Mom's Shocking Reason for Firing 'Great' Babysitter Baffles Internet: 'Makes No Sense'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A professional nanny said she was fired from a new job just two weeks in—because the baby she was caring for slept too well.
In a Reddit post, the nanny shared her confusion after being told that the infant's long naps were the reason she was being let go.
Gut Feeling
The 4-month-old had been sleeping two hours in the morning and another two in the afternoon, which the nanny explained is not only normal, but healthy for that age.
"I really don't understand it," the original poster (OP) wrote, noting she had frequently offered to wake the baby if asked, "But she said she wanted him to wake up on his own, like he does with her."
The mother apparently cried during the termination and said she had a gut feeling about trying someone else. According to the nanny, the mother said there were no other issues and even offered to serve as a reference and to pay for the final two unused days.
Stock image: Upset woman in car.
Stock image: Upset woman in car.
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Despite the amicable tone, the decision left the nanny sad and confused, especially given her years of experience and desire to follow the family's preferences closely.
Many Reddit users responding to the post suggested the mother's decision might stem from a deeper issue.
As one person offered, "Honestly, it sounds like postpartum anxiety and there is literally nothing you could have done differently."
Another person pointed out that, "4-month-old babies should be sleeping about 15 hours a day so two, two hours naps a day is not at all unreasonable. In fact, I think it's great that the baby is able to take long naps on a schedule."
Others took a more humorous tone: "Now please come over to my place and get my baby to take two solid naps, I'm begging," a supporter said.
Dr. Melanie McCabe told Newsweek that the postpartum period can be both joyful and deeply challenging. However, while the arrival of a new baby is often celebrated, the physical, emotional and psychological transitions that accompany this time are frequently overlooked.
For many new mothers, this phase can include significant anxiety—affecting an estimated 1-in-5 women, the psychologist in North Carolina said.
"Postpartum anxiety is characterized by heightened fear or worry, even when the perceived threat is unlikely or unclear," McCabe said.
"These emotional experiences often come with what psychologists refer to as action urges—natural impulses that guide how we respond to our emotions.
"In the case of fear or worry, the action urge is usually to avoid or escape the perceived danger."
McCabe said the best way to support new parents is with empathy, respect and a willingness to understand just how complex this period can be.
"When support systems respond with compassion rather than critique, they not only validate the experience of the parents, but also contribute to a healthier environment for the entire family—including the newest member."
In a story published by Newsweek, Amanda, a parent who posts under the name That Comfy Mom, shared how she repeatedly woke up to check on her sleeping baby, even though there was no immediate cause for alarm.
Other moms responded with similar accounts of staying up to check baby monitors, zooming in to see if their infants were breathing, or waking in panic from vivid dreams.
'Nothing I could do'
The nanny in the Reddit account left the job heartbroken, but remained proud of her work. She remained confused that a solution wasn't discussed before the termination.
"It just seemed like there was really nothing I could do," the OP lamented.
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via Reddit.
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Mom Gets Doorbell Notification at Work, Cries at What 6-Year-Old Son Says
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A working mom was reduced to tears after her 6-year-old son issued an emotional plea via her doorbell camera. Juggling the demands of a full-time job and life as a parent can be difficult. Earlier this year, a KPMG Working Parents Survey of 1,000 U.S.-based professionals revealed over half (54 percent) of respondents felt their work schedules frequently clash with parenting duties. A significant proportion (43 percent) also admitted feeling guilty for either not spending enough time with their children or at work. More women (50 percent) reported experiencing this guilt than men (38 percent). Kelly, from Utah, doesn't necessarily feel guilty about being away from her son, Jack, when she is at work. Kelly has to work full-time to keep the lights on but makes sure to focus her energies on her son when she's not in the office. "I am a single mom, so I have to be very selfless with my time with my son when I am not working," she told Ring. That doesn't mean there aren't days when Jack finds ways to tug on Kelly's heart strings. One of those days was captured on the Ring doorbell camera outside their home. That footage was subsequently shared with Newsweek. "I got a notification on my Ring app, and opened the Live View feature to see my son, Jack, who is 6 years old and my mom, who was watching him while I was at work," Kelly said. "I used the Two-Way Talk feature to say hi, and he spoke back through the camera, which brought me to tears—it was so sweet and heartfelt." On the clip, Jack can be heard asking his mom: "Hi mom! Are you going to be home today?" "Yeah," Kelly responds. Jack says: "You better be really quick because I really miss you." Kelly replies: "Oh, bug, I miss you too! Okay I love you." Jack's plea to his mom was a bittersweet moment for Kelly and one that had her tearing up at work. "My son never wants me to leave for work, and constantly asks me when I'm coming home," Kelly said. "So when he told me to hurry up because he really missed me, that made me feel very happy." Though she was understandably sad not to be with her son, Jack's message was a sweet reminder that while Kelly may be far apart while at work, she's always in his thoughts. Kelly hopes those watching the video take away that positive message. "I wanted to share this to show how sweet your relationship with your children can be whether you're physically with them all day, or whether you are working," she said.
Newsweek
41 minutes ago
- Newsweek
When Are July 2025 VA Benefit Payments Coming?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A round of benefit payments for disabled veterans will be made in July. Why It Matters About 6.2 million U.S. veterans receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These monthly, tax-free payments are given to those with disabilities related to illnesses, injuries, or events that happened or worsened during active military service. The program also provides financial support to surviving spouses, dependent children, and parents. What To Know The next payment date is July 1, according to Veteran's Guide, which is your benefits payable for the month of June. Benefit Payment Dates for 2025 For the rest of the year, benefit payments will be made on the following dates: Payment for July: Thursday, July 31 August: Friday, August 29 September: Wednesday, October 1 October: Friday, October 31 November: Monday, December 1 December: Wednesday, December 31 Stock image: A soldier with an arm in a sling fills out a form. Stock image: A soldier with an arm in a sling fills out a form. GETTY How Much Are VA Benefits? The amount you receive in VA disability compensation depends on two key factors—your disability rating and whether you have dependents, such as children, a spouse, or parents. Disability ratings reflect the severity of your condition and are assigned in 10 percent increments, starting at 10 percent, 20 percent, and so on. A higher rating results in a larger monthly payment. If you have multiple conditions that were caused by your time in service, the VA combines them to calculate your total rating. All eligible veterans receive basic compensation. For example, a 10 percent rating provides $175.51 per month, while a 20 percent rating pays $346.95. The highest basic monthly payment is $4,544.23, available to veterans with a 100 percent rating, a spouse, one child, and two dependent parents. Additional amounts may be paid to those with more than two children or other qualifying dependents. You can view the full breakdown of benefit amounts here. What Conditions Are Covered? A wide variety of conditions can lead to VA disability benefits. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions such as: Chronic back pain linked to a diagnosed back condition Breathing issues caused by lung disease or other respiratory conditions Significant hearing loss Scar tissue from injuries or surgeries Limited range of motion or mobility problems Ulcers Cancers or other health problems related to toxic exposure or hazardous environments You may also be eligible for benefits related to mental health conditions, including: Anxiety and depression PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) Traumatic brain injury Mental or physical conditions stemming from military sexual trauma (MST) Among the most common conditions that result in disability payments from the VA are tinnitus, hearing loss, PTSD, and conditions that limit a person's mobility, according to Veterans Guide.
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Things Under $5 That Improve Your Life
Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest impact. And for every person, it's bound to differ. For some, it's getting a good workout in to start the day. For others, it could be shifting your mindset, resulting in a more positive outcome. Reddit user Either_Potential630 recently asked, "What's something that made your life 100% better but cost less than five bucks?" Here's what people had to say that might change your life, too: "Take time every day to walk outside for at least 30 minutes. You would not believe what a bit of sun can do." "Not posting your life on social media. It's honestly fine to live a life without the world having sight of it 24/7." "I bought glass bottles to fill with water and store in the fridge. Having pre-chilled water readily available makes me drink about three times as much water, and significantly less soda. It makes me feel better, too." "Helping someone who needs help costs $0." "Earplugs at concerts and festivals." "Learn to appreciate what you have rather than what you don't have. The literal second you realize money ain't sh*t is the day you become free." "Stretching first thing when I wake up." "Meditation." "Quitting smoking." "Communicating and keeping personal boundaries." "Scrub Daddy. Worth the hype." "Getting that extra 30 minutes of sleep in. I'll go to sleep earlier, and wake up refreshed in the morning." "Using my library card." "Eye mask for sleeping." "A really good notebook — helps me organize my thoughts and plans." "Cuticle oil." "Flossing." "A letter opener. Costs a couple of bucks, but it's so much easier to open and sort snail mail without mangling the envelopes." "A pill organizer, so I no longer doubt whether or not I took my meds and vitamins for the day." "Pre-cut parchment sheets for baking. Being able to just slap it down onto my sheet pan has led to me eating more veggies and cooking more. They really do make cleanup a breeze." "Back scratcher." "Started drinking tea more than beer." "Night light in the bathroom so I don't have to turn on the lights in the middle of the night to pee." "Chapstick." "One of those mini lint rollers I can keep in my purse. I have a dog and often wear black. It's essential for pretending I have my life together." "Shifting my mindset from 'I'm failing because I can't keep focusing on this important task' to 'I'm giving myself some rest now, so I'm stronger to keep going after the break.'" What's something under $5 that changed your life for the better? Share your thoughts in the comments or using the anonymous form below. Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
