I Get So Offended When....

[NightOwl]

Someone calls me a babysitter. It pisses me off sooooo bad and I think most people don't have any ill intentions, they just don't know any better. I have a college education in ECE, my kids learn every single day, I monitor their developmental levels and assess progress periodically, I'm their stand in mom, their teacher, their comforter, their nutritionist, their behavior management supervisor , and so much more. I keep up on all the latest studies and attend training regularly. "Babysitter" is an insult to my profession IMO. Now, if I watch a child one Friday night or on a Saturday, THEN I'm a babysitter! Vent over.

[Heidi]

This comes up here quite often. I don't like it easier, but I've given up on letting it bother me. Some people here don't mind, some prefer it, some don't want to be associated with the whole "institution" of childcare.

It's just words. If they pay you, they respect you, and your happy with your career choice, don't let it get you down. You can correct them, just don't let it bother you.:hug:

[Kimskiddos]

I totally get your frustration. I don't really like being called a babysitter and my standard reply when it happens is "I haven't sat on a baby since I was 13."

Another gripe of mine is (with dh's family in particular) is when they ask me if I am still watching children. Come on people, I have successfully run a quality child care program for over 25 years. It's my career and no it's not going to change until I retire.

Sorry got a little of track.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

It bothers me, too, so I address it right in my parent handbook: "Out of respect for the professional nature of my work and for the important work of your child, I hope that when you talk about this program, you'll refer to it by name or as an early childhood program, and when you talk about me, you'll refer to me as your child's teacher." It's part of a section in which I explain why I chose the name I did.

[Unregistered]

You could just wear this shirt:

http://www.zazzle.com/i_am_a_daycare_provider_i_am_not_a_babysitter_tshirt-235515526666387532

Or make one that says: Sitting on babies since 1989

[NightOwl]

I totally get your frustration. I don't really like being called a babysitter and my standard reply when it happens is "I haven't sat on a baby since I was 13."

Another gripe of mine is (with dh's family in particular) is when they ask me if I am still watching children. Come on people, I have successfully run a quality child care program for over 25 years. It's my career and no it's not going to change until I retire.

Sorry got a little of track.

That too! Watching children..... What exactly am i watching them do??? Lol.

[MarinaVanessa]

Someone calls me a babysitter. It pisses me off sooooo bad and I think most people don't have any ill intentions, they just don't know any better. I have a college education in ECE, my kids learn every single day, I monitor their developmental levels and assess progress periodically, I'm their stand in mom, their teacher, their comforter, their nutritionist, their behavior management supervisor , and so much more. I keep up on all the latest studies and attend training regularly. "Babysitter" is an insult to my profession IMO. Now, if I watch a child one Friday night or on a Saturday, THEN I'm a babysitter! Vent over.

I don't have a degree (yet ) and even I get irritated.

The other day I was dropping off my DCB at his preshool and his teacher was talking to him and called me a babysitter ... he laughed and said "She's not my babysitter. She doesn't sit on babies. Silly Mrs X" ... ahhhh, I have them well trained

[Lucy]

The thing is, they don't KNOW they're insulting you. They don't MEAN to be insulting at all. To them it's just a word. They don't care one way or another.

Do you ever say Stewardess instead of Flight Attendant? Do you say trash (or garbage) man, instead of Sanitation Engineer? Do you say Secretary instead of Executive Assistant? Mail man instead of Letter Carrier? How about teacher instead of Professor, or even Doctor? It's just an innocent title that seems comfortable and normal for them to call you. Who cares? They don't mean any malice by it.

[choirlady76]

Definitely!! I understand, we are not babysitters. We are professional caretakers, educators, and teachers. We do a lot more and have a lot more required of us than babysitters!

[Little Buttons]

The thing is, they don't KNOW they're insulting you. They don't MEAN to be insulting at all. To them it's just a word. They don't care one way or another.

Do you ever say Stewardess instead of Flight Attendant? Do you say trash (or garbage) man, instead of Sanitation Engineer? Do you say Secretary instead of Executive Assistant? Mail man instead of Letter Carrier? How about teacher instead of Professor, or even Doctor? It's just an innocent title that seems comfortable and normal for them to call you. Who cares? They don't mean any malice by it.

I can see both sides to this, but the "Pollyanna" in me really agrees with what Lucy said! Maybe i am naive, but i really think most people are simply calling you by a familiar name. I think maybe being called a babysitter somewhat rubs salt in the wound because this is not always the most respected position...which is pathetically sad...and that title does not do a great job of describing the valuable role you fulfill. I would refer to yourself with the title you prefer, squeeze it in any chance you get, but unless specifically used as an insult, I would assume they meant no disrespect.

[CtheLove]

Or make one that says: Sitting on babies since 1989

That's awesome, I think I will actually make that!!!

[CtheLove]

I don't have a degree (yet ) and even I get irritated.

The other day I was dropping off my DCB at his preshool and his teacher was talking to him and called me a babysitter ... he laughed and said "She's not my babysitter. She doesn't sit on babies. Silly Mrs X" ... ahhhh, I have them well trained

LOL!!! :::: that made my night!!!!

[NightOwl]

The thing is, they don't KNOW they're insulting you. They don't MEAN to be insulting at all. To them it's just a word. They don't care one way or another.

Do you ever say Stewardess instead of Flight Attendant? Do you say trash (or garbage) man, instead of Sanitation Engineer? Do you say Secretary instead of Executive Assistant? Mail man instead of Letter Carrier? How about teacher instead of Professor, or even Doctor? It's just an innocent title that seems comfortable and normal for them to call you. Who cares? They don't mean any malice by it.

Agreed Lucy. I said I knew they didn't mean any ill intentions, but it still bites my butt. Lol.

[sugar buzz]

Sometimes, I wonder if I should become a babysitter. My DCFs are circling my preteen DD like vultures, hoping to use her for their weekend babysitter. With hourly pay and tip, she would make more money than me for watching the same kids for 1/5 of the time I do, minus a degree, curriculum, experience, etc. What's funny is that having grown up around these families, she said she's going to tell them that we're not a family business.::::::

[nannyde]

I love the word babysitter. I am DEFINITELY a baby sitter. I'm not a teacher and I don't want to do educational day care. I just do "care".