Monday

Washington Square Park in NYC

Received Monday, September 24, 2007
This occurred today, (9/24).Nanny with two kids, probably twins, around 2 yrs old. Names were Samantha and Matthew. Samantha was wearing a purple shirt and two pigtails and was strapped alone in a double stroller. Her nanny was no where to be seen and Samantha was screaming and crying hysterically. When people realized that no one was coming to get her, people started looking around for her nanny, but no one came over or seemed to be at all connected with this little girl. Finally after at least 15-20 minutes, nanny came over. I was talking to the girl and had calmed her down somewhat, by promising her that her sitter would come back and that she was fine. When nanny came over she was very hostile and aggressive, stating that the girl wanted to be left there and that she had to watch her brother. There was no reason she couldn't have brought the girl in her stroller over where she could see her; instead she was absolutely out of seeing/hearing distance. When she saw I was concerned, she started reprimanding the little girl, "Why are you crying?? You wanted to be here, right Samantha?? It's just what you wanted." The girl was so upset she couldn't stop crying and was still hysterical when I left the park about 20 minutes later she was still crying and sitter was sitting near her, but ignoring her. It was really heartbreaking to watch. Nanny was dark skinned with hair with reddish tint in a ponytail in back and big hoop earrings.

27 comments:

maggie said...

I am so happy to read these posts where the OP gets involved. Great post, OP!

Anonymous said...

Luckily no one took the child as the nanny was not watching! Next time, call the police and let her deal with them! Obviously she could have brought the little girl with her in the stroller where she could keep an eye on her. For her to say this is what the child "wanted"? Not acceptable- the child is 2 years old! Grounds for firing - and arrest. At least you stepped in OP! Hopefully the parents will see this and address it.

Anonymous said...

What a cruel nanny. Obviously the little girl was traumatized, thinking she'd been deserted. I hope she gets fired and soon.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I believe that some of you OPs have absolutely no clue! I know the 2 children that you are talking about and as a mom I often feel SORRY for their nanny! Most of the times these kids are uncontrollable! I think their nanny does as best a job with them as she can! Seeing that I was also at that same park yesterday, I specifically heard Samantha scream about a bag of snacks that she was refusing to take because she thought it was for her brother and not her! Often times they are seen having this kind of conflict as a twin! Then Samantha proceeded to leave the play area and went and sat in her stroller where she strapped herself in and sat there crying because she did not get her way! All the while her nanny has to be chasing after her brother, Matthew, who has absolutely no interest in sitting around!
Yes the nanny could have brought the very dirty and broken down stroller, that she has been subjected to pushing around with her, EVERYWHERE she was following Matthew! Which included the VERY SPACIOUS SANDBOX?! But considering the preceding events and the given circumstances, I don't know how possible this would have been!
After having said ALL this, I venture to kindly ask the mom who tried desperately to calm Samantha down to get her facts together before showing up in these playgrounds and making those kinds of accusations that may easily cause some unsuspecting hard working nanny to lose their jobs!
That being said, as a mom, i would loveeee to have someone with their nanny's patience to watch my kids if they were that terrible!

Anonymous said...

Good for you 11:57

Thats why sometimes I don't like this site. Everyone always assumes the worse when they see something. Granted there are bad cases. Alot of times we just stumble in on a situation that we have no clue what was happening before we arrived. I have a son and sometimes for no reason he will just throw himself down and cry. I just ignore him till he gets up. Probably one of these crazy O.P. may see me one day and write in. Also, they may think I am the nanny. I don't always wear my wedding ring and I look young.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the nanny should quit. Maybe, shes working for monster children.

Why, I'm Jenisis, of course said...

Very well said,11:57. Thank you for that ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure that 11:57 had a great response. She is not the mother of these children, and while most OP may not know the entire story this site is meant to allow a story to be told, as seen. Then the PARENTS of the child can investigate, ask their nanny, ask friends, etc. to decide what they think about the situation. In a way this site is offering a kick in the butt to parents who don't check in on their nannies... that being said, 11:57 should mention the post to the mother of the children, regardless of her opinion. And she can infact share her opinion with the mother of what she saw, allowing the mother to make an educated decision and maybe turn this into a smiling face post because she is reminded of what a great nanny she has... if that is the case.

Anonymous said...

get a life op and stop causing trouble maybe you should take the job being a nanny is not easy its a very hard especially dealing with two as a parent i know i raise my hat to all nannies

Anonymous said...

op did you ask a question before you put all this crop on these site i know the nanny she take very good care of the kids and i think the parent trust her very much and these kid are a hand full if you were looking at you child you would not have seen that M Y O B to you and nannies are not super hero some of you so called op espect the nannies to work micarles

Anonymous said...

op get a life get ticket to the view maury even jerry and stop causing trouble to cause hard working nannies they job your heartless

Anonymous said...

so the babysitter got busted for her crappy care of the kids and some nannies are irate?

am i right?

Anonymous said...

The OP says that it was 15 - 20 minutes before the Nanny came over. During that time, perfect strangers were around this child, talking to her, trying to calm her down, and, from what I understand, the Nanny couldn't see/hear this. As a parent, I wouldn't find that acceptable. I teach preschool and have children that are a handful also. Sometimes kids like that need a little cool off time. But I would never be so far away that I couldn't see or hear them. NYS guideline say a childcare provider must ALWAYS supervise the kids by sight and sound. It's the only way to make sure they are safe!

Anonymous said...

be fore passing jugement find out what happen first TR maybe you should take the job

Anonymous said...

Fired! I dont care how uncontrollable these kids are. There is no excuse for leaving the child completly unattended for that length of time.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I am still amazed at how and where this is going! Some of you ppl have NO clue! This is the 11:57 again! This OP came in with 2 of her own kids-hers or otherwise! They were not with her while she made notes about Samantha and Matthew! I find it quite interesting that everyone else has such an opinion on a story that has been half-way reported! Where were her 2 kids and I am almost sure if I had carried my camera as I always did I would have taken a foto of the OP so u all would see how this worked out! If the sand in that box could only talk!
Samantha and Matthews parents r fully aware of how these kids behave! I have seen them do it with their mom even! She is the one who comes in mostly while Samantha is busy informing anyone who will listen of how much here dad SLEEPS in the day!(lol)
I am talking about stuff I KNOW firsthand! Do u blame the nanny who inherits this kind of CRAP and has to deal with it on a regular? It has even gone as far as, Samantha telling her nanny how "black" she thought she was and cussing at her!
She, the nanny, must love those kids because most persons including other parents as myself have wondered why she ain't quit yet!
Standards are being set for those kids in the home and when they come out there, to the playground or otherwise, U will get just what u have instilled in them!
Lets see where this one will head!

Anonymous said...

So basically 1124 is saying that the kids misbehave because they have crappy parents. Where did you hear that from? Your nanny friend? I go to the park with the children I nanny for. Two boys who are 2.3 years old. If I saw something, I could easily observe it and post it. People who attack the OP have something to hide. In this case, it seems to be the lackluster care these darling children are receiving.

Word to the wise Samantha's parents- when your nanny thinks your children are spoiled and bad, she feels entitled to put them through more because they "deserve it". This only makes behavior problems worse. Never ever employ a nanny who resents your children.

Anonymous said...

FIRED!!! MY REAR-END! I just stumbled on this site and I continue to see how little time these freaking ppl who call themselves O.P.s have on their hands!!!
You nannies out there, I hope you recognize SLAVERY when you see it! You just get a little money for it nowadays!
Ha! Ha!

Anonymous said...

It doesn't sound like the nanny spoke very well to the child and I agree, if you take your frustration out on supposedly spoiled children by being bitch-like to them, you aren't going to achieve a positive result.

OP, what happened here?
Is there a resolution?

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the nanny is illiterate AND irate and has posted several times pretending to be different people.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 12:29

Anonymous said...

sort of amazing how many people know these children/nanny/parents...seems like their are issues to be worked out on all sides if they are "famous" in the park at this point..perhaps cut OP some slack if this is the first time she has seen them? Washington Square is also the most impossible park to be organized and watch kids, the layout is so awful, the angles are terrible. Stopped going there. Bleeker Street park has the same type of climbers, swings, etc.. with a much easier layout to see your kids.

Anonymous said...

OP here. As far as I know, this site is to post what you witnessed, which is exactly what I did. Nanny came over to me pretty aggressively and could have politely cleared up the misunderstanding, if that's what it was, instead of intimidating the child even more. I don't really get the critique of my own parenting, as I was there with my own child, who I could see the entire time. And is that even the issue?? I agree that it seems like a lot of hostile and aggressive nannies. I hope somehow word gets to these parents, who can make their own decisions about what to do from here. I'm not calling for anyone to be fired, that's for the child's parents to decide...

Anonymous said...

OP, attacks against you are invalid. There is no room to attack what you were doing with your child. who is going to sacrifice their child for another child? Isn't that why so many people don't get involved- they fear the nanny going ape on them in front of their own child? Me thinks so. I think you hit a nerve. This thread shows just how angry these nannies are to have anyone looking over their shoulder. Their attitude has long been that they can do what they want as they have no supervision whatsoever. That time has ended. This park is a bit out of my way, but I am tempted to visit just to ascertain the level of care being provided to the children. Bad nannies travel in packs. Backing up each other's scam stories and sham occurences.

As for 1124, suggesting that op's children weren't with her while she made notes? What notes? There is nothing too specific here. And unless your brain has been destroyed by habitual drug use, I think it is quite easily to look at a situation, assess it and file it away for future recall.

and 9:11 is clearly not a parent.
Just a(nother) pissed of nanny.

Your time is up, nannies.
Start earning the money you are paid and treating the children with the respect they deserve.

Anonymous said...

12:00

You have nothing better to do. Your going to drive out of your way on a witch hunt of these nannies. Instead of worrying about them, take care of your own kids. I can't imagine taking my son out of the way to "check up" on another persons nanny.

Anonymous said...

op the nanny is very nice

Anonymous said...

I've known these children and their nanny from the park for almost two years now. they are 3 1/2, and are great kids--very active and very happy. the nanny has done a fine job over the time I've known them.

I'm a "manny" who takes care of twins as well, and positioning yourself between the two is essential for monitoring both children. this nanny (like most) has a network of several nannies that look out for one another--knowing Samantha, I've seen her climb into her stroller several times when she's upset--on her own accord.if you know Samantha...you know that there is no stroller that could hold her if she wanted out!:) she's a super capable kid and can be very theatrical.no doubt she was upset, but I don't think for a second that she was being treated poorly.they love their nanny and she loves them. she's firm, but fair.

this is my first time looking on this site, and I was surprised to find someone I know so immediately.

The Washington Square Park regulars -- parents, nannies, and children-- are day in and day out some of the best/loving people I've had the pleasure to meet.