Reply to Grandma or nanny for childcare?

Forum Index » Employer Issues

Reply to "Grandma or nanny for childcare?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Nanny here. I just want to say that I agree that asking for full time care is too much responsibility for grandparents (but 2 or maybe 3 days a week is reasonable). Many of my clients over the years have had grandparents care for their little ones 1-3 days per week. In most of those cases, it has been great for everyone involved.

However, I think you really need to consider the grandparents physical shape and energy levels. Not one but TWO of the children I have nannied for over the years endured a broken limb while under granny's care: a ten month old boy suffered a broken leg when his grandma fell down the stairs carrying him, and a two year old girl suffered a broken arm when she fell at the playground, and grandma wasn't there to catch her. The little boys accident was surprising since his grandma really did seem physically capable, but that's why it is so important to /really/ make sure that grandma isn't just physically able to handle herself, but handle little ones, too.

As for the little girl, I admit that could've happened under almost anyone's care; I didn't know her grandma particularly well, so it's hard for me to speculate on exact causes. However, I see a common theme among grandparents at the playground: they almost always seem to treat it as break time. They sit down on a bench and observe; they are never right there running and climbing with the kids like nannies or parents are. Obviously when the kids are a bit older that's fine. But for young kids you really need someone able to keep up so they can be right there if your child does need extra help.

There are two sets of grandparents who care for their grandkids full time who I often run into at the neighborhood playground. Every time I see them there I sigh, and brace myself for the fact that I will now be entertaining and physically assisting the child I am paid to care for, but also all of these poor grandchildren as well. The kids they care for are all between 1 and 3 years old. They all ALWAYS seem to find themselves in situations where they need physical assistance on the playground, but grandma is ALWAYS way over on the bench, and I'm always right there, so I end up dealing with them myself. Sometimes when I see them there I take my charge to another area so we don't have to deal with them, but then all I see happen is the kids yell "grandma, grandma, come over here! Come watch me!" And grandma, nine times out of ten, will not budge from her seat.

Then again, the little girl I watch two days per week now is with her grandparents two other days each week, and aside from some minor "not following moms rules" issues, I believe the care she receives from them is great.

I noticed in your post you said you were hesitant to leave your child "with a stranger." There are a couple things about that:
1) it's good to socialize your child with at least one babysitter, because it does help with overall stranger anxiety, and it IS a good idea to have a familiar sitter for when you find yourself really needing one (trust me, it will happen at some point)
2) if you find a nanny or sitter with excellent references, then you have nothing to worry about; just give your family a chance to know him or her and then they won't be a stranger!
3) please don't let your own personal fear of finding a sitter or getting to know a sitter be /the/ reason you use the grandparents instead. As I (and others) mentioned above, for as much as they may love their grandkids they still might not be the best caregiver for your child. Do what is right for your child, not just the easiest thing for you initially.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics