Grad school nanny needs advice

[Anonymous]

I will be starting a part-time 2 days/week nanny position at the beginning of August. The mb sounds terrific and has agreed to pay $15/hour for 14 hours/week. Today I found out she only needs childcare until early December. She is a professor so I am assuming she would be finished with classes/work in Mid-December. My question is, doesn't this seem like a VERY bad time to be job searching? And also if this is the case I presume I would not get holiday pay for Christmas holiday. As much as I liked the job, I think I am going to have to pass this up....

[Anonymous]

Tell her that you need a signed contract stating that she will pay you for any regularly schedule time that she doesn't need you (for whatever reason).
Move on if she refuses, or if you doubt her honesty.

[Anonymous]

OP this sounds like a short-term position, so you're correct that you would not get holiday pay. Mid-December is a tough time to be job hunting, but early January is not. If you can figure out a way to make your finances work for those weeks, you can begin interviewing with families in November and December for January start dates and not need to worry. I would ignore PP's advice as short-term, PT positions don't typically come with benefits like she describes.

[Anonymous]

Unless it's agreed upon well in advance, nannies will get a new job if parents skip out on a regular paycheck. Most nannies seem to live hand to mouth on their meager wages, even without irregular paychecks.

[Anonymous]

OP here: In the past I have worked with families through the entire school year (from August-May) and they have always given me a holiday gift of one week's salary ($200-300). I sort of rely on getting extra money around the holidays as part of my December salary. I would take my vacation between Christmas and New Year's to coincide with the families vacations. The gift of one week's salary made up for the other week I did not receive PTO.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd find a generous family who can afford to pay you well for your work. Of course I am supposing you're a great nanny.

[Anonymous]

College nanny here (I commented on your other thread too). I was frequently looking for PT jobs in early jan all throughout undergrad, and I've never had a problem finding something. No, you won't get holiday pay, so I guess you'll have to decide if its worth it. Question, do you already know what your spring semester schedule looks like? If you don't, getting a job that wants more of a long term commitment could be risky anyways.

[Anonymous]

I do not know my schedule. In the past families have always been able to make it work. I have been working with mb's who work part-time and can change their schedules to match my available days.

[Anonymous]

OP again: I also wanted to mention the position could potentially go on after December. She said probably not though...

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, OP, it doesn't sound like you and this MB are on the same page.