Friday, August 8, 2008

Nannies 24/7: Why Have Kids at All?

The photo of the little munchkin that accompanies this article just breaks my heart. It's the middle of the night, and she's being comforted not by the parents she doesn't see during the day because they're at work, but by the night nanny they've hired so their sleep isn't interrupted by their adorable baby.

The article explains that Mom and Dad are tired from their day jobs and need their rest. Before Congress gets wind of this and votes to offer taxpayer-subsidized night care, I'd like to point out who's driving the demand for night nannies:

The bulk of Nocturnal Nannies’ clients are dual-career, professional families, Ms. Seveney said, and revenue has been increasing 25 percent a year.

So this is not an economic necessity. The fact that there are actually agencies with names like "Nocturnal Nannies" for the convenience of parents who don't have time for their kids at night much less during the day is really depressing. Poor kids. Why have children if you don't have any time for them?

(By the way, ours is not the only country where babies are often seen as an inconvenience. In Australia, they're saying that babies are a drag on the economy!)

10 comments:

Night Nannies said...

There are also a large percentage of Mums who need the service because they have Postnatal depression, illness after childbirth and other medical issues. Its not only a luxury service!

Barbara Frank said...

NN, I'm glad you stopped by with that comment because it made me feel better. The gist of the article, however, was that it's professional families who use this service. Glad to hear it's not always the case!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Sigh. I can understand the nannies being needed for illness, etc, but just so that you can get some sleep? Sigh again. That's one of the most precious time with your baby....at night, when there's no one else awake and you can gaze and gaze at each other with no other interruptions. Especially the little ones! Of course, when my seven year old wakes me up to see if we can go and see a volcano next year for summer holidays...it's not so special.

Anonymous said...

I've worked in the child care profession in the past and have LOVED those kids! Some parents did have the need to drop off their babies for 10 hours a day, five days a week, and others... seems like the baby was comparable to the newest "toy" they were going to work every day for. A boat, a bike, a baby. Just the thing to do.

Barbara Frank said...

Janet, do you find that with each child, you appreciate those middle-of-the-night times even more? And yes, I hear you about the volcanoes, lol!

Pam, I'll bet you could see the difference between the children whose parents had to work and the children who were their parents' "newest toy." Kids know when they're loved and it shows.

Anonymous said...

I defnitely could see the difference! By the way, I had a good laugh at the comment you left on my site! :) Here I was counting down the days til he'd outgrow his distruction. NOW I'm imagining what the car is going to look like in 14 1/2 years!! ;)

Mozi Esme said...

Boy - sometimes I sure wish I had a nighttime nanny!

I agree with your points that moms should be more involved with their kids' lives and not seen as an inconvenience.

I have way overloaded myself by working full-time from home in a job I don't have the option of quitting right now. (I know - you ALWAYS have the option - but it isn't a feasible one in my case.) I've just hired a second empregada to help with child care most of the day, and I sure miss my baby during the day, even though she's right there and I can be there for her in emergencies, etc. I can't imagine giving her up at nights, too. Though I could do with some uninterrupted sleep.

Barbara Frank said...

Pam, sorry to burst your bubble, lol. ;)

MoziEsme, I hope things calm down with your work so it's not so hectic. But it must be a comfort to know that you're right there if your little one needs you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

That is sad. Why have children if you give them to some one else to raise?

Barbara Frank said...

Barbaralee, I know what you mean. I think some people see children as pets (Mary Pride predicted that in one of her books 20 years ago). In Hollywood, people seem to think having a baby is a status symbol (it sure gets you more publicity!) But there are some moms who hope to stay home with the kids but it doesn't work out that way financially. I think those kids know they're loved.