From a financial perspective you should have 6 months of expenses as an emergency fund (meaning beyond normal day to day savings)

Good reminders! I have to write a new resume. Anyone have a good nanny resume template?

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I am financially ready, all resume updates and training in place, and always keep my profile open on care.com.

But is any nanny who loves her charge ever ready to say goodbye? That is the heartbreak that no amount of money in the bank will ease.

I am an older nanny. I came back to being a nanny after 25 years in the business world and I can say without equivocation that being a nanny is the hardest job - and the most gut-wrenching job when it ends - that I have ever had. Also the most rewarding.

+1. I have never missed an employer but have been truly heartbroken at leaving a young (3 yr old) charge after caring for her since birth. The grief is real.

Yes. I am financially ready, all resume updates and training in place, and always keep my profile open on care.com.

But is any nanny who loves her charge ever ready to say goodbye? That is the heartbreak that no amount of money in the bank will ease.

I am an older nanny. I came back to being a nanny after 25 years in the business world and I can say without equivocation that being a nanny is the hardest job - and the most gut-wrenching job when it ends - that I have ever had. Also the most rewarding.

Anonymous wrote:Good thread/topic!

No matter how well and happy things are going now, it can all change in the blink of an eye.

Please be prepared, Nannies.

Such a sobering thread. But it is true, all we should have to worry about is the grief of losing our charges. That is more than enough and I can’t think of any other job where this kind of innocent sorrow comes into play. Have everything else in place.

Good thread/topic!

No matter how well and happy things are going now, it can all change in the blink of an eye.

Please be prepared, Nannies.

Restaurants are hiring without any experience. You can get hired as a hostess/host, dishwasher, busser or a food runner and even a waiter with zero experience.
You can also leave fairly fast and easily when you find another nanny job.

Anonymous wrote:Have nothing that belongs to your charge at your home. I make a point of never keeping anything that belongs to my charge overnight (pacifiers, toys, clothes). I leave the diaper bag at my charge’s home overnight.

It has never happened to me but I have heard of nannies fired in a text after work and never able to return to even say goodbye to their charges. I can’t imagine anything worse.

+1. The “walk of shame” carrying your box of stuff out of your employers house. Keep nothing at work! Bring what you need everyday - everyday.

Have nothing that belongs to your charge at your home. I make a point of never keeping anything that belongs to my charge overnight (pacifiers, toys, clothes). I leave the diaper bag at my charge’s home overnight.

It has never happened to me but I have heard of nannies fired in a text after work and never able to return to even say goodbye to their charges. I can’t imagine anything worse.

The amount of the cushion depends on where you live and how long in the past it has taken you to find another position.

I am in Los Angeles and have never gone more than a month without a new position. For me a good cushion is two to three months.

PP above brings up a good point about having the ability to quit at a moments notice (in which case you won’t get severance). I highly recommend never depending on severance. I have heard horror stories from nannies about employers suddenly becoming abusive and the nanny had to quit without notice as well as an employer who simply let the nanny go one day and denied contracted severance. She was just out.

I would say at least 3-6 months expenses. That way you don’t have to take whatever you ate offered.

I’m ready to quit or be fired. I have a good savings and also a husband. I’ve walked away from jobs bc I have the security and I am thankful everyday. I refuse to be miserable at a job.

CLR/First Aid certificate up to date. One of my goals for this January.

Things can change so fast in an employer/nanny relationship. Reading some of the threads has made me start thinking about what I need in place if I am let go with little or no notice and my contracted two week severance.

My New Years resolution is to be prepared.

1. How much of a financial custom do I need? One month’s expenses?

2. Resume and profile up to date.

3. All my personal things in employer’s house in one place for easy getaway.

What am I forgetting? Since I use a nanny car in my off hours I will need to make sure my own car is ready to drive and I will need to cobra my healthcare insurance or buy new insurance.

What else do I need in place for those who were dismissed without notice? Any advice?