Sick Nanny -- WWYD?

freezorburn

Last month I hired a nanny to come in two afternoons a week, so I could start to carve out some time for myself to do chores, errands, update my portfolio and get some momentum on my job search, maybe have a little me-time.

Unfortunately, she has been sick and had to cancel more than half of the afternoons that she was scheduled to come over. First it was tonsilitis, now it's conjunctivitis. I feel bad that she is going through this -- I remember how hard it was to cobble together enough hours when I worked as a tutor -- but I'm starting to feel like I should be looking to make other arrangements.

We only have a verbal agreement right now, and I feel torn -- do I hold out hope that she will get past her health issues and become reliable, or should I cut my losses now and start looking for someone else to help out? 

Fullcircle06

Can you do both? As in, look for someone else as a backup, but keep her in the meantime? I know that doesn't really help with your immediate need, but that's probably what I would do.

Mrs.RockyM

I agree with the previous poster  I'd question though if I wanted to keep child care who seems so irresponsible and wishy washy.  I mean what if you had a firm commitment one day.  How is she handling it?  Is she "extremely apologetic, as in "I'm rarely ever sick, but I just hit the trifecta" or is she more like, "oh I'm sorry I can't come I'm sick"

freezorburn

Fullcircle06:

Can you do both? As in, look for someone else as a backup, but keep her in the meantime? I know that doesn't really help with your immediate need, but that's probably what I would do.

This is what I'm thinking, but I don't want to end up in some awkward situation that would feel like dating two people at the same time, KWIM? 

freezorburn

Mrs.RockyM:

I agree with the previous poster  I'd question though if I wanted to keep child care who seems so irresponsible and wishy washy.  I mean what if you had a firm commitment one day.  How is she handling it?  Is she "extremely apologetic, as in "I'm rarely ever sick, but I just hit the trifecta" or is she more like, "oh I'm sorry I can't come I'm sick"

She actually tried to come over and work when the tonsilitis was hitting her ... her BF had it and then she got hit with it, but felt l like she would be well enough to work, until she got to our place. I told her she should go home and rest, plus I didn't want DS exposed to it since we had just gotten past a crappy month of flu and fevers. Other than that she has sent me a text either day before or morning of the day that she is scheduled to work.

FWIW, I think she is genuinely sick and has just hit a bad run of luck with her health. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt but this has been a disappointing experience for me. 

laurakaz13

I would keep her but find someone else as well.  I have two sitters/mother's helpers and each of them comes over 1 evening a week.  I'll usually have one of them here on the weekend so DH and I can go out. 

Sometimes one of them isn't available, but I can contact the other.  We have a great agreement and are honest with each other.