Giving notice for a nanny job

[Anonymous]

Hey guys. Just looking for some advice here. I have been a nanny/mother's helper for a family since December of this year. I am a student so I have been mostly part time. Originally, I was on the fence about going to my hometown for July and August or staying here. I have some family things going on and have recently been leaning more heavily on going home for the summer. The family I sit for has no idea I have been thinking about this and the mom assumes I am staying and nannying the whole summer. I am stuck on how to bring this up with her. She just emailed me a june schedule? and I am supposed to finish it and send it back. I was thinking of including a message about thinking about going back home and that we can talk when I see her again. I won't see her now for about six days as this weekend she is working night shifts so while I am going over, we won't have a chance to talk. I hate confrontation and I have been trying to tell her for about a week now but have been too nervous and she is often tired when I leave and likes to let me know how tired she is lol. We are definitely really close and I think this is why I am finding this so hard. Do you guys think I should add that part in the email or wait until I see her again? I am just worried I will continue to chicken out and won't give her 4 weeks notice which I really want to give. At least if I plant the seed, it will make it easier to bring it up. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks guys!!

[Anonymous]

You will be replaced the next time you see her so be prepared for that. She will fire you the minute she finds your replacement. Don't give more than 2wks notice.

[Anonymous]

Original poster here. I'm not sure I agree with what you said about her firing me on the spot. The schedule is pretty much finalized and she literally has noone else so I doubt she would do that. I did consider the fact that she might start looking asap and replace me once she finds someone however I am more so seeking advice as to whether or not I should approach the subject over email or try again face to face. I don't think two weeks is a fair time for her to search for a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

This is not a confrontation. You're not accusing her of stealing from you or something.

You need to decide for sure what you're doing BEFORE you go talk to her. You can't say "I'm thinking about going home for the summer, but ...?" You need to say "I've decided to go back to Kansas for the summer and will be leaving June 30th."

So first figure out your decision.

[Anonymous]

You need to make a decision NOW if you are going to be going home for the summer.

Then, if you decide that you will be going for sure, you need to let your MB know stat, lest she be left high + dry w/no childcare next month.

If it makes you feel better, let her know via written communication about your plan to visit family this summer.
Then when you see her next time, you both can discuss what can be done, etc.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If you are contracted to give 4 weeks notice then you must do it.

[Anonymous]

2 weeks to find a replacement for odd hours (night shifts?) is going to be not easy. Tell her over email. If you wait longer, she'll be mad.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have a good relationship now. Just tell her what you wrote here. Say you would really like to keep the June schedule and to return after two months. There is generally more help available during the summer, and if she likes you, she will probably look for a temporary fill-in until you are back. A little humanity and openness goes a long way with us MBs (just the same as nannies... we are all the same whether we like that or not).