tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post5633724067926757..comments2024-03-19T03:27:24.068-04:00Comments on I SAW YOUR NANNY: In Response to the “Dear Smug Nanny” PostLeigh Raymerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210572527823459842noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-2555204215753029692009-01-16T23:26:00.000-05:002009-01-16T23:26:00.000-05:00Yes hooey, what you just said was very simplistic,...Yes hooey, what you just said was very simplistic, not to mention more than a little stupid. It had nothing to do with what I said though, so my guess is that either you are a bitter babysitter who always wishes she could get that steak and lobster salary but hasn't yet found the right suckers, or you were just trying to get responses by making yourself spund stupider than you actually are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-8531044279082897122009-01-16T22:02:00.000-05:002009-01-16T22:02:00.000-05:00So I think the distinction cali mom is making is t...So I think the distinction cali mom is making is that babysitters raise kids who understand that the sun doesn't shine out of their butts, other people are not at their beck and call, and that sometimes unjust things happen to good people. <BR/><BR/>Whereas NANNIES raise sniffling balls of neurosis who think that the world will do their bidding and that teachers, co-workers, and figures of authority are there to serve them.<BR/><BR/>Come on people, isn't this a little simplistic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-23501995477100495842009-01-16T18:04:00.000-05:002009-01-16T18:04:00.000-05:00I rather babysit because I get paid more. And tre...I rather babysit because I get paid more. And treated better. When babysitting on occasional weekend nites the family is more generous. And your basically hanging out with the kidsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-80853286187824726442009-01-16T03:38:00.000-05:002009-01-16T03:38:00.000-05:00Thank you so much! I worked for a family for two ...Thank you so much! I worked for a family for two years, and loved their children to pieces, and felt that I did so much more than a babysitter would. Yet one day while on vacation with the family the mother and I started talking about this very subject, and the mother told me that she considered me to be a babysitter. Don't get me wrong, this was a great family to work for, and babysitters are great. But I considered myself to be so much more than that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-47022334718393826952009-01-16T00:49:00.000-05:002009-01-16T00:49:00.000-05:00There has ever really only ever been one American ...There has ever really only ever been one American SUPER nanny and she knows who she is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-29788242847260945142009-01-16T00:20:00.000-05:002009-01-16T00:20:00.000-05:00OP was responding to the rant referring to nannies...OP was responding to the rant referring to nannies as "glorified babysitters". I don't think the issue is whether or not there are good babysitters.<BR/>Certainly there are babysitters who play with the children, read to them etc. The difference between the jobs is in the expectations and responsibilities. <BR/> I, and many nannies I know, do occasional evening and weekend babysitting for other families. <BR/><BR/>As Cali Mom pointed out.<BR/>"A babysitter will NOT do such things as make judgement calls, research educational activities for the kids (music/movement classes, etc), or reasearch schools when the time comes on behalf of the parents and kids, and then have an informed discussion with the parents on the available options."<BR/><BR/>I do these things for my nanny family, and mostly on my own time. I also purchase most of the children's clothes, plan their birthday parties, and schedule their Dr. appointments. I don't do those things for the families I babysit for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-27481386059269657602009-01-15T22:59:00.000-05:002009-01-15T22:59:00.000-05:00LOL VinnyAnd I don't agree with the put down of wh...LOL Vinny<BR/><BR/>And I don't agree with the put down of what a babysitter does. I babysat in the past. Who said babysitters don't read to the kids. Take them out to the park or playdates. Last time I remember I did all that. And no I didn't just sit on my ass while they ran around. I interacted with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-84703674639685854022009-01-15T21:19:00.000-05:002009-01-15T21:19:00.000-05:00This was boring as watching my grandmother take a ...This was boring as watching my grandmother take a crap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-68332872213809265772009-01-15T20:55:00.000-05:002009-01-15T20:55:00.000-05:00Good analogy Cali mom and well said!! I totally a...Good analogy Cali mom and well said!! I totally agree with everything you said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-50673135710684461862009-01-15T20:32:00.000-05:002009-01-15T20:32:00.000-05:00I think Manhattan nanny said it pretty well. I was...I think Manhattan nanny said it pretty well. <BR/><BR/>I was thinking about this yesterday and saw two examples of babysitters at the playground. There were 2 toddlers, a boy and a girl, boy about 15 mos, girl about 20 mos. The girl snatched a shovel straight out of the boy's hand. Her babysitter spoke to her in Spanish, telling her ot was not OK to take the boy's shovel, and she needed to give it back. She listened to the lady, considered for a moment, then decided to ignore her completely and wandered off to play, shovel still in her hand. The babysitter never left her spot or pursued it any further. The boy meanwhile, stood looking stunned, sad, and very confused about what had happened and what he should do next. His babysitter meanwhile, had been on the phone for a good half hour at that point, keeping an occasional eye on him, and was completely unaware that he had just had his toy snatched right out of his hand by an older child. Neither child at any time within the 2 hours or so, ever attempted to interact with their caregiver in any way. Not to show them anything, say a word to them, ask them to play with them, ask them questions, nothing. <BR/><BR/>I think it pretty much comes down to this: a babysitter "watches" kids and does nothing beyond keep them safe, fed and reasonably unsoiled. A babysitter will not interact more than necessary with the kids, let alone teach them things such as effective communication, appropriate social interactions, or any form of academics, numbers/letters, shapes, colors, etc. A babysitter will NOT do such things as make judgement calls, research educational activities for the kids (music/movement classes, etc), or reasearch schools when the time comes on behalf of the parents and kids, and then have an informed discussion with the parents on the available options. A babysitter will not WANT to do anything more than make sure the kids are still breathing when parents come home.<BR/><BR/>Now, there is nothing wrong with going to the Burger King drive thru instead of sitting down for a steak and lobster feast, or hiring a babysitter instead of a nanny. IMO, the problems arise when either parents try to get the steak and lobster for the price of the #3 combo meal, or babysitters want the steak and lobster salary in exchange for slinging a burger. <BR/><BR/>So parents must understand the market, and if their budget only allows for a babysitter, they should scale back their requirements. And if a nanny IS a nanny and not a babysitter and sees a job advertised for a babysitter's salary, it should not concern her or him. As long as you aren't being forced to eat the Big Mac combo, you can't get upset that someone wants to order one. Also IMO, it has nothing to do with how long you work for a family, how many hours per week, salary, etc. Strictly what the employee does or does NOT do makes the definition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-57626115142059180142009-01-15T20:21:00.000-05:002009-01-15T20:21:00.000-05:00Phoebe: This post is wonderful. You must be a park...Phoebe: This post is wonderful. You must be a park bench nanny if you said this post was lame. Don't get mad at the nannies who do their job the way it should be done, when you yourself can't handle being a nanny.<BR/><BR/>Decompensating: I am giggling as I write this. I get dizzy spells, headaches and blink too much when I read Em's comments. Perhaps Em is from Oz? I always wondered how Dorothy felt after the tornado. Perhaps Em might know.<BR/><BR/>OP, you said it best. There are differences between being a nanny and a babysitter. Problem is, many parents are unsure of what they want in a caregiver. I personally think some parents are intimidated in some way by nannies with portfolios, WA's, tax information and the whole nine. It amazes me as to how some families look for nanny after nanny.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-44007318062076695592009-01-15T17:18:00.000-05:002009-01-15T17:18:00.000-05:00This is a lame post. I'm too lazy to type out ever...This is a lame post. I'm too lazy to type out everything lame about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-66454857789003016292009-01-14T22:35:00.000-05:002009-01-14T22:35:00.000-05:00I was also a babysitter for years and years before...I was also a babysitter for years and years before being considered a nanny. I babysat and still did many of the things a nanny does, however I was a teenager and babysat for many families in the neighborhood.<BR/><BR/>OP - I thought your post was great. It was well written and not argumentative. I agree with you and you sound like a great nanny.<BR/><BR/>I too feel very lucky to have found the main family I work for. Nanny can sometimes be more of a household manager or partner in parenting, while babysitter usually just takes care of the kids and maybe a few simple chores relating to the kids.<BR/><BR/>I don't know... I also agree the word doesn't matter as much as how great the nanny-family relationship is and how well the children are taken care of.<BR/><BR/>I think you can also be a babysitter for one family (work the occasional weekend date night) and be a full time (or pt) nanny for another family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-2703319023986600212009-01-14T20:49:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:49:00.000-05:00Well sure, With Honors, it can be said either way....Well sure, With Honors, it can be said either way. However, one way is correct and one is not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-9417822700593394662009-01-14T20:48:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:48:00.000-05:00Hey - OP here...thanks for the supportive comments...Hey - OP here...thanks for the supportive comments! It seems like most people on here are either complaining or asking for advice so it's nice to hear from other people who are happy with their jobs.<BR/><BR/>And to anyone who thinks that I'm putting down baby-sitters, I'm definitely not. I baby-sat for years and years and know how tough (and rewarding) it can be. I was responding more to the idea of a baby-sitter that was talked about in the other post -- the one who shows up on a Friday night and parks kids in front of the TV with pizza and then puts them to bed so they can relax on their own. Maybe I misread the post, but when they referred to nannies as "glorified baby-sitters" that is what I took as their meaning. Again, this is NOT an anti-sitter post...I just wanted to point out that all childcare providers are not equal and you shouldn't judge the good ones based on the bad. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-57067851818911309262009-01-14T20:37:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:37:00.000-05:00Em is Decompensating i.e."In a mental health sense...Em is Decompensating i.e."In a mental health sense" - LOL<BR/><BR/>Right on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-72827202526175824922009-01-14T20:33:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:33:00.000-05:00Genius, and I beg to differ on that, it can be sai...Genius, and I beg to differ on that, it can be said either way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-21681168537130936532009-01-14T20:32:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:32:00.000-05:00I've said it before and I'll say it again: I serio...I've said it before and I'll say it again: I seriously think Em has some sort of mental illness. Increasingly rambling, perseverative, disorganized, and tangential posts keep on coming.<BR/><BR/>The most recent above was summarized pretty well by "You're a Genius Em."<BR/><BR/>Em, Please get some help! <BR/><BR/>If anyone knows her personally, please consider having a talk with her and finding out if you can help her out. I know it's easy to just discount her posts as personality, but the most recent is truly worrisome. I know it seems short and harmless in isolation, but consider how odd it truly is. Combine this with the multiple posts, late night hours, all day long posting, and rambling/disorganization and I truly think it's cause for concern.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-80827070301174041012009-01-14T20:29:00.000-05:002009-01-14T20:29:00.000-05:00I'm not K:Do you mean "come naturally?"I can send ...I'm not K:<BR/><BR/>Do you mean "come naturally?"<BR/><BR/>I can send you some websites about grammar if you're interested.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-47038646171427813392009-01-14T19:47:00.000-05:002009-01-14T19:47:00.000-05:00Nice post OP.I think one reason many people rail a...Nice post OP.<BR/>I think one reason many people rail against "over paid, lazy nannies" is this. There are many "faux" nannies that are all too visible on the streets and in the playgrounds neglecting or mistreating their charges. That coven of harpies sitting on the playground bench all afternoon while their charges are ignored should not be called nannies. Why do parents hire them? They will work off the books.<BR/>Another reason: some parents have very low standards of care. They don't expect much beyond "watching" their children. That is feed, change, and keep them alive. An easy job, requiring no qualifications, and not worth much pay.<BR/>Parents who are knowledgeable about child development, brain plasticity during the first three years, and are concerned about their children's education and social development hire well qualified professional nannies. You won't hear them complaining about their nanny being over paid, lazy or entitled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-88237525389206781442009-01-14T19:27:00.000-05:002009-01-14T19:27:00.000-05:00You're a genius Em, Are you TRYING to look like an...You're a genius Em, <BR/>Are you TRYING to look like an idiot, or does it come natural?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-43063541608116135872009-01-14T19:25:00.000-05:002009-01-14T19:25:00.000-05:00I haven't read it either! I just came here to comm...I haven't read it either! I just came here to comment real quick and let everyone know that I'm pretty sure i don't agree, even though I don't really know what you're saying!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-27167383415880766752009-01-14T19:04:00.000-05:002009-01-14T19:04:00.000-05:00Hmm, I only read the first sentence of each point,...Hmm, I only read the first sentence of each point, and I'm not sure I agree, but I'll be back to read it later.<BR/>Seems like it's knocking babysitters? I hope not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-31355800454548806252009-01-14T16:16:00.000-05:002009-01-14T16:16:00.000-05:00I am a full-time SAHM. But I do babysit on weeken...I am a full-time SAHM. But I do babysit on weekend nites to make extra money. Even though I am considered just a babysitter. I still do the same work a nanny would do. But of course with less hours, and no driving. I have cleaned up vomit. Have helped a child that must have had a stomache bug. And yes I was afraid I would bring it home. But I didn't I guess my body must have a pretty good resistance now.<BR/><BR/>I give the kids a bath. Make dinner, etc. And even though never asked I do little things as: empty or fill dishwasher. Sweep the floors. Just to be nice.<BR/>Since they are great to me and usually pay me more than $15 per hour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-29922675525258589092009-01-14T15:33:00.000-05:002009-01-14T15:33:00.000-05:00A nanny who cares"I was one of the nannies who wro...A nanny who cares<BR/>"I was one of the nannies who wrote in for the holiday bonus survey that got no monetary bonus or paid time off for Christmas, however they gave me some very generous gifts that showed a lot of effort and reflection in picking out. I was very pleased and knew they gave me more than they could afford, as the parents didn't even get to exchange gifts this year."<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings here, and you may very well be a great nanny, but I think your Employers are trying to live above their means. They want the honor of saying "we have a nanny", but truthfully, if they are so broke that they can't afford to buy each other Christmas presents, I think they should either look into a licensed Daycare nearby, or hire a babysitter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com