So I’ve been somewhat hinting at looking for another side gig away from nannying, but my MB keeps referring me to her friends which I don’t mind, but I’m really really picky about who I work for since I’m trying to get out of nannying all together after I graduate college.

I’ve already had one situation where I ended up burning a bridge nonmaliciously with one of MBs friend because she didn’t like my pricing. So when I received another text from MBs new friend, I hesitated. She was looking for about 2-3 hour blocks 2-3 times a week and she lives a couple houses down from MB. It sounded perfect because those were about the hours I was looking for.

She described it being a mother’s helper position, which isn’t too far off from what I do because I’m a part time nanny but I also do housework and laundry for them. I was a little hesitant because she’s still on mat leave so would be around all the time, but wanted to interview to give them a chance.

First red flag was them not confirming a time with me on the day of interview. I texted again today to confirm and didn’t hear back until fifteen minutes before my proposed time.

Second red flag was dad answered the door and was on the phone. He shooed me over to the couch and yelled for his wife to come over. I know this isn’t that much of a red flag but it’s the vibe he gave off that was a red flag for me.

Third red flag was that DB works from home and MB was on mat leave with both grandparents there. The grandparents were supposed to leave soon but her parents were going to come again soon after. I don’t like grandparents hovering. It’s too much.

Fourth red flag was she’s assuming I know nothing babies despite multiple years of nannying and daycare including my degree being child development. She seems like the micromanaging type.

Fifth and last red flag was pricing and payment method. I asked if she paid legally and she said it was too complicated for the hours she wanted; which in some way I do get but I still have to report that income and pay the taxes on it. It’s not worth it for 20/hr for two hours a day in a VHCOL. She wants me to come in 7-9 am and I already do that with my other NF. I love my mornings to sleep in. I get more hours out of them so it makes it sense for me to invest waking up cause I’ll actually make money. She wants every morning that I have available and that’s more hours than I want to give for the amount of days she’s requesting. I’m only going to be getting an extra 240 a month for commiting four days a week.

We just don’t vibe. My NF is my unicorn family and if I could, I’d work full time for them so I can’t help comparing my MB’s relationship and I to this new family. I’m just so tired of being treated like the help. This is where I messed up though because I said that we could potentially next week out of nervousness so now she’s assuming that I’m going to work for her. She was really pushy and wanted me to start tomorrow.

Usually I would run for the hills, but I’m torn because this is MB‘s friend and I don’t want to disrespect her by being potentially rude. Plus I’ve already made a semi commitment. Should I try to stick it out? Should I just say something else popped up and I found another job? Is going to affect my relationship with MB? Any advices welcome thank you.

ETA: she also only mentioned the baby but sprung in that she also wanted me to watch the older one so two kids plus a lot of housework in the span of two months seem impossible