"Sammy" at W. 85th and CPW Playground in NYC

Received Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Yesterday, (6/26) between 10:30am-11:30am-Your child is "Sammy", around 2 years old, curly dark hair and charming eyes. He was wearing an orange t-shirt with frogs (maybe turtles?) on it. His nanny is a heavier Caucasian woman in her late 40s or 50s with short, dark hair. She was also in charge of a little girl, maybe 5-6, with long dark brown hair. The little girl came to the park in a yellow shirt but was changed into a "Hello My Name Is: Trouble" shirt before they left in their side-by-side double stroller. There is something about the way your nanny interacts with Sammy that didn't sit right with me. It's hard to explain, but she was very rough and overbearing even though I think she means well. Honestly, she struck me as slightly unstable. I got the distinct feeling that there's the potential for real abuse there if she gets overly stressed or frustrated. At one point "Sammy" got sand in his eyes and she chided him for touching his eyes, swatted him, and wrested his hands away from his face and pinned them at his side. After that every time he got close to the sand she screeched for him not to touch his face. Not completely unreasonable responses,but her demeanor was disturbing - I am not the only other caregiver (I am also a nanny) who noticed, several other women were staring at her as well. If this is your child, please, please, please keep an eye on how your children are doing, you might want to talk to the older one about how your nanny acts and disciplines when they are alone. Nannying, especially full time, is not an easy job and this woman did not strike me as having the temperament necessary to handle it.