I would just like to say.....As a wonderful, dedicated and loving nanny, I am appalled by the amount of "bad" nannies out there. I, like you, think it is shameful for kids to be dragged around shopping, alternately ignored and yelled out, pulled, pushed, and emotionally neglected by a plethora of women and people without the necessary skills or capabilities to watch children.
However...I would also like to say I am almost more appalled by the constant negative connotations surrounding the people who watch most of your children 50 hours a week.
First and foremost it is your job as a parent to make sure that your children are happy and well-loved. That means paying people proper wages for their time, thanking them for extra work, and following through on promises you make during the hiring process, i.e "Time off with pay for sick days and holidays!"
Secondly, don't judge a book by it's cover. Maybe your nanny sighting is you witnessing a nanny who just needs a break. Maybe she has been working for two weeks straight while the parents are in Cancun on vacation and she knows her charge a thousand times better then you and knows he or she is happy and content to play by themselves. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have had to take my charges kicking and screaming from a playground because they don't want to leave. If you caught five minutes of our exchange, I might look like the worst nanny in the world, when really I am simply setting limits and boundaries for the kids I love and adore.
Thirdly and most importantly, you guys need a wake-up call. The expectations you hold nannies to on this sight are laughable. SAHM and working moms for that matter do not spend every waking hour playing with their children. At play Gym class I cannot tell you the amount of moms who talk the entire time while nannies and their charges roll and wrestle on the floor. Everyone is human. Everyone deserves some slack and their is a huge difference between serious neglect/abuse and the majority of sightings on here which sound like people with nothing exciting going on in their own lives.
Finally, as a side note, I would just like to say unless you KNOW (as in, you have proof) that someone is a nanny, you cannot say for sure. An African American women with a white baby does not automatically mean nanny, just as a middle aged woman dresses in house slippers does not spell mom.
Think about it.
73 comments:
Thank you for pointing out that differently colored protagonists do not automatically define a nanny situation. I am of mixed races and medium-skinned, with a Caucasian husband, and my baby is as pale as my husband is. It annoys me to think that people who don't know us when we are out define our hypothetical relationship by the fact that we look different. You'd think, in this day and age, that people would be more aware that families don't all come in one color, gender, religion, etc., and stop judging based on those criteria.
Props to you OP...
I do love this site, but sometimes I think of these nannies and wonder how many do need a break and how that 15 minutes of their charges playing on their own might just be what that nanny needed.
I have played every position in this field...nanny, inhome daycare..etc..
I don't think many people stop to realize that this is a profession where you work 50 or more hours with not one break. No one releaves a nanny, there's no time even if a child is sleeping where a nanny can just stop thinking about them and actually get a break.
Moms and Dads in corporate jobs, get to leave most days to grab lunch...some days I am jealous my husband works were there are vending machines....cause somedays I could go for a cold pepsi or something chocolate, but alas I am stuck in this house. What about even making a personal call??? At an office if you make a personal call you can stop working and do it. Us, nannies...when we have to schedule a doctors appt. or fight one more time with AT&T about our bill...we have plug an ear to hear what they are saying, scribble our reminders and notes as we use the other arm to fill a juice cup. We have lives, we dedicate a lot of our time to you during the week..do you know how stressful it is to keep our own lives going when we stay 10 hours or more at your house? You can run to the post office, run to the bank, to all the other errands you want on your breaks and on the ride home before everything closes, when we get done working everything is closed, we have to bank only on weekends, we have to mail things only on saturdays, we have to stop at the store on saturday becauswe it closes at five thru the week and we are working. There is no down time for us....and sometimes I wish posters would see that and know that 15 minutes of my charges playing alone at the park keeps me sane and doesn't hurt them a bit!!
poster at 617:
AMEN! I read the post and was so glad somebody stated what I have been thinking for so long.
Many people that have no association with any aspect of the nanny world think we play with kids all day. Friends who have seen what I do in a day have learned otherwise VERY quickly.
It kills me that parents hire nannies so that THEY can have breaks but then expect the nannies to do what they can't even do as a parental unit.
I am lucky in that the family I work for respects the fact that I have a life and sometimes need to run "me" related errands during my work day. But, even though I get the time to run my errands and such, there are times when I am beyond spent at the end of the day. There are times when I come to work and can't run at my usual 100%. And it is on those days that I am grateful for whatever down time I can get.
And don't even get me started about assumptions that people make when they see us on the job! I am betting that when I show up late to gymnastics class with my charge, they assume that I'm a nanny who can't be punctual or needed to get her latte on the way. What they don't know is that I am the one ready to go and it is mom and/or dad that is dragging out the morning and not letting us get out the door on time, no matter how hard I try.
Think twice before you make assumptions people! And for parents with nannies, have realistic expectations of your nanny. If you can't accomplish the feat, maybe they can't either.
Great post OP.
No, moms do not play with their children every second of the day either...nor should they. Kids need to learn to amuse themselves sometimes too..that's how their imaginations get used and grow. And they need to play with other kids their own ages without being hovered over. But moms and nannies should be available and attentive and act excited when the child comes up an wants to point out a bug or a bird, wants pushed on a swing or help on a jungle gym, gets hurt, or has trouble with another child.
The difference between a break and neglect lies in knowing when to be hands off and when to be hands on. Take a breather when your child is occupied, by all means, but don't tune out or become so involved in your own reading or personal conversations that you can't be bothered at all with the child you are supposed to be watching.
Again, common sense and moderation work nicely when dealing with children.
Here's the deal, OP. I feel somewhat like Randy Jackson, but then I am on a caffeine and vodka binge ever since David Cook shocked the country by defeating that darling doll Archuletta. I like you post OP. you said what you had to say, good for you.
Now let me counter. Nannies are hired to do a job. A taco chef is hired to make tacos. So, excepting his allotted break time, he needs to be making tacos. It doesn't matter that making tacos is monotonous or hard work or difficult in a hot kitchen, that's the job. When I hire a nanny, I tell her what the job is. Depending on the age of the children, she may not get long breaks. That's the job. You do it the way your told to do it. The end. Everyday professionals are sucking it up and doing the job as prescribed. The doctor whose wife left him on Thursday isn't leaving any jagged cuts on the operating table, the pharmacist who spranged his ankle on Saturday isn't filling bottles of Lasex with tic-tacs and the pilot who was up all night with a sick child isn't taking a much needed break during landing. You suck it up. You suck it up. That's what you do. I don't think there is a chance in hell that any of these posts concern professional nannies! So be careful who you're vouching for.
OMG! The bad nanny pics - were they photoshopped or something??? They are hilarious!!! I love it!
Exactly!
OP...thank you so much for your post...I was just thinking about this same topic the other day! I love my job and my charges (19 month old twins) but I really hate the lack of respect I get from the outside world. I am always responsive and attentive to my charges, whether I am at the park, walking downtown or eating at a restaurant. Many people assume that I am their mother, and treat me really nicely. When they find out I am a nanny...their tone immediately changes towards me, and they are instantly unfriendly. It even goes so far as many mothers groups I have tried to be a member of are very rude and unfriendly and dont include me in their plans for playdates. Its just hurtful because I really am a nice person and do my job to the best of my ability. This past week I left the park in tears because I was so frustrated with how the mothers acted towards me.
also...99% of the time when I am on the phone in front of my charges in public it is with their mom checking in with her and giving her an update...not eveything is malicious as one might want to think it is.
Great post OP! I do think people tend to jump to conclusions. The other day I was at the park with my charge. I called his mom to tell her we were going to stay a bit longer since he was having so much fun. My boss' (boss's?) neighbor made a snide comment about the fact that I was getting paid to talk on the phone. Grrr!
The bad nannies out there deserve to be identified and fired. This is necessary to the well-being of children, who should be the focus.
That being said, there is a lot of negativity toward child-care workers in this country. It's different in different parts of the world.
We should really honor, respect and celebrate the nannies who enjoy their jobs, who are dedicated, mature, honest and loving. Caring for children is the hardest job you'll ever love, whether you're a parent or a nanny.
It's the greatest blessing of all to be able to share your life with a child.
Hey 9:49,
There's a lot of negativity towards stay at home moms in this country too.
But as long as you know you are doing your best for the well being of a child, you can have the strength to ignore and rise above the ignorance of people who have no idea (and probably not the substance either) to know what it takes to do your best at raising children all day every day.
People have said the most stupid, ignorant things to me over the years. I have just looked at them and thought to myself, "What an ignporant ptetentious jackass you are." Some people think they are so superior...but in reality they haven't the slightest clue about life at all.
I think being a SAHM is a priviledge, and I feel very blessed.
That being said, I also think that society's view of the nanny needs to change. And I can't help but think it's the lazy, park bench type that's dragging the good nannies down, and they're getting stereotyped.
If I'm not mistaken, in Europe nannies are revered with respect and honor, and it should be that way all over.
Parents need to make sure they hire the best nanny that they can afford, and keep the quotient of nannies that are hired, at an above average stereotype.
Wow. This is the first thing I have read on this site that made an ounce of sense. You are right on every point in my mind. I am a SAHM and do not even hold myself to the standards I hear some here profess to keep for thenmselves and others.
I also agree with the comment about not being sure if a person actually is the nanny or mom, stepmom, aunt, ect. I can not count the number of times I have been asked if I was my daughter's nanny. People seriously need to concentrate on making themselves better people and spend less time worrrying about what other people are doing. But then if everyone did that this slimy site would not exist.
slimy site? you got some nerve! if you don't like it, get the hell off!
Slimy sight? Mind your business? Honey, my business is your child when you cross my path and are screaming at, slapping, kicking, pinching, flicking, cursing or otherwise abusing your child in my presence, whether you are an asshole nanny or a derelict sahm, I don't give a rat's ass, I will not mind my own business. I will most certainly use my voice to stand up for the child that you are mistreating.
Is 10:44 the resident evil?
There are millions and millions of blogs and websited.
Amount of time I spend on websites and blogs I do not like = 0 minutes.
Get a grip.
calif nanny here...
I read this site every night I get off work and then I thank god I work for the families I work for. I basically have no limits to where I can or can not take their kids. I work for 3 different families part time each. We go to Disneyland, the park, different indoor playgrounds etc., malls, even to my house to play with my dogs. I am treated with such respect and admiration for the job I do with their children and how patient I am. I read this site and cant imagine having some of the jobs these gals have. Or being the kind of nanny you all complain about. This past 4 years has been the best of my 11 yrs as a nanny.
Naturally, when we are out in public, we do not know if the stranger we see mistreating a child is truly a nanny. I am sure that by now, most people who visit this site are aware that there's a fairly large margin
for error, but it's in the observing of the scenario that we often pick up the needed clues to correctly determine that it's a nanny.
If it isn't, well, then the description given in the sighting might just as well lead someone to out another errant childcare giver, whatever his or her relationship to the child might be. This does not make a sighting any less important for it is the child who is most important in any sighting.
I also agree that it is possible it was just a bad day that the nanny, aunt, grandpa, mother, etc. was having. Yes, it's possible, but how would we know that? If something doesn't look right, I say err on behalf of the child rather than remain quiet.
Excellent point Lorenza.
I agree, Lorenza. Excellent point. And I must say, those that post, "how do you know it was the mommy or the nanny?" - grate my last nerve.
We are not there, but as Lorenza describes, the OP can deduce from watching the scene whether or not it is ... or perhaps at the very least make an educated guess. I assume most reporters to this site are not idiots, so give them the benefit of the doubt.
And to "perfectly round ass":
You have just made my day! Love your post!
Who do you think you are? A nanny god? There is a reason for this site and it is not for what you posted. ALWAYS error on the side of the child, it is up to the people or parent who read it to decide what they want to do.
hey..round ass..I would love to run into you when I am spanking my child for not listening in a public store. No doubt you would butt in and..it would be the last time you would butt in..I'd go to jail alright..but not for child abuse!
your only business is yourself and your own children..if you have a problem..report it to the police..thats what they get paid for..when you do it you make things worse for the kid ya dumbass!!!
Good luck 10:16.
"Round ass" packs heat. She be gonna pop a cap in your sorry behind!
(hehehe)
Oops. That was me at 11:30. Just playin...
Hmmm..
So your response to my suggesting that I would not stand silent while a child was subjected to any abuse is to threaten to beat/abuse/spank me in front of your child? And jail is a perfectly acceptable destination.
LMAO @ mom!!!! :)
hahahah too funny!
Cornville??? Please tell me your perfectly round ass does not hail from Cornville!
Are there even any perfectly round asses there???
round ass..yes, if you do anything other than call the police..it would most likley start an otherwise unfreindly confrontation between us. You want to protect children. call the cops..let them do their job..pissing of a parent who is already in the midst of beating/abusing a child is putting that child in more danger. Whe will you dumbasses figure it out??!!
Spanking,though you may not agree is not abuse nor is it ilegal!
and round ass..I doubt your ass is as perfectly round as you would like to think! mind your business!
round ass..did you just ask me to spank you??I am not into that..not for pleasure anyhow!!!! So yes, you might get a smack down..but sorry no spankings for you!!!though I see you are very into your ass!!
On the subject of spanking, allow me to say one thing that has not been said on this blog about spanking. And that is this, set aside for one minute the act of hitting a child and the act of punishing a child.
This is what we don't know. If a diabetic needs injected on a daily basis to live, what happens if you give her salt water instead of insulin and package it in an insulin labeled vial? It looks like insulin. The eyes are fooled. Right? You think you are getting real insulin in your blood. But it isn't, so what happens? It doesn't work. So you may soon faint or stop breathing or die. Not good, right? The body recognizes that the insulin isn't insulin. What part of the body is it that tells you that it isn't working? Because your head and eyes saw the insulin go in. And how did you immediately know the insulin was fake? Well? You couldn't have. If the next bag was fake as well. So the doctors would race around and try and find out what the problem was. In the end, they would find out, but hopefully it wouldn't be too late.
So now consider this. You are a child. And you have needs. These needs are the sum of what one needs to evolve into an emotionally stable, happy adult. The formula is out there yet, we just haven't figured it out. Let's call this combination of things which would include nurturing, reassurance, making the child feel safe, a bushel of confidence, intellectual stimulation, complete acceptance as an individual, etc. Let's call this combination "Nurturbotics" . A child needs "Nurturbotics" to became a well developed, emotionally stable, confident, happy, adjusted and stimulated to learn adult. And a child can only get this from the adults. (As evolution progressed human fathers became able to provide 50% of the child's "Nurturbotics", previously the ratio was 44%. And that was the max amount).
Now you may think you know the right combination of parenting that release the "Nurturbotics" your child needs, but you don't yet. It's not possible to know yet because we don't know the extent of what a developing embryo retains subconsciously or the extent of memories from birth. And until we know that, we cannot possibly reach the max "Nurturbotics" possible.
One thing I am sure contributes to "Nurturbotics" in children is the tone of voice you use. I think screaming at or around children is traumatic. I think that when a child is injured at a young age, before two or so, it takes away from the score of the parent or parents who allowed the child to get injured. This includes injuries where the child bumps her head or skins her knee and looks at you.
Another thing that we know affects the children is consistency. Inconsistency in even the most positive of parenting styles in viewed as trickery. Think of Pavlov and his dog. You ring a bell. You get a dog pellet. Action. Result/consequence. That is where we have failed mankind. So now we look to the state. Now we are reliant on police and courts to enforce the laws. And they do inconsistently. We look to them to punish firmly and fairly. They are inconsistent. And so goes the cycle when you don't understand the importance of consistency. You need also to ponder daily the magic formula of "Nurturbotics" and think carefully about the needs you fulfill in your child.
It will be years and years before we realize all we should have done. One thing I am certain of is that you should not hit a child. And when you do hit/spank a child, you damage that child for life. You negatively impair the child's "Nurturbotics". Now you want to know how I know this is? Just as there are symptoms to every disease, there is a disease yet to be diagnosed that is caused by parents who spank their children. This disease would be classified as a mental disorder. Some of those with this yet to be diagnosed spanking victim disorder will go on to perpetuate the cycle of spanking. Some will appreciate that they were victims and vow not to repeat the cycle. And the remaining? They will remain damaged, definitely repeat the cycle of spanking and dull their own emotions to the shame, hurt and embarrassment that spanking caused. "I spank you because I love you" and "this hurts me more than it hurts you" will culminate in a crescendo of anxiety, denial, sexual deviancy, depression, repression,restless leg syndrome, ambivalence, shame, exaggeration, pyromania, night terrors, fever, thrush, neck pain, flatulence, bulimia, fungus infections and erectile dysfunction. Yes, they will live as victims who oppress their very victimness by claiming they were not victims but deserved what they got, it was their fault and so the cycle is repeated.
"Nurturbotics" guidelines 1984
The guidelines simply state, this is the maximum you can attain, work everyday to strive for it and include people in your life that help you get the total to 100%.
Mother can provide maximum 56%
Father can provide maximum 44%
Maternal Grandmother 25%
Maternal Grandfather 20%
Maternal Aunt 10%
Maternal Uncle 1%
Paternal Grandmother 23%
Paternal Grandfather 16%
Paternal Aunt 8%
Paternal Uncle < 1%
Adopted Parent 44%
Foster Parent 39%
Nanny/Babysitter 4%
Relative (Other) 4%
Teacher 1.5%
Clergy 3%
"Nurturbotics" guidelines 2006
Mother can provide maximum 50%
Father can provide maximum 50%
Maternal Grandmother 30%
Maternal Grandfather 24%
Maternal Aunt 14%
Maternal Uncle 2%
Paternal Grandmother 28%
Paternal Grandfather 17%
Paternal Aunt 9%
Paternal Uncle 9%
Adopted Parent 49%
Foster Parent 43%
Nanny/Babysitter 25%
Relative (Other) 6%
Teacher NOT ADVISED
Clergy NOT ADVISED
Round as makes some good points. Stop focusing on the ripeness of her buttocks and listen for a moment.
I really tried to get through your post I♥Steve. I understand and agree with the 'meat' of it, but it was really too convoluted for me to finish.
Thanks for posting it, though.
.... now where's my aspirin?
Steve,
You really need to blog this stuff. Please stop cutting and pasting studies done from the early 80's.
Jane, come one. Please?
R.Ass might be taken more seriously if she used a different moniker.
Well... I wasn't spanked too often as a child, but I did get told to "pick my own switch" and was warned that it "better be a good one" so that I could get a few flicks on my legs or bottom every once in a while. It was very effective! Yes, I probably DID deserve it! I don't have any of the listed problems (anxiety, denial, sexual deviancy, depression, repression,restless leg syndrome, ambivalence, shame, exaggeration, pyromania, night terrors, fever, thrush, neck pain, flatulence, bulimia, fungus infections and erectile dysfunction)... on a side note, I would also get my mouth washed out with soap by my awesome grandma if I said words as mild as "poop" or "caca", and that was a highly effective punishment as well!
Unusual moniker, funny moniker, offensive moniker .... as long as it grabs peoples attention, right? Nothing wrong with that.
A Texas Nanny
I turned out pretty good myself even though I received the occasional spanking and tasted a few different brands of soap.
But I certainly don't advocate physical puishment.
I remember having to go and "pick my own switch", too. Like a dummy, I picked the real long skinny one ... not knowing it would hurt like hell and wrap around my legs a few times.
Ah, memories .....
puishment > punishment
You can skip IloveSteve's posts if you don't like em. Or you can tune in and see the real deal. We all have our points to make. I should know.
I love Steve,
I've already seen that news piece, it's kind of old.
What does it have to do with this thread? And why are you so obsessed with Steve Bartelstein?
Just curious.
Steve, if you want to see the "real deal" then check out Tom Felton singing on YouTube.
That, my dear is the "real deal."
And no, it has nothing to do with childcare.
So what. He is one hawt hawt Slytherin...
Word.
anon @ 137,
it looks like a collection of bartelstein's body of work.
it isn't one vid.
I love Round Ass' name! Don't change it.
a texas nanny...Amen!
sometimes u shock me MOM
Anon1
It took you THIS long to be shocked?? LMAO
Just kidding, Mom! Hahaha!
That's OK. Sometimes I even shock myself.
If you mean about the spanking thing I should probably clarify. I'll do that later because I have to go now.
I just don't think kids psyches melt from a rare spanking or two...although I object vehemently to using oblects...switches, belts, etc.
I was spanked and also do not have any of the symptoms a texas nanny mentioned.
I may be skewed by the experience of my family though. My sister was not spanked and I was. (They decided by the time she came along that spanking was wrong...but kept on with me anyway...go figure.) But today I am a normal happy person with boundaries, morals, common sense and sense of consequences. She is none of those things and has, at the age of 40, yet to understand that there is a cause and effect relationship between our actions and the consequences that follow them.
I'll explain more later. My three kids got a total lifetime count together of less spankings than I can count on my hands...but they're all great, respectful, normal people today...also with none of the symptoms a texas nanny mentioned. And I can't tell you how many times I was greeted at the school with comments like, "We love your kids. They are so respectful and well behaved," or "I wish all of the kids in my class were like (your child."
Not because they were afraid, but because they learned to have respect and how to act appropriately in different situations.
actually mom I was referring to you loving the name 'R Ass'! my my!
Anon1
I knew what you meant!! LOL
.... but Mom brings up spanking?
Hee-hee
(I bet hubby's happy!) ☺
Oh, that's nothing! I have been chuckling over that name all day!
Most people freak out over the spanking issue..one way or the other...but people have such strong opinions on that issue I always hate to even see it come up. So I just assumed....
yeah ........... riiiiiight! hahaha!
I got the giggles myself over ol' round ass! I kinda like the name, too.
We need some more clever names on this Blog!
your right we do need more unusual names.
I hate to ask, but who the @$+* is Steve Bartelstein?
11:16 just sounds like the type of hillbilly trash who resorts to backhanding toddlers and screeching at them because she has so far failed to earn their trust or respect, and that is why they won't listen to her.
Cali,
I do hafta say I got that impression too. I pictured her dragging her child through the store by the arm, not bothering to even slow her pace while swatting angrily at his behind as he screeches and struggles frantically to cover his hiney with his free hand and sit down on the ground to escape the blows. I hate seeing people do that. It's where people get the idea that all people who spank are idiots who lay around on the sofa all day watching Jeopardy reruns, eating cheetos and smacking their kids in the mouth for saying "I'm hungry" while the tv is on.
If your child is having trouble in the store, get down on his eye level and speak to him, or take him outside...or better yet, take him home for the nap he probably needs and shop another time. What are you buying that is so darned important that you can't be bothered to even slow your pace to make an effort to be a decent parent?
If I saw you paddling your child in the store 11:16, I would say something too. And you don't want to even try to hit me, I guarantee it.
Get her, Ma!!
Cali
Hes a newsreporter in the NY area. I believe hes also battling cancer?
Am I right or wrong?
You nannies make it sound like children everywhere are being beaten on every street corner. I agree that some nannies and parents are not as attentive as they should be but do we really need nannies to police the world of childhood. Isn't that what social services is for. You are not so important after all, and that is the real problem isn't it?
By the way, I come here for the slimy stuff.
12:02
If you come here for the slimy stuff, what does that make you?
hmmm I guess that makes her a "SLIMEBALL"
Heh-hee, my thoughts exactly, 3:26.
You sure the right label is "her"?
Come on we all love a little slimy stuff or you girls would not be discussing every one elses business on the web.
Well, then the same goes for you, 1:14. How do you know we're all "girls"??
Maybe that is 'your' opinion, 1:14, and you are entitled to 'your' opinion, although I consider 'your' opinion to be totally clueless. That doesn't describe the posters or people who frequent this blog. I would consider them to be child advocates.
Child advocates are much better educated than most nannies on this site. nannies are paid to follow choldren around and wipe snotty noses, not much more, certainly not to make decisions about child welfare. Most of what I have see here is just differences in childrearing not abuse or neglect.
Do tell, 10:46? Are you so thick that you do not realize that anyone can be a child advocate? Also, by reading your post, I deduce that you are not the sharpest tool in the drawer. Does that mean you are a nanny since your post indicates your belief that most nannies on here are not well educated?
I have been on this blog for awhile and have seen many incidents of abuse described in various sightings. Either you haven't been around long, have little reading comprehension or subscribe to treating children badly. Which is it?
Funny Funny Girl you are. No I am not a nanny. Try- Parent. Rich, White , and way more educated than you I am sure.
11:09
you forgot to include bitch and nightmare to your description.
Hmm, so now the troll feasts on caviar? Sprak nailed it, LOL!
10:46,
I have to agree with Sprak: you don't seem like the fastest seeker on the pitch. Your words about child advocacy speak very loudly of your ignorance on the topic. Do you even know what child advocacy is?
That being said, you may be rich and white, but I am most certain that if Michael Pitt had the chance to hang out with either you or me, he would choose me.
Just saying.
Word.
Aha umasss...I was wondering if you were a Potter fan. Does the "seeker" comment confirm that for me?
Yes, mom.
It sure does.
:)
Cool. My kids have alays loved those books, so I was reading them to my youngest before they could read alone (saw older bro with them and HAD to be in on the fun!)They are great stories and exceptionally well written. And we have seen every movie on opening night as they come out...usually at midnight...arrrggh (why do they do that on WEEKNIGHTS?!)
We have been to buy each new book on the release date, also at midnight (and again, arrrgghhh!)
For these book buying parties, the stores hold big parties, to which my children go dressed as either Harry or Hermione each time. This was convenient enough, since they ordinarily dressed the same at halloween. I made many Harry Potter costumes as they grew. (My dad even went out and bought a lathe in order to make intricately turned wands for my daughter...and some of her dolls too!) Finally, two books ago I decided to just go all out and make one final, really beautiful, elaborate Hermione cape for my daughter and make it extra long so she could wear it until she was grown. Naturally, she immediately stopped growing upon its completion, and when she wore it this last year it was still grazing the ground! But she was happy.
hear hear the same goes for when hiring a nanny hire them based on their qualifications not their blasted gender!! you can have a female nanny whose just as good qualiciations wise but can be a predator!! statistics mean JACK!
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