If you have a strong relationship with God ...

[Anonymous]

Could you work for a family which does not? I don't mean that they are just a different religion, but that God just isn't a presence in their home or for their kids. If you are strongly religious in the sense that God is a part of your everyday life (decision-making, place to go for comfort, etc), would it feel too strange for you to work all day for years in a home where God is not a presence and where the parents are not interested in introducing God or religion?

[Anonymous]

No, I would not even give consideration to this job. I do not wear my religion on my sleeve but my faith in God is strong and I do not want to be this closely involved with people who have no belief in a power no higher than themselves.

[Anonymous]

I have worked for families of different and non faiths. As long as they are not outwardly hostile (one mom was) of your faith, it isn't a big deal. I've had parents who didn't practice anything refer their kids to me when it came to answering questions about Christmas and Easter. Respect goes both ways and as long as it is there, there shouldn't be an issue.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you. It's interesting that the two of you posted, because these were the two positions I could imagine a nanny having.

We are the family: secular, liberal Jews, and we interviewed a wonderful nanny who referenced prayer, her church, and religious guidance several times.

I think I will ask the agency to raise this issue with her since she might be more honest with them about her feelings. We are not at all hostile to her beliefs, but I can also understand how it might get difficult to leave such a big part of her life out of her day-to-day work. I imagine it would be easier in a company or a large school, but in the intimate setting of a home it could feel like a burden. I'll leave it up to her.

[Anonymous]

I am very religious, and do not need a nanny family that's religious.
I am more concerned about sharing the same values than the same worship styles or theology.

I don't wear it on my sleave, but I don't hide it either. I would never talk religion with the kids, but if the parents ask me what I did this weekend, I'll tell them I did such-and-such with my church. I also list volunteering through my church on my resume, and list my pastor as a reference. So far, I've had no problems.

I probably would not feel comfortable working for a family that is openly hostile towards religion in my presence, though. Chances are they might not want me working for them.

[Anonymous]

I did for 8 1/2 for one rich family in Old Town,and they always used to say to me like ,don't pray or talk about god with my kids,and iAm always give a lot respect for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you. It's interesting that the two of you posted, because these were the two positions I could imagine a nanny having.

We are the family: secular, liberal Jews, and we interviewed a wonderful nanny who referenced prayer, her church, and religious guidance several times.

I think I will ask the agency to raise this issue with her since she might be more honest with them about her feelings. We are not at all hostile to her beliefs, but I can also understand how it might get difficult to leave such a big part of her life out of her day-to-day work. I imagine it would be easier in a company or a large school, but in the intimate setting of a home it could feel like a burden. I'll leave it up to her.

OP, I'm 15:03 and I am not a nanny and I worked in an international org. with Jews. Muslims, and many other religions and we never brought up religion. Your original post is misleading because you are not atheist. You are a liberal Jew but you, apparently, do believe in a higher power than yourself.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I am an atheist. My husband is more agnostic. We're also Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you. It's interesting that the two of you posted, because these were the two positions I could imagine a nanny having.

We are the family: secular, liberal Jews, and we interviewed a wonderful nanny who referenced prayer, her church, and religious guidance several times.

I think I will ask the agency to raise this issue with her since she might be more honest with them about her feelings. We are not at all hostile to her beliefs, but I can also understand how it might get difficult to leave such a big part of her life out of her day-to-day work. I imagine it would be easier in a company or a large school, but in the intimate setting of a home it could feel like a burden. I'll leave it up to her.

OP, I'm 15:03 and I am not a nanny and I worked in an international org. with Jews. Muslims, and many other religions and we never brought up religion. Your original post is misleading because you are not atheist. You are a liberal Jew but you, apparently, do believe in a higher power than yourself.

Where did OP say she was an atheist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you. It's interesting that the two of you posted, because these were the two positions I could imagine a nanny having.

We are the family: secular, liberal Jews, and we interviewed a wonderful nanny who referenced prayer, her church, and religious guidance several times.

I think I will ask the agency to raise this issue with her since she might be more honest with them about her feelings. We are not at all hostile to her beliefs, but I can also understand how it might get difficult to leave such a big part of her life out of her day-to-day work. I imagine it would be easier in a company or a large school, but in the intimate setting of a home it could feel like a burden. I'll leave it up to her.

OP, I'm 15:03 and I am not a nanny and I worked in an international org. with Jews. Muslims, and many other religions and we never brought up religion. Your original post is misleading because you are not atheist. You are a liberal Jew but you, apparently, do believe in a higher power than yourself.

Where did OP say she was an atheist?

Oops. Or he. I don't want to be misleading.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't trust such an effusively religious nanny not to indoctrinate to some level. People like that can't help it, everything comes back to some Bible story or having faith or whatever. Protect your children from the brainwashing and hire a professional who knows not to talk about her personal beliefs at a job interview. She may or may not be extremely religious but the point is she can control how much she needs to talk about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't trust such an effusively religious nanny not to indoctrinate to some level. People like that can't help it, everything comes back to some Bible story or having faith or whatever. Protect your children from the brainwashing and hire a professional who knows not to talk about her personal beliefs at a job interview. She may or may not be extremely religious but the point is she can control how much she needs to talk about it.

As a nanny who happens to be a Christian, I know how to keep my beliefs out of work and not bring everything back to a Bible story. This girl may have not known to keep things like that out of an interview, or she may have felt like she should lay her cards out front, knowing some people do not take kindly to Christians. I replied earlier about having a mom who was hostile toward me because of my beliefs. I did not talk about my faith during the interview or for the first few months I was employed. But we were talking about something one day and I mentioned my beliefs, and her attitude toward me changed. She started saying negative things about Christianity and mocked me about several things I believed in. And shortly after that, I was fired without cause. But I was planning on leaving anyway, so her firing me turned out to be a benefit because I was able to file for unemployment.

[Anonymous]

I've worked for families that were of different faith, didn't practice any faith, or were same faith as me. I've never discussed religion with any of the kids. I did ask the atheist/agnostic families how they wanted holidays like Christmas handled. If they were another faith I asked how they wanted those holidays handled if they had older children who's friends celebrated holidays they didn't but I don't see why a nanny would need to discuss religion with their charges.

[Anonymous]

I'm a pagan, so I keep my ideas to myself because many families would fire me. I've worked for atheists, Hindus, Christians. It's all good as long as nobody pushes their beliefs on me. My ideals are the same as any major religion- do unto others, do no harm- and I raise my child and others to be kind, loving and tolerant, but unfortunately most people prejudge me.

[Anonymous]

I'm a pagan, so I keep my ideas to myself because many families would fire me. I've worked for atheists, Hindus, Christians. It's all good as long as nobody pushes their beliefs on me. My ideals are the same as any major religion- do unto others, do no harm- and I raise my child and others to be kind, loving and tolerant, but unfortunately most people prejudge me.
I also believe if a nanny is directly preaching to your children, it's cause for at least a stern talking to. It is definitely crossing a boundary.I