By Danielle Glaze
I have heard countless arguments regarding the use of security cameras in homes to keep track of children and nannies. Some caregivers view it as an attack on their ability as hired help, others couldn’t care less about its presence (what you see is what you get!), some value it’s usefulness in caring for children (checking in on sleeping babies), and others have split personalities (behaving one way in front of the camera and another way when out of the camera’s sight). Some parents are curious about how their children are coping throughout the day without them, some are curious about who they just hired to help with their child, some are baffled by the way their children are so well behaved with their caregivers and push every button when they are with their parents and want some insight into what is so different! Other parents are worried sick about who they’ve hired and want to confirm suspicions they may have regarding their child’s safety.
The Nitty Gritty is this… Trusting someone you’ve just met with your child’s wellbeing can be difficult. I can only imagine the curiosity and fears that must come with being a first-time parent who is handing over their role as caregiver and opening their home to someone they hardly know. While you may feel confident in the person you’ve hired, there is added reassurance in seeing what is going on while you’re away. The surge in digital access to our lives has opened up a world of opportunities in this respect. You can be across the country and see a live-stream of what’s going on in your home!
On the other hand, when it comes to safety, parent-hood is often driven by instinct – going with that gut feeling. Most parents have a strong sense of when something or someone is off. So when parents go through the interviewing process with a prospective caregiver I would imagine that anyone who made them feel the slightest bit uneasy would be a definite NO.
One parent I met said it perfectly…
If I can’t trust you when I’m in the room, if I’m feeling nervous or worried about your abilities as a caregiver, and if I’m constantly going to be worrying about what you’re up to, I don’t need a camera to tell me that you’re not a good fit. My nanny should feel like an extension of my family – their ability to be kind, capable, and honest being of primary concern.
That being said, there are some caregivers who seemed amazing at first, were trusted implicitly, and turned out to be huge disappointments. I say, do what makes you feel confident as a parent that your child is in the best possible care. Be open about your use of cameras in your home when hiring a caregiver. Remember, while a camera can be a useful tool, we never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or mistrusted.
The legality of camera use in the home should also be considered. While many states allow for use of cameras for legitimate reasons (child safety is legit), please check with local laws to ensure legal use of such devices. You want to make sure that the device is not in any private area such as a nanny’s private bedroom or any bathrooms. The following resources were very helpful :
If you are on the hunt for the best cameras to install in your home and want a list of the pros and cons of each model, this article gives an updated list of the best ones on the market.
How do you feel about the usage of cameras in the home? Do you have one? Sound off in the comments below!
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