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Original poster

The Curse of Boff strikes again - this nanny has decided after a fortnight in post that petrol is too expensive

212 replies

BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 12:10

New nanny started two weeks ago, all going well, but then she resigns out of the blue.

This time, the cost of petrol and her 50 mile commute is blamed. She said she hadn't thought about that before taking the job.

I had a 'WTF???' moment as she was specifically asked about this at interview and by the agency.

Agency is being super and they are cross with her for messing us about, and they think she is being wimpy. So do I. She works 47.5 hours a week, so it's not as though her hours are mental for a nanny, either.

Sad[cross]

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 25/05/2012 17:32

Groovee, I can't, otherwise we end up with him having to sort out the whole tax business, etc. But a bedroom similar to ours to rent pcm locally costs at least £100 a week, food costs £30 a week and we're very generous on perks and letting them have visitors to stay, so it's not too bad a deal. It's not that I am a tightwad, honest. Grin The whole package works out equivalent to more than the NMW and is more comfortable than trying to make a go of it on that kind of money without accommodation.

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 25/05/2012 17:27

I could make her wear her uniform, and call her "Nanny" or "Nurse" like you used to have to, and insist she knits things for DS3. Like Wendy Craig in that programme. Grin

I do think No 3 has legs (so to speak). Blondes, could you have a look at the CV?

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Frakiosaurus · 25/05/2012 17:27

You don't want flaky or chequered. Sporty Czech blokely sounds good and also a positive for older DSs. Assume he'd cope with younger DS too?

Could you afford a bit of overtime, if he's capable, to give you more flexibility in the summer? And housekeeper/cleaner support sounds like an idea.

Groovee · 25/05/2012 17:24

Number 3 but give him a wee bit more than £100 a week

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/05/2012 17:11

i would seriously think about no 3

def dont go with no 1 from the place we dont name Grin

Original poster
BoffinMum · 25/05/2012 17:06

If I am honest, I can't really afford the £17.5k anyway. It's just that's what they are all asking.

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 25/05/2012 17:06

BIF BOF

Fabulous. I want it. Grin

Re: No 3. I think the other ones aren't going to represent £17.5k worth of quality or reliability, I suppose, although I have to say I have rather liked not having people living in the house. Although I have an architect coming over for an hour on Monday as part of the Shelter scheme (you make a £40 donation) to give advice on how to improve privacy here. It's a big house but with thin walls and so on.

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nbee84 · 25/05/2012 17:04

If you go for No.3 and save yourself 17.5K could you employ a housekeeper to work alongside him for a couple of hours twice a week?

JustFab · 25/05/2012 16:56

Completely off topic, I saw a number plate yeasterday, BoffinMum and thought of you. It said BIF BOF.

Oh, and go with number 3.

Original poster
BoffinMum · 25/05/2012 16:37

Right, update time. I have a number of applications.

  1. A temp from the place we do not name who is older but possibly ever so slightly flaky, looking at the CV, which is rather patchy, reading between the lines. £650 a week gross.
  2. Some random nannies from local agencies with Level 3 qualifications but somewhat chequered CVs again (eg passing off being an AP as being a nanny, for example). £450-500 a week gross.
  3. A rather interesting male AP+ from the Czech republic who is a graduate and a sporty type. Has been a sports coach for kids for a long time. £100 a week gross (for 35 hours).

I have also had a nursery place confirmed for DC4, 9-3 in term times from September (£80 a week).

I am trying to work out if I can get my work done in 29 hours a week over the summer (possibly, things are a bit quiet), and then 41 hours a week thereafter (probably yes). If so I could save myself something like £17.5k a year. Shock But there would probably be a bit more stress in terms of teaching him how to manage the house when I am not there, and so on.

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 19/05/2012 13:24

Indeed. But ours was only doing two long days and three short ones, with lighter hours than many daily nannies.

Interviewed a replacement this morning, but although she was friendly, she didn't quite gel with us, so we won't be hiring her. However many nannies seem to have been made redundant around here, and they all seem to be asking for lower salaries than we were paying, which we find very interesting ... perhaps some of them are getting a bit worried about the recession?

I am finding the whole thing strangely stressful and haven't been sleeping. Sad I am very tired and grumpy today. Poor family. Wink

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Fraktal · 19/05/2012 11:23

I'm also overwhelmed by Spaniards LadyH, although DH thinks we should stay British...

Shoshe · 18/05/2012 23:35

I do the same commute everyday, and must admit as a nanny its , I leave home at 6 in the morning and rarely get home before 6.30 at night and am on the go constantly in between.

My job finishes in September when eldest goes to school, and as much as I will miss my nannyshare families, I wont miss the commute, or the £400.00 petrol bill a month.

But I have been doing it for 2 years and she should have thought first.

Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 21:53

Interviewing someone tomorrow morning, nanny housekeeper with all sorts of credentials. Still a bit shell shocked though.

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LadyHarrietdeSpook · 18/05/2012 21:35

Boff - do it.
Funny, I'd been thinking about recruiting Greek or Spanish too for next year. Wanting to help someone out of that horrible situation, if possi. But only one Greek AP at the time I was looking. And felt overwhelmed by Spaniards - sorting through.

Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 19:00

No, that would be DC4 with his electronic Harry Potter wand. He announces "abababababababadabba" and you are supposed to vanish, Grin

I am actually wondering about getting a Spanish or Greek au pair plus ... would that be a completely mad idea, do you think?

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Blondeshavemorefun · 18/05/2012 18:42

as long as ds doesnt send me up in a puff of smoke Grin

Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 18:39

She was a very good nanny apart from that, I had been very impressed. The DCs were very calm and happy and the house was immaculate. She even did the adult ironing while DC4 had his nap.

I had been trying very hard too, though. I took leave and we went to the zoo in Week 1 so everyone could get to know each other, and then I took another morning off and showed her the local beauty spots that were good for walks with the DCs, and took her to a lovely place for coffee and cake, so she felt looked after.

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minipie · 18/05/2012 18:33

God bless former nanny.

I hope the agency takes her off their books (your recent ex nanny, not your former nanny iyswim)

Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 18:20

It is crappy, isn't it? And we were paying top dollar as well.

I am sooo disappointed and I have had a little cry.

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 18:20

Blondes, DC3 has a chemistry set and I am sending him over to clone you right now! Grin

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Original poster
BoffinMum · 18/05/2012 18:19

Agency were just very apologetic and pissed off on our behalf ...

I agree it is a long commute, but she did 4 ad hoc days for us before starting as a trial to see if it worked, plus came here for interview originally, and she had looked the directions up on Google maps as well as the area before she came for interview.

Former nanny has offered to step in if we get stuck! Grin Although she's maybe got to have surgery very soon and doesn't know how well she will be ...

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minipie · 18/05/2012 17:55

pretty crappy behaviour if so. I wonder if the agency can tell you any more?

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/05/2012 17:54

hmmmm minipie you may have cracked it on the head

minipie · 18/05/2012 17:53

My suspicion would be she did think about it before accepting, didn't like the idea of the commute but couldn't find a closer post, but has kept on looking and has now found a closer post...

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