Remember good old K? I just got a voicemail from her that she is not going to take the job after all because, upon further reflection, the money is not enough. Frankly, if she had asked for more money in the first place, I would have given it to her, at least a little bit more. But obviously I’m not going to chase her down with more money now that I know what kind of person she is. She accepted my offer ten days ago! What if I had already fired L?
To be honest, while I’m angry, I’m not completely suprised. I had a funny feeling (she hadn’t taken down her profile, but then again, neither had we), and we were going to call her to confirm this weekend before telling L next week. Obviously not.
I’m glad I don’t have to fire L right before Christmas. Meanwhile, since we’ve been wrestling with Gatito to get him to take his medicine, I asked her to give it a try this morning and she made it into a game and he ended up crying when she stopped giving him his medicine. She’s good, she loves him. K didn’t work out. Truth? A part of me, the part that, apparently, has a really hard time with change, is relieved. How do I keep from getting back on the treadmill of living with L and hoping she’ll change even though I know she never will?
I am sorry it didn’t work out. You’re right, you don’t want someone who is going to flake out like that.
Good luck with the continued hunt.
I’m sorry… It’s so hard to find someone… It’s painful to switch and it’s hard when someone isn’t perfect. I think that reading your posts has just made me realize that we need to give our Mary Poppins a BIG Holiday present. I wish you luck in finding the right person.
What is your fantasy? Is it to find a new person or to keep L but have her more reliable?
I’m sorry… It’s so hard to find someone… It’s painful to switch and it’s hard when someone isn’t perfect. I think that reading your posts has just made me realize that we need to give our Mary Poppins a BIG Holiday present. I wish you luck in finding the right person.
What is your fantasy? Is it to find a new person or to keep L but have her more reliable?
Ah…one of our people did that. Accepted and then waiting until about two weeks before her start date to say “thanks but no thanks.” We were really frustrated and, like you, glad that she didn’t come to work with us.
You have to write a contract with L. The new year is PERFECT to start. I know that I’ve been meaning to send you our contract and I will stop procrastinating. It helps everything to have it written down and to have real ramifications put in place if she continues to be flaky. You can put in a section about when you expect to be called if she can’t make it, etc. Put everything in writing!!
Oh I like Suz’s comment!
Wouldn’t you know whether or not the pay was sufficient without having to “reflect” upon it? Oh, and I don’t think that Suz’s contract idea will work with someone like L. She has chronic issues and a piece of paper won’t change them. Either you live with them (and the stress they cause you) or get another nanny. It sucks, but that’s the problem with nannies. (This coming from someone that is currently a nanny!)
Wouldn’t you know whether or not the pay was sufficient without having to “reflect” upon it? Oh, and I don’t think that Suz’s contract idea will work with someone like L. She has chronic issues and a piece of paper won’t change them. Either you live with them (and the stress they cause you) or get another nanny. It sucks, but that’s the problem with nannies. (This coming from someone that is currently a nanny!)
My jaw just hit the floor. And now I have this overwhelming urge to scould “those kids these days” because dang it if they don’t know what responsibility is. Ha! I am so 30-something.
Anyway, good to know she’s not reliable before she started. Can you imagine if she pulled that crap two months from now? I like Suz idea of a new contract with L. Maybe that would work out well. At this point it might be worth a try.
I’m with Suz on this one, but only for the short term. You’re not going to be able to change L’s behavior for any appreciable length of time. Sorry about K – but the right one is out there – it just may take some more looking (frustrating, I know).
THE universe sent you a message.
THE universe sent you a message.
THE universe sent you a message.
I think Suz’s contract is definitely worth a shot. After all, what do you have to lose? If she backslides later, well, time to look (again) for a new nanny.
I interviewed a Spanish speaking nanny the other day and thought of you. Our current nanny finishes up on 22 Dec and I haven’t found a replacement yet. Fortunately it is our summer break so I don’t have to be back at work ’til 15 Jan. Good luck.