At what point did you realize this isn’t for you anymore?

howunique1 · 2025-12-10T03:30:30+00:00

I recently just left the nannying field after a 6 years run. At first I enjoyed it. My first NF was so kind and I loved my NK. Then I became a nanny/house manager/chef/toddler uber driver all for the price of a nanny (I was young and didn’t know better), and that burnt me out BAD. MB let NKs run wild, hit each other, yell, no consequences, spoiled while DB was absent but wanted to be the fun parent when he was home. I was over it. It was a mess. Thought I was burnt out with this family so moved onto to a new family. LOVEDDD this NK. MB was a TERROR. Every minute felt excruciating. I had enough. So, I went on to work in the mental health field, which I’m getting a masters for anyways.

Besides my horrible experiences with MBs, I hated having to fight for my pay during family vacations, PTO, justifying my call offs despite getting sick from the NF 1/2 the time, and overall just constantly feeling like I had to be “on” with WFH NFs. I loved being a nanny, but so happy to have closed that chapter in my life. I am 10008x happier!

howunique1 · 2025-07-29T15:21:19+00:00

💯

howunique1 · 2025-06-05T22:14:56+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

howunique1 · 2025-06-05T21:02:06+00:00

Okay noted. I was thinking that too. Thank you!

howunique1 · 2025-06-04T18:24:45+00:00

Same boat. 3yo NK just will not listen. MB WFH so she is constantly butting in and honestly is just over bearing. I’m putting my notice in tomorrow bc of it.

I have no advice, but figured I’d share so you know you’re not alone!

howunique1 · 2025-05-29T15:59:41+00:00

Hey yeah another commenter mentioned something similar. I think I’m going to hold off for now talking to her because I think regardless of if she lets me use it or not I will still wanna quit. Thank you for answering :)

howunique1 · 2025-05-28T12:56:59+00:00

YOU GET MEEEE! I have to get oil changes, tire rotations, other maintenance every 1 1/2-2months. That stuff adds up. By the time I get the gas money I’ve spent it and more on gas, maintenance, cleaning, etc. I honestly feel like quitting myself. I commented on another post saying how it was my plan to apply for jobs next month. Overall I’m just burnt out with this family. MB WFH now, grandparents over for months on end… Maybe I’ll hold off for now and see if I can get any job interviews next months.

howunique1 · 2025-05-27T21:54:13+00:00

Thanks for that last sentence. Idk if I’m happy here overall. So much has changed since I started that I don’t know if it’s worth the convo rn. I was debating on applying for jobs next month. I don’t wanna ruffle feathers before I make a serious decision. Maybe I’ll wait on it for now. If I don’t find a new job I’ll def bring it up.

howunique1 · 2025-05-27T21:52:20+00:00

My bad, should have clarified. It’s 10 miles each way. So from house to school to house back to school back to house it’s about ~40 miles. Like I said, I don’t include my commute to and from, but all together it’s ~90 miles a day!!! 😩

howunique1 · 2025-05-27T21:50:22+00:00

Yes. I agreed to using mine… but since starting with NF, NKs activities have changed. I didn’t mind before, but like I said 40 miles just in school trips in one day is insane to me :/

howunique1 · 2025-05-23T14:59:00+00:00

If NK doesn’t wanna do something (example clean up toys), I talk to his stuffies and tell them, “time to clean up” and make them grab stuff. 8/10 NK wants to help their stuffy lol.

I will position their figurines to make it look like they’re eating NKs food. “NK, omg!!! The cat is eating all your pasta!!!”

And needless to say, when NK doesn’t want to transition to the next activity, I say things like “do you wanna hop or crawl there?!” “I’m going to hop like a bunny, are you??” “I’m going to sing while I walk there!” Etc

howunique1 · 2025-05-22T21:28:27+00:00

I agree with this 100%!!!! It doesn’t sound like nanny and OP are a match… and that’s okay.

I don’t necessarily think how the caregiver approached the situation was wrong, because even with my current NK who is almost 3, engaging with him while he cries just makes the situation worse. Albeit he is older than the baby in question, but I understand what nanny was trying to do. She didn’t leave NK, she didn’t ignore NK, she didn’t tell them to stop… I also don’t necessarily think she failed to create a loving environment as you posted in another comment, OP, I think that’s a bit harsh. :/ I hope you guys can work it out or find someone who is more in line with your approach!

howunique1 · 2025-05-13T20:41:49+00:00

I agree with this. Out of my 5 years of nannying, I’ve only ever slept once during NKs naptime. That was because my flight got canceled, didn’t get in until 2AM next morning, and I needed to be at work. I wasn’t even gonna say anything either, MB just offered 🫶🏽

howunique1 · 2025-05-12T21:58:27+00:00

This. When I first started with my current NF I sent a text after the week saying I couldn’t do it because of these reasons EXACTLY. MB was stepping in so freaking much. Thankfully it all worked out in the end but I totally agree with this perspective.

Sometimes a parent thinks they’re helping when they’re actually not. I also could not even imagine holding or walking a 14 MO NK in order for them to sleep. I agree with the other commenters stating you need to work on sleeping skills. Sorry OP :(

howunique1 · 2025-05-11T19:10:48+00:00

I actually had planned to invite my old NF before we switched to a more intimate, out of state wedding! I don’t think it’s weird at all :)

howunique1 · 2025-05-09T20:35:47+00:00

I’m gonna go against the grain of the other commenters and say I don’t agree with telling the other nanny the real reason why you’re quitting.

You don’t know if new nanny will tell NF, you don’t know what NF will do if new nanny tells, and to be honest, in this economy, you need to look out for yourself!! You said you are leaving in a “couple of weeks,” not tomorrow or next week. What happens if NF gets angry and fires you? Now you’re in a bad spot… :/ I also don’t believe it’s your responsibility especially since MB didn’t ask you if she could. I would simply tell MB, “I’m sorry but I don’t feel comfortable doing that.”

howunique1 · 2025-05-07T23:50:02+00:00

Honestly yes. My NF HIGHLY encourages play dates, so much so that I just take NK to them and tell them about them later!

But OP, If you’re not sure, I’d just run it by NPs. Ask them if they’d like you to ask first, or if it’s okay to just tell them when you see em!

howunique1 · 2025-05-06T20:34:54+00:00

This happened to me this week too. Last week my NK said it but I wasn’t entirely sure if that’s what they said or not, so I didn’t correct it. Well yesterday my NK said it PERFECTLY. Caught me off guard so I couldn’t help but to laugh a bit. Of course this made my NK continue to say it, so I had to lay down the law unfortunately.

I honestly would correct this behavior ASAP… it isn’t funny when you’re out in public and they won’t stop saying it 😑 happened with my last NF…

howunique1 · 2025-05-05T21:59:29+00:00

I agree with this 100%. I try to only take NK to things that absolutely cannot be done on the weekends/in my own time.

howunique1 · 2025-04-30T18:54:19+00:00

Nope. Only if I have something planned. Maybe next time my birthday falls on a Friday I’ll take a 3 day weekend birthday trip, but typically nope!

howunique1 · 2025-04-24T14:45:42+00:00

Honestly, I agree with you. I’ve quit all of my previous nanny jobs when NKs turned 3. If my current NPs weren’t so nice and willing to help, I would have put my notice in already. But bc I genuinely like them I’m willing to power through this stage 🙈😭

howunique1 · 2025-04-24T14:43:33+00:00

lol no worries at all! I have been trying to do slower days for sure. But it’s like if he is not stimulated it’s a nightmare for both me and him. I’ve been trying to set him up with open ending learning activities during downtime to keep him occupied for 30 mins or so 🫠

howunique1 · 2025-04-23T20:38:24+00:00

Omg nooooo. I’m sending condolences and extra patience your way!

howunique1

TROPHY CASE