Why Denise Richards Fired Her Nanny
Note to all nannies: Do NOT talk trash on Charlie Sheen around Denise Richards. True, they’ve gone through a bitter divorce and even more bitter custody battle, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay for a nanny to get involved.
Richards recently shared that she once fired a nanny for speaking badly about Sheen — get this — in front of the couple’s young girls. Yikes.
Said Richards, “Charlie is their dad, so if I insult their father it’s an insult to them. I don’t want them ever to feel torn between the two of us.”
In fact, none of her employees are allowed to bash Sheen when the girls are in earshot.
She tells Redbook magazine, “I know many people who have gotten divorced and remained good friends, and I envy that because it’s obviously much healthier for the kids than our situation. But I’ve always tried to handle this respectfully. If you go back and try to dig up quotes about what I’ve said, there’s not a lot out there.”
Celebs or not, divorced or not, respect is key in the nanny-parent relationship. As a nanny, you might be a little closer to marital conflicts than you’d like, but remember to maintain neutrality, and keep focused on the kids and what’s best for them.
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May 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I absolutely agree with Ms. Richards, with my personal experience as a nanny and my employers were in the middle of separating I really tried my best to keep the kids away from their issues. I always diverted their attention to something else if there are times that they will say something about the relationship of their parents.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
very well said denise how true spoken like a true woman i think that weather yr a movie star or not your a person like everyone else and whoever gets involved should mind there own business. i 26 and married too and couple do always agree it may last and somtimes its for the best. i think you and charlie are great parents and your kids are lucky to have both of u in their lives. im also a nanny and i know my place i dont get into marital affairs cause its none of my business i do my job and focas on what i’;m being payed for. so good luck with everything. ayana
May 8th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I absolutly agree.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
No matter who you are, Nanny or friend or uncle or sister to the mother, you should NEVER bash a parent in front of their children. It is not only unfair to the parent being bashed, but to the child who should be able to love their parent unconditionally! Rock on Denise I would have done the same thing!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I absolutely agree with everyone. As a caretaker you do not go sticking your nose where it does not belong. Need to set good example for kids.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
You never talk bad about anyone to their kids
May 12th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I think that maybe she was wrong for talking bad about the dad in front of the kids but if the dad wasn’t doing the right thing around the kids why should he be around them? I think when you argue around a child when they may in fact do the same thing. Im not saying its not ok to disagree but i strong agree that people shoule inform the kids on how if indeed its not going to work and the parents decide to separate the kids need to know. Have family meetings to let the kids know whats going on.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
when they grow upthey may in fact do the same thing by thinking that the way to solve things
May 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Absolutly! Way to go Denise :-)  You should never bash another parent, especially in front of the kids. Kids are so smart. It won’t be fair to them..
May 13th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I agree. It’s all about respect. Even parent should not talk bad about the other in front of their children or any one.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I agree chiildren don’t need to hear negative comments about either parent. They need to feel loved by both parents and secure in knowing that no matter what their parents are their for them.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:11 am
honeslty she’s totally right.. I’m a sitter myself, and this si something I would never do.. its a good way to ruin your good reputation with parents, both parents love their kids and no one should never bad talk the parents with the kids so close by..
May 20th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I couldn’t agree more with Ms. Richards. No one should speak badly of a child’s parent in front of that child, no matter how poorly you think that parent has behaved. And as a nanny, it is not our place to judge, or to share our opinions with or about these people. They are our employers, and we must be respectful and remember our place as employee.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I agree with the posts above, as a nanny i have had the task of caring for children who have been exposed to some very unpleasent behaviours from their parents,
and I have seen how the parents hurt and damage each other, without thinking about the effect its having on their children,
at times like that children need to be around people who love and nurture them
not some one who adds fuel to the flames,
May 15th, 2009 at 7:25 am
absolutely agree with Denise Richards, never, never speak badly of a parent in front of a child. I was a single mom and no matter what I felt I never relayed those feelings to my son even tho he never met him. I can’t even imagine what this woman was thinking. Shame on her! She deserved what she got and she’s lucky if she can find another position. What happens in someone’s home stays there. When I come home each night I will tell my husband about all the cute things my little one did or said that day, that’s it! When you are in a home with a family for long periods of time, you can’t help but know what is going on, both good and bad, a good sitter, nanny would try and shield the children by taking them out or distracting them in other ways, not running around and telling everybody’s business
May 16th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
AS an employee of a parent your duties are to care & nourish your clients childeren. This does not include “bashing” their parents. You should want to create a warm & loving enviorment in the children’s home. Keep a open dialoge with the parents. This will make your relationship with the parents meaningful & allow them to know you are doing what they expect from your services. Do not “take” any personal talks or things which happen out of the home where you are employed. It stays in the home al all times. When you close the door to the home “forget” it. And go home to your own life outside of the working enviorment.