I'm on the fence with this I would almost feel better if she woke up on her own. It wasn't just a quick doze or resting her eyes.

Your dad had to get her up so she was probably sleeping soundly.

I could go either way.

No matter what if you choose to give her another chance or fire her make it clear that her actions were unacceptable.

My first thought is that sleeping while the kids sleep is understandable, but not terribly professional, and the fact that she is doing it during the first week when she should be on the ball trying to impress you does not speak well for her. My second thought is that she is 22, and she is young enough that perhaps talking to her and explaining how unacceptable this is will correct the behavior. my third thought is that, given that you stretched what you planned to spend on a nanny to pay for this young lady, she needs to live up to the rates that she set.


Overall, I would definitely talk to her about this, and about the fact that you paid her x amount because she marketed herself as a professional and educated young woman. She needs to live up to the image that she projected during the interview process. If there is another slip up in terms of professionalism and getting the job done, I would not hesitate to let her go.

--Nanny

I agree with this. I would add that it is a huge red flag that she did this on her third day. Stay open to replacing her if she does this again. You mention twice that she is great with kids, but you have only employed her for three days and she's already failed to adequately do her job. I would not call that great with kids or professional and definitely not worth a higher than market rate.

Anonymous wrote:Why is she arriving an hour before she has to do anything?

Why is that your concern? Maybe the mb needs to leave at 6 and doesn't want her dad to feel responsible for the kids if they woke early.

Why is she arriving an hour before she has to do anything?

OP, does she have to wake up the children for a certain reason? I.e., do they have to get ready for school, be somewhere, etc.? If that is the case, then what she did was truly unprofessional and wouldn't sit well w/me at all. Especially since it was only her THIRD day and it is still her trial period which is when she should be at her very best.

Or do you just like your children to awaken at a certain time of day to be on a set schedule? If that is the case, then I would just let it slide this one time and give her a fair warning.

Regardless, in my experience, I prefer hiring older nannies to younger ones.

While younger ones I am sure have more energy and less health issues overall, older nannies tend to have a better work ethic, more life experience under their belts and just a better overall appreciation of the opportunities presented to them.

I would definitely talk to her about it, but I will also tell you that my least reliable nanny was a recent college grad with other long term career plans.

She was late, really late, a lot. She was great with my son while she was there, but it made me anxious never really knowing what the next issue was going to be. She also asked for tons of time off during the winter and summer holidays (unpaid, but still a PITA for me to cover).

She didn't *really* need the job (family money), didn't think of herself as a "career nanny," and generally acted like a college student.

My advice to you is to giver her another chance, say what you said here about your dad as "backup," and wait and see for maybe a month. You should know within a couple of weeks if this job is a priority, or if late nights and college are really making it hard for her to do what she said she'd do.

My first thought is that sleeping while the kids sleep is understandable, but not terribly professional, and the fact that she is doing it during the first week when she should be on the ball trying to impress you does not speak well for her. My second thought is that she is 22, and she is young enough that perhaps talking to her and explaining how unacceptable this is will correct the behavior. my third thought is that, given that you stretched what you planned to spend on a nanny to pay for this young lady, she needs to live up to the rates that she set.


Overall, I would definitely talk to her about this, and about the fact that you paid her x amount because she marketed herself as a professional and educated young woman. She needs to live up to the image that she projected during the interview process. If there is another slip up in terms of professionalism and getting the job done, I would not hesitate to let her go.

--Nanny

Anonymous wrote:If there is only one thing I have learned from DCUM is that it is NEVER OK to fire a nanny, no matter what she's does, no matter how unreliable she is, and now even is she sleeps for two hours on the job and fails to do her duties on the third day.

Sorry OP you are stuck with her until she quits (and then you owe her 1 years pay as severance.) And don't forget the holidays are coming, so give her $1000 gift card, a thoughtful gift, and bonus three weeks pay. Good luck OP.

Get out of here Asswipe.

At my previous nannying job, I had to be at work at 6 am. My MB made it clear from the beginning that I was absolutely welcome to sleep while the children were asleep. She even directed me to the bed in their guest bedroom. I would typically just doze on the couch downstairs until one of the kids got up or it was time to start our day. Never once was I ever late getting the kids up and ready for school, I would set the alarm on my phone to make sure that didn't happen.

I'm sure it was an accident and that your nanny is mortified. I would decide if you are okay having your nanny sleep while the kids are asleep and then go from there. If the sleeping doesn't bother you, tell her that it is okay as long as she's up in time to carry out her responsibilities. If not, let her know you want her to be awake.

If there is only one thing I have learned from DCUM is that it is NEVER OK to fire a nanny, no matter what she's does, no matter how unreliable she is, and now even is she sleeps for two hours on the job and fails to do her duties on the third day.

Sorry OP you are stuck with her until she quits (and then you owe her 1 years pay as severance.) And don't forget the holidays are coming, so give her $1000 gift card, a thoughtful gift, and bonus three weeks pay. Good luck OP.

I think its ok to be asleep if your kids are asleep, She needs to set an alarm for 6.50 though so she can get them up at 7.00.

I agree with PP. She's probably mortified. I know I would be. I would give her another chance, but be sure to let her know that it can't happen again. Accidents happen. If this becomes a chronic issue-fire her.

PP is right.

Honestly, it sounds like she fell asleep on accident. I don't think she intended to do it... It's her third day. Maybe she couldn't fall asleep last night and she's not used to a 5am wake up call...

You should say 'Larla, my dad mentioned he found you asleep at 7:40 when you were suppose to be up ahe have the kids up and ready. we have coffee if you a really THAT tired. I'll let it go this time but please in the future do not nap on the job'

Accidents happen. Don't fire her yet if you truly like her and are still comfortable wth her caring for your kids

A new nanny started last week for a two week trial period. She is a 22 year old college student and wants to be a teacher. So far she is qualified, great with the kids, and really just a nice person. I am paying her more than I originally wanted to because she has been great and I like her.

I am a single Mom and live in a 5 bedroom home with my 80 yo Dad- totally independent- but he is at the house all day. She comes at 6am and has an hour before she needs to wake the kids up. On her third day she went upstairs to watch TV for the hour until the kids woke up and she fell asleep. She is supposed to wake the kids up at 7am. My Dad found her snoozing at 7:40.

I have so many issues with this, but I want to give her one more chance. Am I a pushover? Her job is to #1 make sure my kids are safe and taken care of and #2 make my Dad not have to do anything for MY children. He already raised four.