Nanny worries! Can you help?

Dear Fi,

My nanny of six months quit last week  with no notice, leaving me and my children shell shocked!

I decided to employ a young nanny I interviewed today but with a trial of 2 months built into the contract, so we have the option of looking around if we feel we need to. She seemed happy with that because it  also gives her time to see if she likes us. I’m so worried it will all go wrong again!

She was really nice, a bit quiet, but her references said she is ‘much more bubbly when you get to know her but shy at interview’ which is good as I thought that might be the case.

Sadly, my sons keep asking when the old nanny is coming back.

It is so hard for them and makes me want to cry!

Any advice gratefully received!

Stressed Mummy!

Hi,

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a difficult time with finding the right nanny, and how hard it has been on your sons loosing their old one.

Try not to worry about your new nanny, I know lots of nannies who are reserved in front of their bosses, then loony, happy, fun girls with the children once they are not being watched.

Some of us have no cares about running around pretending to be pirates in a public place; Others keep it for private! (I walk down the street chatting away to my baby daughter Betsy and to my dog Indie too – it’s a wonder I’ve not been carted off!)

The idea of a trial is great. Make sure you have it in writing so you are both covered legally should anything go wrong.

You say her references said good things, I’m hoping you have double checked them by calling the previous employers?

Helping your boys to cope with missing their old nanny is hard.  It’s such a shame and very unprofessional that she wouldn’t say goodbye and left without notice.

I would say she has a broken car and can’t get to work to be their nanny anymore but sends lots of love and kisses. It’s so much easier to tell a little lie don’t you think? Children need to be protected, and little fibs sometimes help them through difficult times such as these.

I really hope it all works out for you.

Let me know how it goes!

Fi