trying to decide if my commute is too long

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I got a job offer for a PT job. On the Silver Line, the ride is about 1 hour each way and I would have to walk a mile or so from the metro to reach work. I have to work part-time as I am in grad school . The possibilities for part-time on the days I am available are already severely limited . It's tricky since I don't own a car and I live in Reston. I really can only find job in the city, which is far from where I live. I do live rent free so that's a huge plus. Time outside of work for family and friends will be a little less – to the train ride. I will be able to study on the train and it's only a few days/week. The family also seem like a good fit. I always say that in the beginning though and then sometimes things change! I'm so indecisive about this . I kind of want to accept the job, but then part of me wants to wait for something closer. I DON'T want to accept and switch once something closer comes my way. I don't think this would be fair to the family . I also don't want to give my references out and then have things not work out. This has already happened to me recently. I started working with 2 different families and both times the mom ended up letting me go because they needed full-time childcare. Both moms thought their bosses would let them go back part-time , but they had to work full-time. It had been very frustrating dealing me this.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Anonymous]

Well, only you can say but that seems pretty problematic to me. A difficult and long commute for a part-time job doesn't really seem worth it, and if I'm the mom that's hiring you I'd be worried.

Couldn't you find a better retail job that's closer to you that would make more sense?

[Anonymous]

You know yourself best. I can not stand anything more than a 20 minute commute. 25 minutes if absolutely amazing job with super-high salary. So for me, I would hold out for a job closer to home.

Have you made a list of all the steps you need to take in order to find a Reston job and then checked each one? When do you need to start working by?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, only you can say but that seems pretty problematic to me. A difficult and long commute for a part-time job doesn't really seem worth it, and if I'm the mom that's hiring you I'd be worried.

Couldn't you find a better retail job that's closer to you that would make more sense?

Impossible. I would never consider working retail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know yourself best. I can not stand anything more than a 20 minute commute. 25 minutes if absolutely amazing job with super-high salary. So for me, I would hold out for a job closer to home.

Have you made a list of all the steps you need to take in order to find a Reston job and then checked each one? When do you need to start working by?

I can't find a job in Reston as I don't have a car. I do live within walking distance to the metro so this means I can be in Arlington in 20 minutes or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, only you can say but that seems pretty problematic to me. A difficult and long commute for a part-time job doesn't really seem worth it, and if I'm the mom that's hiring you I'd be worried.

Couldn't you find a better retail job that's closer to you that would make more sense?

Impossible. I would never consider working retail.

Well then you take what you can get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know yourself best. I can not stand anything more than a 20 minute commute. 25 minutes if absolutely amazing job with super-high salary. So for me, I would hold out for a job closer to home.

Have you made a list of all the steps you need to take in order to find a Reston job and then checked each one? When do you need to start working by?

I can't find a job in Reston as I don't have a car. I do live within walking distance to the metro so this means I can be in Arlington in 20 minutes or so.

So .... then go find a job in Arlington. There are no nanny jobs in Reston at all? Okay.

[Anonymous]

I'd do it. Study on the train instead of studying at home or the library. It's built in time w/ no distractions. The mile walk would suck in hot or icy weather but otherwise it's built in exercise time. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know yourself best. I can not stand anything more than a 20 minute commute. 25 minutes if absolutely amazing job with super-high salary. So for me, I would hold out for a job closer to home.

Have you made a list of all the steps you need to take in order to find a Reston job and then checked each one? When do you need to start working by?

I can't find a job in Reston as I don't have a car. I do live within walking distance to the metro so this means I can be in Arlington in 20 minutes or so.

So .... then go find a job in Arlington. There are no nanny jobs in Reston at all? Okay.

reston families will require a car, which op doesn't have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, only you can say but that seems pretty problematic to me. A difficult and long commute for a part-time job doesn't really seem worth it, and if I'm the mom that's hiring you I'd be worried.

Couldn't you find a better retail job that's closer to you that would make more sense?

Impossible. I would never consider working retail.

Well then you take what you can get.

very annoying when people suggest switching to retail. maybe op genuinely likes working as a nanny and she wants to have a solid work history as a nanny . nannies are usually paid double minimum wage. op is in grad school so she could definitely get a higher rate. op go with your feelings on this. if something feels weird then it probably is!

[Anonymous]

Walking a mile to me is a long time.

Plus sometimes you may have to do so in bad weather.

Would you also have to do so in the dark? If so, then decline the position as you would be putting your own safety at risk.

[Anonymous]

Metro for an hour seems too long to me - but if you know you'll be able to sit and study that is a good opportunity to catch up on your work instead of doing it at home with all the distractions. If you're sure you'll be able to use that time efficiently and not listen to music and play on your phone, seems like it could be a good thing. I personally prefer a bit of a walk - it's good for you, you can chat with your friends on the phone while you're walking, listen to music, etc.

But ultimately it's up to you. If you think you can handle it part time, go for it. If not, don't.

[Anonymous]

Unless they are paying you $100.00 an hour, yes, you will be spending 3 hrs a day commuting.

[Anonymous]

That would be too long for me.
The mile walk isn't bad, except you have to remember you'll be bringing books and papers with you to study on the train. I know how easily I can get weighed down by my bag when I bring things like that to work.
Another PP made a good point. Will you be walking after dark? Depending on the area that would concern me. Also, think of walking that during inclement weather. Not ideal.

The hour long metro would be miserable for me because I get motion sick when I read in vehicles. Even typing a quick address into a cell phone GPS while riding in a car can make me sick. Hopefully that isn't a problem for you, but it's gotten worse as I've gotten older (I used to read for hours in the car on family road trips).

I'm sorry those previous families flaked on you. Do you get the sense that this family will do the same thing? That they'll accept part time care until they can find a full time nanny?