If One More Person Calls Me A BABYSITTER...

[Kim]

I have no problem if some don't mind being called a babysitter. I am just one of those that doesn't like it. I consider myself a professional child care provider and I have worked hard to build my business. I have half of my home as designated space for the child care, am a former teacher, have a degree in ECED and the student loan payments each month to go along with it and offer a preschool learning program for ages 2-5. I have always wanted to be a teacher and I love that part of my job. Unless it's being said by an old school grandma, it irritates me to be referred to as a babysitter. It offends me more when it's said in a belittling tone. I had one family that constantly referred to me as little Johnny's sitter in a tone that insinuated that they employ me or something. We also had other issues with being respectful of my business and policies and it annoyed me to the point that I finally turned to the mom one day and half jokingly told her that if she wanted to continue referring to me as a babysitter then she would need to start paying me babysitter rates of $10 an hour and to please stop referring to me as a babysitter. I politely listed all the reasons why I am a professional child care provider (ECED degree, preschool learning program, licensed through my state, exceed the hours of state required trainings each year, credentialed through my state at the highest level, inspections-licensing and fire marshal, insurance- million dollar policy specific to my business, endless paperwork, food program, background checks for me and husband, blah blah blah).

I'd love to be just a babysitter making $8-$10 an hour and using their electricity and eating their food. Maybe then I could pay off those student loans faster.

[Lucy]

Actually when Nan wasn't posting for awhile there was no drama! I'm not saying she starts it but when she isn't on its very quiet on the forum.

Amen. This.

[Lucy]

double post.

[nannyde]

Oh, ftr, I have been "targeted" many times myself. It's not just Nan. There have been many disagreements betwen many different people on this forum. it's only when it happens to Nan that it's an issues.

You have had people disagree with your posts in a current thread you are actively posting on but I don't think I've ever seen one of your old posts brought up months later and resurected. I've been on here nearly two years and I don't remember that happening at all. I could be wrong and just don't remember it.

I've had three just this week.

[Blackcat31]

First, let me say, I really think no one has tried to get Nan to see/do things their way, I think in this thread it has only been stated that even though she doesn't consider herself to be a "teacher" that in reality she is. She may not have the teaching credential, but I beleive that every single child care provider is "teaching" their children every day, even if the only "teaching" occurring is about life skills.

My reply wasn't about the topic of the thread. Many other posters said they weren't teachers either and had the same thoughts as Nan did. But ONLY she was quoted...THAT was my point.

I don't think people sharing their thoughts, ideas, opinions is trying to force anyone to agree with them and do things their way.....we all share them and we all beleive in our own philosophies....there is nothing wrong with expressing them and offering different perspectives. I gleen from each person things that fit and work for me and discard others, just as I hope everyone does. None of us have all of the right answers, but I bet if we all took the bits and pieces we admire from one another we would have some pretty amazing programs.
I agree 100% about taking bits and pieces and meshing them together to get a great program. Which is WHY I made mention of Nan being targeted. Why can't people just take what they like about her program and philosophies and leave the rest alone. It is like they WANT to argue with her. Which I find weird and more of an issue with that person than with Nan.

Now, saying I "take my ball and head home" is a load of....well you know. I have never left the forum because I am being "targeted" EVER. I stick it out and fight back, you oughtta know that. I did take a break from the forum for awhile, but it had nothing to do with anyone here....it had to do with my life being jam packed with "events" and needing to focus on those things, just as you did a few months back. Now, today I feel like "taking my ball" but it has nothing to do with feeling targeted. It has to do with 1.) for some reason anytime something comes up about Nan everyone gets thier panties in a bunch, whihc gets really annoying, and 2. the month I took off from here was one of the most productive, peaceful months I have had in a long time. I should have just left well enough alone and stayed away, because frankly, I don't have time for the drama
When I said you take your ball and go home, I didn't mean that rudely, I meant you choose to argue and stick up for yourself (as you should) and when you have had enough, you leave the thread (not the forum).
I know WHY you left the forum. I completely understand and respect that. Leaving the forum was not what I was referring to.

(I answered in bold above)

And yes, when Nan gets targeted, there are a lot of people who get their panties in a bunch. It is because she is a great poster and has some wonderful advice. Nan knows her stuff and it isn't fair that people want to single her out. Yes, other members are singled out but nowhere near the level Nan is. You can say that you too are targeted and I agree to a point...but again, no where near the level at which Nan is.

My feelings on how she is treated are based on the fact that it is just rude that people pick on one person in general. I think it is wrong that people only take bits and pieces and make assumptions. Meeko (I think) even said she viewed Nan as not so nice at first too until she read more and actually looked at the big picture and saw that there was good advice and info given before she learned to see Nan in a different light.

I respect you and what you do and I know you are also VERY good at what you do. But when you come on and make comments about Nan (good or bad) you have a certain group of followers just as she does and that creates drama just as much. Then you say "so is everyone supposed to either agree with Nan or keep their mouth shut? Are we only supposed to have niceties to say to her, while she tells everyone how wrong they are?" and in my opinion, yes. (In that one particular thread) In that particular thread she was speaking to the OP. There was soooooo much more going on with that OP than what was posted on line. The OP was contacted in private but SHE (the OP) choose to go online and vent in public rather than resolve anything in private so that everyone could view her as if she were a victim rather than someone who purposely (in my opinion) mis-led others here.

I do think people should be allowed to disagree with each other and I do it often. It is like my daycare kids. When I know two kids just don't get along well with each other, I rarely place them next to each other for naps or for lunch or whatever. I think you and Nan are like that. You just need to stop sitting by each other.

Sorry if any of this is offensive to you. NONE of it was/is meant to be. I am simply explaining my intent.

[MMk9987]

Hello been awhile for me Joyce a lot has been going on I will pm you but I can totally understand you about the babysitter thing I would hate to be called a babysitter when we are clearly day care teachers it is like we watch children from 6 30 am to 5 30pm every day then we get up to do this all over again the next day when a babysitter watches children for a few hours during the night and is unlicensed.

[Lucy]

"Hello been awhile for me Joyce a lot has been going on I will pm you but I can totally understand you about the babysitter thing I would hate to be called a babysitter when we are clearly day care teachers it is like we watch children from 6 30 am to 5 30pm every day then we get up to do this all over again the next day when a babysitter watches children for a few hours during the night and is unlicensed."


:confused: Hi. Sorry, but I'm not really sure why you mentioned me specifically. I'm confused. :confused:

And I was more on the side of not really caring what I'm called. It's all semantics to me. The parents don't say "babysitter" to insult us. Just like we don't mean any offense by saying "stewardess" instead of "flight attendant", "trashman" instead of "sanitation worker", or "secretary" instead of administrative assistant. Doesn't really matter to me as long as I am treated with respect.

So I'm not really sure what you were trying to say to me in your comment???

[Unregistered]

I've never left my 19 month old with a babysitter, she's never had a nanny, she doesn't go to daycare nor preschool. In other words, not all parents think of your career as a disregard. I see the separation in titles. But, I'm certain, these posts are a reminding reason why I'd rather teach my own child than to send her off to places where the daycare professionals are way too concerned about their titles. Children learn from experiences, expressions, from a dust particle to beaming stars, to sun that rises... they learn moment after moment, everything you say, you do, you feel, "from your worries, titles concerns, and over reacting emotions" as well. If you as a potential and/or exsisting care professional are this concerned by your title", enough to squabble/vent, etc., I'd rather be glad, I've reminded myself, that I'm my child's greatest teacher.

Best regards,
A mother

[NightOwl]

You are absolutely correct. I tell my parents all the time that they are their child's first teacher.

However, I do NOT say to them you are your child's after hours babysitter. That would be an insult to them, considering all the effort, time, and money they've put into an early childhood education, meeting state requirements, knowing the latest studies and current info on childcare issues..... Oh wait. They didn't do any of that.

I guess that makes them more of a babysitter than I am.

[Chellieleanne]

I AM NOT and NEVER will be like those preschools/daycares in my area.

I guess mom missed the child-led learning philosophy I incorporate. With lots of free play OUTSIDE, for all my super active, crazy boys. Amazingly enough, I only have had a few daycare kids (out of dozens) not be able to read before Kindie. Not a worksheet, or directed craft activity in sight.

Please, just let me be the 'babysitter'!

This totally sounds like me! I say I am a childcare provider. I let the kids pretty much learn on their own with minimal guidance. I second the outside time. I love getting them to use those gross motor skills and burning energy. I read during the day, I have posters and interact"can you find the red car?" But I don't force them to learn anything they are not ready for. I get called babysitter by my ft dcb and that is fine with me. I am still encouraging dcb to learn how to get along with others, to control his own emotions, to play and enjoy life and add in teaching moments as they come up and as he is ready. Call me what ever you want but I know what I am and that is all I care about happyface