Helicopter Nanny

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Aug 2011 11:56 PM

Yes, please!

Sign me up.

Forget about the stigma associated with helicopter parents, if I am forking over cold hard cash for someone to care for my child, she better be hovering over him.

Personally, I believe the media is to blame for the relentless chastising of overprotective moms and dads who tend to circle around their kids and land unannounced at inopportune times. Whereas I realize that some parents take their involvement to extremes, most of us simply want to ensure that our children are safe and staying out of trouble. Of course, this type of child rearing is in direct contrast to those who subscribe to free-range parenting whereby kids are given the freedom to live life with few boundaries. However, I don't think either should be used to describe nannies.

Still, that hasn't stopped some from feeding the helicopter parent paranoia. These days nannies, babysitters and au pairs are being categorized in much the same way parents are when it comes to supervising children.

Yes, the helicopter hype has officially spun out of control.

In my opinion, the idea of a "helicopter nanny" is completely outrageous. For starters, nannies are paid to do a job. Their charge's parents are their bosses, and if the boss issues a directive, the nanny had better follow through if she wants to maintain employment. Consequently, if you are working for a mom or dad that has helicopter parent tendencies, then you are more than likely going to be told that part of your job is to tow the company line, so to speak. Meaning, if the mom hovers near her kid when he is on playing at the park, then there is a very good possibility that she will expect you (the person she is paying) to do the same.

Is it really fair to slap a helicopter label on nannies when the kids they are tending to are not their own?

What's more, I will bet big money that if a free-range parent's child were to get hurt while in the care of a nanny, she would be made to suffer the consequences regardless of whether she claimed to be mimicking the mom or dad's parenting technique.

Related Articles:

Embrace Your Inner Helicopter

When Okay Is Not Good Enough

Can Parents Ever Get It Right?

Becoming the Mom You Never Thought You'd Be

News Flash: Moms Work Hard

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger