MBs- how do you feel when your nanny takes a sick day?

[Anonymous]

I am so sick and really want to take tomorrow off, but I'm so nervous. I've been with my nanny family for almost 3 years 54 hrs/wk. I took 2.5 days off for my wedding 2 years ago, but I obviously was able to give them 8 months notice. I'm 30 weeks pregnant which also makes being sick so much worse. I'm at the point where I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.

Should I text them now and ask (I'm at their house and kids are napping) or wait and ask when MB gets home this evening? I feel so guilty because SB works out of state and there's no back up or local family to cover so it will all fall on MB.

[Anonymous]

Tell them asap so they can make plans for tomorrow.

Hope you feel better soon OP

Nanny.

[Anonymous]

It happens. It sounds like you've been a good employee and unless your boss has been really unreasonable, it sucks but hopefully she will (and should!!) understand. As a MB, the more notice, the better as I can at least plan on what my day will look like. If you have any nanny friends that provide back-up care, you could ask to see if they are available to give that option to your MB, but don't go out of your way. Hope you have sick days so you'll be paid--also if you do have sick days, all the more reason to take one, they are there for a reason!

Feel better, hope everything works out.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Sounds like you have rarely been sick at all (or just suffered through it at work). Just tell MB asap - get it over with. It happens. It's part of having a kid and a nanny - sometime the nanny is going to get sick and you have to miss work. It happens.

[Anonymous]

Text her now and relax. This is important.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have zero vacation? I know this is off topic, but that’s crazy. Additionally, I agree with the other people.

[Anonymous]

Wow.....
Only 2 1/2 days off in three years is pretty good!

I wouldn’t sweat it OP.
Considering you haven’t missed work in awhile, I am quite sure your boss will understand.

Besides, it is up to her not YOU to make sure she has a back-up childcare plan in the event you fall ill.
All families that employ a Nanny should have a Plan B in place.

*Wishing you a speedy recovery!! ~

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you have zero vacation? I know this is off topic, but that’s crazy. Additionally, I agree with the other people.

OP here. I do have vacation time. I get one week of my choice and 3 sick days plus all the time they travel. They usually travel 2-3 weeks a year so I've always just planned things around that- my honeymoon, closing on my house, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I think I'm feeling especially guilty because my maternity leave is creeping closer and I feel very blessed they are accomodating that and then letting me return with my baby and no pay cut.

And I'm going to miss my NKs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I think I'm feeling especially guilty because my maternity leave is creeping closer and I feel very blessed they are accomodating that and then letting me return with my baby and no pay cut.

And I'm going to miss my NKs!

Wow! Yeah, I would feel guilty, too! But if you are sick - you are sick.

[Anonymous]

Take he socks day and let them know ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Fifty percent hopes they're okay and fifty percent is stressed at all the texts I'll have to send out finding backup. Your boss is an idiot for not having backup. I have like four or five options.

[Anonymous]

that is the worst part about nannying. i had a lot of parents ask me upon hiring if i had friends who would cover for me in the event of an illness, appointment, etc. frankly, it isn't your job to provide backup for the parents. if you do recommend a friend, you suddenly become responsible for their every decision, their every mistake, and every time they aren't available at a moment's notice. sorry parents, but this one is on you. you should have the number and some information for either some backup sitters or a drop in daycare (they do exist, but you'll have to set it up and likely pay in advance).
that said, i never took a sick day as a nanny. i no longer nanny, and taking a sick day when i need it feels like an immense privilege.
i once showed up to a nanny job with a fever, crying walking over because i felt so sick but the parents told me they needed me, no ifs ands or buts. i spent ten minutes at the house, absolutely miserable and unable to deal with the tantrum i walked into. they sent me to urgent care reluctantly, and couldn't accept that the doctor diagnosed me with a respiratory infection and told me not to work for four or five days. i went home and slept the rest of the day and went in the following, and so on. some parents feel that you should live and die to serve them, and that they can have kids but never be inconvenienced. that isn't reality. i hope you took the day, took care of yourself, and were professional and firm in your communication. feel better.

[Anonymous]

I don't want my nanny to work if she is sick. I want her to rest and get better for her own sake. It's also not great for the kids to be cared for by someone who is not feeling well. I am fortunate that I have a pretty flexible job so most of the time DH or I can cover no problem.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I chickened out and didn't ask for a sick day. I did ask if we could watch a movie (I've never turned the tv on!) and MB said yes, but we ended up doing a spring themed sensory bin instead. My own fault I know! Nanny guilt is so real.