Live-in and personal taste in art....

[Anonymous]

MB does not need to explain anything to you people. She does need to grow a spine.

[Anonymous]

Right, 8:40am, and MB also doesn't need to be posting here. But since she did, then she is going to get legitimate questions about the situation she posted. Since she is also willing to out herself as being judgmental, and overreaching with regards to her nanny's art, then she's bound to get some pushback on that.

Tough for her.

Oh, and it isn't a spine she needs to grow. She just needs to develop tolerance and the ability to mind her own business.

[Anonymous]

For a 14 year old I wouldn't worry, I know she sees/here's about/talks about much worse when she's at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally I don't see what the problem is...do you never take your kids to an art museum??

I don't think there's anything you can do about it other than not allow the kids in her space. Feel free to tell her why...and actually it's better if you do so she isn't left wondering if she did/said something wrong.

You mentioned she isn't allowed to put any nail holes in the wall...how is she displaying the art? (And what's up the the nail hole thing?? I grew up with a step dad like that and it was AWFUL!!!)

We use command hooks in our house, tons of holes in the walls bring down the value of our property. She had no problem with it, they are fairly cheap and easy to install.

The question wasn't whether you believe my children should be exposed to nude art or not, it wasn't a question about my child-rearing practices. The question was about what I can and cannot ask my live-in to do, and if it would be within my boundaries.

You do know that you can fill holes and paint over them, right? I think that you should just not allow the kids in her space if you are concerned about ANYTHING they might see while in it. Since you cannot keep a constant eye on what she has in her own space, that would be the best thing to do. But I think you really should reconsider how you react to things like paintings with naked women in them etc. You cannot control EVERYTHING that goes on around you and what your kids will see while growing up. There are going to be times that they see stuff like this, you cannot hide it from them forever, nor should you want to. I think sexual scenes or violence in movies is smart to not let kids watch at a young age, but a painting or sculpture seems to be a little bit overboard. You don't want your kids growing up thinking the human body is shameful or should never be seen. It could adverse effects on them later in life.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has been a live-in nanny, if any of my employers ever asked something like that of me, I would definitely not be renewing my contract with them. Part of the "perk" of being a live-in is the space you have apart from the family. Decorating the space is one of the ways to make it feel like home. I understand about the holes in the wall and painting; it works just like a rental property. However, telling her to take down such pieces of art in a space that is suppose to be hers is insulting. It would be like my landlord telling me to take down my art because it offends him.

The fact that she spends time with your children on her off hours speaks very highly of her. I'm sure you can be direct with her. Tell her that you find the art offensive and would rather the children not enter her space if the artwork is visible and welcome her into your home if the children want to visit. Or you could just not say anything and it would continue to bother you.

[Anonymous]

No, OP, you shouldn't ask her to remove it. If you're uncomfortable with your child(ren) seeing it you can let her know that you'd like them to not visit her there unless they are covered/hidden, but it is her space to decorate as she wishes (provided, as you mentioned, she isn't doing any damage to your property).

[Anonymous]

OP, if she is working part-time in exchange for room and board then it's her area and she can do what she wants. HOWEVER, it's your children/teen and you can tell your kid to watch TV in her own room.

You can let the sitter no and she will probably be understanding and cover them herself.

[Anonymous]

I also agree with others about the painting. There is nothing wrong with naked art. Media has made the naked body into something sexual and art like you've described shouldn't be considered "dirty".

Besides, your kid is fourteen, she's probably seen more then you can imagine and the naked art probably doesn't make her bat an eyelid.

[Anonymous]

What if your DD went to a friend's house and the friend's parents had artwork like this? Would you seriously forbid her from going over there just because of that reason?? (assuming you liked the friend/friends parents) How weird.

You do realize your 14-yr-old DAUGHTER knows what breasts look like, don't you? Plus, as another PP said, I'm sure she has seen/heard/experienced worse (aka vulgar) things than that piece of art. Kids these days grow up so fast!! (unfortunately!)