Need some perspective on my nanny's behaviour - rant warning

[Kitsilano]

My nanny works for me 2 days a week - Thurs and Friday and for my friend Mon and Tues. On Mon she texted my friend to say she wasn't coming in because she had to sort out a "personal problem". On Tues she texted again to say she wouldn't be in that week or next because of the "personal problem".

I was concerned and also wanted to confirm that she wouldn't be coming to me this week either so I texted her and called her several times and left a message without any response.

I was becoming quite worried as she has no family in the UK and is single and has had health problems in the past - I thought something dreaful might have happened to her or her family.

Today she texted me and said she is fine - just "confused" and she needs to be on her own. Shel will let me know at 8pm tonight whether she will be in tomorrow.

I am fuming. I've been so worried and 8pm the night before is too late to arrange alternative childcare.

What would you do if you were me?

Call one of the mental health charities - MIND is the one that springs to mind and see what advice they can offer. You sound like a lovely incredibly caring person but she really needs professional help.

your children are no 1 and imo you can not carry on employing her INCASE same thing happens a few months down the lane.

Yes it is upsetting for her to find out that ex is two timing her BUT it sounds as if there is more to it then it, you have to carry on with life, or ask for a few days off to puul yourself together - do you really want a nanny who is suicidal looking over your DC, esp as there will be a young baby as well

you can not hold your self resonsible IF she does anything stupid if you give her notice. It may be the icing on the cake, but if you are going to let your nanny go, then you need to tell her now, rather than let her think all is ok and then a month later etc, she finds out

and you also have to think about new child care for your children when your ML finishes

I think you need some legal advice here -- which I am not qualified to give. But, I wonder if you can force her onto sick leave today, and require her to get a doctor's note to come back. She is sick. You know that because you heard it from the doctor first hand.