I interviewed a nanny who was dissatisfied with her current position. She was mostly unhappy with her long commute. She also mentioned that her employers don't let her socialize her charge as much as she would like. She gave me past references and told me that for obvious reasons her current employer was not available as a reference. She had a fantastic personality and I actually offered her the job. It didn't work out because my rate was lower than she needed.

Get a new job lined up first before you give your notice. Once I thought I was being nice giving my employer notice, she begged me to stay offered more income. I had made up my mind,once that didn't work they got angry treated me like a criminal. Demanded I bring his car seat back and the keys, as well as packed up my library books I had checked out for him.On top of that she didn't pay me what she owed me!

MB here. If you were interviewing with me I would fully respect some edited version of this - basically tell the truth. That this was your first experience as a nanny with a mother in the house full time and it just isn't the best fit for you. (This assumes you won't be interviewing for these kinds of jobs of course.)

No badmouthing your current employer of course, but I think it's reasonable to tell a prospective employer that you've learned that a better fit for you would be where the parents work out of the home, or whether they have fully separate work space that doesn't infringe on the infant's ability to sleep, maintain a schedule, etc...

I wouldn't dwell on it of course, but I think there is a way that you could tell the truth that is professional, appropriate and that a potential employer (especially one that would be a good fit for you) would respect.

Acknowledging that you take the commitment seriously and will be giving very significant notice, helping find a replacement etc... will also speak to a potential employer (or would to me at least).

Of course, the minute you give notice your current employer might see the light and try to make changes that make it more tolerable/reasonable for you. You should be prepared to consider whether there are changes that would allow you to stay or not, before it comes up.

Good luck!

OP again - I saw there is another post regarding a mom with an inexperienced nanny. I hope she finds resolution but this post is not related in any way to hers.

I started a new position six months ago with a MB who works at home. Although I have had multiple nanny positions over the years this is my first with a parent in the home. I am also their first nanny. The position is not a good fit for me. MB does have an office but still comes in throughout the day to spend time with DS. She pops in when DS is crying to offer pointers, which she feels is doing me a favor. But more then anything I have learned that I need more space then is possible with a wahm. I like to have a routine but often get sidetracked waiting for mom to get off of a business call for their daily lunch date or having my process scrutinized. Yesterday I put DS down for a nap in the living room because MB was on a conference call on speaker phone right next to the nursery. When the call ended she came down to make food and of course the baby woke up. Most days, DS wakes up just from the should of her rolling desk chair on the wood floors making the floor boards creak really loud - I even purchased a sound machine for his room but it still wakes him up. The room next to the nursery is the only spare room in the house so she can't move her office elsewhere.

All of these things sound like typical work at home parent issues. MB said in the interview she would be completely out of the way. I see now that her presence at home will be disruptive even with her efforts to be inconspicuous. I would like to find another job. I feel terrible about it. I accepted the position knowing she would be home and now I realize I am not the best person for this job. My contract does not require any notice on either side. However, I would like to give several weeks. How do I approach potential employers until I give notice? I can not afford to leave my position until I find another one. Also, I would like to help MB find a replacement to make things easier for her. What things can I do to help her?