I always take care of my charge when she is sick and sometimes I catch what she has and sometimes I don't. I do feel it is part of my job and I actually want to be there to comfort her.

OP, being a nanny is not a job for everyone. Dealing with the parents of the child is usually the worst part of the job. I love my job and I love being a nanny.

I think that every job has its downsides and the best job will be one where the downsides are things you don’t much mind. I am a nanny and I don’t love every aspect of my job, but the parts that I dislike register as minor annoyances vs. major misery, and the parts that I like, I LOVE. Overall, I am very very happy and feel fortunate to have a job I enjoy this much. E.g., my 2yo twin charges are sick this week and I certainly don’t enjoy wiping their snoty noses all day, or being coughed on, but I overall kind of enjoy when they are sick because they are very cuddly, which I don’t get much of at this age.

I respectfully disagree PP that caring for a sick child is part of being a Nanny.

My family always lets me know when either one of their children is ill & leave it entirely up to me to decide if I want to come into work.
I appreciate the thoughtful gesture + would not care for any child w/a fever, vomiting and/or the flu.

Because if I get sick from one of them, I typically stay sick longer.....
Sometimes up to a week or more.

I understand that you don't want to get sick. I, too, cringe a little when I see a sick child, but you must know that one of the ways parents justify the expense of a nanny at home is that the parents have the flexibility to go into work when their children have minor illnesses and someone to comfort the children and monitor those illnesses should the children need to be seen by a doctor. A nanny who can handle a child sick with a minor illness is a necessity for our family, especially since there are multiple children and colds (often with short-lived fevers) are quite common.

I don't mind caring for children who are legitimately sick; I refuse to cater to children who exaggerate a sore throat or try to get out of school or activities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Caring for sick children is part of your job, OP, and so is catching what they have.

I think you would be happier in a different line of work. While there are parts of my job that I don't care for, overall I love being a nanny. I don't even mind holding a sick child if it gives him/her comfort.

I respectfully disagree PP that caring for a sick child is part of being a Nanny.

My family always lets me know when either one of their children is ill & leave it entirely up to me to decide if I want to come into work.
I appreciate the thoughtful gesture + would not care for any child w/a fever, vomiting and/or the flu.

Because if I get sick from one of them, I typically stay sick longer.....
Sometimes up to a week or more.

One of the many reasons to hire a nanny is to help with the kids when they are sick so parents don't have to miss work.

Anonymous wrote:Caring for sick children is part of your job, OP, and so is catching what they have.

I think you would be happier in a different line of work. While there are parts of my job that I don't care for, overall I love being a nanny. I don't even mind holding a sick child if it gives him/her comfort.

I respectfully disagree PP that caring for a sick child is part of being a Nanny.

My family always lets me know when either one of their children is ill & leave it entirely up to me to decide if I want to come into work.
I appreciate the thoughtful gesture + would not care for any child w/a fever, vomiting and/or the flu.

Because if I get sick from one of them, I typically stay sick longer.....
Sometimes up to a week or more.

Caring for sick children is part of your job, OP, and so is catching what they have.

I think you would be happier in a different line of work. While there are parts of my job that I don't care for, overall I love being a nanny. I don't even mind holding a sick child if it gives him/her comfort.

Anonymous wrote:I love being a nanny. Of course there are parts of my job I don't like. I doubt that any employed person loves every last thing about their job. But I love my kids and can't wait to see them everyday. When I'm sad they cheer me up and when I'm happy most of the time I'm with them. OP, maybe it's time to consider another line of work. Not trying to be snarky but totally serious. I have had other types of jobs that I absolutely hated and I was miserable most of the time.

+1 Being a nanny is not for everyone.

I love being a nanny. Of course there are parts of my job I don't like. I doubt that any employed person loves every last thing about their job. But I love my kids and can't wait to see them everyday. When I'm sad they cheer me up and when I'm happy most of the time I'm with them. OP, maybe it's time to consider another line of work. Not trying to be snarky but totally serious. I have had other types of jobs that I absolutely hated and I was miserable most of the time.

I don't hate my job at all - in fact I love it. I think it is a privilege to be a nanny and be intimately involved in the early life of a child.

That said, I would not accept a position where either parent worked from home or was home. It is simply too hard on the child and the right position for me.

I feel you OP. I love the kids aspect of the job but everything else is beyond frustrating.

I actually do adore being a nanny, OP. I respect my employers and love my charge.

I am sorry you are having a bad time of it.

Theyre not important. When i see permisive parents i switch yo a better family

I've had bad jobs in the past. I quit and found another job. You are in control of your life.
Find a family that is a better fit. Find a job in another field.

You are important. You deserve to be treated better.

Kids these days are often angry and violent, parents too permissive wanting to always be "friends" instead of parents to their kids, usually a DB or MB tries as hard as they can to work from home making your job that much more difficult, and it sucks having to care for someone else's sick very young children who come down with colds every few weeks, horrendous stomach flus twice a year, etc. Get sneezed on once while you're changing a diaper, and you're done for. Who would do this job? There have to be others out there who feel the same way. Don't pretend you all adore it.