Boff needs chocolate. Nanny has just resigned.

[SnowyBoff]

So folks, there we were being nice, supportive employers to someone who frankly with hindsight has a major attitude problem, and she's just resigned on us and leaves in a fortnight. I am sure Christmas is a brilliant time to look for a new one (not).

This nanny thing is so angst-ridden it's untrue. It also means we may have sacrificed another agency fee for a mere 10 weeks' work as well. And the kids will be really upset and go all funny on us for a bit because they will be so confused about everything.

I am not a happy Boff.

A holiday in term time would be of no concern for those with pre-school children so not a complete surprise. Appreciate that it doesn't help you though. I think children are pretty adaptable and it would be better to try and get the right permanent nanny, even if it takes longer, than to settle for a nanny that doesn't sound a good fit for you.

MollieO, it's not just those with school aged children - that's not actually the issue here, it's the fact I work in education myself, so can't just drop everything and stop lecturing just so my nanny gets a cheaper holiday! I would end up without a job!

Another thing is, I advertised this job as having slightly higher holidays than normal, but I specified that they must be taken in term time, so there's no big mystery about all this.

Sometimes people get 99% of the way through the interview and then announce airily at the end "Oh, I have booked two holidays in the next four months so I will be off then" or whatever.

A previous candidate had booked three two-week holidays in term time in a total six or seven months and was apparently surprised when I responded with, "Well, as I said in the ad, I am afraid this is no good for us, so we would not be able to hire you on that basis, as you would be away 25% of the time we needed you".

It does make you wonder.

OK, nanny did a few hours today as a trial and we reckon she's not really for us. Nice person and all that, but not quite enough attention to detail, so I have a feeling I'd be picking up after her a fair bit. Thinking of having the Mary Poppins temp for a few weeks while we regroup. Not ideal because I would miss a week of work, but probably better than taking the wrong person.

Why not offer her a permanent post after her travels? Sorry can't remember if you said how long she's off for. You could then get a temp to cover. Just a thought.

def dont offer the wrong person

agree with k75 - can you not see if mary poppins can come after she has travelled - or is she away for 6/12mths

Have just booked Mary Poppins for a few weeks in Jan/Feb while we find our feet. Hope that works.

Happy Christmas everyone, by the way, and thanks for all your support over the last little while about all this.

fab -glad you got mp for a few weeks

if you cant have me,the she will do xxxx

Happy Christmas - hope you get this sorted. Nothing more stressful.

Happy Christmas - hope you get this sorted. Nothing more stressful.