As Technology Advances Hidden Cameras Multiply
They're easy to hide, cheap to buy, and simple to use. Evolving technology makes them more useful than ever. They can ease personnel costs, reassure parents who employ baby-sitters and boost security....
What are your thoughts on the use of Nanny Cams?
30 comments:
I am a nanny and I work for a family for almost one year and they have a hidden camera in the Kitchen, my Boss told me, he says that he put it to his old nanny, but is still there, and I saw it already, of course that must have in some more places also, but he won't tell me! I think is a great idea to the parents, to avoid the nannies to do something bad with the kids, speacially ifd there is a baby involved, here there is no babies and the kids can tell the parents better about me then a camera. I don't like just because it take away my privacy, not because I will do anything wrong, or have done but I don't know, I don't like the idea that someone is watching me all the time, not even if where my famliy or friends. But now I think when I have my own nanny for sure I will do that, put a hidden camera, is a great idea to the Parents!
I wouldn't use one, personally. Just my opinion. Instead, I would do unexpected "drop ins" or have family or friends do unexpected "drop ins" for me: it works the same way as a nanny cam if you ask me.
If I were a nanny, I would not have a problem if my employer had one as long as they told me beforehand and if they signed a statement that said that the tapes would not be shared with anyone outside the family or transmitted in any way. Because if I wound up on youtube picking a wedgie I would sue the bejesus out of them.
I am a nanny and would prefer not to be on a nanny cam. I agree that it is really smart for parents to drop in unexpected or send neighbors over to "check-in". I know parents are only concerned for thier childrens well being but I ust think it infringes on privacy. What if I spilled something on my shirt and took it off to put in the washer or picked my nose lol. I don't want my employer watching that. Plus, unless you have one in every room of the house the nanyn could be doing something you still are not even aware of.
I feel like we've had this discussion a million times about the pros and cons of nanny cams.
Myself, I would feel inhibited by one even though there is never anything I have to hide, quite the contrary. However, the issue of worrying about being modest in EVERY direction; do I look okay; oh, my, gosh . . .do I really wanna be acting like a monkey on video for mommy and daddy to laugh at? I would be so worried about looking proper and etc., that it would totally inhibit me from a normal day.
As Umass said: Come home early, drop in unexpected, etc. I'll be absolutely delighted for you to catch me doing what I do best: Loving and caring fro your child!
It may have been discussed before but probably because of a post, if I'm not mistaken, a few months back about a nanny that thought she was being taped, but I can't remember having debated about the pros and cons of it.
I think as far as pros go: the parents will have piece of mind, and to be honest, so would I. I've seen friends accused of taking things that didn't belong to them and had there been a canera it might've proven them innocent.
(not too many pros, huh?)
Cons: I don't want to be caught picking a wedgie either, or re-adjusting my bra/boobs.. basically any obnoxious compromising position. I also fear some over-zealous parent putting the video on youtube. I remember once a nanny got caught dancing or something, and the parents thought it'd be cute to put it up there. Sorry, that is not cute. Or cool.
But these are the opinions of a nanny.
If I were a parent, I would say hopefully I've done my homework enough that I've picked the right nanny.. but you can never be to sure, or careful. So, as a parent , I can see why they'd want to use it.
Yikes!lol. piece>peace of mind
I am very divided on nanny cams. I don't agree with them for a few reasons. 1) If the parents suspect ANYTHING... your gut is a lot better than a camera. 2) It's kinda an invasion of privacy. I have showered plenty of times at my nanny house, and then run to get the baby (if she woke up during my shower) with just a bra on. I would be mortified if the dad had come to me and said "oh, we have had a nanny cam on you..." OMG! I guess these are the main points... trust your gut. WHY wait for something to happen on camera if you suspect something?? And if you do choose to have one, I feel as though it should be disclosed... we don't want to be caught on tape picking our noses!
The long and short of it is that I don't see anything wrong with it as long as the nanny knows the camera is being used.
First of all, if you see, or even suspect any signs of abuse, don't leave your child in danger while you install a cam, fire the nanny! In every tape of abuse I've seen on the news, there were clear signs BEFORE the cam was installed.
I think it is a good idea for parents hiring a new nanny for an infant or preverbal toddler to use a cam the first few weeks. I have no problem with that, and I like the idea that they will be reassured that I am doing a great job.
If the children were older and I'd been with the family for some time I would feel it was a breach of trust. You don't need a cam to see that the children are happy, and they will tell you about their various activities. In those cases, I feel the parents are not concerned with the children's well being so much as whether or not the housekeeper or nanny is goofing off, and they aren't getting their money's worth.
As for seeing my monkey imitation, it is really good, so I don't mind.
I think parents who use nanny cams are
1) suffering from guilt that they are leaving their babies in the hands of others and losing out on the most important years of their children's lives that they will never ever ever get back no matter how much money they make working as quack doctors and quack lawyers and they feel if they buy a camera it magically makes them a better, more high-tech, wonderful parent. "We care enough for the very best for our child: only the most top of the line nanny cam will do. Their nanny? meh. Doesn't matter: we got ourselves a nanny-cam!!!!! If she abuses them, we will know!!! Oh: what? they will already have been abused? But...but..it's a TOP OF THE LINE CAMERA!!!! That makes everything alright.
2) too lazy to do unexpected drop-ins, although they convince themselves that they are simply too important to miss work or leave early and that the whole world will stop turning if they are not at their job. Their kids, however, will be just fine, even though they need a surveilance cam in order to sleep at night.
So sad.
I would never want to work for someone who felt the need for a nanny camera, personally. Drop in whenever you want, shadow me, have friends pop over to the park to catch me in action - but do not assume the worst about me! Honestly, if you do not have absolute trust in your caregiver, find a different one. Someone who wants to hurt a child will find a way. Check references (REALLY check references - there is nothing wrong with wanting first and last names, verifying addresses, etc), run a background check, and then take a deep breath and trust yourself and your decision. I really feel like nanny cameras create a false sense of security - when they "work" properly, you have already witnessed your child being mistreated and if they don't "work" at all (the smiling nanny on the camera is screaming at the park), you still will never know.
My boss used to do what I called "drive by drop in's " all the time.She had friends, aunts and grandma's drop in every once in a while too.
I always took pride that her four children,all under age 2, were happily involved in playing with me on the floof, with the littlest one, of course usually asleep in her swing or out for a walk in the baby buggy buit for 4 that she bought. Those visits stopped about 3 months into a 3 yr job. I loved my job and all I can say, Is as a mommy,If I had a nanny, I would most likely have a nanny cam until I felt comfortable enough to take it down.JMO
I babysat for a family that said they had a nanny cam (I don't believe the did but they said they did) Since I knew it ahead of time and I wasn't their nanny just an occasional sitter I didn't mind it, though I thought about the cam the entire time I babysat for their kid.
I am a nanny now and I would feel violated if I found out they had a hidden camera.
You should trust your nanny, if you think there is something to tape then you either need to find another nanny or think long and hard as to why you want to tape someone.
I agree 100% about dropping in unexpectedly on a nanny (works great at daycares too!) BUT I will say if it disturbs the routine then maybe it's better to find someone else to drop in. If you really want to see for yourself then I would say after hanging around for 5 or 10 min let the nanny go home for the day. Nothing is harder to deal with then a screaming child who doesn't understand why their mommy or daddy just came by for a 'visit'
As a nanny, I would understand why the parents would want a camera IN THE BEGINNING, if they have a young baby who cannot speak.
Otherwise, the parents should learn to trust the nanny after a period of time on camera, and get rid of the camera after a little while. If at least one of the children are capable of communicating well enough, I don't see the need for it at all.
As a nanny I would not want to be watched all day long. I think all people deserve to have privacey to be human.
I recently hired a nanny who traveled to us from California. She paid her own way. In our ad we said she would be monitored. So far we have paid for her ticket here and home. When she arrived she was so offended she ran for the airport. Her pay would have been 2k/week.
Now we start our search over. Its expensive to find someone. Please...READ THE ADS!!!
OK, time for the unpopular 2 cents.
I know some moms have NO choice as to whether they have to leave their children (and God bless those who don't)...but I am ever thankful that I had the choice. I would have been so extremely jealous to have had to leave my home everyday and go to another job while some other lady got the supreme privelege of being with my precious babies all day long. I'm just saying.....
I never used a nanny cam, but I agree, if you suspect something, why wait for the camera to confirm it for you?
I had a nanny who told me that a friend of hers who was a nanny, knew the family had a camera and would take their child out of view to spank her! Outrageous! They hired cheap and the camera didn't even catch what they were after. Something to think about...
lol@ captain hammered:
dude, did you explain to her that it would be a CAMERA monitoring her and not people? That may have been the deal breaker for her. You obviously did not communicate that to her properly if she was surprised.
Or perhaps it was that she did not like you guys when she met you? :)
2k a week? I would have let you film me showering for 2k a week, nevermind taking care of your children.
That's a nice salary.
jj,
I hope you are joking, hehe! I agree with you about taking care of the children, but not the showering part. I think that is called...becoming a porn star, if I'm not mistaken?? :) Yes, I hear that does pay well, however I would decline. lol
I am a very good professional experienced nanny. I am very uncomfortable with anyone videotaping me. I have nothing to hide but I am a rather shy person and I don't like anyone monitoring me. I would not take a job with a video camera and if I found a hidden one I would quit. I also agree that drop-ins are best if you are really worried about your nanny.
I'm definitely kidding. Just making a point that that's a nice salary for a nanny :-)
I had a drop in experience not long ago. My charge's father left for the morning, and he takes the bus into the city, so it's not like I'm used to them just stopping back for a minute or two. Anyway, I'm up in THEIR bathroom, in the bedroom, getting vaseline for dry skin around my chin, when I hear a loud male voice clearing his throat and footsteps pounding up the stairs. My charge and I froze like deer in headlights. Apparently he had been out selling his car that morning before work and he forgot his metro card at home. In my year and a half working for them, neither of them ever dropped in unexpectedly. I was convinced it was an intruder. In a split second I decided I was going to throw my charge into the closet, roll across their bed, grab the phone and somehow fall to the floor and roll under the bed to call 911. I'm not quick enough. Before I even moved, he was in his room. I obviously wasn't doing anything wrong, but it looked suspicious...Me standing there, scared as hell with a Vaseline covered Q tip in my hands, a shiny chin and my startled little charge next to me. It looked like I was raiding their their cabinets. It didn't help matters that for 10 minutes after, I was visibly shaking and barely able to form complete sentences. I was really convinced that nanny and her darling little charge were going to be murdered :-/
jj you are funny! :) hehehe!
Jerseyxjacqui" Loved your stoy!
I have a funny drop -in story too. It was naptime and my bra was killing me so I took it off under my sundress. All of a sudden, I heard the garage door open. I grabbed my bra and ran to the upstairs bathroom and just made it before their dad walked in the door! My heart was pounding so fast!
Why can't I say what I want...
why do the admin's keep removing a post that is within the guidelines of this group!
Why are you deleting my posts and viewpoints about this subject?
That I welcome families to nannycam me!
I'd love to show them the proper way to care for their children!!!!
If you look up when you're leaving a comment, right above the text box, it says ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED.
Or hey, maybe the MAN is after you.
Post a Comment