[Anonymous]

Hi fellow JC mamas and papas,

I wanted to open a discussion with local parents about nannies in the area. I am a stay-at-home-mama (though I did initially go back to work, and did have a nanny for a short period of time) who spends each day exploring JC with my little one. On most days, that involves a visit to Hamilton Park to see the dogs and usually, swing at the playground.

However, I’ve begun to avoid bringing my child to play at the Hamilton Park playground because I leave so stressed out I don’t know what to do. While I don’t want to get involved in the following situation, the mama in me pushes me to post this: if it were my child, I would want to know.

Many of the nannies I see are fine. Most don’t even catch my eye (I’m there to play with my child, after all, not evaluate the childcare providers around me!); they are all varying degrees of loving, and some even make me smile at their kind care.

But a small group of 2-3 nannies who seem to meet up (daily?) in the park with the children in their care are those who cause me concern.

They collectively care for two or three little blonde boys (18 months-24 months I’m guessing, and it’s usually 2 boys- the third may be a friend). I do know one of their names from hearing the nanny yell it, but I don’t want to post it here. It is unclear who is technically in charge of who, or if it is a combination, or if the two are brothers (they do look alike, but again, there are two nannies).

The nannies are not physically abusive, but they are definitely negligent and I would classify them as mean. They park themselves on a bench and avoid getting up unless it’s extreme (such as the time I witnessed one of the nannies chase one of the boys, who was playing with a stick. He subsequently hurt himself during her pursuit, for which she yelled at him). Don’t get me wrong, sitting and letting children play is more than fine if they are older, but not okay for young toddlers. The two nannies seem to prefer to sit and brood with each other. They even change the boys’ diapers in their lap so as not to get up (I’m sorry, but 18-24 months is too big for that, which is likely why the little boy having his diaper changed was very upset and crying).

No kind or caring words are spoken to the children; only commands in a negative, annoyed tone. No kind embraces are given. Just very cold, impersonal care. Again, I have never seen anything physical, but I always think to myself, “if this is how they act in public, I can’t imagine what they are like in private.”

Yes, toddlers are a handful. I know. I have a one year old just coming in to her own. But that only requires extra patience, extra love and hugs and at the very least, kind and patient words.

Today pushed me over the edge when in an attempt to get one of the children to eat lunch, the nanny strapped the little boy (who was hysterical) into his stroller and after repeatedly yelling at him to “Stop it!”, told him that if he didn’t eat, she would not let him get out of the stroller.

I then left the park. This is most days. They, specifically, induce a sick-to-my-stomach feeling – I can’t help but imagine if it was my child and nothing about their care is acceptable to me.

Nannies on their phones? A pet peeve, yes, but nothing I would post about. Even a less-than-attentive nanny – I would mind my own business. But the combination of their negligence, the tone and words used, and the reaction of the children (usually crying on a spectrum of hysterical) is just too much.

If they could possibly be the mothers of the children in question, I would certainly mind my own business. But these women are definitely nannies, and therefore someone is paying them to take the best possible care with their greatest ‘possession’ and that is not happening.

If you think this could be your nanny/nannies, please message me privately. Otherwise, help parents: what should I do in the meantime?

[Anonymous]

This is so sad , this is why i can not trust anyone with my child .I get so up set to see this around us.

Very unfortunate that we trust our nannies and on our back they ill treat out kids.

[Author]

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