OMG i shouldn't have watched.

[Alisse]

I thought i was in the process about having to look for a nanny so that i could go back to work. But today my mother told me about some nanny that was caught abusing an infant that was shown on the news. Stupid me, i looked it up online and saw the video of the nanny being very abusive. I started crying and now i'm totally traumatized by what i saw.

And of course now i can't do the nanny thing. Even with referrals and background checks i don't think i can trust anyone.

Heh, i'm screwed. I never thought about daycare so of course i never got my son onto any waiting lists. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[4myfinn]

Yes, you should have watched it. Denying that abuse occurs does not make it so. Get a copy of Protecting the Gift from your local library and read the chapter on finding a babysitter/nanny. You'll be so glad you did.

[kismetbaby]

Just a vote of confidence for you (I hope), I was a nanny for many years before becoming a mama. . .and I loved each of the babes I took care of as if they were my own! (Of course now, I have my own and really know what mama love is, but that's beside the point.) I really cared about those LOs. . .in fact, I still keep in touch with some of those families and my last "job" has even met my baby.
I know its rough to leave your baby (I am still not yet able to contemplate a babysitter myself), but please know that there are really wonderful, caring people out there who work as nannies. There are pros and cons both ways in choosing btw a nanny and daycare, do what's best for you, but don't be scared by one bad thing--just like anything else in life.

Don't know if that really helps. . .

[Alisse]

God i know i should get more informed but a huge part of me doesn't want to because doing so would require me to acknowledge that this happens.

Well luckily i'm not totally stupid. Thanks for the reference -- i'll definitely be picking up a copy.


ETA: Thanks kismetbaby, i know you're right too. I just talked to my pediatrician friend and she also tried to reassure me to the fact that not nannies are bad.

I just wish i could get the videos out of my head.

[JessieBird]

Sorry you had to see that.

Check out the "Working and Student Parents" forum here on MDC. There are lots of threads offering info and support for finding the type of childcare that is right for you, including all the different pros and cons of daycare vs nanny. And where you are, you shouldn't have a problem with not being on waiting lists if you decide to go with daycare. You will find lots of private daycares (both in-home and centres) that don't require a wait on a list. Check out kijiji to start, and there are also a few daycare directory websites. Be prepared for the cost though...nothing in Toronto is cheap as you probably already know all too well.

[Alisse]

Thanks so much JessieBird, i didn't know where to look on this site and have never entered that forum.

[slimkins]

I know, that video was horrible. It made me cry, too.
If it matters, I think I saw it on the news last week and I since have forgotten about it until I read your post.

[atlantafemme]

But then there are nannies like this:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/...oy.wave?hpt=T2