Received on Wednesday, October 3, 2006
This occurred at 5:30pm on Tuesday
Nanny is African American, early 30s, wearing a tan top, very short hair & taking care of a girl (looks to be under 2) wearing a purple outfit) in a stroller; the baby was crying HYSTERICALLY for over 15 minutes;the nanny was pushing the stroller back and forth in place while ranting and raving out loud (there were 2-3 other nannies sitting in front of her) she was yelling to the other moms who were looking at her about how they were judging her because the baby was crying uncontrollably, and that she had no problem if anyone wanted to report her to her boss;she seemed a bit "off" and the poor baby was really crying hysterically.
Wednesday
Florida mother wants to know if she is being neurotic....
My husband and I hired a nanny two weeks ago. We don't have a nanny camera. This is our first nanny. We interviewed extensively. We don't have access to a great pool of "real nannies" because we don't live in a major metropolitan area. My husband really liked the nanny we found. No nonsense, strict, but with fair rules. She was also very articulate and dependable. I was not overwhelmingly fond of anyone we interviewed. Quite honestly returning to work was not something I was ready to do, but a very desirable slot came available and I would have been foolish to pass it up. Yesterday, I ran in to the neighborhood busy body. She is the sort of person who has previously told me that she was "aware" that I was not recycling because she heard bottles rattling when the garbage men took away my garbage. I am therefore inclined to dismiss most of what she says. She told me that she saw our new nanny at the park yesterday after school with our dog. My son is now three years old. The neighbor told me that the nanny was laying in the grassy area and when my son wanted to wander, i.e. towards the playground equipment, she threatened him by saying, "if you can't stay put I am going to take the leash off of {dog} and put it on you". This nanny isn't the sort that I would imagine joking. Additionally, I am unsettled by the news that taking my son to the park seemed to mean little more than laying by a tree with the dog tied to a tree. Am I being neurotic because I am not ready to be back at work or are these warning signs?
Calif. Baby Sitter Botches First Day on Job by Picking Up Wrong 5-Year-Old
Many thanks to Suzy from California who sent in this story.
Calif. Baby Sitter Botches First Day on Job by Picking Up Wrong 5-Year-Old From School..(read more)
Calif. Baby Sitter Botches First Day on Job by Picking Up Wrong 5-Year-Old From School..(read more)
Gap Kids Cherry Hill Mall, NJ
Receieved Wednesday, October 4, 2006
I was at the Gap shopping with my son and observed this interesting sight:
The woman was definitely the nanny. I was able to ascertain such because the nanny was of a different race than the child. Knock yourself out if you think that is a prejudicial observation, it's only deductive reasoning. The nanny was attractive and dressed very nicely; black pants, loafers and a red blouse. The child needed a haircut, had muddy blonde hair and green eyes and was probably six or seven years old. He had a hand held game system with him that he played the entire time. The clothing being selected was very definitely for this child as from time to time the nanny would solicit his opinion or hold something up to him. I was in line behind her. This was around three in the afternoon on Monday. The clerk asked the nanny if she realized that she had two different sizes in clothes. The nanny said yes. The nanny paid for the clothing (over two hundred dollars worth). Shortly after I left the store, I witnessed the nanny in the middle of the mall going through the bags and consdensing the bulk of purchases in to one bag. She handed bag two off to a friend/relative that was waiting outside the store. Clearly this is a case of a nanny shopping for her employer; someone who had been entrusted with her credit card who decided to seize the opportunity to get a little something extra for herself/her child/ her friend. Without trust, what is there?
I was at the Gap shopping with my son and observed this interesting sight:
The woman was definitely the nanny. I was able to ascertain such because the nanny was of a different race than the child. Knock yourself out if you think that is a prejudicial observation, it's only deductive reasoning. The nanny was attractive and dressed very nicely; black pants, loafers and a red blouse. The child needed a haircut, had muddy blonde hair and green eyes and was probably six or seven years old. He had a hand held game system with him that he played the entire time. The clothing being selected was very definitely for this child as from time to time the nanny would solicit his opinion or hold something up to him. I was in line behind her. This was around three in the afternoon on Monday. The clerk asked the nanny if she realized that she had two different sizes in clothes. The nanny said yes. The nanny paid for the clothing (over two hundred dollars worth). Shortly after I left the store, I witnessed the nanny in the middle of the mall going through the bags and consdensing the bulk of purchases in to one bag. She handed bag two off to a friend/relative that was waiting outside the store. Clearly this is a case of a nanny shopping for her employer; someone who had been entrusted with her credit card who decided to seize the opportunity to get a little something extra for herself/her child/ her friend. Without trust, what is there?
How to keep the kids safe, in day care or with a Saturday-night sitter
Many thanks to Janice from the Boston Area Nanny Support Group who suggested this article which discusses how parents can keep their children safe whether they are in daycare or home with a sitter.
Tuesday
Cold Stone Creamery Sacramento, CA
Received Tuesday, October 3, 2006
This happened at the Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream store) on Florin Road in Sacramento.
It happened on Friday, September 29. A nanny taking care of twins or two little girls close in age had two girls in a side by side stroller. The little girls were blonde, fair between 2 and 3. One of them was being fussy. One was not. They were both wearing lime colored shirts with like a pullover dress (the kind with two buttons at the top). The nanny got each girl a small cone. Then the nanny got her cone. The nanny was a large woman, maybe in her fifties. She seemed to be Hispanic, her English existed but was imperfect. Her appearance was neat. Styled short hair, she wore make up. Jeans. Hiking boots and I think a striped shirt. The fussy girl kept saying "want some yours" or something like that. The nanny was very dismissive saying "no, no you have your own". Finally, the nanny gave in and let the fussy girl have a lick. Then the other girl wanted a lick. The nanny begrudgingly agreed. You must know picture two little girls with miniscule vanilla cones and a nanny with a giant toppling cone, it would be abnormal if the kids did not want some. So then the nanny goes back to furiously ingesting her cone. The fussy girl asks again for "one more taste". The nanny ignored her and the little girl keeps kicking the stroller in such a way that the stroller was scooting. The nanny got mad and said something like "fine" and harshly offered the cone one more time. I don't know what she said but she was giving the child the evil eye. It was scary. Then the fussy girl went to hold it and knocked the cone so it fell into the stroller. With that the nanny picked up the cone and put it in the garbage and took the cones away from both girls and said "all done, no more". Needless to say, the girls were both screaming as the nanny pushed the stroller away. I mentioned this to a friend of mine and she told me I should put it on I say your nanny. I cannot imagine the way that these kids are treated outside of the public eye!
This happened at the Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream store) on Florin Road in Sacramento.
It happened on Friday, September 29. A nanny taking care of twins or two little girls close in age had two girls in a side by side stroller. The little girls were blonde, fair between 2 and 3. One of them was being fussy. One was not. They were both wearing lime colored shirts with like a pullover dress (the kind with two buttons at the top). The nanny got each girl a small cone. Then the nanny got her cone. The nanny was a large woman, maybe in her fifties. She seemed to be Hispanic, her English existed but was imperfect. Her appearance was neat. Styled short hair, she wore make up. Jeans. Hiking boots and I think a striped shirt. The fussy girl kept saying "want some yours" or something like that. The nanny was very dismissive saying "no, no you have your own". Finally, the nanny gave in and let the fussy girl have a lick. Then the other girl wanted a lick. The nanny begrudgingly agreed. You must know picture two little girls with miniscule vanilla cones and a nanny with a giant toppling cone, it would be abnormal if the kids did not want some. So then the nanny goes back to furiously ingesting her cone. The fussy girl asks again for "one more taste". The nanny ignored her and the little girl keeps kicking the stroller in such a way that the stroller was scooting. The nanny got mad and said something like "fine" and harshly offered the cone one more time. I don't know what she said but she was giving the child the evil eye. It was scary. Then the fussy girl went to hold it and knocked the cone so it fell into the stroller. With that the nanny picked up the cone and put it in the garbage and took the cones away from both girls and said "all done, no more". Needless to say, the girls were both screaming as the nanny pushed the stroller away. I mentioned this to a friend of mine and she told me I should put it on I say your nanny. I cannot imagine the way that these kids are treated outside of the public eye!
Mamaroneck Hotel Mamaroneck, NY
Received Tuesday, October 3, 2006
I have a nanny behaving not like a nannystory for you. She takes care of two kids and one is in school during the day. The 2 1/2 year old is not in school so she takes the kid with her like after lunch to meet up with her boyfriend at the Mamaroneck Hotel. She works as a nanny in Mamaroneck. Her boss has no idea she does this. And she gets paid good money as a nanny. I know she has done this at least twice. What do you think she is doing at a hotel for a few hours a day? She says the kid naps then. Seems wrong to me.
I have a nanny behaving not like a nannystory for you. She takes care of two kids and one is in school during the day. The 2 1/2 year old is not in school so she takes the kid with her like after lunch to meet up with her boyfriend at the Mamaroneck Hotel. She works as a nanny in Mamaroneck. Her boss has no idea she does this. And she gets paid good money as a nanny. I know she has done this at least twice. What do you think she is doing at a hotel for a few hours a day? She says the kid naps then. Seems wrong to me.
Regency Square Mall Richmond, VA
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Nanny with child in a blue stroller with a plaid pattern on the seating cushion. The child was very young, under six months. The stroller was loaded down with bags and I witnessed the nanny at the Food court just before twelve today. She parked the stroller at a table. And get this-took the bags that were hanging on the stroller with her and went to Sbarro to get her lunch. Then she went back, rehung the bags and ate her pizza. The baby was fine. I wouldn't have even thought it was weird that she left the stroller to get her lunch selection, except that SHE made a spectacle by demonstrating what was important when she took her Bodyworks and JcPenney bag with her. If she recognized that the bags could be taken, uhm why not the child?
Nanny with child in a blue stroller with a plaid pattern on the seating cushion. The child was very young, under six months. The stroller was loaded down with bags and I witnessed the nanny at the Food court just before twelve today. She parked the stroller at a table. And get this-took the bags that were hanging on the stroller with her and went to Sbarro to get her lunch. Then she went back, rehung the bags and ate her pizza. The baby was fine. I wouldn't have even thought it was weird that she left the stroller to get her lunch selection, except that SHE made a spectacle by demonstrating what was important when she took her Bodyworks and JcPenney bag with her. If she recognized that the bags could be taken, uhm why not the child?
Sunset Park Brooklyn, NY
Received Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Witnessed an incident yesterday with a nanny who was in charge of two school aged boys. Both boys looked very similiar, same close cropped haircut, brown hair, big brown eyes, fair skin. The nanny was dark complected and spoke with a Jamiacan accent. The boys had a soccer ball. Everything seemed fine to I the casual observer. She got up from her perch and stormed over and went to the older boy and berated him. I realized the older boy was "in trouble" for not kicking the ball more directly to the younger boy. When the younger boy again missed the ball, the nanny yelled at the older boy that he had to go get it if he can't play "good" with his brother. This nanny seemed to have a grudge against the older boy. The older boy seemed at a loss for what to do. He was genuinely trying to teach his younger brother how to kick the ball. The nanny got up and stormed over there a third time and got within one foot of him and yelled at him. At one point she took the ball away from him and gave it to the younger kid so he could play by himself. Even the younger kid didn't know what to do with the ball by himself. I found it strange that the nanny would continually berate the older child but between her yelling at the child she felt the need to go plop down. If she really was concerned with how the children were playing together, why wouldn't she get off her duff and play with them. She didn't look like she got much physical activity if you know what I mean. She had a weird favoritism towards the younger child that defied reason. The older child was not at anytime unkind to his younger sibling.
Witnessed an incident yesterday with a nanny who was in charge of two school aged boys. Both boys looked very similiar, same close cropped haircut, brown hair, big brown eyes, fair skin. The nanny was dark complected and spoke with a Jamiacan accent. The boys had a soccer ball. Everything seemed fine to I the casual observer. She got up from her perch and stormed over and went to the older boy and berated him. I realized the older boy was "in trouble" for not kicking the ball more directly to the younger boy. When the younger boy again missed the ball, the nanny yelled at the older boy that he had to go get it if he can't play "good" with his brother. This nanny seemed to have a grudge against the older boy. The older boy seemed at a loss for what to do. He was genuinely trying to teach his younger brother how to kick the ball. The nanny got up and stormed over there a third time and got within one foot of him and yelled at him. At one point she took the ball away from him and gave it to the younger kid so he could play by himself. Even the younger kid didn't know what to do with the ball by himself. I found it strange that the nanny would continually berate the older child but between her yelling at the child she felt the need to go plop down. If she really was concerned with how the children were playing together, why wouldn't she get off her duff and play with them. She didn't look like she got much physical activity if you know what I mean. She had a weird favoritism towards the younger child that defied reason. The older child was not at anytime unkind to his younger sibling.
Victoria's Secret 57th & Park
Received Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Saw a nanny with her charge at Victoria's Secret. The little girl was two and had blonde hair, was wearing yellow shirt with a cartoon girl on it and black pants with fancy black patent shoes. She had a sippy cup and a padded, cardboard book. Overheard her English nanny saying "thank you for being so great". Obviously nannies can work long hours and may need to run errands during the day but this nanny had it together. As she sifted through nightgowns the Nanny was directing the child to the ABC song or asking her to read the book to her. She was in the store less than ten minutes. Anyway, this made me think of the Daffy's post. If you are going to take your child or charge in a store, this nanny set an example for how to do it. I don't think the child even realized she was on an errand.
Saw a nanny with her charge at Victoria's Secret. The little girl was two and had blonde hair, was wearing yellow shirt with a cartoon girl on it and black pants with fancy black patent shoes. She had a sippy cup and a padded, cardboard book. Overheard her English nanny saying "thank you for being so great". Obviously nannies can work long hours and may need to run errands during the day but this nanny had it together. As she sifted through nightgowns the Nanny was directing the child to the ABC song or asking her to read the book to her. She was in the store less than ten minutes. Anyway, this made me think of the Daffy's post. If you are going to take your child or charge in a store, this nanny set an example for how to do it. I don't think the child even realized she was on an errand.
Monday
Central Park playground at 96th Street and 5th Avenue.
Monday, October 2nd, 2006 Afternoon.
The child: A girl. White. About 4--5. Shoulder length brown hair with a little green bow barrette in it. Wearing a pale yellow sundress with a flowered pattern.
The nanny: Black. Probably in her 40's. Straightened hair, part of which had been lightened to an auburn shade. Average height. Heavy in the middle part of the body. Has a Caribbean accent.The little girl sat in the middle of the sandbox looking lonely and miserable for a long time, at least half an hour. No one interacted with her. Nanny no where to be found. Then she started eating sand. I don't mean just tasting it, but really EATING it, chewing and swallowing. I tried to gently suggest that she not do it, but she kept eating it. I looked around , still no adult with her. Finally, after she had eaten a LOT of sand, the nanny strolled over from the other side of the playground. The nanny was nasty with her, making fun of her for eating sand and scolding in a non-caring way.I'm not sure what the sand eating was all about, but I don't think it is normal for that age. It almost seemed like she was trying to harm herself. The expression on her face while she was doing it was painful. At the very least you should observe this nanny more closely and find out what's going on with your daughter.
The child: A girl. White. About 4--5. Shoulder length brown hair with a little green bow barrette in it. Wearing a pale yellow sundress with a flowered pattern.
The nanny: Black. Probably in her 40's. Straightened hair, part of which had been lightened to an auburn shade. Average height. Heavy in the middle part of the body. Has a Caribbean accent.The little girl sat in the middle of the sandbox looking lonely and miserable for a long time, at least half an hour. No one interacted with her. Nanny no where to be found. Then she started eating sand. I don't mean just tasting it, but really EATING it, chewing and swallowing. I tried to gently suggest that she not do it, but she kept eating it. I looked around , still no adult with her. Finally, after she had eaten a LOT of sand, the nanny strolled over from the other side of the playground. The nanny was nasty with her, making fun of her for eating sand and scolding in a non-caring way.I'm not sure what the sand eating was all about, but I don't think it is normal for that age. It almost seemed like she was trying to harm herself. The expression on her face while she was doing it was painful. At the very least you should observe this nanny more closely and find out what's going on with your daughter.
McDonald's New Rochelle, NY
Monday, October 2, 2006
"Stop being a baby, stop crying, you are being a baby" said to a child not even two years old by her nanny after she conked her head on the corner of a table at McDonald's today around 2 PM. This was very definite a nanny and child situation. The look of hurt in the child's eyes (who had every right to want to be comforted) hurt me. The nanny's name was Loretta. I know this because she was having lunch with a friend of hers who called her Loretta. Your little boy was but a bother to this nanny in her quest to inhale a quarter pounder with cheese in peace.
"Stop being a baby, stop crying, you are being a baby" said to a child not even two years old by her nanny after she conked her head on the corner of a table at McDonald's today around 2 PM. This was very definite a nanny and child situation. The look of hurt in the child's eyes (who had every right to want to be comforted) hurt me. The nanny's name was Loretta. I know this because she was having lunch with a friend of hers who called her Loretta. Your little boy was but a bother to this nanny in her quest to inhale a quarter pounder with cheese in peace.
Kudos from a North Jersey Mom
North Jersey Mom here and I just wanted to let you know that mothers, nannies and caregivers have been looking for an outlet for their sightings for awhile now. Check out this article from the Montclair Times.
These are unlikely Nannies
Nanny has become the catchphrase for any person hired to take care of your children. I have noticed this out in the real world LONG before I observed it on here. Let me break it down to you, it is unlikely you would have any of these listed problems with a professional nanny. There would be no argument with regard to whether or not it was okay to leave your child with a nanny who spoke no English because, a nanny who does not speak English is not a nanny. (She is a sitter and a very poor choice for a sitter at that). A professional nanny speaks English. A professional nanny is very often educated and always has previous nanny experience. Professional nannies drive and swim and tutor and dance and bake and travel with the children they take care of. They do not launder their bosses drawers or scrub their bosses toilets. A professional nanny is never, ever a housekeeper. I know many nannies who have college degrees, I know a nanny who is teaching her charge how to play the guitar, another nanny who is the only person in the home who is capable of assisting the child with his algebra homework. It isn't so much that they are being called nannies here. It bothers me that they call themselves nannies and that their bosses dare to suggest what they have hired is a nanny when in fact often she is nothing more than a glorified housekeeper. One thing, I always notice about professional nannies- they seem to really love their job and working with children. If you take the time and expend the money to hire a professional, legal nanny- you will not have these problems that I have seen on these pages. It is time for the good and great nannies to unionize and kick to the curb our lesser esteemed colleagues; those who drag us down with their angry faces and lazy ways.
Busting Mary Poppins
"Spying on the babysitter has never been easier....."
To read the New York Magazine article, click here .
To read the New York Magazine article, click here .
Nanny in Chastain Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Received Monday, October 2, 2006
I was at Chastain Park on Saturday or Friday night (Sept. 29th or 30th) around 6:30/6:45 PM. There was an African American nanny (or babysitter) in her 20's with 3 children. The oldest was a boy of about 5 years old. The middle child was a girl of about 3, her name started with a "Z". The youngest was about 18 months and his name started with a "J". All of the children were adorable with brown hair and brown eyes. The nanny was very caring and attentive to all three of the children, helping them up the ladders, praising them, etc. If this is your nanny...hold on to her! She was amazing to watch!
I was at Chastain Park on Saturday or Friday night (Sept. 29th or 30th) around 6:30/6:45 PM. There was an African American nanny (or babysitter) in her 20's with 3 children. The oldest was a boy of about 5 years old. The middle child was a girl of about 3, her name started with a "Z". The youngest was about 18 months and his name started with a "J". All of the children were adorable with brown hair and brown eyes. The nanny was very caring and attentive to all three of the children, helping them up the ladders, praising them, etc. If this is your nanny...hold on to her! She was amazing to watch!
Smith Park San Gabriel, California
Received Sunday, October 1, 2006
If you have a nanny/housekeeper that drives a silver Nissan Pathfinder and hangs out at Smith Park after school on occasion with your 7/8 year old boy, I just think you should look into a situation. I don't want to falsely accuse anyone but if your son goes to SGM School all day (and I know he does), I am curious what your nanny is doing in the park during school hours. It is a tad peculiar, don't you think? I could say more but I don't want to jump to conclusions. Ask yourself if the salary you pay her is commensurate with her personal expenditures. Are you following me?
If you have a nanny/housekeeper that drives a silver Nissan Pathfinder and hangs out at Smith Park after school on occasion with your 7/8 year old boy, I just think you should look into a situation. I don't want to falsely accuse anyone but if your son goes to SGM School all day (and I know he does), I am curious what your nanny is doing in the park during school hours. It is a tad peculiar, don't you think? I could say more but I don't want to jump to conclusions. Ask yourself if the salary you pay her is commensurate with her personal expenditures. Are you following me?
National Building Museum, Washington, DC
Received Sunday, October 1, 2006
Spent some time at the Building Zone Saturday & observed a child with his nanny. Very obvious were three things. 1) She was his nanny. 2) She was impatient and 3)He was in the middle of potty training. If you have been to this area you know it can be busy at times and you are in the thick with other children. The nanny stood off to the side for the most part. Every ten minutes or so, she would barge up into his space and pat his pants and ask him if he "wee weed". She took him to the restroom once after telling him "Now, no wee in your pants". Is this abusive? No. An absolute lack of tact and I was felt so bad for the child. How humiliating. If you don't think other kids looked at him funny, you are wrong! I could describe the nanny better as I spent a good deal of time glaring at her in an attempt to scare her straight, but if your nanny was there on Sat and your son is being potty trained, time to go over some subtle moves. Potty training should not cause the child's self esteem to be stomped on!
Spent some time at the Building Zone Saturday & observed a child with his nanny. Very obvious were three things. 1) She was his nanny. 2) She was impatient and 3)He was in the middle of potty training. If you have been to this area you know it can be busy at times and you are in the thick with other children. The nanny stood off to the side for the most part. Every ten minutes or so, she would barge up into his space and pat his pants and ask him if he "wee weed". She took him to the restroom once after telling him "Now, no wee in your pants". Is this abusive? No. An absolute lack of tact and I was felt so bad for the child. How humiliating. If you don't think other kids looked at him funny, you are wrong! I could describe the nanny better as I spent a good deal of time glaring at her in an attempt to scare her straight, but if your nanny was there on Sat and your son is being potty trained, time to go over some subtle moves. Potty training should not cause the child's self esteem to be stomped on!
UES mother asks about working mother's low standards
Received Sunday, October 1, 2006
This may or may not be the correct place to post this, but as school is back in session, I feel I must give this a shot. I am a stay at home mother with two children. One is in school full time and one is not quite. I make and arrange playdates with children from both of the children's schools as well as places the children take classes and activities where they have connected with children they wish to see on a more frequent basis. I see good nannies everyday in my path about town, they stand out like red sox attire at Yankee stadium. I allow my children to forge their own connections which leads me to follow up on their leads. This requires that I speak with the parent or nanny of a child and attempt to arrange things like playdates, after school pick up. The so called good nannies are in short supply in my area and this leads me to deal with the bad nannies. This means I host a near weekly playdate for my daughter and her friend at our house but cannot allow my daughter to go to her playmate's home on account of the poor hiring choice of her playmate's parents. I will not leave my child at a drop off playdate with a "nanny" that speaks 19 words of English and seems in a desperate frenzy to clean the bathrooms. That isn't a nanny to me. There are nannies that stand at pick up with such angry and bothered expressions that I am almost intimidated to strike up a conversation with them and at the times I have, they have made me feel like I have somehow inconvenienced them. Playdates have been forgotten. I have a playdate on hold with a little girl my daughter is desperate to play with because the nanny has yet to get the "approval" required from her employer. These girl's are three years old. Don't you think twice before entrusting your children to someone you can't entrust with the simple assignment of playdate booking? I have play dates with other mothers. I have been to playdates at the homes where the nanny hosted. As per playdate etiquette, I always stay to make sure my child and assist my child in picking up the mess she was a part of making. The nannies who come to my house have NEVER stayed to pick up anything. When I walk into your home and have stayed (as the children are teetering between the age of drop off capable and not quite capable), I sit there for as long as an hour and a half without even being offered a glass of water. Employers, you do realize that when your nanny comes to my home I offer her coffee, pastries and lunch and sit down with her and engage her in a conversation? There is one WOHM (work out of the home mother) who has a nanny that does everything she should. She is punctual, dependable, polite and extends to me hospitality when I am at your home. And I when she comes to my house. When it comes time to leave the children conclusively for drop offs, she is the only one I will trust my daughter with. And it isn't that my standards are so high, but why are your standards so low???
This may or may not be the correct place to post this, but as school is back in session, I feel I must give this a shot. I am a stay at home mother with two children. One is in school full time and one is not quite. I make and arrange playdates with children from both of the children's schools as well as places the children take classes and activities where they have connected with children they wish to see on a more frequent basis. I see good nannies everyday in my path about town, they stand out like red sox attire at Yankee stadium. I allow my children to forge their own connections which leads me to follow up on their leads. This requires that I speak with the parent or nanny of a child and attempt to arrange things like playdates, after school pick up. The so called good nannies are in short supply in my area and this leads me to deal with the bad nannies. This means I host a near weekly playdate for my daughter and her friend at our house but cannot allow my daughter to go to her playmate's home on account of the poor hiring choice of her playmate's parents. I will not leave my child at a drop off playdate with a "nanny" that speaks 19 words of English and seems in a desperate frenzy to clean the bathrooms. That isn't a nanny to me. There are nannies that stand at pick up with such angry and bothered expressions that I am almost intimidated to strike up a conversation with them and at the times I have, they have made me feel like I have somehow inconvenienced them. Playdates have been forgotten. I have a playdate on hold with a little girl my daughter is desperate to play with because the nanny has yet to get the "approval" required from her employer. These girl's are three years old. Don't you think twice before entrusting your children to someone you can't entrust with the simple assignment of playdate booking? I have play dates with other mothers. I have been to playdates at the homes where the nanny hosted. As per playdate etiquette, I always stay to make sure my child and assist my child in picking up the mess she was a part of making. The nannies who come to my house have NEVER stayed to pick up anything. When I walk into your home and have stayed (as the children are teetering between the age of drop off capable and not quite capable), I sit there for as long as an hour and a half without even being offered a glass of water. Employers, you do realize that when your nanny comes to my home I offer her coffee, pastries and lunch and sit down with her and engage her in a conversation? There is one WOHM (work out of the home mother) who has a nanny that does everything she should. She is punctual, dependable, polite and extends to me hospitality when I am at your home. And I when she comes to my house. When it comes time to leave the children conclusively for drop offs, she is the only one I will trust my daughter with. And it isn't that my standards are so high, but why are your standards so low???
Parker Hill Playground Boston, Mass
Received Saturday, September 30, 2006
I saw something on Friday at Parker Hill Playground in Brookline. I was with the jog stroller and walking by two nannies and one of them was eating out of a can of mixed nuts. The other nanny had a boy who was between 18 months and 2 1/2 years, with dark hair and blue eyes. I heard the nanny who was in charge of the child tell the other nanny to "eat them away from him, he's allergic". With this, nanny #2 moved the can from her lap to the right side of her, "away" from him. And that seemed to be that. I have a niece with a tree nut allergy and we don't keep nuts in our home. We certainly would allow someone who was for all intents and purposes "picknicking" with her to be noshing on a giant can of nuts. Would you?
I saw something on Friday at Parker Hill Playground in Brookline. I was with the jog stroller and walking by two nannies and one of them was eating out of a can of mixed nuts. The other nanny had a boy who was between 18 months and 2 1/2 years, with dark hair and blue eyes. I heard the nanny who was in charge of the child tell the other nanny to "eat them away from him, he's allergic". With this, nanny #2 moved the can from her lap to the right side of her, "away" from him. And that seemed to be that. I have a niece with a tree nut allergy and we don't keep nuts in our home. We certainly would allow someone who was for all intents and purposes "picknicking" with her to be noshing on a giant can of nuts. Would you?
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