Received Thursday, April 12, 2007
I watched a little girl running all over the place at the bookstore today (4/11). She was not being supervised and was tearing books up. Ruining them! She had an older sibling too and both were in the "care" of a nanny who was making great use of the magazines. The nanny was reading a stack of Entertainment style magazines. While the little one was dragging books all over the place, the older one was trying to entertain herself but at some point she hurt her hand. When the girl brought this to the nanny's attention, the nanny said "Stop crying, you don't have a boo boo." She barely glanced up from her magazine. Of course she was sitting on her duff and not about to M O V E. The little girl was really upset and kept asking her nanny for help, "Please? Please?" She wasn't screaming or tantruming or anything, she had a pained expression on her face. And the sweeter the little girl was- the meaner the nanny was. The nanny said very abruptly, "Stop, okay, we're going home-RIGHT NOW". This older girl was only about 4. She was completely dependant on this nanny who seemed to be thrilling from her sadistic power trip. I walked through the child's area there and saw many unsupervised young children. I am guessing their caretakers/parents were off elsewhere. I was really upset by the fact that this particular nanny had no sympathy for the child. It is one thing to be lazy, another to neglect your charges but still another to not respond to their very basic needs. The little girls were Caucasian. The younger one had lighter hair then the older with curls at the end. The nanny was African American, had a gaunt face and was an older nanny. This all happened at the Park Slope Barnes and Noble on 7th. It was April 11 (ed.) at around 3PM. I have never posted before on this blog, but oddly enough as I was witnessing this, a post from this very blog that happened at another area B&N echoed in my head. What I would love to see is for parents who's children go there with the nanny to stop by there- or send someone to check things out. I am surprised the store staff doesn't complain more and set up more restrictions, because B&N's seem to be used as a giant nanny breakroom.
OP:
ReplyDeleteThat B&N is a magnet for bad nannies AND bad parents.
They frequently allow their charges to eat downstairs, where the kids then take their unwiped hands and go on a book mangling spree.
Instead of using common sense and showing respect in a store (kids learn from adults, remember?), the parents shrug it off and say "B&N was never wanted by the Park Slope Community because we like small businesses.
Puke!
It's not one big nanny break room, it's one big break room period.
These people should be ashamed of themselves.
Who in the hell appointed Al Sharpton as the judge and jury for what is right and wrong in America?
ReplyDeleteLook ... someone has to say this. Al Sharpton is a bigot. Al Sharpton is a pig. Al Sharpton is a race baiter. Al Sharpton is a liar. Al Sharpton is a notorious anti-Semite. People have died as a result of Sharpton's bigoted rantings and ravings.
8:10...WTF...where did your little rant come from?
ReplyDeleteI believe this is the third posting about that same B&N. I am appauled that the store doesn't do something about it.
8:05 is right, we are supposed to teach the children right from wrong as parents and as nannies. Not enough people are willing to put forth the time and effort it takes, and that IS what is wrong with this world. Children join gangs because they do not know it is wrong, then when they are arrested for killing someone or destroying someone's property, the parents blame it on the schools. Children get kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered because no one is supervising them!
People please, help make the future brighter by paying attention to your children and charges. After all, these children will one day be leading this country and making decisions for you when you can no longer make them.
Look at choosing child care like this: Do you really want them to put you in a certain nursing home just because it is the cheapest, most convenient one? Or would you want them to choose a facility with a qualified staff who really cares about you?
8:10, I am lost....
ReplyDelete^^UMM, 8:10-what does Al Sharpton have to do with anything in this rant?
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, I live in Park Slope and go to B&N frequently. The nannies sit on their behinds (as do some of the moms) and let their kids do whatever they want. I can't even count the number of times I had to reprimand a child for pushing one of my kids while nanny or mom just sat there and gave me that "kids will be kids" look. Argh-and, it has nothing to do with the fact that people never wanted B&N-it has to do with the entitlement feeling most of PS has.
Oh, and most, not all, but most, of the nannies around here are terrible.
Jane Doe:
ReplyDeleteDid you monitor 8:10's post. It seems to belong on another blog?
What has Al Sharpton got to do with this sighting.Take your comments elsewhere!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been saying this for a long time, B&N has been too lenient to freeloaders. They need to take care of their real customers by keeping their books clean for purchase. That's not going to happen when people allow children to just rip and wrinkle pages.
ReplyDelete"It was April 12 at around 3PM."
ReplyDeleteI'm just wondering about the time on this. Today is April 12th. I am on central time and its only 11:20...
Must be a typo because the top of the post says today 4/11. meaning yesterday.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, you could take B&N and replace it with any number of places. I have taken my kids at a B&N by my house and to the library and restaurants and can't tell you how many times that kids are left to their own devices. They run screaming around the building and ruin what would be a good time. I have taught my kids how to behave in stores, libraries and restaurants. It's called teaching good manners and that seems to be lacking. It's easier to give up the fight.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen parents not watching kids in public pools. They lounge in chairs while their kids are making others miserable. There's also safety concerns as well for young ones. I would love to be able to chill by the pool but can't because my kids are little daredevils. I have pulled them out of more than a few close calls. What if that was another kid whose parent wasn't paying attention?
Just wanted to comment because I think that a lack of "home training" is due to parents and possibly nannies. I know that I geared this towards parents. Some may be nannies. I don't pay attention because I am watching my kids!
when any adult takes children who are in their care out in public, they have a responsibility to LOOK AFTER the kids. It shouldn't be considered a break time for the adult. Unfortunately, the more I read and learn about these nannies and their dereliction of duty, the more I wonder about the hapless parents who are employing these slugs.
ReplyDeleteC'mon you uptight whiners - that B&N rules, the kids all have a lot of fun running around. You all are way to uptight - I take my kid there all the time and for the most part I see parents reading to kids, kids playing with each other, nannies helping kids pick out books.
ReplyDeletePS And Al Sharpton is a great man, at least he cares about something important.
Al Sharpton cares about money.
ReplyDeleteAsk anyone who has ever gone to him for HELP. He gets a cut of everything. He doesn't protest without $$$$$$$$$$
I can't figure the Al Sharpton connection?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSo, she's from Chicago?
ReplyDelete1221 pm. The posters here are not being uptight. It is disrespectful to allow children to run unsupervised in a store, and worse yet, to allow them to destroy merchendise. THAT is what raises costs for all the other shoppers there.
ReplyDeleteIf the caregivers/parents are helping them read, pick out books, fine. But take them to a gym class or to the park if you're looking to allow them to run around and play. I'm a mother, and it annoys the crap out of me when children are running around, being loud and disrupting my shopping. My son is three, and even he knows to be quiet in stores and libraries.
I don't know if you're a parent or a caregiver, but whatever you are, you are doing a bad job with the children in your life. So many kids today have no respect for other, and are so rude, they have no idea how to behave is society. Shame on you. Take your kids to the park, or better yet, the zoo.
@@
1:09 - I think you have proven my point - the uptight whiners on this site are those parents who have the sad looking kids that don't know how to have any fun.
ReplyDeleteI am a father of a kid "who runs around and plays" at B&N in Park Slope. There are very few indoor options in the cold weather in Brooklyn for kids to engage with each other in a public place, but B&N is one. Should we go to the zoo in February? My 18 month old daughter gets to interact with other kids, pick out books, have a fun time with the Thomas the train set up. Its good for her development, and good for all the other kids, and B&N promotes the space as a comfortable one for kids , and they make plenty of money from it.
You and your holier-than-thou cohorts on the other hand, sound like those moms who crush their kids spirit relentlessly, so you can have a quiet time "shopping". Why don't you interact and play with your kid instead of expecting adult behavior from your kids? My kid is not rude, she's 18 months old and does very well with other kids. I'd say shame on you.
Actually, isn't B&N making the money off of the people who go in there to shop? And not so much those who allow their children to run anround like maniacs in the store driving away customers and destroying merchandise? How in the world is B&N making money off of you, Papa Joe? Seems to me, you like many nannies use the area as a combination indoor playspace/Free reading room. Which I get your argument that there is not a lot to do but what I don't understand is how this is possibly advantageous to a business?
ReplyDeleteDo tell, Papa. Do tell.
I'll indulge your feigned ignorance and point out that OBVIOUSLY it makes a lot of sense to create an inviting atmosphere that often results in parents, like myself, buying a book or two that the kid takes a shine to while at B&N. Its pretty simple, basic economics that retailers desire customers presence b/c spot shopping is how they make money - especially in non-essential industries like bookstores. Duh.
ReplyDeleteI know you know that, its just too dumb for someone to actually think B&N is losing money b/c there are too many kids in the store.
I don't think B&N makes money off people like nannies who go there and sit and read magazines-not buying anything and let their children run amuck. Certainly there are indoor playspaces and playgroups one could organize if one had the slightest bit of creativity or energy. I think the father is making excuses. If you've been to the B&N there, then certainly you know the difference between those who bring their children to the bookstore for story time or to shop and those who use the B&N as a rest area of sorts. I bring my children with me (and I have 2). I don't take my children to the bookstore just so I can sit around while the run around and for you to think that is anyway okay makes me cringe.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in a large bookstore. We had some pet peeves about irresponsible parents with kids.
ReplyDeleteDo not let them destroy the merchandise.
Do not let them run amok and disturb the browsers.
Do not use the staff to scare your little kid into behaving: "Stop it or THE MAN will yell at you!!!!" Actually, when some lazy mom would pull that one, THE MAN (my coworker) would get down to the child's level and say directly to the kid "I would never yell at you", and stare pointedly at the mom to pull the plug on that little ploy.
Bookstores are a business, bottom line. And while more customers is always good news, it does no good if the merchandise that would be sold is dirty, torn or strewn all over the floor. Nannies or parents who cannot control their kids should leave.
"i've been a piper, a poet, a pawn and a queen.." well i dont know how the song goes, but JMT- what haven't you done?
ReplyDelete:)
B&N employees really don't care about destroying merchandise as they do about people making messes
ReplyDeleteI saw a nanny changing a diaper right in the kids' area in PS even though there are changing tables in both the mens and womens bathrooms. The "customers" are out of line for the most part and what gets to the employees is having to clean up their trash, discipline the kids they are supposed to be watching and not even getting a Hello when they come in. I've talked to several employees there and they confirmt this.
Papa:
ReplyDeleteThank you for proving my point. I knew it was only a matter of time before we heard the old "B&N is evil" line as an excuse to behave like an animal.
You were not directing your post to me, but I'll chime in regardless.
I teach my kids not to run around inside ANY store, thank you.
If we want to play the way children should play, we either go to an indoor play space, another friend's house or we keep our happy behinds at home on days that are too cold or wet.
I know it's easier to go trash B&N because you don't have to clean up afterward and you don't have to exercise any creativity (no "hmmm.... maybe we'll get out the food dyes now), but at least admit it for goodness sake.
Don't pull that "B&N deserves it crap."
You're a lazy parent. Embrace it! Shout it from the rooftops!
My aunt worked at a big store in the ladies wear department and was cleaning out the dressing rooms, only to find someone had taken a huge dump on the seat in one of them.
ReplyDeleteThis is 109 again.
ReplyDeleteI think, 1052, I didn't make myself clear enough. I hate UNSUPERVISED children making so much noise. As I said, if the parents/caregivers are reading to the children, picking out books, or even sitting with their children by the train and skmming a mag or interacting, fine.
Also, my child is not "sad looking." He and I play with the trains all the time at our local B&N store, and enjoy hanging in the cafe "chatting" over a cookie and milk. But he knows that one should respect others, be quiet around books (stores and libraries) but that it is ok to have lots of fun in parks, playgroups, music class, and even the mall. (our local mall has a play area for children)
Please, don't tell me that in NY you don't have other options for you child. (rolling my eyes here) Take her to a museum, teach her how to be quiet in public places and enjoy the art. Even a toddler can learn different colors and shapes that way.
As a parent, it is our job to teach children when and where it is ok to be loud and have fun, and when one needs to be quiet and respectful to others.
Oh, and when I am out for serious shopping, my son stays home with dad so they can have their own fun. I would never expect him to hang out quietly while I try on 50 pairs of shoes.
Please, try to put yourself in the shoes of the employees at your B&N. Do you think they enjoy watching screaming children running amock, pulling books down and seeing the parents sit by and not stop it? I worked retail when I was going thru college, and wow, the stuff I witnessed still makes me cringe. Today, I am very much aware that there are others around me, and take care as to not offend them. Between a European father and a Southern mother, manners were strickly enforced, and now as a mother, I can tell by other childrens behavior how much their parents care. Most, not so much.
Teach your daughter well.
Oh, and 930, ewwww! Relevence?
ReplyDeleteThis website is just full of absolute crazies, wow.
ReplyDelete9:21
ReplyDeleteYou are a lazy reader.
Who in this entire comment section claimed that "B&N deserves its crap"?
Please explain yourself or we'll all have to assume you are simply illiterate - which is NOT a good example for children.
I find parents and caregivers that cannot READ to be offensive. I read to my children, as do all the good parents I know. If you can't, please take the steps necessary to learn how, its bad parenting to not be able to read.
130, I'll put this gently. If the 921 poster were illiterate, I'm pretty sure they couldn't have typed a response. Personally, I don't know anyone who can type a letter but can't read...What the poster did was paraphrase what someone else said in one of the above comments, using her own phrase.
ReplyDeleteOh, and keep on reading to your children. Also, teach them not to judge others, as that is rude.
It is you, 1:30, that should learn to read:
ReplyDelete1:09 - I think you have proven my point - the uptight whiners on this site are those parents who have the sad looking kids that don't know how to have any fun.
I am a father of a kid "who runs around and plays" at B&N in Park Slope. There are very few indoor options in the cold weather in Brooklyn for kids to engage with each other in a public place, but B&N is one. Should we go to the zoo in February? My 18 month old daughter gets to interact with other kids, pick out books, have a fun time with the Thomas the train set up. Its good for her development, and good for all the other kids, and B&N promotes the space as a comfortable one for kids , and they make plenty of money from it.
You and your holier-than-thou cohorts on the other hand, sound like those moms who crush their kids spirit relentlessly, so you can have a quiet time "shopping". Why don't you interact and play with your kid instead of expecting adult behavior from your kids? My kid is not rude, she's 18 months old and does very well with other kids. I'd say shame on you.
This is 1:30 - again, where does it say, in the post above ""B&N deserves its crap"?
ReplyDeleteReading comprehension is important, people, don't just rely on your nannies to read with and to your children - you need to do so as parents, as well.
""the parents shrug it off and say "B&N was never wanted by the Park Slope Community because we like small businesses.""
ReplyDeleteIs this where the "B&N deserves its crap" attitude came from? It was in the first reply. Perhaps the attitude is "Park Slope didn't want a big chain but they got in anyway; they deserve whatever we can dish out".
130/1120, are you dumb? Reading comprehension IS improtant, and so is interpreting what you read! Climb down off your high horse and look past your nose..better yet..lower your nose a notch or two!! How dare you presume only our nannies read to our children! Who the hell do you think you are?
ReplyDeleteI sincerly hope you are teaching your children not to accept the "written words" in books, but to interpret and make their own conclusion about what they read!! If not, YOU are doing a disservice to your children!
Oh, I just have to say...It's BAD PARENTING to teach your children to be judgemental! Buh-bye!
you had me until buh-bye.
ReplyDeleteSome people are not very sharp not to see the obvious "relevence" of what can happen in a store where there is chaos and disorder.
ReplyDelete921, my appologies for the buh-bye. I certainly didn't want to end it with a word I wouldn't say in front of my children. Childish, I know. It just sickens me when the grammar police show up and make a mountain out of a molehill, as they say. It was meant to be rude, probably as bad as using honey or hon. Can't stand that!
ReplyDeleteBut I did mean everything I said, and stand behind my statement. 130/1120 sounds like the type of mother who would correct their child if they tried to color a picture with blue grass. Imagination is a gift, one that parents should nuture and cherish.
Again, sorry.