I service your child, not you.

[Anonymous]

If you want me to do something that isn't the best thing for your child, I will not do it. Yes, you do sign my paycheck. But my professional responsibility is to your child. I would resign before doing anything that didn't seem right. So far, it's happened only once, when a high-powered attorney mom asked me to spank her child. It was shocking.

[Anonymous]

I agree with your sentiment, but your wording is all wrong. You DO serve the parents, your service is childcare. I know what you mean though, the best interests of the child comes first, and with that comes very tricky territory. You'd think (and really hope) that a parent has the child's best interest, but sadly not all do. In these situations it's best to be upfront even before you take the nannying job.

For example, when in the interview process I also take this as an opportunity to "interview" the family. I need to know if they are a good fit for me, just like they need to know if I'm a good fit for them. I ask about their parenting styles, specifically sleeping and discipline issues. I'm upfront and say I do not spank, and I try to avoid working with families who do. Luckily, most of the families I've worked with have been on the same page as me. Always a few differences, but I respect the parents wishes unless I truly believe it could damage or hurt the child. In those cases it's best to say "I'm sorry, I cannot follow your instructions." If they fire you, they fire you. Better to leave now then end up in a situation that could get scary fast. I once had a mother who told me to give her 9-month-old DD BENEDRYL so she'd sleep through the night, did she know a nanny got her ass in jail for that crap? Needless to say that didn't last very long.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, OP, if you said that to me, I'd fire you in a quick second.

You work for me. I am the parent. What you think is right doesn't trump what I think is right and if you defy my parenting wishes, we are not a good fit and you are welcome to leave.

But make no mistake. The parent is the one in charge. So if you think it's fine to ignore my child while you text on your phone because you think it's important she learn 'independent play' (as ridiculous an example as your nonsense spanking example), I will fire you because your judgment isn't better simply because you're the nanny.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, pp, you'd never have the opportunity to fire me. I make a fierce point of staying far away from absentee management types like you. People who hire me, do so, for my expertise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want me to do something that isn't the best thing for your child, I will not do it. Yes, you do sign my paycheck. But my professional responsibility is to your child. I would resign before doing anything that didn't seem right. So far, it's happened only once, when a high-powered attorney mom asked me to spank her child. It was shocking.

Yes. Good for you! I know just what you mean, and you're doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Don't we all love the absentee management moms?

[Anonymous]

You already tried to start an argument with that line, 20:42.

It didn't work because everyone can see that you only post to start trouble. Go away.

[Anonymous]

When the subject line doesn't interest you, move on. That's what everyone else does.
Thanks so much and have an awesome day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, OP, if you said that to me, I'd fire you in a quick second.

You work for me. I am the parent. What you think is right doesn't trump what I think is right and if you defy my parenting wishes, we are not a good fit and you are welcome to leave.

But make no mistake. The parent is the one in charge. So if you think it's fine to ignore my child while you text on your phone because you think it's important she learn 'independent play' (as ridiculous an example as your nonsense spanking example), I will fire you because your judgment isn't better simply because you're the nanny.

+1. And I'm a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, OP, if you said that to me, I'd fire you in a quick second.

You work for me. I am the parent. What you think is right doesn't trump what I think is right and if you defy my parenting wishes, we are not a good fit and you are welcome to leave.

But make no mistake. The parent is the one in charge. So if you think it's fine to ignore my child while you text on your phone because you think it's important she learn 'independent play' (as ridiculous an example as your nonsense spanking example), I will fire you because your judgment isn't better simply because you're the nanny.

+1. And I'm a nanny.

+2 from another nanny
As long as the child isn't in danger you have to listen to the parents.

[Anonymous]

As long as the child is not in danger, you will obey parental demands, no matter how insane? And you call yourself a nanny? The Brits, who understand what a nanny is, would laugh you off the map.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as the child is not in danger, you will obey parental demands, no matter how insane? And you call yourself a nanny? The Brits, who understand what a nanny is, would laugh you off the map.

Yes. They are the parent. We are the nannies. If you don't agree with the parents demands, you quit because clearly it is not a good fit for you or the family. No one here cares what the Brits would say so your argument is silly and invalid.

[Anonymous]

You may speak for yourself, but not for the rest of us. The parents who hire me, do so for my specific experience, and for my judgement. You may centainly have different arrangements with regard to how you perform your work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as the child is not in danger, you will obey parental demands, no matter how insane? And you call yourself a nanny? The Brits, who understand what a nanny is, would laugh you off the map.

After working for one nightmare family, now I only work for families that have similar child rearing philosophies and viewpoints to myself. I listen to my MB but that is because I know she would probably never ask me to do something that I don't already agree with.

[Anonymous]

I am glad that you and your MB agree.