Do you really know what is going on at home when your child(ren) is with the nanny during the day while you are at work? Do you care?
Of course you do but all of us have varying levels of vigilance when it comes to the topic. Perhaps if you visit other parent blog sites you have heard some of the horror stories. But could it ever happen to your children? Everyone has their own standards as to what is acceptable behavior and cures to that unacceptable behavior – if they know it is taking place. Anyone who has spent time in the playground during the day has seen some doozies but unfortunately, you have less of an ability to watch in the playground. Pretty simple technology can give you the ability to view and listen in on your children during the day and most of us already have the infrastructure to implement these easy to install systems. The requirements are a broadband internet connection and a wireless router – the missing piece is the wireless camera(s).
Many go with cameras hidden in light-fixtures, teddy bears, picture frames, and clock radios. Personally, I have two that are large and kinda stand out like a sore thumb. Why? Well because they are relatively large the units tend to cost less and anyway, it serves as a deterrent. The product I chose is wireless and has the ability to both view and listen to what is going on in the room. The most important feature to me was the ability to view and listen from a remote location anywhere that I can get an internet connection. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of the ability to listen. I could now easily make the argument that listening is more important than viewing and your sitters can be out of view but not out of listening range.
Everyone has their stories about what they’ve viewed and I have mine. Thankfully none of what I have viewed has been atrocious but grossly unacceptable – absolutely.
Can you as a parent really take that chance? Nannies in some cases spend more time with your children during the week than you do and they are with your children during some of the most developmentally critical years of your toddler’s life. Are you going to label that care that your child is getting as acceptable based on a 45 minute interview? If nothing else, a nanny cam could allow you to modify the behavior toward your children to something more satisfactory – or have a conversation on how things should be handled.
