Nannies: something needed? Or should parents who choose to have children also rear them?

[LWolf]

198. I guess it depends on

who is doing the parenting.

Lots of families struggle through working and raising kids.

I freely admit my bias. I was raised by a working single mother from the poor working class. I worked and raised my kids, mostly on my own, too. I remember how horrified I was to turn my 6 week old infant son to a babysitter I could "afford," and how even more horrified I was to surprise her mid-day and find my child ignored, wet, and hungry in a playpen. I seriously considered giving him up for adoption at that point, because without working, I couldn't keep him sheltered, diapered, clothed, and fed, and I struggled to find someone who would smile at him, talk to him, sing to him, and all of those things babies deserve.

I found a way. I don't dwell on the many hours on the bus back and forth each day to make it happen; it was worth it.

As a teacher, I spend my days with other people's children. And I see the difference between those children whose parents enjoyed their company, played with them, had conversations with them, and those whose parents' conversations consist of issuing orders and behavior corrections.

I want every child to have secure, nurturing relationships with their parents.

So...if the nanny is to provide safe, nurturing care while parents are at work, and when they get home they devote their time and attention to their child's social and emotional development themselves, I'm fine with that.

I'm not so fine with people who don't actually like spending time with their kids having them, regardless of their financial status. That's my bias.