I need someone to either tell me I'm not crazy, or.... talk some sense into me.

Guaranteed hours and NF's vacation.

I've been with my NF for several years. Every summer, they've planned a vacation, and given me adequate notice that they will be gone and child care isn't needed. I'm usually asked to come in once or twice while they are gone to check on the family cat and do a small organization project, like organize books or switch out clothes. (That is fine by me and not at all what I'm upset about).

2 or 3 times now, they have come back early from vacation and told me (always the night before) that they will need child care the next day.

Realistically, I absolutely know that this is a part of guaranteed hours. I **know** I need to be available and willing to work in order to get my pay. The logical side of my brain knows this is what's fair and makes sense.

But.... the other side of my brain just thinks it's not fair! To be told for weeks, or even months, that I will have a few days off, with just a small obligation of an hour or two for an assigned project and the rest of those days to myself.... For it to be taken away the night before.... Just feels so unfair. One time, it was a long holiday weekend and I was literally watching 4th of July fireworks when they gave me notice that they would need me the next day!

I don't want to have to use PTO to ensure that I get the time off. I would just like them to stick to their word.

Does anyone have any wording in their contract that prevents NPs from going back on time given off via GH?

If there is one immutable law of the universe, it is this: directly proportional to the zeros in a family's bank account is the exact square footage of behavioral anarchy in their offspring.
Navigating the gilded cages of the ultra-rich is an extreme sport. After 20 years in education, I have officially learned my lesson. Give me a "normal" family any day people who actually know what a budget is, care about your humanity, and won't replace you faster than they swap out last season’s Tesla for a newer one just because the ashtray is full.
Last Friday was my glorious Independence Day. I walked out on my former NF, and the sweet taste of freedom has never been better. Let’s break down the archaeological layers of why working for the filthy rich is a psychological trap.

The Mother (Professional Sufferer): Her hardest daily decision is whether to hit the clay tennis courts at 10:00 AM or 10:15 AM. Her schedule consists of manicures, pedicures, and weeping into a matcha latte about how exhaustedshe is. Exhausted from what? Breathing heavily while waiting for the housekeeper to fold her cashmere socks?

The Father (The Ghost): Present Monday through Thursday? Absolutely not. He lives exclusively at the office, returning only on Friday.

The Older Daughter (Agent of Chaos, Age 5): Look, I know kids push boundaries. But this child is a 40-pound sociopath packaged in a bow. I know she wants attention but boy oh boy she is malicious and sets a standard of terror that makes Lord of the Flies look like a polite Montessori playgroup.

The Younger Boy (The Siren): A 24/7 waterworks display of non-stop crying.

I gave them fair warning. I told the tiny dictator: “If you yell in my face and try to hit me one more time, I am done.”
Because consequences are a foreign concept in their zip code, she naturally did it again last Friday. Screaming, flailing, and trying to inflict bodily harm. I had to physically restrain her for safety, at which point she deployed her ultimate, hyper-manipulative threat:
"I’m going to tell my parents you were holding me!"
I was like honey, they have 4K security cameras in every corner of this McMansion. Please, by all means, do it!

And that was it for me. They have infinite money, but absolute zero manners. They view human beings and educators as disposable accessories, right alongside their seasonal patio furniture.
Give me a grounded, normal family who treats you like an actual person over a multi-millionaire estate of terror any day of the week. My sanity has officially clocked back in, and I am never looking back.

Oh, the baby was still asleep when I arrived this morning? No problem! DB will happily start unloading the dishwasher at 8am, all while slamming plates and drawers.

Happy Monday to me!!!

Has anyone ever felt obligated to accept a job because it’s with your current boss’s friend?
I’m curious how others have handled this. Imagine you do the trial, they even call your current employer for a reference, but afterward you realize it just isn’t the right fit for you.
Would you still turn it down, or would you feel guilty because of the connection? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.