NP
Anonymous wrote:
Just a few minutes ago, the parents told me they are putting him in daycare. THis has been in the works - the preparation for daycare for awhile. When they told me, I was stunned. They both said that I was fantastic and that their child would not be the great and smart kid he is had it not been for me.
I lost it. First, all day daycare is a huge mistake for this particular boy at this time in his life. Second, because they just sprung it on me.
How could it have been "in the works for a while" and yet you feel they "sprung it on you"? Which is it?
I would guess that the parents had it in the works, but didn't inform the nanny. It happens all.the.time.
Anonymous wrote:
I don't know what to do now. I said my peace and told them my truth - that I have never been more disappointed in two people in my entire life. I walked in and kissed my beautiful charge and told him that I loved him. I asked them to send my last paycheck and walked out. Clearly, the parents did not expect me to be done that moment and they have no care for their son until daycare starts. But I don't know what to do.
What a ridiculous, childish, utterly unprofessional reaction. You have no business telling them you're dis-anything with them. You went all psycho on them and the boy. When you walked out, you left that family in the lurch about childcare for a few weeks - all because you feel personally slighted? What are you, twelve? What's with the tantrums?
OP clearly said that she walked out of the meeting, not caring for the child, and that she didn't quit. That is, if you read the responses, not just the initial post.
Anonymous wrote:
I cannot see spending the next two weeks (or however long they had in mind) crying every time I look at him. How would I go around to our usual story times, music class, parent & me, etc when everyone knows us and explain that I will no longer be this fantastic and polite little boy's nanny anymore...
You WAY overestimate the time "everyone" who knows you spends thinking about you. I'll give you a hint - they mostly don't. When they won't see your charge around anymore, the thought won't even cross their mind. If they see him with another nanny, they'll simply say, "oh."
He won't be with another nanny. What part of putting him into daycare didn't you get?
Anonymous wrote:
What is the right thing to do? I honestly don't know. THis is my first longterm nanny job (although I have been a preschool teacher for twenty years so I am obviously not a kid).
I am sick about this. Please - someone - tell me what to do. I know I got too attached. I know I sacrificed far too much to stay his nanny - but I thought I was appreciated.
You probably "were" appreciated, but right now parents are just afraid of you and uncomfortable around you. The memory of you walking out of the job will be their lasting impression of you that will probably overshadow everything you've ever done for them and your charge.
Again. She didn't walk out on the job, she walked out of a meeting. Btw, i've done the same thing, for a similar reason. Of course i wasn't then expected for work for weeks without letting anyone guess that i was upset...
Anonymous wrote:
BTW, they are only putting him in daycare to save money.
As good a reason as any.
Actually, it's not. It's
a reason, but I would consider the child's growth and development, family or nanny issues meaning that they need the reliability of institutional care, or practical concerns including saving time during the day to all be more of a concern that saving money for a vacation.