Should we fire our nanny?

[Anonymous]

We recently hired a new nanny to take care of our 6 year old after school and to provide full time care for our one year old. She came highly recommended with a long work history including caring for multiples. Tonight my 6 yr old casually mentioned that while he was playing in the living room he looked up and realized his baby sister had climbed to the top of the staircase. He ran to get the nanny who was doing something in the kitchen. My heart froze when he showed me where he had found his sister - all theway at the top of a very long staircase. She cannot walk yet but toddles along by grabbing on to things and goes up the stairs on her feet while clinging to the banister - which somehow seems more precarious than if she had just been crawling. I feel sick thinking of what might have happened if she had lost her footing. She could have broken a bone of worse. I am normally understanding and not an alarmist parent but this seems unforgivable. We have a pack and play in the living room and she could have out the baby there if she needed a free moment. I am going to talk to her tomorrow but am wondering if we should just fire her, this seems so BASIC. Baby safety 101, no? Would welcome other parents' advice. Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

High probability that your 6 year old is a liar.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Also should have mentioned that I am certain my son is not lying. Almost never lies and when he does it is about something minor - not washing his hands etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Also should have mentioned that I am certain my son is not lying. Almost never lies and when he does it is about something minor - not washing his hands etc.

Kay.

[Anonymous]

If she's been great and you like her, talk to her about it. Tell her what your son told you and let her know what you'd like her to do in the future. If you're so paranoid about the stairs in your house, get a gate.

[Anonymous]

This is 100% your fault for not having baby gates on the top and bottom of your very long steep stairs. Own it.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you need a gate at the bottom of the staircase in addition to the one you have at the top.

[Anonymous]

No baby gates op? Honestly you should scowled yourself or your baby. I wouldn't Fire over this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is 100% your fault for not having baby gates on the top and bottom of your very long steep stairs. Own it.

+1 I don't understand why you would blame the nanny for your basic safety failing. No one with two children and other duties can watch a child 100% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you need a gate at the bottom of the staircase in addition to the one you have at the top.

+ 1 Basic child-proofing 101. This was your fault and not the nanny's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently hired a new nanny to take care of our 6 year old after school and to provide full time care for our one year old. She came highly recommended with a long work history including caring for multiples. Tonight my 6 yr old casually mentioned that while he was playing in the living room he looked up and realized his baby sister had climbed to the top of the staircase. He ran to get the nanny who was doing something in the kitchen. My heart froze when he showed me where he had found his sister - all theway at the top of a very long staircase. She cannot walk yet but toddles along by grabbing on to things and goes up the stairs on her feet while clinging to the banister - which somehow seems more precarious than if she had just been crawling. I feel sick thinking of what might have happened if she had lost her footing. She could have broken a bone of worse. I am normally understanding and not an alarmist parent but this seems unforgivable. We have a pack and play in the living room and she could have out the baby there if she needed a free moment. I am going to talk to her tomorrow but am wondering if we should just fire her, this seems so BASIC. Baby safety 101, no? Would welcome other parents' advice. Thanks so much.

This is your fault!!why you ask your nanny do cleaning?nannies have to be nannies not cleaning dishes..,another thing you teacher your boy to be Gossipe?
(Fofoqueiro)this all your fault,that it!.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is 100% your fault for not having baby gates on the top and bottom of your very long steep stairs. Own it.

This. Baby proof your house because it is impossible to monitor 2 kids for every second of every day.

[Anonymous]

MB here and this was your failing, OP, not the nanny's. Baby-proof your home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently hired a new nanny to take care of our 6 year old after school and to provide full time care for our one year old. She came highly recommended with a long work history including caring for multiples. Tonight my 6 yr old casually mentioned that while he was playing in the living room he looked up and realized his baby sister had climbed to the top of the staircase. He ran to get the nanny who was doing something in the kitchen. My heart froze when he showed me where he had found his sister - all theway at the top of a very long staircase. She cannot walk yet but toddles along by grabbing on to things and goes up the stairs on her feet while clinging to the banister - which somehow seems more precarious than if she had just been crawling. I feel sick thinking of what might have happened if she had lost her footing. She could have broken a bone of worse. I am normally understanding and not an alarmist parent but this seems unforgivable. We have a pack and play in the living room and she could have out the baby there if she needed a free moment. I am going to talk to her tomorrow but am wondering if we should just fire her, this seems so BASIC. Baby safety 101, no? Would welcome other parents' advice. Thanks so much.

I am a parent who employs a nanny as well and this was your fault, OP. You should have had a baby-gate. THAT is basic baby safety 101 for a parent.

[Anonymous]

No. Get another gate. This can happen to anyone-- including you, MB. You can't expect your nanny to watch your baby %100 of the time when she's expected to do cleaning, etc.