Wednesday, 02 May 2012
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Using a Nanny Cam
We are using our first in-home baby sitter for our 9 month old this week. We found her on Craigslist, since we don't have friends or family in the area to babysit or recommend sitters.
I am a little ashamed to admit that I am considering leaving my computer on with the webcam running so that I can monitor her interactions with the baby. I am ashamed because I should know my babysitter better than this, I should feel 100% certain that this won't happen. But I don't feel 100% certain and the only way I would ever feel certain would be if the sitter was a family member.
I have worked with children victims of abuse and neglect and I know what the signs are, but what are the signs for an infant who was only exposed to abuse and neglect for a few hours? Exhaustion, blotchy face from crying, bruises, fearfulness or anxiety, clinging or refusing to be held? My son can't tell me what happened, so how do I know if he was just having adjustment issues with a new caregiver?
As the day approaches I am having more and more anxiety about this issue.
Any advice or suggestions?
Have you ever used a babysitter who you didn't know personally?
What makes you confident in your babysitter?
Have you ever used a Nanny Cam?
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About the Author
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- From: LupusInvictus@xanga
- About Me: I live in North Pole Alaska. I garden and cook. I am not good at either.
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Comments (38)
you might have to check it out but i believe it is against the law to video tape someone without their knowledge. A friend of mine used a nanny cam, and caught her "nanny" making out with her girlfriend (yes, you read that right) while the baby napped. When she questioned the nanny it went very badly, and the nanny sued my friend and won.
I wouldn't do it.. but im pretty nuts about calling at least 5 references and talking to the older children who were cared for.
I would find out the laws in your state and use a nanny cam or set up a Skype account to put your mind at ease. I would also inform her that she is being monitored by video camera if you do decide to go with the camera. After you feel comfortable, set up a Skype account so that you can still see what's going on when you call. I would also get references as suggested by the previous poster. I was going to suggest using a a place that provides nannies/babysitters but I see in your profile you are from North Pole, Alaska (and I did look it up).
Have you tried sittercity.com? I trust them more than Craigslist, but I haven't personally used it - I have perused the site thought and I think you would feel better about it.
Seriously, look here, I searched with your zip http://www.sittercity.com/search-sitters.html?ct=1&zip=99705
The site has a membership fee (I don't know how much though, bc it's free for military).
I am uneasy with Craigslist. You should go to a more trusted website.
@sarahsmurfette@xanga - I was on sittercity before, therefore it has to be good :D SInce Im an AMAZING babysitter, haha.. Just kidding (well, it seems like the kids I have babysat in the past like me :) lol) But, there are so many people on there that its hard to get chosen, but thats a good thing. More people to choose from.
Anyways, I didn't know its against the law to put camera's up in your own house?.. I think thats messed up, obviously bathrooms/bedrooms should be off limit, but... Its your own house... Plus, I just watched Caught on Camera last night and this women had camera's put in her home for her elderly dad and some nurse would beat him.. :( I personally think cameras are a good idea.
I wouldn't trust Craigslist if I were you. Aren't there some local babysitting sites for your area? I know over here in England we have websites where babysitters/nannies can sign up, and their credentials are checked, and people can leave genuine (also checked) recommendations and such. Maybe look into something like that - and don't go through with this if you feel uneasy, trust your gut!
@sarahsmurfette@xanga - I did look at sittercity, but there are not enough sitters available to warrant the membership fee, we live quite a ways outside of town and most of the listings were for people who live 40+ miles away!
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - It is legal to take video, but not sound here! But I didn't mention that of course I would have told the sitter I was taping, the point is to deter her from abuse and neglect, not catch it!
Craigslist is just so sketchy to me...
I think that is perfectly fine so long as you let your sitter know beforehand or you could get in major trouble.
I think CL gives off that 'icky' vibe mostly because of the content in their personal ads. I don't think everything on there is sketchy though.
Do whatever will put your mind at ease. There's no sense having a babysitter if you're too worried to enjoy your break, right??
I have a friend who was living in North pole for the last 5 years. Would you like me to put you in contact with her to see if she knows anyone close enough to you? I know she had some excellent baby sitters that she loved.
Honestly, no one is going to see me abuse their kid if they use a nanny cam. What they might see me to is pick my nose, rummage through their food, play with the kids toys and talk to myself. Thats an invasion of privacy and its embarrassing to everyone. Go to sittercity.com and ask for references! You'll be fine. If you're worried so much than stay home the first time you have her watch the baby and see how she acts.
- @bbanmen420@xanga - @LadyGwenivere@xanga - State laws govern video/audio surveillance. Some states require the subject's notification, other's only require that one party be aware of it (you).
@LupusInvictus@xanga - just checking =)
I wouldnt worry too much about finding her on CL.. While my best friend lived in the US with his wife and kids they found 2 excellent sitters on CL. Just check your references, and if you can do a couple short trial runs (like maybe over an hour while you go run some errands) until you feel comfortable leaving for a longer period of time.
The most important thing is to trust your Mommy Instincts.
before it became "In Session" it was "Court T.V.", and criminals were being protected by the law by having cameras in their own homes set up with electronic equipment in neighbor's bedrooms. In many states they get away with it. Call your Attorney General's office, and then by all means, set up as many cameras as the law will allow..did you think of asking around local churches? Most people don't think of it, but many women who live on social security in that age group are still very active and could use a little boost to their income. They've successfully raised children, and are looking to sit for a child.
I would tell her you have video cameras. I don't blame you for wanting them, I would too. But then again that is invading her privacy for things she wouldn't want you to see (like picking her nose, dancing with the baby)...
Just want to say... I was a nanny, and I found employment that was mutually satisfactory via Craigslist. And the kiddos were upset when they moved and I stopped working for them, the little boy who was old enough to talk would consistently ask to "See Jen?" when I wasn't there. I don't think I was too terrible. ;)
I've worked as a nanny while I was between jobs and I was found via craigslist.
Do a background check, a DMV check etc, I was finger printed for the family.
As others have motioned, find the laws in your area and or have her sign an agreement of acknowledgment that she will be on camera while sitting for the child.
Honestly, I feel very uneasy that you feel uneasy. That's the truth. It has nothing to do with Craiglist or anywhere that the sitter comes from - the fact that you feel like you want to keep and eye on her makes me feel like something is amiss. Something is not right. Can you meet her in person like for lunch or coffee and get a person to person feel for her? Maybe you already have...
I'm a nanny. I've been a child care giver for the last 10 years. I recently moved to a new area and found a wonderful family to work with on care.com, I would try that site instead of craigslist.
That being said, I would have no problem if a family wanted to have a web cam like device set up. However, I would appreciate a heads up that things are being recorded (I might refrain from picking my wedgie if I'm on tape!). I would definitely check the laws though. God forbid the person you hired is terrible and decides to come after you for recording her if you let her go.
Good luck, it's always hard trusting someone else with your children
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - While I think using a camera is an odd thing to do, I can't believe one can be sued over it. I would be really upset if I found I was being watched, only because of the way people are different when they're alone and I wouldn't want anyone seeing me pulling my underwear out of a wedgie or something Lol. But based on the abuse or neglect that apparently happens sometimes, I still cannot believe it's actually illegal to set up video in your own home.
Ah, I'm a nanny and I get nervous my family has hidden cameras, but I'm glad to hear it's illegal to have them without informing! I definitely take good care of the babies all the time, but I also definitely sing and stuff when they're not there and so it'd be really embarrassing for me hahahah
I can't believe you can get sued for recording someone in your own home... reminds me of the instance where a burglar fell through the glass roof of the intended home he was going to steal from, subsequently getting hurt and suing the family. And he won! How's that okay?
I think that in your home, you should have every right to do/record/protect whatever you want. Although I would prefer a heads up as a sitter as well, I still believe it's up to the individual. If a sitter outright refuses to let you record them, maybe they weren't a good idea in the first place.
@CandiedLilac@xanga - The reason the nanny won the suit was because she claimed 'invasion of privacy'. She was an employee in the home and here you cannot video tape ur employees without their knowledge and consent. The lawyer also claimed discrimination because the nanny is gay. I was shocked when she won tho...