Discussion- Fear Mongering vs Free Range Kids

Free Range Kids


Fear Mongering
Can a Mom Leave Her Kid Alone at the Library for Three Minutes?The mother was at the library with her 5-year-old, the library where they go every week, in Rochester, New York. So why did this Terrible Parenting Moment have to happen?

Five years ago, I was a notorious safety zealot. And while I haven't abandoned practices of common sense and remaining informed; I'd much rather children have cuts and scrapes than a recess coach.

above, replica of the metal slide that graced my elementary school. At the bottom of the slide there was loose dirt; no woodchips, no rubber cushioning. In the six years I spent there, I can't recall a single slide injury.

In the News...

Nanny Says She Was Stabbed By Employer
A Prince William County nanny was forced into a shower and attacked with scissors. Police say the person responsible was the mother of the children she was watching.

'Sarko's dad first had sex at 11, with nanny'
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's father had his first sexual experience with his nanny when he was just 11, Sarkozy senior admitted in a new book. In his new autobiography, 'So Much Life', Pal Sarkozy, 81, confessed that he has been an insatiable philanderer ever since he was just 11. The confession by Pal is considered to cause huge embarrassment to President Sarkozy.
(days ago, we "learned" this: Nannies Turn Boys into Future Adulterers‎)

Live-in nanny charged with distributing child porn
Wheaton family hired man from Craigslist ad
A man working as a live-in nanny in Wheaton was charged Thursday with distributing thousands of child pornography files online. Lubos Albrecht, 22, who told agents he viewed his collection each morning when he woke up and again before he went to sleep, was living in a basement bedroom in his employer's home when FBI agents executed a search warrant Wednesday.

Nanny Accused of Swiping $30K in Jewelry From Employers‎
A Greenburgh nanny has been arrested for allegedly swiping $30,000 worth of jewelry from two of her employers.Latisha Staten is accused of stealing assorted cash and jewelry from two houses in the Mayfair Acres section of Greenburgh.

Broward County abuse survivor undertakes long journey for others
Walking 500 miles across the state will be the biggest athletic challenge upon which Lauren Book-Lim has ever embarked. But it is nothing compared to the years of physical and sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her nanny. Book-Lim's abuse began when she was 10 years old and ended six years later when she reported it. The nanny, Waldina Flores, is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.
Learn more about Lauren's Kids at www.laurenskids.org.
Follow Lauren Book-Lim's progress during the walk on Twitter at @LaurensKids, Facebook at Lauren's Kids or her YouTube channel at Lauren's Kids.

Babysitter Tricked 8-Year-Old into Posing Nude
A Tucson man guilty of producing child pornography faces 15 years in prison after manipulating a child into posing naked for him. Twenty-eight-year-old Christopher A. Flynt entered a guilty plea Thursday after he coerced an 8-year-old boy he was babysitting, into letting Flynt take nude photographs of him.

V'land police: Babysitter burns boy
....Police were called to the scene at 7:50 a.m. During their investigation, police said, Vasquez told officers he got frustrated and placed the young boy on a radiator.

North Naples babysitter charged with sending 5 month old to hospital with head injury
...When the child's mother picked him up at 24-year-old Cherie Landowski's home, she noticed a bruise on his forehead. The 5-month-old baby was not only vomiting, but shaking and going limp at times. Deputies said Landowski blamed it on a toy hitting him in the head.

CL-WTF?

Saturday, March 27, 2010

.... WHAT?!

Feature:
1) I need a sitter at 9pm- 1-2am TONIGHT (Dallas)
My kids will be sleeping, how much easier can it get?! I need someone to come watch tv for a few hours, it couldn't be easier! Please email me ASAP!! Include your name, number and past experience! Please HURRY!! I'm offering $60 for the night, that's $60 in your pocket to sit and watch tv (although right now we have no couches so you're sitting on the flloor lol, sorry)!! We have 4 kids, 10 months, 2years (today is her birthday! :) ), 4 1/2yr old twins. Please email now!!
Original URL: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/kid/1653559066.html
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Special thanks to nannybee for our Feature Ad... great job! Also, thank you to the following Readers for their Contributions this week: krupitzerb, n.kristine, JLow 2474, amyfacie, uwwhitewaterchica, MissDee, erica132, Kate, hungrycollegestudent, kiddiepsyc, meredith and importgirl04... all of you found some awesome Ads!Remember, CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday. Please send next weeks Ads HERE or use MEEBO. And please don't forget to include the Links - they are not in the body of the Ad... they begin with http! ;-)

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS SUBMISSIONS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Kentucky Nanny Runs Through Fire to Save Child

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
(Yes we know there are great nannies. We were two of the all time best!) :)

A young woman caring for a 5-year-old Kentucky boy ran barefoot through flames to rescue him from a house fire. WAVE-TV in Louisville quoted 22-year-old Alyson Myatt who said she awoke to a noise early Tuesday and sprinted upstairs to find the carpet blazing and Aiden Hawes calling out that he was under his covers. Myatt grabbed the boy and ran out of the house. The child wasn't injured, but the home burned.
Shelbyville Fire Department Chief Willard Tucker said Aiden probably wouldn't have survived until firefighters arrived. He said the fire started in the attic near a bathroom fan. Myatt was burned on her feet, legs and hands and was under care at University Hospital in Louisville. She was working as a live-in nanny while the boy's father was out of town.

*Video above will play. You must select it from the menu of ttop news stories.

Cummings/Zoo Playground, Chicago, IL

Received Friday, March 26, 2010

Time/Date: Tuesday, March 22, around 5pm
Location: Cummings/Zoo Playground, Chicago, IL - They left heading north on Lincoln Park West
Child: Girl, probably around five years old, didn't hear her speak, pink jacket and hat, brown (?) hair (hard to see, due to hat), name possibly started with a P
Caregiver: Older woman, non-descript build. Spoke to child in what sounded like a Slavic language. Did not move at a fast pace and seemed a bit tired.

Events: Apologies for not posting this earlier. It's been niggling at me for days. I am not sure if the caregiver was nanny or grandmother to the child. The first occurance of question was in the sandbox. My charge and I were playing in the sandbox. We'd brought plenty of toys to share (it's easier to share your buckets when you have three) and the little girl ran into the box and grabbed some - which we were not using. (They were chilling near us in the sandbox, unused - reasonablly mistakable for park toys.) The nanny came in, pulled them out of her hands and threw them back in our pile. She then gave the little girl a smack on her bottom. The smack did not sound hard and the girl did not react to it, but we were in a public place, so the parent(s) might want to be aware. The pair then left the park, with the girl on her bike (training wheels) riding a solid ten feet ahead of her caregiver. She was not wearing a helmet. She fell over - still on bike. The caregiver ambled toward her and sort of helped her up. I know that not everyone is vigilant about helmet usage (although everyone should be) but again, it seemed a bit off to me and I would want to know if it was my child.

Corner of 86th and Third Avenue - Manhattan

Received Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I saw a young black woman, shoulder length hair, well dressed, in her twenties, with two children. One was a baby in a stroller and the other one was a little girl with a pink or lilac short cotton smock type jacket and leggings. This child has the most striking eyes....deep blue, very big. They were heading east on 86th street and stopped at the corner of 86th and third avenue to cross the extremely busy intersection. The child had been crying and the nanny totally ignored her, didnt take her hand at the crossing and ignored her for the entire time I was watching. This was on saturday 20th March 2010. The child was obviously used to this and had the unhappiest little face I've ever seen.

Being Sole Caretaker for an "Away Parent"

Received Tuesday, March 10, 2010
I need some opinions about a potential summer nanny job. This is a pretty unusual situation and I have no idea what the protocol would be for pay/ contract. I haven't even interviewed for the job yet but I know that the father does not know what would be fair in terms of pay either so I thought that before I talk to him I should have some idea what I should be asking.

Here's the summary: The job would be taking care of an 8 year old boy. The father is a single dad who would be basically gone the entire summer, from mid April to July- approximately 15 weeks. I would be pretty much the sole caretaker during that time, 24/7. There is family a few miles down the road who would help and give support when necessary. During part of the time the boy would be in school and I would be in charge of bringing him there, picking him up, cooking, laundry, shopping, taking him to activities. Basically the role of a "parent". During the summer he would be enrolled in some day camps so that would take part of the strain off, but obviously I would still be on duty in case something came up while he was there. I'm not sure about "time off" per say; if that is something I would need to work out with the relatives or if I would be expected to be on all seven days. There are some things I really like about the job, but some things that obviously have me worried- the 24/7 thing for example. I was just wondering how much I should be paid for a job like that? It's live in so I would have room/food/gas.

Please don't just tell me that I'm crazy for even considering it. I understand that it could be a disaster, but I'd like some constructive ideas and advice. Thanks!

In the news....

Sunday, March 21, 2010
Baby boys who have a nanny 'turn into womanisers':
Employing a nanny to look after your baby son could turn him into serial womaniser, claims a psychiatrist. In the book The Unsolicited Gift, Dr Dennis Friedman said delegating child-rearing responsibilities too soon risks equipping your son with life-long double standards when it comes to women. Baby girls are also not immune, he claims. If they have a nanny or au pair they are filled with a "vacuum of need" inside them which they fill in a variety of ways such as drink, drugs, sex or money. (Oh please!)

Babysitter, Muncie IN church sued for wrongful death of 4-month-old infant
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against a babysitter in connection with the death of an infant on Monday March 15, 2010. An area church was also named in the lawsuit after the pastor allegedly referred the babysitter to the deceased infant’s parents and failing to notify them that another infant died under her care less than three months prior to the death of their own baby, according to information provided by TheStarPres.com.

Babysitter gets jail time in neglect case
A town of Maine babysitter who violated the trust of parents when she left children home alone twice last spring will spend 7 months in jail. (Shouldn't these babysitter's names go into a national data base?)

Two children found alone, crying after babysitter's mom took teen home
Two children, ages 1 and 2, were found alone and crying with the front door of their home wide open after 5 p.m. Tuesday near Russell and Martin Luther King avenues. The parents, who were at work at the time, told police they left their son and daughter with a 16-year-old babysitter they had known for two days and did not know her name, according to police reports.The babysitter's mother called dispatchers to tell them she had taken her daughter from the home because she was a runaway, according to the report. (So, the total count is three very bad parents and three unfortunate children)

A Petersburg babysitter has been charged with child neglect in last week's death of a 7-month-old girl in her care, police said...

Nanny free despite baby kill threat
A BABYSITTER who bashed and sexually abused toddlers - and then warned she would kill a baby - is free to live unsupervised in the community despite a judge's fears she will reoffend.
(Do the have laws in Australia?)

Babysitter allows 15-year-old to drive to McDonalds ...

CL-WTF?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

.... WHAT?!

1) Part Time Nanny (D.C.)
Looking for an experience part-time nanny to care for my child in my home. The ideal applicant must be certified in CPR and First Aide, have 5+ years of experience, have 4 professional references, must be willing to travel, and have a flexible schedule. Extensive background check, drug testing, and personality testing required. My expectations are extremely high, if you meet the above qualifications and love children send your resume via e-mail.
Original URL: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/dmg/1652283795.html
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Special thanks to the following Readers for their Contribution to this weeks CL-WTF: Krupitzerb, kiddiepsyc, emjoyneely, Cinder38, MissDee, mbargielski, hungrycollegestudent and rivkakehaty... all of you did an amazing job! Remember, CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday. Please send next weeks Ads HERE or use MEEBO. And please don't forget to include the Links!

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS SUBMISSIONS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Nannycam Video Lands Babysitter in Jail

Received Thursday, March 18, 2010 - Jacksonville, Fla.
Hidden-camera video of a babysitter slapping an 11-month-old child, throwing things and handling the boy violently was evidence enough for police to charge 53-year-old Jeannine Campbell with battery on a child.

In the video, the baby can be seen picked up violently and slung by his arms into a playpen. Minutes later, the babysitter kicks a bouncy ball the child is playing with at the boy, then picks up the ball and hurls it at the baby's head so hard, it knocks him over.

Later, the babysitter can be seen slapping the boy on the back of the head so hard he falls over.

Toward the end of the 9-minute video, it appears the babysitter got mad while trying to put socks on the child. According to the arrest report, Campbell swatted the boy 11 times, then kicked him.
Special thanks to nc for Submitting this Article.

WARNING: The video in this story is extremely disturbing to watch.

Questionable Nanny Ethics-Samuel's Nanny in LA

Received Thursday, March 18, 2010

A few weeks ago, my kids and I were at Aidan's place and after I put them in the car, I forgot one of our bags of toys (that also had a pair of shoes in it). I sent my husband to look for the bag 2 hours later, but someone had already taken it. Today (3.17.10), my older son and I were at Irving Schacter Park and a little boy named Samuel was playing with our toys (all clearly marked with my kids' initials) and even had our bag. I spoke to his nanny and she said that she had the shoes in the car, but refused to get them. Samuel was very upset and kept saying the toys were his and that his nanny had given them to him.

The nanny seemed upset that I would take the toys back since Samuel was upset and I simply advised her not to steal other people's toys. She argued that it wasn't theft because the bag was in the parking lot and because she brought them to another park "knowing" she'd find the owner. I never knew theft was dependent on location. I said that if she wanted to find the owner she would have left the bag where it was or would have posted a note. I asked her if the toys belonged to her. If not, when she took them, that's the definition of stealing.

The nanny was probably in her late 40s and says she's worked for Samuel's family for years. Samuel looked about 3 or 4. If anyone knows Samuel's parents, they might want to know their nanny's ethics are questionable at best. And I'd love my son's shoes!

Central Park 95th and CPW (in the park)

Received Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Time/Date: 3/16 at 3:15 in the afternoon.
Place: In the park at Central Park 95th and CPW.
Nanny: heavy set dark skinned, from the islands maybe, wearing a cream colored shirt with black pants.
Child: boy wearing royal blue long sleeved sweater, maybe 18 months old.
Incident: Nanny was screaming at the child saying "you do what I tell you, when I say come to me, you come to me". It was inappropriate given the child's age. She was also yanking his little arm. I gave her a dirty look.

CL-WTF?

Saturday, March 13, 2010

.... What?!

Feature:
1) NANNY WANTED (New Jersey)
Hi
I'm looking to hire a full time Nanny for my son 5yr , daughter 15 month. I'm 40 i own a large 11 bed room estate in west orange with a in ground swimming pool, your own private entrance, etc.. you can also have friends cum over to get in the pool etc.. The pay is great, and i will take care of your needs and wants 100% , but i'm looking for some personal time with you as well. i'm looking forward to an explosive relationship with you! pay and benefits are awesome! You will never have a better opportunity than this!
Original URL: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/dmg/1632784473.html
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Special thanks to northjerseynanny for our Feature Ad... great job! Also, thank you to the following readers for their contributions: nannybee, kate, krupitzerb, midwestmanny, kristine, MissDee, Cinder38 and jesykaarlene13... all of you did an awesome job! Remember, CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday. Please send next weeks Ads HERE or use MEEBO. And please don't forget to include the Links!

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS SUBMISSIONS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

W 22nd street btw 5 & 6th Ave, Manhattan

Received Friday, March 12, 2010

Location: W 22nd street btw 5 & 6th Ave, Manhattan
Date: Today, March 11
Time: 8:40, 8:45 AM
I saw an African American nanny pushing a maybe 3 or 4 month old baby in a jogging stroller in black (not Phil & Teds or Citymini).
The weather was crisp this morning - 40 at most- and this baby was bare-headed and only had a small blanket around their legs!! I had on 2 sweaters and a coat!!
I wanted to stop the nanny and reprimand her but I didn't have the heart.
If this sounds like your nanny, tell her to bundle baby up more.

Loehmans on 73rd in NYC

Received Thursday, March 11, 2010

At Loehmann's on 73rd and Broadway on the Upper West Side I saw a nanny threaten and force a young girl back in her stroller, yelling, "If you don't sit back down, I'll force you back down". She then proceeded to force her down.

The nanny:
Short about 5 foot to 5'2" tall.
African American
Pretty and well groomed with a smooth short hairdo, worn under.
(shorter than shoulder length)
Wore nice makeup
Had a multi colored purse like a 'sport sak' on back of stroller
She was articulate, spoke nicely as she accused me of being a 'liar'.

The child:
Girl around 3-4 years old.
Blond hair (though not "tow head") , wearing braids
Narrow face.

The stroller:
Black, single child, with a high, wide handlebar

The girl whimpered. I chased them down the street and told the nanny "You never know who's watching, so stop it"....that I wish I could contact the parents. I stopped her on Broadway at 72nd street. She continued south down the east side of the street.

It was very upsetting. The child was terribly upset and helpless, as was I.

Please pass this on if it sounds like someone you know. PLEASE.

All consuming.....

Received Tuesday, March 9, 2010
I have been a full-time nanny for the past year. I just changed jobs. My last one I enjoyed so much that I have cried every day since they moved away. My new one isn't bad either and I like it a lot. However, I have found that working full-time as a nanny sort of consumes your life and it's all you can think about or talk about. I'm sure this isn't true for everyone. I am looking for some suggestions on how to have a life outside of my full-time nanny job. Basically my life consists of waking up really early to go to work, working 10 hours and then going right to bed when I get home because I'm too tired from the day. And repeat. untill Saturday morning in which i usually have nothing that fun to do because I have no time to make friends. I love my job, so don't get me wrong and I obviously love the money I make. I am just looking to see what some of you, other full-time nannies do when you get home from work (besides sleep and go to bed) Because it's starting to take a toll on me.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Police: Couple nurtured virtual child while real baby starved
Police have arrested a South Korean couple whose toddler starved to death while they were raising a virtual child online, authorities said.

McCrary's wife granted protective order against ex-Raven
The wife of former Baltimore Raven Michael C. McCrary was granted a temporary protective order Monday against the retired defensive end.A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge accepted Mary Haley McCrary's argument that her husband had threatened her and the couple's nanny who cares for their young daughter

Man fatally shot by DeKalb County, Ga. police
County police spokeswoman Mekka Parish says the unidentified couple had a dispute while they were out of town, and the man flew home. Parish says his wife instructed the babysitter not to let him in, but he entered the house on Sunday by using a brick to break a glass door.

Mom ordered to jail because she couldn’t find a babysitter
A busy stay-at-home mom was ordered to serve 24 hours in jail because she arrived late to jury selection after she was unable to find a babysitter. Michigan mom Carmela Khury showed up to court last Thursday an hour late with her 8-month-old and 3-year-old children in tow, saying she was unable to find an alternate babysitter.

Bank teller works with baby on her hip
Jasmine Mathisen has been bringing her son Remmy Mathisen to work for 5 months. Mathisen participates in her job's “Babies in the Workplace Program”. Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union in Eugene lets its employees bring their babies to work up until they are 8 months old or start crawling.

Authorities: Queens Dad Bit Baby Daughter and Broke Her Ribs
A Queens man’s abuse to his 13-week-old daughter resulted in 17 broken ribs, a lacerated liver and a broken ankle. Juan Gomez was arrested Friday night and charged with assault and endangering a child. On Saturday night at his arraignment, a lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf, still the 23-year-old had already confessed his activities—which included biting, throwing and head-butting the baby.

Police find a baby locked in a car at the Albany Mall and one man is in custody
Albany police and mall security broke into a white sedan to get a 3-month-old baby boy out. The call came in around 4:30 p.m. Sunday and got the baby out about 25 minutes later, but police have not said how long the baby was in the car with the windows rolled up before they got him out. Around 5:30 p.m. police took the driver, 20-year-old William Tennerson into custody. He is charged with reckless conduct. Police contacted the mother, who was not at the mall, and returned her son to her.

CL-WTF?

Saturday, March 6, 2010

.... WHAT?!

Feature:
1) Couple looking for younger, live in help (Illinois)
We are a young, professional, attractive couple with two children. We travel quite often for our small business and prefer to take our children with us. We are looking for someone to take along with us to take care of them while we work, and then be a part of the family when we're not working. The ideal candidate would be between 18-22 yrs old and be fit and attractive. We have two girls and we want to set a good example for them, and they are both quite active. We have a larger enough home for you to live with us and would prefer that you did. If interested in finding out more information, please respond to this post with LIVE IN as your subject title. Please attach two pictures, one head shot, and one full body. Otherwise you will not be considered. We are 420 friendly. Thank you-
Original URL: http://quadcities.craigslist.org/dmg/1603126230.html
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Special thanks to Amy for our Feature Ad... that was a hell of a find! Also, thank you to the following readers for all of the great Ads they sent in this week: Kate, LindsayElaineFreeman, cheesenipsaregood, sh354, JLow2474, Kiddiepsyc, MissDee, mbargielski and Cinder38. Remember, CL-WTF will be Posted every Saturday. Please send next weeks Ads HERE or use MEEBO. And please don't forget to include the Links!

TO READ THE REST OF THIS WEEKS ADS: PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Burnt Out Nanny - Update

Received Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - Rants and Warnings
I am the Burnt Out Nanny who works 65++ hours a week, I am a m-f live in. I had a talk with my employers, apparently they are not counting any hours after 7pm (the kids are asleep by then) I am still in the house and can't leave to do anything and they never are back before 8:45-9:00. Mom said she is not paying someone when there is nothing to do but hey it is my time. I start at 7am, so they figure 7-7 about 60 hours a week. My contract says it is their their expectation and intention to maintain a 55-65 hour work week with an average work week of 60 hours. Is it me or am I being flim - flam-med? This is my first live in job. Any words of wisdom? I think I know the answer already!