The Nanny Dilemma

The Nanny Dilemma

It’s a tough situation for anyone – your nanny calls in sick and you are left scrambling to figure out who will watch your child(ren) for the day. If you’re lucky, your nanny is only out for one day and you can take a day off work or quickly find a relative or friend to step in. But what happens when your beloved and reliable nanny is out for several weeks unexpectedly due to a health issue?

My friends are currently dealing with this very issue. When their nanny (let’s call her Ann) called them on a Tuesday night saying she wasn’t feeling well, they figured she’d be out for a day, maybe two at most. After 5 years of working for them, Ann had rarely taken a sick day, so they knew she really wasn’t feeling well. Unfortunately, two days turned into four and four is now going on the 3^rd week with Ann hospitalized for what was originally thought to be bronchitis but now may be more serious.

My friends are lucky to have family in the area who are more than happy to watch their children so they can go to work. But they realize that this isn’t an ideal permanent situation, and with Ann’s prognosis and return to work uncertain, they are left wondering what the proper protocol is. Do they look for a new nanny and hope Ann can find a new job? Do they continue to hold out hope that Ann will be able to return to work in a few weeks and that the family can be their nanny until then? Do they pay Ann while she’s in the hospital or offer her a generous severance package? All is unclear but they realize they will need to start looking “just in case” Ann can’t return.

It’s a tricky situation that no one wants to find themselves in when relying on someone else to care for their child. Is there a “right” answer? Probably not, especially when dealing with someone who has been part of your family and you trust to take care of your most precious goods.  You just have to go with your gut and hope that whatever you choose ends up working out for all parties.

Have you had a nanny dilemma like this that’s been resolved? Or do you have a lead on a full-time driving nanny who might be available for my friends? Leave your comments here if so!