Nanny burnout: have you experienced it?

[Anonymous]

All my previous nannying positions have been part time. I typically would work 8-10 hours per day 2-3 x per week.
Now, I work 12-14 hour days Monday-Friday. I feel like I’m burning out already even though I’ve only been with them for 3 months. I have considered quitting and finding a job that requires less hours. Does anyone have any advice or gone through the same thing? The kids are 6 months and 3 y/o and parents both work full time so I know if I quit they’ll be pretty upset that they have to look for a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

I worked Monday-Wednesday for four years and it was amazing! It also worked well with my home life and my partner’s schedule. We split and I am now working 5 9 hour days at minimum and it sucks! I love my job, so that’s not burning me out but I miss my relaxed life. If you have the ability and want to quit, do so early enough to offer them up to 2 months to find a replacement. There’s no way they can be mad then!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked Monday-Wednesday for four years and it was amazing! It also worked well with my home life and my partner’s schedule. We split and I am now working 5 9 hour days at minimum and it sucks! I love my job, so that’s not burning me out but I miss my relaxed life. If you have the ability and want to quit, do so early enough to offer them up to 2 months to find a replacement. There’s no way they can be mad then!

Our contract says 2 weeks notice, but I would give them 4 weeks because I know how hard it can be to find a nanny

[Anonymous]

Those are very long hours to maintain long term. 4 weeks is very good. Do you get any holidays/vacation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those are very long hours to maintain long term. 4 weeks is very good. Do you get any holidays/vacation?

10 paid vacation days and 3 sick days

[Anonymous]

Before quitting, I would think about whether there is anothwr solution—e.g., you work M-T and they find someone part time for Friday’s only, or they find a mother‘s helper to handle a few hours in the early morning or late evening a few days a week. Or find a college student nanny to work 15 hours a week spread over a few days to give you a break during working hours to hit the gym, run errands, go to the dentist, etc. If you like the job aside from the long hours, think carefully on whether another option might make it workable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Before quitting, I would think about whether there is anothwr solution—e.g., you work M-T and they find someone part time for Friday’s only, or they find a mother‘s helper to handle a few hours in the early morning or late evening a few days a week. Or find a college student nanny to work 15 hours a week spread over a few days to give you a break during working hours to hit the gym, run errands, go to the dentist, etc. If you like the job aside from the long hours, think carefully on whether another option might make it workable.

This is another good approach unless there are other circumstances that are bad. What OP describes are 70 hour work weeks, that's a FT and PT job combined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before quitting, I would think about whether there is anothwr solution—e.g., you work M-T and they find someone part time for Friday’s only, or they find a mother‘s helper to handle a few hours in the early morning or late evening a few days a week. Or find a college student nanny to work 15 hours a week spread over a few days to give you a break during working hours to hit the gym, run errands, go to the dentist, etc. If you like the job aside from the long hours, think carefully on whether another option might make it workable.

This is another good approach unless there are other circumstances that are bad. What OP describes are 70 hour work weeks, that's a FT and PT job combined.

I was considering to tell them if they would be willing to hire someone part time to work in the evenings. I usually work from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm everyday so I was thinking maybe someone can come from 2:30-6:30. Kids are great. Mom and dad are alright, not the greatest bosses of all time but they’re ok. I would love to stay for the kids.

[Anonymous]

I did that for two years and it nearly killed me. Talk to you employer about adding additional coverage or start looking for a new position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did that for two years and it nearly killed me. Talk to you employer about adding additional coverage or start looking for a new position.

Op here. In what way did it almost kill you?

[Anonymous]

How old are you OP?

Reason why I ask is because now at 49yrs. old, after raising three children on my own as a single mother, I just prefer to work less than forty hours per/wk.

Ideally 25 - 30hrs. works best.

I am still enjoying the luxury of having my own free time back & admittedly I like to enjoy it catching up on certain hobbies that I enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Op— im 22

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did that for two years and it nearly killed me. Talk to you employer about adding additional coverage or start looking for a new position.

Op here. In what way did it almost kill you?

I stopped doing everything but work and was sick all the time. I gained weight as my only relaxation was eating when I came home and then fell asleep. I just got overall exhausted. I worked seven days a week and only really had one morning off all week. And my commute was another hour added on to my daily work schedule.

A human brain and body need down time. I used to joke that the few evenings I would see friends I was worried that I would pull back the back of their pants to check for poo-poos out of habit.

Being a nanny is a physically and mentally taxing job.

[Anonymous]

I’ve worked everything from 20hrs/week up to 24/7. In the 24/7, I didn’t burnout, but my charges made my job easier, and I had the authority to change anything to make it easier for the children and me. While I was working 20-30, I volunteered a lot, had fun and relaxed. I’ve noticed that I am more exhausted when I work 40-60 than under 35 or more than 70, but that’s probably just me. It takes a certain personality to seek out 60+ hour a week positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before quitting, I would think about whether there is anothwr solution—e.g., you work M-T and they find someone part time for Friday’s only, or they find a mother‘s helper to handle a few hours in the early morning or late evening a few days a week. Or find a college student nanny to work 15 hours a week spread over a few days to give you a break during working hours to hit the gym, run errands, go to the dentist, etc. If you like the job aside from the long hours, think carefully on whether another option might make it workable.

This is another good approach unless there are other circumstances that are bad. What OP describes are 70 hour work weeks, that's a FT and PT job combined.

I was considering to tell them if they would be willing to hire someone part time to work in the evenings. I usually work from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm everyday so I was thinking maybe someone can come from 2:30-6:30. Kids are great. Mom and dad are alright, not the greatest bosses of all time but they’re ok. I would love to stay for the kids.

OP, this would actually benefit them from a financial standpoint (although maybe they don't care). OT is what kills me when I see our nanny's paycheck come out of our checking account, so if they hired two different people they wouldn't be paying either of you overtime. (Which is something you ought to consider as well).