Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not read through all the posts, so this may overlap with what has been said. It’s a bit tricky since you’ve been with them for less than a year. When is the last time you went home to visit? If you haven’t been home in 3-5 years, then I think this is a reasonable request that can be caveated with that fact as well as a guarantee that this request will not be made next again year.

I have not seen my family in almost 10 years.

That will let them know that you won’t do this annually, so be sure to be clear about that. Also, are you going over the holiday, because that will reduce the number of days muss d by incorporating holidays.

Anonymous wrote:I did not read through all the posts, so this may overlap with what has been said. It’s a bit tricky since you’ve been with them for less than a year. When is the last time you went home to visit? If you haven’t been home in 3-5 years, then I think this is a reasonable request that can be caveated with that fact as well as a guarantee that this request will not be made next again year.

I have not seen my family in almost 10 years.

I did not read through all the posts, so this may overlap with what has been said. It’s a bit tricky since you’ve been with them for less than a year. When is the last time you went home to visit? If you haven’t been home in 3-5 years, then I think this is a reasonable request that can be caveated with that fact as well as a guarantee that this request will not be made next again year.

MB here. I think it's fine and would have no problem with it myself. I think you should ask, and at worst they say no. Totally understandable that it's a big trip for you and you'd prefer to go for 2 weeks.

Anonymous wrote:MB here. You will not know until you ask. A reasonable employer will try to accommodate you. I have given my nannies additional leave for personal reasons like visiting family.

Another MB here who agrees. I would be happy to make this work for.you, especially with lots of notice and your help finding backup care!

MB here. You will not know until you ask. A reasonable employer will try to accommodate you. I have given my nannies additional leave for personal reasons like visiting family.

Anonymous wrote:I have been with them for less than a year. However, I constantly get asked to stay late and come in earlier. For example last night, I was supposed to work until 5, and at 2:30, I was asked to stay until 5:30. I said ok. Then at 4:30, they were like well actually need you until 6 or 6:30. So the parents go out and don’t get back until 6:40. I didn’t say anything because honestly the OT is good and I didn’t hAve anything to do after workZ Additionally, I go out of my way to do little things that they always don’t do. I take out the trash because they let it pile up, I run the dishwasher when the dishes get stacked, I put in a load when they hamper gets full etc. I have definitely been above and beyond accommodating their needs.

Also, I said they have 2-3 sitters they have used for years. So if they don’t want to me to find someone, then they can certainly ask one of their sitters who already know the kids routines. Also, in my past positions when I’ve needed a day off or time off, I always had the back up care come in 1-3 days while I was still there to show them the kids routine. It’s not like the back up would should up on the first day and not know anything.

If back-up care came to be trained, did they get paid for the training time? That would be asking the family to pay double those days. Anyway, given what you have said, maybe the next time they ask you to do something really above and beyond, like go to Santa Barbara, would be a good time to ask about the two weeks off, including the extra one without pay. They may not mind if they agree that you are going above and beyond. If you ask for the extra vacation time, you may find out. IMO, running the dishwasher and taking out the trash don't seem too out of the ordinary. And washing a load of clothes would be a normal nanny duty if it's the children's clothes, which isn't clear in your post. If you like getting the OT pay, don't shoot yourself in the foot by complaining about that.

Considering that you have gone “above + beyond” in your childcare duties, have been flexible w/your hours plus have shown yourself to be very reliable, I think it is a-okay to ask for an add’l week off.
They will likely agree since they have plenty of notice plus they already have a pool of alternative sitters to select from.

If they actually say no, then it would show that they are very selfish & do not respect your needs.
Hopefully this will not be the case.

Good luck!

No matter what anyone else is saying, it can’t hurt to ask, op. There are several back-ups in place and you all have months to plan this out, plus you have been very accomodating toward them so I’m sure they like you enough to consider returning the favor. Just ask and see what they say.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here again. I just want to add that they’re going to Santa Barbara one weekend and asked me to come up and babysit so they can go out. I said yes. I try to be as accommodating as possible. Again, our contract does not mention me coming to Santa Barbara but I don’t mind because I asked they pay for my drive time and my gas. I try to be flexible with them because I know when I need they’ll hopefully do the same.

While it is great that you can be accommodating, that is all your choice. Should they choose to deny you a second week of unpaid vacation, that is their right.

You asked for opinions, OP. My opinion, as a nanny, is that I wouldn't ask much less expect it. You should have thought about asking for two weeks vacation at signing. Just my opinion.

They can totally deny you that week off. However, if they do I suggest that you deny any OT. You seem to be very flexible and accommodating, however that doesn’t mean that they’ll be the same way in return.

Anonymous wrote:Op here again. I just want to add that they’re going to Santa Barbara one weekend and asked me to come up and babysit so they can go out. I said yes. I try to be as accommodating as possible. Again, our contract does not mention me coming to Santa Barbara but I don’t mind because I asked they pay for my drive time and my gas. I try to be flexible with them because I know when I need they’ll hopefully do the same.

While it is great that you can be accommodating, that is all your choice. Should they choose to deny you a second week of unpaid vacation, that is their right.

You asked for opinions, OP. My opinion, as a nanny, is that I wouldn't ask much less expect it. You should have thought about asking for two weeks vacation at signing. Just my opinion.

Op here again. I just want to add that they’re going to Santa Barbara one weekend and asked me to come up and babysit so they can go out. I said yes. I try to be as accommodating as possible. Again, our contract does not mention me coming to Santa Barbara but I don’t mind because I asked they pay for my drive time and my gas. I try to be flexible with them because I know when I need they’ll hopefully do the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ She’s not even asking to get paid for the second week and she’s providing them alternate care options! There is such thing as a compromise. It can’t hurt to ask, especially since it seems like this situation would work out fine!

I swear this person didn’t read the entire thread, either.

I did read the entire thread. I am just a firm believer in adherence to the agreed upon contract for all parties. After you sign the contract is not the time for "compromise". I think OP should wait a year.

Our contract doesn’t mention me having to stay late or come in early either, because they were adamant that they wouldn’t need the OT. However, they clearly do at times and I haven’t said anything about the contract.

I have been with them for less than a year. However, I constantly get asked to stay late and come in earlier. For example last night, I was supposed to work until 5, and at 2:30, I was asked to stay until 5:30. I said ok. Then at 4:30, they were like well actually need you until 6 or 6:30. So the parents go out and don’t get back until 6:40. I didn’t say anything because honestly the OT is good and I didn’t hAve anything to do after workZ Additionally, I go out of my way to do little things that they always don’t do. I take out the trash because they let it pile up, I run the dishwasher when the dishes get stacked, I put in a load when they hamper gets full etc. I have definitely been above and beyond accommodating their needs.

Also, I said they have 2-3 sitters they have used for years. So if they don’t want to me to find someone, then they can certainly ask one of their sitters who already know the kids routines. Also, in my past positions when I’ve needed a day off or time off, I always had the back up care come in 1-3 days while I was still there to show them the kids routine. It’s not like the back up would should up on the first day and not know anything.

Anonymous wrote:^ She’s not even asking to get paid for the second week and she’s providing them alternate care options! There is such thing as a compromise. It can’t hurt to ask, especially since it seems like this situation would work out fine!

I swear this person didn’t read the entire thread, either.

I did read the entire thread. I am just a firm believer in adherence to the agreed upon contract for all parties. After you sign the contract is not the time for "compromise". I think OP should wait a year.