Comments on: When Babysitters Experience “Firsts” http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html The Official Sittercity Blog Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:32:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: changes http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-17582 changes Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:55:26 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-17582 I believe that the little things are the one tha makes the biggest things happen. I truly believe that I would have wanted to see my children first everything since most of the time I was working as a single mother it's hard, timehave passed I'm married but don't have those special moments. I believe that the little things are the one tha makes the biggest things happen. I truly believe that I would have wanted to see my children first everything since most of the time I was working as a single mother it’s hard, timehave passed I’m married but don’t have those special moments.

]]> By: genit87 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16925 genit87 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:34:17 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16925 In my experience, it really depends on the parents. I have one client who recognises that firsts are very likely to happen with me. She leaves a video camera in the play room, and just asks that I tape anything cute or exciting. Once her daughter started taking several steps in a row, I got it on video and emailed it to her, and she was thrilled. I had a client in the past who had 3 boys, I cared only for the youngest while the older 2 were in school. She flat out told me in the interview that she missed her oldest's first steps, and she did not want to know if that were to happen again. Most clients, I will mention little things, and let them tell me about the big things. In my experience, it really depends on the parents. I have one client who recognises that firsts are very likely to happen with me. She leaves a video camera in the play room, and just asks that I tape anything cute or exciting. Once her daughter started taking several steps in a row, I got it on video and emailed it to her, and she was thrilled.

I had a client in the past who had 3 boys, I cared only for the youngest while the older 2 were in school. She flat out told me in the interview that she missed her oldest’s first steps, and she did not want to know if that were to happen again.

Most clients, I will mention little things, and let them tell me about the big things.

]]> By: ILeahr http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16544 ILeahr Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:36:51 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16544 When the baby I take care of took his first steps I didn't let the parents know. They had been waiting for it to happen for a while, and they were very excited for it to happen, so I let them have that moment. With that family it didn't feel right to take it away from the parents. I think nannies will be able to tell what is ok to tell the parents and what they should let the parents experience on their own. When it came to his first steps I didn't tell them, that doesn't mean I didn't ever tell them of any firsts before or after this. So I agree that let the parents have the "big moments", but also you need to let them know that the baby develops even when they are not there. I think the nanny/babysitter will be able to tell with their family what is best to do, every family is different. When the baby I take care of took his first steps I didn’t let the parents know. They had been waiting for it to happen for a while, and they were very excited for it to happen, so I let them have that moment. With that family it didn’t feel right to take it away from the parents. I think nannies will be able to tell what is ok to tell the parents and what they should let the parents experience on their own. When it came to his first steps I didn’t tell them, that doesn’t mean I didn’t ever tell them of any firsts before or after this. So I agree that let the parents have the “big moments”, but also you need to let them know that the baby develops even when they are not there.
I think the nanny/babysitter will be able to tell with their family what is best to do, every family is different.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16535 Anonymous Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:30:42 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16535 For the big ones, it seems to be an unspoken agreement between mom and I. She usually tells me when he has done something new over the weekend, and I usually respond with excitement even if I've seen it or helped the child practice the new skill. I also sometimes use the phrase, "he is almost....or getting ready to...." However, if he does try to say banananaaaa or more, I do let the parents know, because otherwise they wouldn't know to encourage it. Same with the day that he stacked two blocks on top of each other; something we had been doing together. I let them know because they might not realize that the task is a milestone. For the big ones, it seems to be an unspoken agreement between mom and I. She usually tells me when he has done something new over the weekend, and I usually respond with excitement even if I’ve seen it or helped the child practice the new skill. I also sometimes use the phrase, “he is almost….or getting ready to….”

However, if he does try to say banananaaaa or more, I do let the parents know, because otherwise they wouldn’t know to encourage it. Same with the day that he stacked two blocks on top of each other; something we had been doing together. I let them know because they might not realize that the task is a milestone.

]]> By: Peaches67 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16094 Peaches67 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:56:34 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16094 Parents that spend much time with their children do not complain that they weren't there when their babies learn the first of anything. I spend much time with their children in assisting in their first learning stage. It is bound to happen that I get to see the first, but if the parents want to say that they were responsible for the first, it's ok. They just do not want to feel left out or as if they don't spend time with their angels. Caregivers do contribute, but their reward come from God that they have kept the angels safe, fed them well, and assisted where needed. Also, parents do want to hear that their child is progressing. They want their angels to be happy, to learn, and be safe. That tells them that they have chosen the right caregiver. Parents that spend much time with their children do not complain that they weren’t there when their babies learn the first of anything. I spend much time with their children in assisting in their first learning stage. It is bound to happen that I get to see the first, but if the parents want to say that they were responsible for the first, it’s ok. They just do not want to feel left out or as if they don’t spend time with their angels. Caregivers do contribute, but their reward come from God that they have kept the angels safe, fed them well, and assisted where needed. Also, parents do want to hear that their child is progressing. They want their angels to be happy, to learn, and be safe. That tells them that they have chosen the right caregiver.

]]> By: Sarah0324 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16084 Sarah0324 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:20:16 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16084 I have been a full time Nanny for eight years now. I have experience many firsts. I have found it is alright to be happy and proud for the baby at the time. But at the same time I do not want to take that away from the parents. So I tell the parents the baby is getting very close to walking or talking but I do not say I saw the baby do it first. This way the parents don't feel they miss anything. I have been a full time Nanny for eight years now. I have experience many firsts. I have found it is alright to be happy and proud for the baby at the time. But at the same time I do not want to take that away from the parents. So I tell the parents the baby is getting very close to walking or talking but I do not say I saw the baby do it first. This way the parents don’t feel they miss anything.

]]> By: CyGabrielle http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16072 CyGabrielle Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:36:33 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16072 Although I see the good in not telling the parents about a "First", I do not completely agree. Unless I am asked to keep it to myself, I would tell the parents. I think it comes with the territory. If your child is going to spend majority of his week in Daycare, Preschool, with a Nanny, with there Grandparents, whatever it may be...then be prepared of this possibly happening without you around. There is no way to avoid it except being with the little one yourself all the time! I completely understand how important a "First" is, but if you happen to miss it...at least its not there "Last." :D Although I see the good in not telling the parents about a “First”, I do not completely agree. Unless I am asked to keep it to myself, I would tell the parents. I think it comes with the territory. If your child is going to spend majority of his week in Daycare, Preschool, with a Nanny, with there Grandparents, whatever it may be…then be prepared of this possibly happening without you around. There is no way to avoid it except being with the little one yourself all the time! I completely understand how important a “First” is, but if you happen to miss it…at least its not there “Last.” :D

]]> By: lippysaunt http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16028 lippysaunt Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:06:35 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16028 I am 4 months into my first nanny job caring for a 3 yr old boy and now 5 month old boy. When I interview I specifically asked how they wanted me to handle firsts; whether they wanted me to tell them or not. Dad said he didn't care and mom never gave me a committed answer and said she hadn't thought of that before as the older boy hadn't done anything in daycare that they hadn't known he was on the verge of doing. Up until this week most of the baby's firsts were on my off time but this week he rolled from tummy to back for the first time. I took a picture of him afterwards emailed them to let them know. They seemed OK with that. I am 4 months into my first nanny job caring for a 3 yr old boy and now 5 month old boy. When I interview I specifically asked how they wanted me to handle firsts; whether they wanted me to tell them or not. Dad said he didn’t care and mom never gave me a committed answer and said she hadn’t thought of that before as the older boy hadn’t done anything in daycare that they hadn’t known he was on the verge of doing. Up until this week most of the baby’s firsts were on my off time but this week he rolled from tummy to back for the first time. I took a picture of him afterwards emailed them to let them know. They seemed OK with that.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16025 Anonymous Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:27:40 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16025 So sad... So sad…

]]> By: aunt_betty http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16022 aunt_betty Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:27:07 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16022 I notice it works the other way too. Parents may not tell me about a child's FIRST and I get to experience it as the first time. But I agree with the author of this article. The achievement is always a FIRST when a parent or caregiver experiences the accomplishment for the first time. I notice it works the other way too. Parents may not tell me about a child’s FIRST and I get to experience it as the first time. But I agree with the author of this article. The achievement is always a FIRST when a parent or caregiver experiences the accomplishment for the first time.

]]> By: jkala87 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/childcare/firsts.html/comment-page-1#comment-16020 jkala87 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:06:21 +0000 http://www.sittercity.com/blog/?p=1091#comment-16020 When this happens to me, I don't tell the parents. I say, "X is getting really close to_____. It should happen any day now!" I think it is really easy for parents who don't have a choice but to not be around to get resentful, and for the sake of our work relationship, I let them have all the firsts. There was a disscussion about this on Nanny Island recently, and everyone came to the same consensus. When this happens to me, I don’t tell the parents. I say, “X is getting really close to_____. It should happen any day now!” I think it is really easy for parents who don’t have a choice but to not be around to get resentful, and for the sake of our work relationship, I let them have all the firsts.

There was a disscussion about this on Nanny Island recently, and everyone came to the same consensus.

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