Interaction with a child.

[Anonymous]

If a child is playing nicely with another child, should you just let them be and read a book and check on he/she periodically? Or do you just stare at the child the whole time? What if he/she is playing nicely by themselves and every time you try to join they ignore you? I don't want people to think I'm neglecting the child but I mean what is the right thing to do, if the child is playing nicely and enjoying themselves? I always hear parents say "I don't want the nanny on her phone" but is reading ok? Or would you just stand over the child for hours while playing. This is during the outside time, inside were all over playing together, reading etc.

[Anonymous]

You watch him and think. No phone and no reading. You watch your charge.

I am a nanny. I never take my eyes off my charge outside and never check my phone.

[Anonymous]

No! Reading is not okay! You are being paid to watch the child at the very least so watch the child!!!

[Anonymous]

Not stand over but stand back and watch him. No phone and no reading. This is actually your job, OP.

[Anonymous]

Echoing pps, unless the child is old enough for kindergarten, then I give a little more leeway.

The only time I read, check dcum, or entertain myself is when I'm waiting for my charges and they are safely occupied (tv in car while stopped at the bus stop). I do check my phone regularly to see who texts or emails, and I answer anything relevant to the children when I can. Everything personal waits until later.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. When the kids are playing together, I only "watch" them. Get my thoughts organized There's nothing else to do ... That's part of the job, not funny, but at least you get a little break from running around and it's a little portion of the day.

[Anonymous]

If my charge is at the playground, I will stand a distance away and just watch. I never read or look at my phone.

[Anonymous]

lmao if I had a nickel for every time I saw a nanny at the playground reading/on her cell while her charge played, I'd be a very rich woman. PPs are full of bologna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lmao if I had a nickel for every time I saw a nanny at the playground reading/on her cell while her charge played, I'd be a very rich woman. PPs are full of bologna.

There's a difference between what nannies often do and what they should do. That's the consequence of a job with no direct oversight. Just as my friend's camera recorded her nanny propping the infant in front of the TV for 2 hours a day -- surely that wasn't what the nanny should be doing.

OP if you are outdoors or in a public place, you should be directly supervising the child(ren). They can run off in a matter of seconds, often do dangerous things, or could be kidnapped. It's not the time to pull out a book and engross yourself. That's for nap time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lmao if I had a nickel for every time I saw a nanny at the playground reading/on her cell while her charge played, I'd be a very rich woman. PPs are full of bologna.

Yes, there are bad nannies out there. This is news to you, PP? I am simply not one of them.

To OP: You never take your eyes off your charge outside. Let him play and stand far enough away to give him some independence but close enough to reach him in two seconds if something happened. This is your job - this is what you are getting paid for.

[Anonymous]

This depends on the age of the child. If they are toddlers I think they should be supervised.
If they are 5yo's I dont think you need to watch them constantly, thats ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This depends on the age of the child. If they are toddlers I think they should be supervised.
If they are 5yo's I dont think you need to watch them constantly, thats ridiculous.

Five-year-olds still fall, get bullied by other kids, wander off, and get kidnapped. Yes, watch your charge 100% of the time when you are outside or in a public place.

Seriously, this childcare 101. Not difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This depends on the age of the child. If they are toddlers I think they should be supervised.
If they are 5yo's I dont think you need to watch them constantly, thats ridiculous.

Five-year-olds still fall, get bullied by other kids, wander off, and get kidnapped. Yes, watch your charge 100% of the time when you are outside or in a public place.

Seriously, this childcare 101. Not difficult.

True for mothers, nannies or anyone (grandparents, babysitters, etc) who are responsible for a child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lmao if I had a nickel for every time I saw a nanny at the playground reading/on her cell while her charge played, I'd be a very rich woman. PPs are full of bologna.

Frequently emailing/texting the parents