Tough call OP. I'm an MB and I would hope that if someone had accepted a job offer and was planning to start in two weeks that I could count on them to honor that. It would leave me in a terrible bind to have that fall through on short notice and I might have turned away other qualified candidates.

OTOH, I understand the appeal of the second family for you, so it's a tough spot. You have to weigh the ethical decisions, and long term prospects, against your best financial decision.

Good luck.

If you decide to move forward with the second family and walk away from the job you have accepted maybe there would be ways you could make it a little easier for the family you're not choosing. Maybe you could work for them for 2 weeks to give them time to find a replacement or something? They might not want that of course, but maybe they would be understanding of the better opportunity for you (or maybe they would counter offer with a rate increase).

Seems to be one poster who uses thread titles that could mean anything at all, or nothing. What's up with that?

I say, once you formerly accept a position w/a family, then you have a responsibility to that family.

However, since chemistry is vital in this unique profession, I strongly recommend you + your new family agree that a 2-4 week trial period is done first before signing a contract.

During this time, you can see what happens w/the special needs family.

Yes, move forward with the interview process of the second job. You may hate the job you have accepted and be ready to give notice after a few weeks. It never hurts to keep looking around.

Hi all,

This is probably going to be a little lengthy, so please bare with me! I'm a career nanny with six years experience and primarily worked for two families during those years. I was let go very suddenly this past March and have been job searching ever since. I've been doing some part-time work for past families, had several jobs fall through(before they even began!), and parted ways with one family after a pretty horrendous first week.

Anyway.. I was offered a really great position this past week that I have accepted. It's right in the middle of my pay range, pays overtime, on the books, guaranteed hours(45/wk), is very close to my home, and has really awesome hours. The family is very professional, nice, and we had a lot in common. They also have two young children, so this would be a long-term position. I have accepted the position and will be starting in two weeks time.

So with all of that being said, I interviewed with a family several weeks ago who are looking for childcare starting in August. We also had a very good connection, and their hourly rate is a little higher than this job I have been offered. While I have not officially been offered the job(and I realize it could fall through!), I am the only person they are interviewing and they are "very excited" to have me meet the children and "think I am a great fit for their family." Their oldest child has special needs, which is the reason I originally applied for the position. Every family I worked with in the past has had a child with special needs and it's really my mine focus in being a career nanny. I am in school to obtain my Early Childhood Special Education degree and plan to worked for families who have children with special needs. I have no idea if this family is offering guaranteed hours, paid holidays, overtime, or any kinds of benefits.

I guess my question is that I have a great job offer that I have accepted, but this other job would really give me more experience towards my long-term goal--so do move forward in the interview process and just see what they have to offer? I just feel kind of crappy to still be interviewing while I've already accepted a position. In the beginning of my post, I'm sure it was apparent that I've been in a financial bind the last several months--so I'm eager to jump at the job the begins the soonest. However, in the position I mentioned that only lasted a week, I'm more hesitant to make a move so quickly. This is probably just all a jumble, and I apologize--but if anyone has any advice/opinions, please feel free to chime in!

Also, so sorry for any grammatical errors--it's very late!!