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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.