My Worst Nanny Work Day. Ever. ;(

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny for a 2.5 + 1 yr. old.

Today as the Mother was leaving for work, I walked down the staircase directly in front of her.
I was carrying the one-yr. old in my left arm & was holding the two-yr. old’s hand on my right as she walked down the staircase.

*Note-
The staircase is fully carpeted, yet the landing is marble floored.
Well I accidentally slipped on the last carpeted step and my charges and I fell frontwards on the marble landing.

Their heads hit the floor very hard and they immediately cried out.
Their Mother comforted them and I directly apologized to her for falling w/her daughters.
She genuinely said that she witnessed the entire episode and I did nothing careless.
She told me it was an honest accident.
And I do not think she blames me as much as I blame myself.

I have been sobbing off + on today.
The guilt I feel is enormous.
I fully expect to be fired after this, but the Mother told me they would never do that....
That their family loves me to death.

Please tell me,
If you were the Mother, could you forgive this one-time occurrence?
Or is this a firing offense??

Worked eight months w/them and this is the only time this has occurred.
The family has in-home cameras, but they claim they only work in real time.
Nothing is recorded.

[Anonymous]

I also work in a two story home. I have slipped before but held on the railing so I haven’t fallen. My charge is 9 months and the stairs are wooden with the first floor being marble. I can only image how much it would hurt if I fell holding my charge.
I don’t think this is a firing offense though. 1. It was an accident 2. MB saw that it was an accident 3. It would happen to MB or DB as well. 4. You say they have cameras, but why would anyone fall on purpose knowing that death could very much be a result of it?

Don’t worry op—I would be very emotional as well. It was accident and don’t beat yourself up over it. It was an honest accident.

[Anonymous]

1) They need to put a rug at the bottom of the stairs ASAP!
2) There was a sharp turn at the bottom of our stairs. I fell, the nanny fell once with the baby ... it happens!

Be thankful no one was hurt, including you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also work in a two story home. I have slipped before but held on the railing so I haven’t fallen. My charge is 9 months and the stairs are wooden with the first floor being marble. I can only image how much it would hurt if I fell holding my charge.
I don’t think this is a firing offense though. 1. It was an accident 2. MB saw that it was an accident 3. It would happen to MB or DB as well. 4. You say they have cameras, but why would anyone fall on purpose knowing that death could very much be a result of it?

Don’t worry op—I would be very emotional as well. It was accident and don’t beat yourself up over it. It was an honest accident.

Yeah ... if you were going to fake a fall to soak them for insurance $$ or something, it would not be while you were holding the children!

[Anonymous]

I have fallen while holding my own children. It happens. It would never occur to me to fire someone for having an accident, especially if I saw it happen. I wouldn't worry about it since the mother said that everything was fine. I hope your day goes better tomorrow, OP.

[Anonymous]

Accidents happen.

[Anonymous]

Not a fireable offense at all. My nanny has slipped on our stairs in front of me. My friend's nanny slipped on stairs and her baby's leg was broken, and that nanny wasn't fired. If any family would fire you for this, they are going to have trouble finding a nanny who doesn't have an accident here or there. Happens to all of us. I hope tomorrow is better for you. -a MB

[Anonymous]

MB here. I absolutely would not fire you for this OP. My kids have been hurt on my watch. I'm clumsy and fall. Accidents happen.

I am certain your MB could see your distress and meant what she said.

I'm glad you're all ok!

[Anonymous]

Mb here too. We’ve had our nanny for 4 years and worst my kids have gotten hurt is are scratches. Once my son slammed his jaw on the bathtub while I was watching him and he chipped his tooth! So don’t worry op accidents will happen anywhere, anytime, with anyone.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing to forgive.

[Anonymous]

One of the first things you learn when you're a nanny for multiples is that you only get down the stairs with ONE child at a time.

You weren't professional, I would have fired you on the spot.

You could have killed that child !!

Nanny.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone (sans the post above!) for the kind, comforting responses.

They made me feel much better going forward.

- OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first things you learn when you're a nanny for multiples is that you only get down the stairs with ONE child at a time.

You weren't professional, I would have fired you on the spot.

You could have killed that child !!

Nanny.

Congratulations. You win the DCUM punctilious A$$hole of the day award.

[Anonymous]

Please don't beat yourself up over this. It was an ACCIDENT. Thankfully everyone will be fine and you can learn from it. As a mom, I can tell you that I forgave our nanny for a lot because I had plenty of accidents myself (including falling into a bookshelf with my baby). I think it is a very good things she saw the accident so won't have to worry about what actually happened. I think it is good if you can express how sorry you are (and not mention being worried about being fired) and mention how you will be extra careful in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first things you learn when you're a nanny for multiples is that you only get down the stairs with ONE child at a time.

You weren't professional, I would have fired you on the spot.

You could have killed that child !!

Nanny.

I've never heard of a child dying because they fell down ONE step.