laid off when their workload declines. That's why we talk about families or children outgrowing nannies.

You will not get a bonus just for showing up, doing your job and expecting it so you feel appreciated.

- I don't expect bonuses. I don't know any nanny who does. I do know that we feel extremely appreciated when we receive them, but presumably we're doing more than just "showing up" to earn them. I don't know, take it up with my boss maybe?

If you want Starbucks you'll need to get up earlier and get it before you start work or on your lunch hour unlike as a nanny while you you do it while you're on the clock.

- BS. Everyone from my office used to leave to get coffee, or soup, or take a ten minute walk while the sun was out. Don't pretend only nannies get to do that.

If you are late, it will be deducted from your paycheck.

- Firstly, this never happens at my old office, but secondly, it should happen for nannies. My contract says I lose pay in 15 minute increments beginning at 8 minutes late (for the record, I always without fail and without exception arrive at work 10 minutes early) - it also outlines how much extra the parents pay me if they're late. If you left that out of your nanny's contract that's your fault, not ours.

+100000000000000000000000...................


Well said

[Anonymous]

"If you are late, it will be deducted from your paycheck."

Id rather that than be late for my nanny job, which in return makes MB late for work, and then my boss is pissed at me.