Ever Felt Like You're Being Recorded?

[small_steps]

I don't really have anything to hide except the fact that this is my home and I shouldn't feel like all my conversations are being listened to. I have a set of parents that I think may be recording me and my helper. I'm not sure how yet, but it's just too much of a coincidence that they come in and say something the day after my helper and I were just talking about it. Some are pretty silly and minor things but still I don't want to have an invasion of my privacy.

For instance: Daycare helper cleans my daycare parents house once a week...Helper was here yesterday and we were talking about how we wish they would put her hair up every day instead of just leaving it down. She's young and it gets in her face and it's always getting food in it. This morning...daycare mom comes in and says "I tried to put her hair up in a pony tail and a bow and she wouldn't have it! But at least I tried" Ok! We didn't say anything to them about it yesterday, not because I'm afraid to ask but because I didn't think of it again. So during our conversation, my helper said "I'm going to look for some ponytail holders tomorrow when I clean and I will put some in her cubby for us to use"....low and behold when she goes to clean there is a container full of ponytail holders on the dresser that hadn't been there before.

THis is about the 4th time something similar to this has happened. Some of its silly but and not a big deal but we are both having that feeling that we are being watched/recorded.

Tell me I'm being paranoid.

[CedarCreek]

What all does the child bring into care? Could there be a recording device in her bag? You are probably being paranoid but I would still check her things after a lot of odd coincidences.

[jokalima]

Move the bag to a different room during the day, put it back before parents come or just have a " spontaneous" conversation with your helper about how you feel this odd sensation of being recorded and that if that is the case you believe that is invasion to your privacy, that's what I would do, I will also be checking those diaper bags and coats.

[Lucy]

Dont' take offense to this please. I do think you're being paranoid. Those two things could easily be a coincidence. An odd coincidence, yes... but still very likely a coincidence.

Or, maybe your helper is actually telling the parent of your conversations. Your helper wouldn't want you to KNOW that, so she's going along with your "recording" scenario. But maybe behind your back, she's talking to the parent and repeating things that you and the helper have discussed.

I don't know... I just think it would be hard to record. Any device would shut off after a certain amount of time. Whether the recording space filled up, or batteries ran out, or whatever. And the range... I would think you'd have to be within 10 feet or so for it to pick up your voices clearly enough to hear it. And even then, if she's hiding it in a diaper bag pocket or something, it would be a little garbled.

If it were me and I was really, really thinking I was being recorded, I would just thoroughly dig through EVERYTHING brought in. Including the kid!! Depending on the age of the kid, it wouldn't be hard to do. I suppose there's the possibility that she could've hidden a device in your home, but now we're being REALLY paranoid! That's James Bond territory!!!

[small_steps]

The only thing they bring on a normal basis is a stuffed animal. I've checked it but without taking it apart, I can't find anything. There's a hard piece in the head but I think its the part that makes the animal rattle.

They live very close to me...maybe they have some high tech stuff pointed at my house .

I hate feeling that way. But even my helper feels it. The first time I mentioned it to her she said "Oh wow! I feel the same way!" .

We're both two pretty rational people and this is the only time I've ever suspected it.

Another time I said something about the way she was dressed (she is close to potty training and they put her in skirts and pants (leggings but they look like thin pants to me) and it's a lot for her to pull up and down. And the next morning the mom just out of the blue told me why she put the skirt and the pants on her.

Just things like that make me wonder..

[small_steps]

Dont' take offense to this please. I do think you're being paranoid. Those two things could easily be a coincidence. An odd coincidence, yes... but still very likely a coincidence.

Or, maybe your helper is actually telling the parent of your conversations. Your helper wouldn't want you to KNOW that, so she's going along with your "recording" scenario. But maybe behind your back, she's talking to the parent and repeating things that you and the helper have discussed.

I don't know... I just think it would be hard to record. Any device would shut off after a certain amount of time. Whether the recording space filled up, or batteries ran out, or whatever. And the range... I would think you'd have to be within 10 feet or so for it to pick up your voices clearly enough to hear it. And even then, if she's hiding it in a diaper bag pocket or something, it would be a little garbled.

If it were me and I was really, really thinking I was being recorded, I would just thoroughly dig through EVERYTHING brought in. Including the kid!! Depending on the age of the kid, it wouldn't be hard to do. I suppose there's the possibility that she could've hidden a device in your home, but now we're being REALLY paranoid! That's James Bond territory!!!

I hope I am being paranoid! No offense taken.

I don't think my helper is talking to them behind my back because we've said some other things to each other that I think if she were telling them things she would have told them, and they would have been mad at me . Plus I've known her for many years and I feel like she is loyal to me.

[CedarCreek]

How old is dck? Maybe she is telling her some things.

[crazydaycarelady]

You probably ARE being paranoid but I would put any bags and stuffed animals in another room from now on.

It might be illegal to record someone unknowingly.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't know if you're being paranoid ... out of all of the families I have NO family has ever said something that I was coincidentally talking about earlier unless it was something like, "I bet so-and-so goes to Taco Bell tonight since LO has been wanting tacos all day!" and as soon as they get here Dad says, "Let's go eat some mexican food!" Things that Dad could have EASILY picked up on at home with a kid talking about tacos constantly. ::

So, I think that's really bizarre and I would definitely not keep her belongings around where I could be heard. Or, I might say something kooky like, "Little girls need to only wear dresses when potty training" (some strong opinion) and see if Mom brings up only wearing dresses or something.

[small_steps]

just turned 2

[SilverSabre25]

I agree that it's probably paranoia but I'd be checking around just to be on the safe side. Too weird!

[Blackcat31]

I don't necessarily think you are being paranoid and I do think it could all just be a freaky coincindence buuuuut, could you maybe have a really odd conversation with your helper about something and see if the parents bring it up?

You know kind of set them up to take the bait and then you'll know kind of thing.

Ugh, I would just feel so uncomfortable if I thought someone was secretly recording me. I don't think I have anythign to hide but I think that is besides the point.

[countrymom]

hmm too much coincidence. I too had this weird feeling, it was so odd. It all started when they were bring in a stuffy. They said that she needed it here, but the weird thing was that this child never brought anything. Just as it appeared the stuffy dissapeared.

[small_steps]

I don't necessarily think you are being paranoid and I do think it could all just be a freaky coincindence buuuuut, could you maybe have a really odd conversation with your helper about something and see if the parents bring it up?

You know kind of set them up to take the bait and then you'll know kind of thing.

Ugh, I would just feel so uncomfortable if I thought someone was secretly recording me. I don't think I have anythign to hide but I think that is besides the point.

Thats exactly what we were thinking. We were thinking we'd come up with something to say to see if they would say anything about it. I will have to think of something this weekend to make mention of. Helper even is uncomfortable cleaning their house She made mention today that she was even worried about not ever using the rest room if she was over there and really needed to because she is afraid they are recording her .

Another thing is they have been doing some get togethers once a week. Helper and I were both invited but I chose not to go. Kids got flu and I said, I can't believe they haven't cancelled it because of the kids being sick with flu. Hope no one else gets it. later that day we get a text that because they didnt' want to spread the virus the plans had been cancelled. Isn't that so strange? I've felt this way for months and have forgotten a lot of the reasons I've considered it but I think I'm going to make a little log for myself so I will remember each incident.
Plus side to everything is I guess I'm doing something right because I've had the kids over a year and they continue to bring them so if I'm being recorded they must not have any problems with the quality of care.

[rmc20021]

I believe it's too much of a coincidence...
I'm also a licensed foster parent and I know of another foster parent who sent a recording device along in the child's diaper bag for visits with the birth parents. They hid it so it couldn't be found and was still able to hear what was said...so it CAN be done.
With that being said...if she had been caught doing this, it would have meant a world of trouble for her from the foster care stand point.
I don't know if there are any rules or laws pertaining to childcare.
I would just go about my daily business and make sure you don't say anything in the future regarding personal things about a child...something that should be done at home etc. If you have nothing to hide, then there's no reason to put the bags into another room and the parents will figure out if there are no recordings that the bags are moved out of range and then they will really wonder what's going on.
I'm sure after they feel comfortable in knowing their child is in safe hands they will discontinue the recordings, if that's what's going on.
It won't change the fact you feel invaded, but it will prove you have nothing to hide if they can actually hear what's going on and discover there's nothing to worry about.