Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Short and sweet
A month is too long.

Two weeks is not long enough to find a new nanny. It took me five and a half weeks. Four weeks is reasonable for such an intimate job.

Your problem not the nanny's.

THIS nanny - the OP - is posting to find the best possible way to leave a nanny job. She is making it her "problem" - that is the entire point of the thread. She already clearly stated that she doesn't care if she is replaced sooner.

Give your employers six weeks, OP. Do your absolute best in your job until your last minute on the job. Arrange to see your charge several times after you leave - lengthening your time away with every visit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Short and sweet
A month is too long.

Two weeks is not long enough to find a new nanny. It took me five and a half weeks. Four weeks is reasonable for such an intimate job.

Your problem not the nanny's.

Not to stir the pot, but I respectfully disagree that leaving a nine-month old baby will cause it to fear abandonment.

But I also admit I am no M.D.

I have left jobs with babies before & I highly doubt it has any effect on their lives....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Short and sweet
A month is too long.

Two weeks is not long enough to find a new nanny. It took me five and a half weeks. Four weeks is reasonable for such an intimate job.

[b]

Yeah well too bad. So many families give nannies no notice for them to find a new job yet you expect a month?? What if you find the replacement in two days? Will you pay up for the month??? Please.

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Another MB here and I just read a study about memory in children and the loss will be felt even after the memory of the nanny fades. I'll see if I can find it for you. The sense of abandonment can be profound in a child as young as nine months.

OP - I think it would be better if you could somehow stay in the child's life and fade out slowly. Maybe babysit a couple of weekends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Short and sweet
A month is too long.

Two weeks is not long enough to find a new nanny. It took me five and a half weeks. Four weeks is reasonable for such an intimate job.

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

Short and sweet
A month is too long.

MB here. I think a month's notice is perfect. You don't say if the child is 2.5 or it's an older child you've been with that long. If the child is 2.5 don't worry about it - tell them you're leaving, you love them, here's a book/stuffed animal for you to look at/hug when you miss me, and you'll have lots of fun with your new nanny. They'll forget you in a few months.

If they're as picky as they should be about a nanny, it'll probably take them more than two weeks to find someone really good.

I'm a nanny I have found the best way of leaving is with 2 weeks notice.

2 weeks because I've found telling earlier than that and they post pone looking for someone.

Make it clear it's not about them, but you are moving in a different direction in your life. Mention specific things you like about working with them and their child.

If you are able suggest names for your replacement. Do not take on the job of nanny search and hiring for them .

If you are able babysit for your charge from time to time.

I find sitting together with parents and telling kids together is easier.

I do not do a huge transition with the new nanny as I find that can be more upsetting. A day or two at most.

I've had charges keep a picture of me or a copy of a special book or a stuffed bear to keep.

Anonymous wrote:Separation of a young child from a primary caregiver will be painful. Don't diminish the importance of the role most nannies have.

Here's the question for you. If you tell them now when you'd like to depart, can you afford to immediately move on if they find someone in a week or two?

If yes, then tell them asap.

Yes, I can afford to move on if they find someone to replace me sooner.

Thank you for responding.

How can I make this as easy on my charge as possible? I know he loves me but he is just 2.5. He won't even remember me in a year or two.

Separation of a young child from a primary caregiver will be painful. Don't diminish the importance of the role most nannies have.

Here's the question for you. If you tell them now when you'd like to depart, can you afford to immediately move on if they find someone in a week or two?

If yes, then tell them asap.

I am planning to leave my nanny job with a child I have been with for 2.5 years. I want to do it as kindly and respectfully as possible - burning no bridges - as well as making it painless for the child.

I don't need to find another job right away so I am not worried about giving too much notice (and getting let go when they find my replacement).

MBs - what is the kindest way to leave a job? Is six weeks too much notice?

Thank you!