Currently on maternity leave for DS2 and trying to decide whether it's worth keeping on our nanny share until I go back to work when we are likely to not be in the country for up to 5 months. DS is 8 weeks and we have so far kept the usual arrangements in place (5 days a week for 2 boys, DS and the other family's little boy) and will do so until the end of July. DH has taken a job in the US for 12 months starting on 1 June. I may join him for 4-5 months - not completely decided yet (lots of problems with our relationship which is a whole other story). Have offered to pay our nanny 50% of our share of her salary (we pay 50% and the other family pays 50%) as a kind of retainer whilst we are away, which she has accepted although she has asked to go down to 4 days for that time period. The other family would continue to use her so would in effect have their own nanny for their DS and their DC2 (due in August). I am planning to go back to work in Dec or Jan so will definitely need a nanny or nanny share there but things are very up in the air. The nanny and the other family are keen to keep the share in place with the older two DC going to nursery on 3 or 4 days per week and the nanny looking after the younger two. So, there is incentive for us to keep the share on but just doesn't feel right to pay for something we are not using, especially when I am not sure how the share will work when I go back to work. We may in fact be better getting our own nanny. Any thoughts?