common knowledge? kids taking baths

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God, I would never be out of earshot of a child in my care in the bath at ANY age. If an older child insists on privacy they can have the door closed but, like a PP, I let them know that if they stop talking or singing I will come in to check on them.

With three under four currently I do sometimes have to leave the older two in the tub to take care of the baby, but the bathroom door and baby's bedroom door are opposite each other so everyone is within view/10 steps. If I employed a nanny, leaving a young child alone in water would be cause for termination, I'd expect much better judgment than that.

"ANY age"? That's quite melodramatic. I used to nanny for 3 kids aged 13, 11, and 7. They would often all shower at the same time. I stayed nearby the youngest in case he needed me, but he did everything himself, and it was more habit from having been the one to bathe him up until he got too old/he was a little fearful being alone at night in their large house . If I had told the kids they had to shower one at a time and I was going to stand nearby with the doors open, they would have looked at me like I had three heads. And it would have been pretty inappropriate with the older kids, too. Think back to your childhood: was anyone listening to you shower?

**open or shut, I meant to say

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford a trained (at least CPR and first aid) and experienced nanny? They're expensive.

This makes no sense. A nanny needs common sense (not A CPR certification) to PREVENT a drowning.

Are you saying that only nannies with a CPR certification know how to prevent accidents?

That is absurd.

Btw- it costs about $50 to get cpr certified so its not the end all be all credential you are making it out to be.

Is it helpful-yes. But more helpful is a nanny that does not put kids at risk of an accidental drowning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God, I would never be out of earshot of a child in my care in the bath at ANY age. If an older child insists on privacy they can have the door closed but, like a PP, I let them know that if they stop talking or singing I will come in to check on them.

With three under four currently I do sometimes have to leave the older two in the tub to take care of the baby, but the bathroom door and baby's bedroom door are opposite each other so everyone is within view/10 steps. If I employed a nanny, leaving a young child alone in water would be cause for termination, I'd expect much better judgment than that.

"ANY age"? That's quite melodramatic. I used to nanny for 3 kids aged 13, 11, and 7. They would often all shower at the same time. I stayed nearby the youngest in case he needed me, but he did everything himself, and it was more habit from having been the one to bathe him up until he got too old/he was a little fearful being alone at night in their large house . If I had told the kids they had to shower one at a time and I was going to stand nearby with the doors open, they would have looked at me like I had three heads. And it would have been pretty inappropriate with the older kids, too. Think back to your childhood: was anyone listening to you shower?

**open or shut, I meant to say

I'm pretty sure I said older children could have the door closed, but to answer your question...yes, my parents did listen. I vividly recall a time when I was 12 or 13, taking a bath and had my ears underwater. Apparently my dad was knocking on the door but I didn't hear him and he came bursting in to make sure I wasn't drowning. But even if I wouldn't do that with my own kids, I absolutely would with children I'm paid to look after. Having a child seriously injured or, god forbid, killed in my care is my worst nightmare, and it only takes one wet tile to fall, hit your head, get knocked unconscious, and drown in a few inches of water. I'd be happy doing the laundry in the next room or whatever, but no, I'm not going across the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God, I would never be out of earshot of a child in my care in the bath at ANY age. If an older child insists on privacy they can have the door closed but, like a PP, I let them know that if they stop talking or singing I will come in to check on them.

With three under four currently I do sometimes have to leave the older two in the tub to take care of the baby, but the bathroom door and baby's bedroom door are opposite each other so everyone is within view/10 steps. If I employed a nanny, leaving a young child alone in water would be cause for termination, I'd expect much better judgment than that.

"ANY age"? That's quite melodramatic. I used to nanny for 3 kids aged 13, 11, and 7. They would often all shower at the same time. I stayed nearby the youngest in case he needed me, but he did everything himself, and it was more habit from having been the one to bathe him up until he got too old/he was a little fearful being alone at night in their large house . If I had told the kids they had to shower one at a time and I was going to stand nearby with the doors open, they would have looked at me like I had three heads. And it would have been pretty inappropriate with the older kids, too. Think back to your childhood: was anyone listening to you shower?

**open or shut, I meant to say

I'm pretty sure I said older children could have the door closed, but to answer your question...yes, my parents did listen. I vividly recall a time when I was 12 or 13, taking a bath and had my ears underwater. Apparently my dad was knocking on the door but I didn't hear him and he came bursting in to make sure I wasn't drowning. But even if I wouldn't do that with my own kids, I absolutely would with children I'm paid to look after. Having a child seriously injured or, god forbid, killed in my care is my worst nightmare, and it only takes one wet tile to fall, hit your head, get knocked unconscious, and drown in a few inches of water. I'd be happy doing the laundry in the next room or whatever, but no, I'm not going across the house.

It's no suprised you turned out anxious.

[Anonymous]

I would prefer an anxious nanny over an incompetent one any day.

Much rather a nanny be cautious in any safety situation than lax/ not paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like op had a cheap nanny without even first aid or cpr. That is SO upsetting!

Go away. Clearly no one is taking your bait.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. Until the parents and I agree the child is mature enough (not old enough) to bathe with me in the bedroom or hallway, I'm in the bathroom, helping, playing and encouraging. The longest I leave a child at that stage is about 30-60 seconds, just long enough to break up an argument between siblings or grab a towel, and the child in the tub raises their voice to continue our conversation/song the whole time.

[Anonymous]

under SIX? um, no, that's not common knowledge, thats crazy. you pop in and make sure you can still hear them, but after 3ish they don't need constant supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:under SIX? um, no, that's not common knowledge, thats crazy. you pop in and make sure you can still hear them, but after 3ish they don't need constant supervision.

Most 3-4 year olds are not mature enough to bathe in a safe manner and get themselves clean. Either they are playing and aren't clean, or they're standing up, with the possibility of slipping and falling (highly likely for a preschooler in a wet tub/shower). Either way, there's no way I would think that checking every few minutes is enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:under SIX? um, no, that's not common knowledge, thats crazy. you pop in and make sure you can still hear them, but after 3ish they don't need constant supervision.

Most 3-4 year olds are not mature enough to bathe in a safe manner and get themselves clean. Either they are playing and aren't clean, or they're standing up, with the possibility of slipping and falling (highly likely for a preschooler in a wet tub/shower). Either way, there's no way I would think that checking every few minutes is enough.

+1

A child could die or be seriously brain damaged spending 2-4minutes in the water. Four year old decides to do a wiggle dance, slips and hits his head, unconscious in the water while you're off folding clothes or talking on the phone. They are decidedly not old enough to be left unsupervised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it wrong to assume that it is common knowledge for a nanny that you do not leave young children (i.e. >6) alone in a bathtub while they are taking a bath (and there is water in the tub)?

WWYD if your nanny left your child alone in a bathtub and was well outside of hearing range (I.e. on the other side of the house)?

I think you are over-reaching with the under 6. A 3+ year old child should be able to take a bath alone for 5-10 minutes without drowning. 2 and under needs supervision. If your nanny left your 2 year old alone then yes be upset, if she left your 5 year old alone then move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:under SIX? um, no, that's not common knowledge, thats crazy. you pop in and make sure you can still hear them, but after 3ish they don't need constant supervision.

What an odd comment for an old thread.

You need to know the child, people. One size does not fit all.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I feel comfortable leaving my 3 year old charge in the tub alone for a few minutes at a time. She's been taking swim classes since around 1.5, so she gets the whole underwater=can't breathe concept. Also, the tub has a no slip mat. I've been with her since birth, although I now only see her for a couple hours a week since starting a career elsewhere. At any rate, after I finish washing her hair and soaping her up, I usually leave to get her little brother dressed if I bathed them together, or to start her dinner while she plays. She understands bath safety, and the bedroom and kitchen are within eat shot. I also periodically check in on her, or call out to her. When she answers, I say I'm just checking that she's still alive! We have very candid conversations she and I.
Her parents know that I do this, and they seem to not have an issue with it, as they've never brought it up. In my opinion, it's simply a matter of knowing your charge and being a responsible caretaker based on your situation. Of course accidents can happen to any child at any age, so it's a matter of sensibility to be proactive enough to prevent them at an effective level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:under SIX? um, no, that's not common knowledge, thats crazy. you pop in and make sure you can still hear them, but after 3ish they don't need constant supervision.

Most 3-4 year olds are not mature enough to bathe in a safe manner and get themselves clean. Either they are playing and aren't clean, or they're standing up, with the possibility of slipping and falling (highly likely for a preschooler in a wet tub/shower). Either way, there's no way I would think that checking every few minutes is enough.

+1

A child could die or be seriously brain damaged spending 2-4minutes in the water. Four year old decides to do a wiggle dance, slips and hits his head, unconscious in the water while you're off folding clothes or talking on the phone. They are decidedly not old enough to be left unsupervised.

Well by God you just can't leave your children unattended for even 1 second then am I right?!?! I mean they could take the lightbulb out of the lamp and like the live socket in under 15 seconds! DEAD! They could run head first, full steam into a wall and get brain damage! Unless you are right there to tell them its not a good idea then boom, immediately paralyzed!