On Prospect Park West and Garfield Place at 11:30 today, Tuesday, 8/25. I was walking behind your nanny and her friend. You have a turquoise stroller and 2 adorable blond boys, one of whom was standing on the back of the stroller. Your younger one in the stroller was holding something in his right hand outside of the stroller. It was either a piece of an apple or a leaf. Your nanny SWATTED it out of his hand without saying a word and he started screaming. Her friend asked what happened, and she responded but I didn't hear what she said. At that point I walked past them and I told her that what she did was very mean, and that you don't just swat something out of a child's hand. She started yelling at me to mind my own business. She continued yelling while I was down at Union Street. When I doubled back (I was exercise walking) I reiterated that you don't treat people in your charge in such a mean way. BTW, your son was still crying.
Tuesday
Prospect Park West and Garfield Place - NY
Received Tuesday, August 25, 2009
On Prospect Park West and Garfield Place at 11:30 today, Tuesday, 8/25. I was walking behind your nanny and her friend. You have a turquoise stroller and 2 adorable blond boys, one of whom was standing on the back of the stroller. Your younger one in the stroller was holding something in his right hand outside of the stroller. It was either a piece of an apple or a leaf. Your nanny SWATTED it out of his hand without saying a word and he started screaming. Her friend asked what happened, and she responded but I didn't hear what she said. At that point I walked past them and I told her that what she did was very mean, and that you don't just swat something out of a child's hand. She started yelling at me to mind my own business. She continued yelling while I was down at Union Street. When I doubled back (I was exercise walking) I reiterated that you don't treat people in your charge in such a mean way. BTW, your son was still crying.
On Prospect Park West and Garfield Place at 11:30 today, Tuesday, 8/25. I was walking behind your nanny and her friend. You have a turquoise stroller and 2 adorable blond boys, one of whom was standing on the back of the stroller. Your younger one in the stroller was holding something in his right hand outside of the stroller. It was either a piece of an apple or a leaf. Your nanny SWATTED it out of his hand without saying a word and he started screaming. Her friend asked what happened, and she responded but I didn't hear what she said. At that point I walked past them and I told her that what she did was very mean, and that you don't just swat something out of a child's hand. She started yelling at me to mind my own business. She continued yelling while I was down at Union Street. When I doubled back (I was exercise walking) I reiterated that you don't treat people in your charge in such a mean way. BTW, your son was still crying.
Hate to play devil's advocate... but could there have been a bee or spider or something on whatever he was holding?
ReplyDeleteJust a possibility.
That is a possiblity, pick a name, but then wouldn't the nanny just have said that to OP? Like, "OH, I'd never do that but I saw a bug and got nervous" or something. And also attempt to calm the child, which it doesn't sound like she did.
ReplyDeleteKids are constantly grabbing foreign objects that end up in their mouths. I often take things from my daughter, knowing where it's heading next. She cries a bit and I don't care too much. What's the big deal here?
ReplyDeleteOP, if you had undermined me like that in front of my charges, I wouldn't have yelled, but I would have told you to MYOB. Though the nanny acted obnoxiously toward you, it was ridiculous of you to stick your nose in someone else's business when there was no danger to the child.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between a piece of an apple and a leaf and a child still young enough to be in a stroller is young enough to put foreign objects in his mouth. Kids want things they shouldn't have, responsible adults take those things away from them, and they get mad and cry. C'est la vie.
I have to validate this sighting. Yes, children do put foreign objects their mouths and yes, objects do need to be taken away but that is not the proper way to do it. The nanny should have taken the object while addressing the child appropriately,ei. "No, we don't put leaves in outr mouths, that's yucky..." If the child cried upon that discipline that's ok but compassion is part of the job and it sounds as if this nanny offered none.
ReplyDeletepick a name-
ReplyDeletethat was my first thought, too. if i saw a wasp, for instance, practically on my baby's hand, i would swat that apple away no question. I also would try to comfort my child (which I realize the nanny did not do), but I would be irritated if some random person criticized me without knowing the situation.
Swatting the "object" away without any explanation = bad mentoring.
ReplyDeleteBeing so nosey and obnoxious that you "parent" another adult = obnoxious uncalled for behavior .
Sorry OP, but this isn't monumental enough of a 'crisis' to have stuck your nose into someone else's business. The average person (though, they may have handled their reaction better) would have felt at least annoyed and/or irritated by your "scolding" . . .