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Good, bad? Is it better to tell the sitter you have a camera *somewhere* to try and prevent possible abuse or stealing, or is it better to keep the cams a secret to try and catch them in the act? Would you use one?
I would use one in a heartbeat if I thought it was necessary, and I absolutely would not tell the nanny that I'm using one. I wouldn't want her to only be good in one room and do something in another. I would keep it a secret and discuss things with her that might come up, stating I had a camera. If she's eating food she shouldn't, meh, oh well. But if I see her hurting Lily or yelling, oh yeah I'd absolutely bring it up and then depending on the circumstances, fire her. One physical action, no matter how small, she'd be fired. But if she raised her voice... depends. I'd have to review the situation to see what action was warranted.
Part of me says that if I distrusted someone enough to install a camera then I would just fire them, and part of says it would be a nice secondary precaution, even if I did trust my sitter.
I probably wouldn't mention it, simply because it would make her uncomfortable and possibly change how she interacts with my child. If I'm being videotaped, I'm far less likely to jump around the living room acting like a monkey, while using silly voices and making stupid faces. Just an example.
Part of me says that if I distrusted someone enough to install a camera then I would just fire them, and part of says it would be a nice secondary precaution, even if I did trust my sitter.
I probably wouldn't mention it, simply because it would make her uncomfortable and possibly change how she interacts with my child. If I'm being videotaped, I'm far less likely to jump around the living room acting like a monkey, while using silly voices and making stupid faces. Just an example.
Part of me says that if I distrusted someone enough to install a camera then I would just fire them, and part of says it would be a nice secondary precaution, even if I did trust my sitter.
I understand this...this is the main reason we will NEVER have a nanny watch our children... (well unless the person watching them is a family member...)....its completely different than being in a daycare setting...too many things could happen when no one else is around..
I don't know if this caries by state (probably) but I know in CA you *have* to tell them upfront you may be filming them. Now, whether you do or not, that's up to you. You don't have to tell them that you for SURE are.
Part of me says that if I distrusted someone enough to install a camera then I would just fire them, and part of says it would be a nice secondary precaution, even if I did trust my sitter.
This, except the person wouldnt be hired in the first place. I never ever ignore gut feelings about people because it's never been wrong.
I always thought a person should know if they were being video taped, I have since changed my opinion. I would use them but wonder why I needed to tape someone I trusted and only people I trust care for my kids. I did have a employer record me (audio only ) once. I worked alone in a store he owned. I was furious and quit.
Here's the thing though, most molestation occurs from people you would LEAST expect. Yes, you need to hire someone you trust, but things happen and you don't really know the person. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I think I'd tell because I'd rather the nanny act appropriately than catch her or him in the act.
But what if the nanny knew the camera was in the living room, but in the bathroom it wasn't? So then if they were to do anything they would know when and where they could do anything without being caught. Not saying they would do this, but you never know. I would hope that they would act appropriately regardless instead of doing it because they know I might be watching.
I have never used a nanny though, and if I did I would probably use one. I've never used a real babysitter either, the only people outside of family that has ever watched Lily was my high school best friend and Tony. I really do not trust anyone with her and am pretty much a "family only" person when it comes to babysitting.
We still haven't left ours in the care of anyone but grandparents and Jordana's 3 I would definitely have one and I doubt I'd tell her. Some of the recordings I've seen are terrifying.
I used to care for special needs children in their homes and I always assumed there was a camera because I know I would have used one in their position. If a parent had ever revealed to me that there had been a camera it wouldn't have bothered me at all and I would have understood the secrecy at first.
I understand this...this is the main reason we will NEVER have a nanny watch our children... (well unless the person watching them is a family member...)....its completely different than being in a daycare setting...too many things could happen when no one else is around..
Unfortunately things happen in daycare centres too, though. We've had a couple horrible situations in my PR. The police were even involved in one of them - and in that case, the woman knew where the web cams were and purposefully was out of sight of them. She was fired.
__________________ Ashley, mommy to Mackenzie 01/01/08
Unfortunately things happen in daycare centres too, though. We've had a couple horrible situations in my PR. The police were even involved in one of them - and in that case, the woman knew where the web cams were and purposefully was out of sight of them. She was fired.
Oh..no doubt, but there is less of a chance, than having a stranger in the home by themselves without having to report to the management/director....
Now if you know the person watching them....or they are recommended highley by friends etc...that is a different story, I am talking about going out and hiring someone that you have never met before.
I can understand and agree with the thinking of firing someone you didn't trust enough to watch your kids. However, if I was to have a nanny or someone that I didn't know well, I would definitely want a cam or two in the house. That's kinda why I don't like the idea of hiring a nanny from a company. I would rather hire someone that comes recommended by a friend or an associate.
As for if I would tell them, nope. If I have a cam, it's to catch a person in action when they don't think they're being watched. IMO letting someone know you're taping them defeats the purpose of taping them.
I can understand and agree with the thinking of firing someone you didn't trust enough to watch your kids. However, if I was to have a nanny or someone that I didn't know well, I would definitely want a cam or two in the house. That's kinda why I don't like the idea of hiring a nanny from a company. I would rather hire someone that comes recommended by a friend or an associate.
As for if I would tell them, nope. If I have a cam, it's to catch a person in action when they don't think they're being watched. IMO letting someone know you're taping them defeats the purpose of taping them.
Wouldn't it be good to prevent them from hitting your child, as opposed to catching them doing it?
Wouldn't it be good to prevent them from hitting your child, as opposed to catching them doing it?
Yes and no. I do believe I read a perfect example as to why it may not prevent, taking the child into the bathroom and hitting to hide from the camera(s). If a person is going to hit your child, they will find a way. I would rather have evidence of them doing it so I can have charges pressed than having the person be sneaky about hitting my child.
Yes and no. I do believe I read a perfect example as to why it may not prevent, taking the child into the bathroom and hitting to hide from the camera(s). If a person is going to hit your child, they will find a way. I would rather have evidence of them doing it so I can have charges pressed than having the person be sneaky about hitting my child.
That's my thoughts. I don't want a video camera in the bedroom and living room, only to have my child hit in the kitchen or my room, ya know? If they know where the cameras are at and still want to hurt a child you will find a way. I'd rather catch them and have hard evidence than than have them go behind closed doors in a room without a camera.
I would only have one if I felt the need to have it and no, I wouldn't tell the nanny. But I guess that's the good part of being a SAHM, I don't have to worry about killing someone if they hurt my child!
