"We Are NOT Equals!!"

[Cat Herder]

As I was scrolling through some posts on a board I once frequented I came across this comment written as an "unsent letter to my child's babysitter"...

"Don't dare try to give me advice about my OWN child! Who do you think you are? We are not equals. Your clue should be that I pay YOU. You work for ME. You could not hack it in a field that requires even a high school diploma, that is why you are an adult babysitter to begin with."

There are a little over 300 replies right now.... It was fun.

My reply was "Awww, I am sure you are pretty, too." (the context was a vent and the OP had a strong sense of humor about herself)

What would yours be.... TGIF!!!

[Naptime yet?]

It would probably start with "go" and end with " yourself"

[Maria2013]

It would probably start with "go" and end with " yourself"

::::::::

[daycarediva]

It would probably start with "go" and end with " yourself"

HAHAHAHA! AGREED!

I spend more time with my FT kids than their parents do. My good clients ask my advice on a regular basis, because I know their child so well.

I am also more of an outside perspective.

The advice I offer IS well intentioned and with the children's best interests in mind.

Your child isn't perfect, and neither are you. Learn to take constructive criticism (it's a good job skill) and teach your child to do the same.

I am more educated than all but one of my daycare parents.

I am a professional in this field and offer a service. YOU are MY client, you contracted for my service. I am NOT your employee.

[Blackcat31]

My reply?

"Yes, I agree we are NOT equals. It is evident to me daily."

I would say no more.....

as my 4 yr old DCK struggles to even put his own shoes on
as my 18 month old DCB sits in a high chair and waits to be spoon fed
as my 3 yr old DCG comes in screaming and crying because the Skittles she had in their hand must be left in the van
as my 2 yr old DCK waves out the window at mommy in her PJ pants as she heads back home to have a "me" day
as my 5 yr old DCK lays sleeping on the playroom floor before lunch because he didn't go to bed last night until after 11:00
as my 12 month old DCB cries to held ALL day and can't bear the thought of being put down



Yep, I would HAVE to agree with her. We are NOT equals.

[childcaremom]

My reply?

"Yes, I agree we are NOT equals. It is evident to me daily."

I would say no more.....

as my 4 yr old DCK struggles to even put his own shoes on
as my 18 month old DCB sits in a high chair and waits to be spoon fed
as my 3 yr old DCG comes in screaming and crying because the Skittles she had in their hand must be left in the van
as my 2 yr old DCK waves out the window at mommy in her PJ pants as she heads back home to have a "me" day
as my 5 yr old DCK lays sleeping on the playroom floor before lunch because he didn't go to bed last night until after 11:00
as my 12 month old DCB cries to held ALL day and can't bear the thought of being put down



Yep, I would HAVE to agree with her. We are NOT equals.

[daycarediva]

My reply?

"Yes, I agree we are NOT equals. It is evident to me daily."

I would say no more.....

as my 4 yr old DCK struggles to even put his own shoes on
as my 18 month old DCB sits in a high chair and waits to be spoon fed
as my 3 yr old DCG comes in screaming and crying because the Skittles she had in their hand must be left in the van
as my 2 yr old DCK waves out the window at mommy in her PJ pants as she heads back home to have a "me" day
as my 5 yr old DCK lays sleeping on the playroom floor before lunch because he didn't go to bed last night until after 11:00
as my 12 month old DCB cries to held ALL day and can't bear the thought of being put down



Yep, I would HAVE to agree with her. We are NOT equals.

ohhhhh burn!!!!!!!! (and sadly, very accurate)

[nannyde]

It would probably start with "go" and end with " yourself"

I like you more and more each day. happyface

[Meyou]

My reply would be something like, "This babysitter makes more money staying in her own home with her own kids and enjoying her life than she ever did working outside the home with her degree in a management job. Thanks DCM for funding this babysitters amazing life. I'm so, so glad we aren't equal."

[Cat Herder]

It would probably start with "go" and end with " yourself"

I bet it won't surprise you to know that reply was taken (more than a few times, actually).... ::::::

One of my favorites was "you is kind..... you is smart..... you is important...."

[nannyde]

My answer would be... "One week with your kid and I will know more about them than you will in his/her life time. It's not personal. You are a parent who has a couple of months experience. I do this for a living. Of course I know more than you do.

Just because you pay someone it doesn't mean you know more about the service they provide. I learned that last month when I paid a grand to get something fixed on my the car I have owned for FIFTEEN years."

It's really too bad that parenting sill has to be something that is bestowed upon someone because they have sex, conceive a child, and give birth. What's so wrong with saying I am learning as I go along?

[Leigh]

If a parent said that to me, I'd let them know that I DO have an education, and I DID have a career that meant the world to me before my son came along. My son meant more to me than any amount of money, the chance at daily adult contact, going to work to have someone else tell me what to do, or the "power" that I had at my job. I would tell that parent that I stay home with my child because I love him too much to drop him off at a stranger's home 10+ hours a day, and because I couldn't bear the thought of that stranger experiencing all of those important milestones in his life. I wanted to be the one to shape him, teach him his letters and numbers, and be there for illnesses and boo-boos.

I stay home because being a PARENT is the most important job in the world, and I'm not selfish enough to leave him with others. I truly believe that kids belong at home with Mommy or Daddy the first years of their life, and I wanted him to have what he DESERVED, not what I WANTED. I'd let her know that we are NOT equals, because it's obvious that I'm the better parent-I'm able to put his needs before my own.

[Kabob]

My answer would be... "One week with your kid and I will know more about them than you will in his/her life time. It's not personal. You are a parent who has a couple of months experience. I do this for a living. Of course I know more than you do.

Just because you pay someone it doesn't mean you know more about the service they provide. I learned that last month when I paid a grand to get something fixed on my the car I have owned for FIFTEEN years."

It's really too bad that parenting sill has to be something that is bestowed upon someone because they have sex, conceive a child, and give birth. What's so wrong with saying I am learning as I go along?

You know I joked with dh last night that the reason why kids take so long to grow up is because we as parents need time to adjust to our ever-changing jobs as parents.

But yeah, if that lady truly thought her "sitter" is not her equal then I don't know why she bothers to continue sending her child to someone that is so beneath her. Wouldn't she be worried that her child would suffer from being with someone for 10 hours a day that is so unintelligent?

[Play Care]

I saw the same post. I didn't bother replying. I am not a babysitter or a nanny, so I didn't feel as though it applied to me.

[mountainside13]

Where was this posted at?!