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This thread is terrifying in its ignorance. The reality is that a child is FAR more likely to be harmed by a male friend/relative/coach than by a woman who acknowledges she has and is treating her depression.
Statistics about relative dangers are irrelevant to this discussion. A child is FAR more likely to be harmed in a car accident than by a male relative. So how does that help someone pick a nanny?
I never hired a babysitter or nanny for my three children. No day care, either. But if I had had to do either, I think I would have relied heavily on recommendations from trusted friends and my personal impressions from meeting and interviewing the person. I am sure it would not have occurred to me to ask if someone was on medication for anything.
Statistics about relative dangers are irrelevant to this discussion. A child is FAR more likely to be harmed in a car accident than by a male relative. So how does that help someone pick a nanny?
Do cars take care of children? No, nannies or friends and relatives do. Comprende?
Quote:
Originally Posted by saibot
I never hired a babysitter or nanny for my three children. No day care, either. But if I had had to do either, I think I would have relied heavily on recommendations from trusted friends and my personal impressions from meeting and interviewing the person. I am sure it would not have occurred to me to ask if someone was on medication for anything.
What about parents who take anti-depressants? Also, short of them disclosing it, you can't ask about their mental health history during an interview.
If anything I'd rather have a person with mental illness who is on medication, recieveing treatment and in control of it instead of someone with untreated mental illness.
That is interesting. How many potential babysitters or nannies have you actually asked to look in their medicine cabinet or for a list of their medications before hiring them? And what were their reactions to your request?
And, if they are teenage date-night babysitters do you ask their parents permission before you ask them about their medical history?
What about your sisters & brothers & your parents, and your spouse's sisters & brothers & parents have you asked them for a list of their medications? Or do you not allow your children to stay with their aunts, uncles and grandparents?
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the things I could tell you...
Had this conversation with my wife (and a few friends) recently. I dont think I am out of bounds in saying "ABSOLUETLY NO WAY!!!".
Two ladies I know offered their services to us but both are open about their battle with depression and having been prescribed i depression meds. Both seem to be nice, but I cannot ever see under any circumstances to hire, even for a few hours someone who takes anti depression (prozac, zoloft, celexa, ritalin, etc.) pills.
Would any of you hire someone like this to care for your child(ren) 10 years old and under?
Of course not. The child caring was traditionally the wife's job: not a female job; don't mix them together. And the guy observes his wife quietly, and give the necessary pullings to the children. But since the female has things more important than their children todays, then why be natural? But of course not, I don't think I would hire an unstable sitter. I would probably rather leave a household pet to them.
How would all of you know that the person was depressed? Especially if she was on meds, her mood would be stable. Do you think you'd just be able to tell?
I see hiring a babysitter or nanny like looking for a wife. I want to see her medicine cabinet first. If I see meds for depression, anxiety, bi-polar... it's over.
I see hiring a babysitter or nanny like looking for a wife. I want to see her medicine cabinet first. If I see meds for depression, anxiety, bi-polar... it's over.
I realize that is a harsh thing to say...
It is also not believable.
The whole attitude in the thread here makes me glad I'm not a child. My parents would not have gone out for 12 years. Well, maybe not for 30 years because they would not have let me out of their sight until I was married.
Do cars take care of children? No, nannies or friends and relatives do. Comprende?
Thanks, I "comprehend" very well. I think you missed my point. The OP was not asking whether it was safer to let a woman watch your children than a man. The question was whether the person had depression. Bringing the fact that males are statistically more likely to harm children than women is no more relevant to that discussion than whether cars are more likely to harm children.
Actually, I would rather have my brother or father-in-law watch my children than a woman I don't know well, but apparently that is the wrong attitude.
Thanks, I "comprehend" very well. I think you missed my point. The OP was not asking whether it was safer to let a woman watch your children than a man. The question was whether the person had depression. Bringing the fact that males are statistically more likely to harm children than women is no more relevant to that discussion than whether cars are more likely to harm children.
Actually, I would rather have my brother or father-in-law watch my children than a woman I don't know well, but apparently that is the wrong attitude.
It has nothing to do with attitude, and everything to do with facts and statistics.
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