I truly feel that so much of how you like a book has to do with the timing of when you read it. I have recently had my first baby and have contemplated childcare choices while looking at my return to full time work. This is a book about nannies and how they work to negotiate the boundaries of raising someone else’s children. Tasha Blaine worked briefly as a nanny and grew interested in the women who make careers out of being a nanny. She focuses on three different women who have different backgrounds and motivations.
Claudia is a woman who immigrated from Dominca and is trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter. She is legally in the country but has the perspective of many women who come to the country illegally and caring for someone’s children is the only option they have. Claudia works for a couple in New York City caring for their two children. She is happy with her employers who not only employ her but advocate for her as well. Claudia lives on the brink of poverty, barely making ends meet, and for her one of the most difficult parts of nannying is that she does not see a future. She talks of how her employers do better in their employment and make advances and more money, yet she stays the same. She dreams of taking classes and becoming a nurse but doesn’t find the time or money to do so.
Vivian is a professional nanny. She belongs to nanny organizations and she strives to make her profession more respected. Vivian works for a couple who have twin boys. She has cared for the boys since they were born and takes a very active stance in how they are raised, disciplined and educated. She considers herself as someone equally involved and invested in the children’s upbringing yet tries to be sure to differentiate her role so that the boys understand who the parents are. She has a salary with benefits and is very confident and sure of her role in the home.
Kim takes a job with a young couple expecting their first baby as a live in nanny. She does it mainly because she needs a place to live as she is getting a divorce. The match does not work from the first day as she is continually disrespected and treated as much as a maid and assistant to her employers as she is a nanny. Her role is not well defined and Kim continues to work in a place where she feels belittled because she does not know what other options she has.
This book brought up a lot of interesting points in how there are many things to think about when hiring one person to care for your children. There are issues of jealousy, control, and matching personalities as well as parenting methods. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about their options of child care. It was a quick read and gave perspective into the lives of nannies.
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