Received Thursday, March 29, 2007
Madison Square Park is such a cheery playground. Why must all of your nannies present with long faces, looking crabby? People look happier picking up after their dogs on the dog run. I really think the standard for child care is much higher in the UK. Is anyone interviewing these nannies or do they simply just materialize from the gutters and began caring for your children. How can you care so little about the company your child is keeping. You must realize; although I am guessing it should be the very least of your concerns - that the nanny's dowdy personality is rubbing off on your child. This park gets my vote for worst nannies in the city. I don't have specific details to add because the scene was so grim yesterday, I took my daughter and left. Perhaps some of the good nannies who comment on this blog should get together and plan a day trip/intervention at this park? -ERS
30 comments:
As someone who considers herself a "good nanny" and who mostly hangs out with mothers or other nannies who are pleasant and active, I have to admit that I don't really devote too much time to the concept of Nanny-PR. A park intervention is kind of an interesting concept, but I think you'll find that in the day of any busy New York family, it's not a concern that's going to rank high.
For my charges and me, our enjoyment of a park has almost nothing to do with the many strangers who are there. We can make our own fun pretty much anywhere. It's a useful skill for kids, nannies and moms to have and always keep sharp.
I hope you don't have too many experiences like this one, if only because I'd love for your opinion of the US to be a more positive one (at least US parks, children & childcare, don't want to get political here).
I've noticed that about this park too! I've been there three times but somewhat felt I was in the Twilight Zone surrounded by caregivers and mommies with faces of stone.
"I really think the standard for child care is much higher in the UK. " Annie....I think you're right. (The standard is higher in Colorado than in NY....if that helps the USA any.) I am from NY originally & I am a child care provider here in CO and I would NEVER have hired a nanny for my own 4 children ......even if I could've afforded it. I think we're going to see an "I Saw Your Nanny" show soon! Can't wait to watch!
I didn't know you people could read minds, if these nannies all walked around with smiles on thier faces you would complain about that to,saying that all nannies looked like zombies.
I agree with the top poster: why take your daughter away? Play with her and set a good example for her about tolerance, something you did not do.
It is a good skill to have to be able to have fun anywhere.
-a nanny and a mom
maybe these nannies are miserable because they are over worked and under paid .and maybe their familes treat them like crap .i think that mom should mind her bussiness and take care of her kid.
WOW... Now you are complaining that the nannies aren't happy enough. I take my kids to the park and sometimes I am grumpy for a million possible reasons. (tired, job stress... whatever!) Sometimes, just supervising the kids while they play is just enough down time that I may need. However, I have been known to play tag and push my kids on the swings. It depends.
The kids aren't being abused or neglected. (At least it wasn't mentioned.) You have no idea what was going on that day or that minute so to pass judgement is kind of ill-informed.
I do agree that the OP should have stayed anyway. Who cares about anyone else's attitudes? Are you there to play with your kid or not?
NP- and I would no sooner let children play in a crack den then I would expose them to such squallor and misery.
Certainly in a city ripe with great parks and great nannies, no one need tolerate such a dark abyss.
What a buzzkill!
And by the by, I don't care what mommy does or does not do. I do think that if Mommy and Daddy hire a nanny they should give her some responsibilities and look for certain characteristics. At the most basic, how about ability to get off your ass and crack a smile?
I am horrible at record keeping so I have an accountant come in to take care of my bills. She most certainly can't get away with what I get away with! Why is any different from a nanny? A nanny has a job. She needs to do the job. The end.
I must admit, a sly smile crept to my lips when I read ass and crack in the same sentence. tee hee hee.
ERS really needs to get a life!
to helaine:
are you comparing a crack den to a park with nannies who don't smile?
no offense, but you sound like a dumbass(crack)
I'm so sorry you think we (I don't hang out at that park but I am a nanny and I am offended by what you say about nannies in general!) are from the gutter and don't care for these children. I am 24 years old, born/raised in America with a Bachelor's degree from a TOP UNIVERSITY! I have been trained in Childcare by top published developmental psychologists (this is to show you that no UK nanny would be better qualified for this job than me because nonetheless its just a job for the alcoholic brits) PLEASE do not tell me that you are that judgemental, because my skin color isn't white you are going to assume I am no good?! LET me educate you on somehting: the parents who hire us and pay shitloads of money to watch their kids don't give a flying rats a-- about those kids, those children are just outfits for them! and as far as you're concerned, maybe nannies need a little break-time?! the ten minutes that you actually do play with your own child is all the energy you have but yet you expect mary-poppins-happy-go-lucky-fun-jumpy from the overworked (i personally work 60 hour weeks!) nannies?!
Oh and yet another thing: nannies are treated like CRAP by your ny parents! You don't take it seriously that this person spends so much time with your child and that that time is effecting the kind of man/woman/mother/father your child will be. Yet we still take your shit (classes are so much more obvious here because it's just color you NYers see! Where I come from, we count education!) because we do not want to screw your kids' heads more than you already have and will continue to do!
I'd really like to hear ONE miserable New Yorker parent appreciate their nanny/manny for ONCE!!!!!
251,
so basically what you are saying is some parents have made a huge mistake by hiring you with your bitter closet rage to care for their children?
You get what you give.
I think what she's saying is true: most parents don't give a crap about their kids. They only have them to dress them up for the Christmas photo and to brag that they go to the fanciest private schools.
-nanny from RI
Wow, 2:51, how many families have you worked for? I am in NYC, and have worked for several families over a period of twenty years. They have all treated me wonderfully. I was lucky with my first job. After that, I had enough experience to be selective about jobs I accepted. Remember, when you go on an interview, you should also be interviewing them. If you have great qualifications, and enthusiastic references, you can pick and choose, and if you misjudge and aren't happy in a new job, move on!
A happy nanny
Pipe Down, Rhode Island.
Hey, 251, are you trying to say you're not judgemental? I'd say you're as bad as the people you've worked for. Are ALL brits alchoholics? According to you, obviously. Don't point fingers unless you keep yours from not pointing.
NJ mom, pipe down yourself ;)
858, everyone should shut up and read your post. Yours is deffinatly right on target. My nanny and I both liked what we saw in one another, and the fit is perfect for both of us, and my family.
No one has to stay in a situation that is that horible, as there are many other options out there. Take pride and stand up for yourselves, overused and abused nannies out there!! Believe it or not, there are great families out there looking for honest and decent nannies!
I disagree that the standard of childcare is higher in the UK. Look at Prince William and his kid brother as the result of a UK upbringing by the creme de la creme of nannies. Yikes!
Lorenza darling,
Don't you think anything the young Princes have went through or are currently working through might be a result of having lost their dear mother in a horrific car crash and not at all related to the caliber of nanny employed at the castle?
And perhaps we don't want to use the Princes as a comparison between the UK and the US for other reasons. Prince Harry is headed off to Afghanistan to serve his country. I did find this link today, but I somehow believe that it's got a little more to do with the fact that it's April 1st than with the Bush twin's desire to live up to the Royal's example.
Well, let's see what happens with regard the the littlest Prince! Last I saw he was falling out of a car, dead drunk. The Bush twins seem to have grown up. Methinks it's gonna take awhile longer for those spoiled Brits, who seem to have been given a blank check for salacious and unruly behavior wherever they go because of the loss of their mother. I guess that above-standard childcare they have over in the UK didn't help them much.
Lorenza,
HE LOST HIS MOTHER.
Do you have a heart or NOT?
In my opinion, lorenza is bitter, and does not have a heart. She seems rather opinionated and judgemental, too.
8:07 your opinion doesn't matter. I have nothing to be bitter about. I'm merely realistic.
A lot of people have lost their mothers at a young age and don't act out like Harry is. Granted, the boys live in a fishbowl and have the $$$ to party, so they definitely have had a unique upbringing. I hope Harry can learn to comport himself better.
I don't think adversity in one's life is an excuse for anything.
What's a shame is that most of those unhappy nannies are out of towners, you know, like from the crappy UK. Most unpleasant bunch of folks I've ever meet.
Ha!
UK nannies are by far superior.
In fact I would never hire one because I would be intimidated!
I am not talking about the occasional party hungry au pair that makes 150 a week and lives as a "child" in the family, I am talking about the true professionals that come over from the UK!
They are always happy and on their game. I challenge you to snap a shot of one professional nanny from the UK who is not going above and beyond on an hourly basis!
Far superior!
I am a NY Live-IN Nanny......I work Monday to Friday, I wake the kids,bring them to school, bathe them and put them to bed. Half of you are troublemakin and bored while the other half actually cares and is concerned. I appreciate the concern factor. I would like to make some very important points:
If you leave your child with someone who you did not do a thorough background check on..is it the Nanny's fault or yours??
Is it really fair to judge someone's performance on what language they speak, the US is an immigrant based community,so reality check if you didn't come here on the MAYFLOWER.,,someone had to have given your non-english speaking ancestors a chance. Think about it!
A degree, race, or age, does not determine if you are a good or bad nanny. Its about attitude,hardwork,patience, love and kindness and if your Nanny is just there for the Money..fire her and let someone who will appreciate what you have to offer and give you quality service take care of your child.
Pay your caregiver well, they are taking care of your prize position and think of how you would feel if you had to struggle to make ends meet or couldn't even afford to enjoy a little something extra once in awhile.
MY Last point is this one: You get what you give. If you respect and person and treat them well and they do not respect you or your child there is no second guessing....get a new nanny.
Furthermore: Please remember that we are Nannies and we know we are not permanant, so the jealousy crap needs to stop, enjoy the time we are there to help you and act like a Grown-up. Make a few more minutes a day if you are a busy parent and be around the kids. I know its hard because even as a Nanny (the professional ones)struggle to find time to make for our own families. The children need to know that they can go to you and you can be turned to when the time comes for their beloved caretaker to leave. For many children it can be a very painful transition and they need that love to be right there in physical form.
Remember they did not ask to be born and they should not have to suffer because you overbooked your life. Children are very precious and we could lose them at anytime.
Please think about this.
My utmost respect to those parents and caregivers who come on here with real care and concern..to the rest of you bored, jealous, and just plain underhanded people--GET A LIFE
Lorenza-
The princes went to military academy and one of them is enrolled in the military (and only didn't go to Iraq because the British army wouldn't let him, for fear of threats on the young prince's life). The Bush twins are out partying in Austin and New York, getting DUIs.
Who's grown up more?
The British royal family are somewhat inbred, and should probably not be used as an example of normal English people.
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