Received Monday, December 11, 2006
Hallmark on the lower level today at 2:30 PM. As I was paying, I noticed a little girl who was between 2-4 lingering just outside the entrance. I got closer to her. She had tears in her eyes and looked panicked. I approached her cautiously. I asked her if she needed some help. She opened her mouth to talk. She started crying. No one was immediately around her. I got down to her level. I asked her if again if she needed some help. I assured her it would be okay. She struggled to get the words 'I can't find my...' out. By now only a about 90 seconds had lapsed. All of a sudden her arm was seized at the elbow by the person I assume was her caregiver. She started to yell at the girl telling her 'I told you to hold my hand'. I won't pass judgment on the caregiver for getting angry. I can understand being panicked. Although, it does takes two people to hold hands. In a crowded mall, someone with negative intentions had a good amount of time to abduct that girl. I am glad that your little girl will be home safely today.
Description: Little girl-under 3 feet tall, possibly Hispanic with dark hair, straight past her shoulders, dark eyes, wearing green denim pants, a white & yellow jacket and white tennis shoes that had a velcro snap and an M logo.
Caregiver: Between 5'4"-5"6", 140 lbs, African American, light brown hair combed back off of her face and worn behind her ears and wearing a navy blue peacoat and black slacks.
If you are interested in submitting a nanny sighting, click here!
I'd like to comment on this post. As a mother, I've lost track of my kids at the mall a couple of times and it is horrendously scary. When I spotted the errant child, my first reaction may have been much like the lady mentioned in this post. The relief is so overwhelming and the adrenalen is pumping and it can make one a tad over-emotional, kind of half-angry and ecstatic with joy and relief at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBut as a mother, or even responsible caregiver, all those emotions you feel at one time come crashing down-first, first you hug them because youre scared and relieved, then you get mad because they wandered off and you prob yell a bit to remind them BAD PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE, its a crazy mix. it happens. Then you probably chat a moment with the obviously nice lady who took an interest in helping your lost scared offspring out, expressing fear and remorse and thanks and commiseration of "cant turn your back for a SECOND".......
ReplyDeleteThis nanny just yanked the kid up by the arm and dragged her off. I would be VERY upset if I had been the nice lady assisting. This nanny needs her grill adjusted.
First and foremost, "her arm was seized at the elbow" not she was yanked up and draged off. The poster did not even say whether the nanny and herself had spoken. You assumed way too much. Not only that but who can honestly say they haven't lost sight of their children at least once. It takes 2 seconds and they are gone and it happens to the best. And your response is generally to be upset that the child took off. Personally my first response would be to reprimand first as well and then express my joy that the child was okay.
ReplyDeleteMany parents or people(with no experience as a nanny or someone who has a nanny) seem to think it odd when we as nannies respond in certain ways. Are you threatened by the fact that we respond in similiar ways to you? Would any parent not have reprimanded their child? Then why are nannies expected to be the picture of perfection? Maybe in a more formal setting this is okay,
But I live with the family I work for and I am an extension of the Parental Team. I respond in the same way I would with my own child. Im not a servant, I am not perfect! I get upset sometimes, Im tired sometimes, I have a headache sometimes. Why do people find it so difficult to see us as humans?
(Steps off the soap box)
You are just ridiculous. Not all nannies are alike. Some are careless. Some are wonderful. Some are better caregivers than the parents. Some suck. Quite finding a way to defend every nanny on here. Let me guess, you are the same person who defended the nanny who chewed up her child's hotdog and bun in her own mouth and then placed it in the child's mouth. Gross. Oh and P.S. Most cops are good. Some are not. Do you nannies have a blue shield of your own? If so, what is it called?
ReplyDeletebut a nanny is getting paid to WATCH the child... not to shop.
ReplyDeleteUntil you've all have been the nanny who runs around the playground saving kids you ARE NOT paid to watch from falling off of slides, being hit by swings and eating dirt while their mothers are hob nobbing in tennis skirts, I'd stop passing judgement and trying walking in someone else's shoes. Not all nannies are fit to be nannies and they defintely give a bad name to those of us who do our jobs with love. But I have news for you---not all mothers are fit to be mothers either.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the spell check girl--if you find typos--it's been a twelve hour day, my friend!