What to do when parents don't childproof?

[Anonymous]

I'm in a share and alternate houses. Why these ppl refuse to childproof is beyond me. I have two crawlers that are into EVERYTHING! I can't even go to the bathroom for 30 seconds. I went to pee and before I even flushed I said let me check on them quick. I came outside to them eating the pebbles from the fireplace! They could have choked and that would have been on me for leaving them but for goodness sakes, childproof your damn place!

[Anonymous]

Insist on working ONLY in the other house if it's safer.
You MUST do this. GL.

[Anonymous]

Notify both families via email about the unsafe environment. Tell them all it must be made safe before you can work there again. This is for your own protection, OP, as well as the children's. If anything happened, they'd prosecute you for negligence. Make sure to keep your copies of the warning.

[Anonymous]

Or you could be proactive??? When you get there in the morning, remove the things that are obviously unsafe for the babies (like the pebbles) and barricade areas that are just too difficult to deal with. Put the babies in a pack and play when you go to the bathroom (or just take them with you if they honestly can't be left alone for 60 seconds without getting into something).

Jeez, take a little initiative instead of just sitting and wringing your hands about it.

[Anonymous]

I have done some baby-proofing on my own. I put items out of reach, and blocked off unsafe areas. When I tidy at the end of the day, I would put everything back as the parents had it. This is my work space, so I need to prepare it so I can work properly.

Also, I agree with putting the kids in cribs/packNplay/high chairs when going to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

I had the same situation with my MB/DB -- they wouldn't child-proof their balcony or put bumpers up on their sharp, glass-edged coffee table. Finally, I insisted that I simply wouldn't be able to continue working for them unless they took these simple precautions. I was always with my charge and never needed to use the bathroom or anything until he was napping in bed but I do dislike feeling like I had to hover over him at every second and make him feel that he wasn't safe in his own home. Very bad for the child.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the posters who had helpful advice. As for the rude Poster, I don't sit around wringing my hands but thanks for your very unhelpful comment. To the others, I generally put them in the crib if I have to go to the bathroom or take the stroller downstairs but thought I'd make a quick run for it yesterday. There's nothing here to block the thing off. I've been considering just throwing away the darn pebbles and let the chips fall where they may...

[Anonymous]

When I see that my charges are becoming more mobile, I have a baby proofing meeting with my employers. I alert them to the problem areas that I am aware of, give recommendations for products I know work well, and offer to install them if they purchase them. This is usually enough to get them moving on baby proofing.

If it isn't enough, and this has only happened once, I follow up by explaining that I do not want to be responsible for broken valuables or injuries that occur as a result of the lack of baby proofing, and that I consider this part of providing a safe work environment.

They are all aware that the contract they signed lists an unsafe work environment as a termination for cause situation, and opens them up to possibly losing their childcare without much notice if I choose to take another job.

Like another poster said, take some initiative. Your employers are with their kids for an hour or two in the evening, with two adults present. They won't see how difficult things are for you unless you tell them. You have a right to peace of mind and to safely use the bathroom at work!

[Anonymous]

I cannot believe parents would not child-proof their home, that is outrageous to me OP.

Too much liability for you here.

I would insist that they child-proof their home or you can no longer work there anymore.

Trust me, you are saving yourself from any liability issues down the road which could ruin your days working w/children.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe parents would not child-proof their home, that is outrageous to me OP.

Too much liability for you here.

I would insist that they child-proof their home or you can no longer work there anymore.

Trust me, you are saving yourself from any liability issues down the road which could ruin your days working w/children.

Good luck.

I agree 100%.

[Anonymous]

I insisted that my MB/DB child-proof their apartment. During my annual review, I brought it up again as a deal-breaker. The weird thing is that both MB and DB are "germaphobes" - worried about their child touching dirt and crawling on the floor - but the open balcony and stairscases didn't concern them nor did the sharp glass end tables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a share and alternate houses. Why these ppl refuse to childproof is beyond me. I have two crawlers that are into EVERYTHING! I can't even go to the bathroom for 30 seconds. I went to pee and before I even flushed I said let me check on them quick. I came outside to them eating the pebbles from the fireplace! They could have choked and that would have been on me for leaving them but for goodness sakes, childproof your damn place!

If you are a professional nanny you politely give advice and recommendations to the families. Time for some shoes! Time to childproof this this and that! Time for the next sized clothes! Time for everyone to get on board with the potty training plan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I see that my charges are becoming more mobile, I have a baby proofing meeting with my employers. I alert them to the problem areas that I am aware of, give recommendations for products I know work well, and offer to install them if they purchase them. This is usually enough to get them moving on baby proofing.

If it isn't enough, and this has only happened once, I follow up by explaining that I do not want to be responsible for broken valuables or injuries that occur as a result of the lack of baby proofing, and that I consider this part of providing a safe work environment.

They are all aware that the contract they signed lists an unsafe work environment as a termination for cause situation, and opens them up to possibly losing their childcare without much notice if I choose to take another job.

Like another poster said, take some initiative. Your employers are with their kids for an hour or two in the evening, with two adults present. They won't see how difficult things are for you unless you tell them. You have a right to peace of mind and to safely use the bathroom at work!

This.

Basic communication goes a long way. Speak with the families ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a share and alternate houses. Why these ppl refuse to childproof is beyond me. I have two crawlers that are into EVERYTHING! I can't even go to the bathroom for 30 seconds. I went to pee and before I even flushed I said let me check on them quick. I came outside to them eating the pebbles from the fireplace! They could have choked and that would have been on me for leaving them but for goodness sakes, childproof your damn place!

If you are a professional nanny you politely give advice and recommendations to the families. Time for some shoes! Time to childproof this this and that! Time for the next sized clothes! Time for everyone to get on board with the potty training plan!

Only tell OP things she wants to hear, and nicely!

It's obvious from these boards that the nannies around here want to be neither proactive nor managed in their positions. I agree with your advice, PP, but it will fall on deaf ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a share and alternate houses. Why these ppl refuse to childproof is beyond me. I have two crawlers that are into EVERYTHING! I can't even go to the bathroom for 30 seconds. I went to pee and before I even flushed I said let me check on them quick. I came outside to them eating the pebbles from the fireplace! They could have choked and that would have been on me for leaving them but for goodness sakes, childproof your damn place!

If you are a professional nanny you politely give advice and recommendations to the families. Time for some shoes! Time to childproof this this and that! Time for the next sized clothes! Time for everyone to get on board with the potty training plan!

Only tell OP things she wants to hear, and nicely!

It's obvious from these boards that the nannies around here want to be neither proactive nor managed in their positions. I agree with your advice, PP, but it will fall on deaf ears.

What about the posts on this thread, aside from OP, would make you generalize that nannies on this board aren't proactive? Most people gave proactive advice.