I'm living in a different country so wanted to do some part time work here. I have experience as a child minder in the UK so thought I'd register with a few agencies to work as a Nanny, babysitter.
So I'm contacted last week with an offer for a 5 year old girl, specifically stating it's only picking up from School and staying with her until Mum gets in from work, (obviously feeding the child too) and speaking to her in nothing but English language (mum want's her in an international School where English is the first language) helping with reading/writing - that kind of thing.
I went to their home for the interview where I found mum required a lot more from me than what was advertised. I would have to start at 5 am once weekly and on that day I wouldn't be "off duty" until around 10/11 pm. As I live very close to the family I decided that I could do it whoa bloody 5am We continued to make arrangements and it was agreed that the mum wanted me. I spent around 2 hours that day with them, getting to know them both. I did notice that the child would not listen to nor obey her mother but put it down to showing off, acting up because she had an audience, so ignored it thinking the longer I was there she'd grow bored. The mum also informed me that the child's GM had previously been helping out with the little one but, and I quote "refused" to do it any more due to not being able to cope.
On friday I went to the preschool to meet the teachers and provide my ID to them for when I pick up the little girl. Mum met me there and seemed genuinely pleased to have found someone for the job. We then went back to the family home where I spent a further 3 hours with them, I wanted the child to be comfortable with me after all I'm a stranger to her. Child's behaviour continued to spiral downhill, the longer I was there - she refused to communicate with me, completely disobeyed her DM, had a few screaming tantrums and foot stamping moments and at one point, in her native tongue, told me to get out and never come back because I told her (not even in a disciplinary way like I would have my own DC but calmly in a normal voice) it wasn't very nice to kick people (after she booted my leg 
) She was screaming at me that she didn't like me and didn't want me to be nanny.
At this point the mum shouted at her DD then broke down in tears herself 
and apologised to me. I told her not worry her DD would probably settle once we had a routine established and she got used to my presence. I actually felt sorry for the mum but felt confident enough to continue with it. So I left with the instructions that I officially start Monday (today)
Mum is a single parent and works full time in a demanding job, having to travel to weekly business meetings (hence the extra's she sprung on me) She is mega stressed and I don't know if she doesn't have the energy to discipline her DD or if she simply doesn't know how, maybe it's for an easy life.
Anyway, my point of the AIBU is this > I received a text from the mum this morning saying I'm so sorry Don-don but I must cancel our contract. No explanation or nothing ?? I find it hard to believe that the mum had a change of mind after she was so happy to have found some one and grateful that I'd accepted the extra hours, all arrangements were in place.
I have a feeling that over the weekend the child's attitude hadn't changed and she was still insisting she didn't want me as nanny and the mum has caved in.
If I were her I'd have given it a week, maybe two and if the child was still unco-operative then I'd reconsider.
Sorry it's so long but I felt I needed to give the full picture.