Topic: nanny

Social Media Makes It A Lot Easier To Spy On the Sitter

Social Media Makes It A Lot Easier To Spy On the Sitter

A friend of mine has a live-in nanny who is permitted to use the family computers. And frequently when she uses them, she logs into her social media sites … but not out. This leaves her open for some prime-time social media spying from the parents.

“I can’t help it,” my friend explained, somewhat meekly. “When I open up my laptop and up pops a Facebook update referencing my children.” More »

“It’s Not Always Your Turn,” And Other Business Lessons I Learned From Our Nanny

âItâs Not Always Your Turn,â And Other Business Lessons I Learned From Our Nanny

My daughter’s caregiver is an amazing, intelligent woman whom I love and respect with all my heart. Annie, whom my daughter has always called “Nanny,” runs state-accredited home daycare where she takes care of roughly seven or eight children every day. My daughter has been going to Annie’s since she was three weeks old. There’s no denying that this magnificent woman has taught my daughter just as much as I have. And as any working mother can attest to, trusting the person who takes care of your kids is the only way to make it through a nine-hour workday. More »

The Catch-22 Of A Pregnant Nanny

The Catch-22 Of A Pregnant Nanny

Feeling guilty is a hallmark of motherhood, and leaving your child with a nanny as you head to the office doesn’t exactly help matters. You’re essentially putting another woman in charge of your child’s safety and well-being for eight-plus hours each day and hoping for the best. Which explains why a woman’s relationship with her nanny is not your typical employer-employee relationship.

It’s a working agreement, to be sure, but it comes with some pretty heavy emotions (I have yet to find a couple who doesn’t consider their nanny – at least a good one, anyway – to be family). These feelings only get intensified if and when a nanny gets pregnant. Most moms are thrilled – how could they not be? – but deep down there’s that panicked feeling as they figure out the implications on their own lives. And there’s a fine line between supporting your nanny – emotionally, financially, legally – and doing what’s best for you and your children. More »

Mom Abandons Baby, Leaves Him With Sitter Hired Over Craigslist

Mom Abandons Baby, Leaves Him With Sitter Hired Over Craigslist

An Indianapolis babysitter got more than she bargained for this week after the 13-month-old boy she was caring for was abandoned by his mother. The sitter, 28-year-old Cecilia Long, answered a Craigslist ad around Thanksgiving and had been watching the boy at her home on a regular basis ever since.

But when the boy’s mother Jen failed to pick him up on Wednesday, Long gave her a call, only to be told that she was out of town and that the child was no longer her “problem.” More »

This Mother Nearly Dropped Dead When I Suggested The Nanny Watch Our Kids

This Mother Nearly Dropped Dead When I Suggested The Nanny Watch Our Kids

I had a total Mommy Wars/feeling judged moment at school the other day that I’m still trying to figure out what exactly went wrong. Here’s what happened, in a nutshell:

Mother: “Let’s get boys together on Friday since there’s no school that day.”

Me: “Sounds great. Can J. come to us?”

Mother: “Sure thing.”

Me: “Okay. I’ll be working but our nanny will be at home and she’s wonderful. B. will be so excited!”

Mother then proceeds to give me look of horror. More »

Your Kids Are Picking Up On The Babysitter’s Values. Sorry.

Your Kids Are Picking Up On The Babysitter's Values. Sorry.

I always make a point to become a chameleon for the different families I babysit.

I try to leave my own opinions and sentiments at the door as when I walk into the home of other families, I’m hired to reflect their values — not my own. Provided that the parents aren’t beating or starving their children, there are few instances in which I feel it’s appropriate to assert my own beliefs.

I’m the babysitter, not the parent, and the distinguishing factor often comes when handling certain sensitive subjects in which I don’t want to overstep my bounds. The problem often is, however, that simply by being a regular grownup in the kid’s life — they do start to emulate you and what you think. More »

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