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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
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I taped a babysitter today....
I have had a "mother's helper" come once a week on Monday for about 3 hours. Helps to get errands done and I have some time for myself. Well, she is WONDERFUL but she doesn't have any other time during the week to give us. She recommended her friend, and her friend came today for a trial run. Poor thing is so sweet, but speaks virtually no English, and I've decided that I just don't feel comfortable not being able to communicate with her.
Anyway...I didn't know this woman at all so I taped her using this hidden camera we have in a clock we bought from The Sharper Image. Well, DH and I just watched it. I was really nervous, but ended up so happy....she was walking around with DD and patting her back and talking to her and just being nice. I'm SO happy that she treated her well, but I still find it unsettling that I can't communicate with her. She is going to take English lessons soon, but until then I just don't think I feel right about having her stay her for a few hours each week. I had her come over solely because she is good friends with the woman I use every week who was recommended to me and I love. But, the no English thing just kills it...:(
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Posted 10/12/07 7:56 PM  |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
I agree with the communication barrier....glad she was sweet to Maddie though 
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| Posted 10/12/07 7:58 PM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
Glad she was sweet. Not being able to communicate can be tough. Bummer.
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| Posted 10/12/07 7:59 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
I'm glad she was great with DD.
I agree, not being able to communicate is very difficult
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:05 PM |
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dawnygirl25
Growing up soo fast..
Member since 1/06 14917 total posts
Name:
Dawn
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
yeah, not being able to communicate with DD is a definate problem - I am glad she was good with her though!!!
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:08 PM |
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Charly
LOVE!
Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
Glad to hear she was good to your DD, but not being able to communicate would make me uncomfortable as well
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:12 PM |
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
When I was little (10 yrs old) we moved to LI and we always had live in nanny's. The 2 that we (us kids and we didn't rebel against) were both woman that didn't really speak much english. The very first one we had was from Brazil and she was just amazing to us. We had a portuguse dictonary and she actually started to teach me portuguese and that is how we commuicated, through me  . She ended leaving after a year because she was moving. Then our last one was spanish. She spoke some very very basic english. She was with us for probably 3 years and my youngest brother adored her so so much. She was so patient and kind. She was with our family durning a really hard time for us kids. My parents were getting seperated but still living in the same house. Talk about tension. She decided to leave because she couldn't handle the tension anymore.
So while I can understand you might be scared because of the language barrier it might actually not be that bad. Their are always dictonaries and sign language.
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:12 PM |
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
I would give her a second chance. Not speaking English, although it's hard, but is not nearly as bad a problem as what other problems may arise.
Im just speaking from coming from - my mom is off the boat from Italy, she's always been self conscious of her English (and we always make fun of it too ) but all our lives she was HIGHLY recommended from one person to another, to babysit.
Many of the parents spoke spanish, so my mom was able to learn spanish VERY easily (We all speak spanish and italian) but the last child she babysat (who's now almost 15yrs old  ) Her parents only speak English, and always cheered my mom on so to speak, helped her explain what she was trying to say, and understood what she meant by even her nonverbal cues (us Italians speak more with the hands )
But honestly, Im not sure how bad her English, or how much of her language you may know. but someone so loving is something priceless.
You should treasure her and give it some thought.
Make it an opportunity for you to learn a new language, while you teach eachother your native tongues..
Hey, I'll take her
Im not saying you dont have a point. I do see your point and how you might feel, but Im also trying to see her side of it too. It's hard for non-English speakers to get work as it is, and this just brought back my own experiences (or my mom's) to mind.
hope that helps
and I hope that came across the right way.
Message edited 10/12/2007 8:16:00 PM.
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:13 PM |
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
Posted by Seles81
When I was little (10 yrs old) we moved to LI and we always had live in nanny's. The 2 that we (us kids and we didn't rebel against) were both woman that didn't really speak much english. The very first one we had was from Brazil and she was just amazing to us. We had a portuguse dictonary and she actually started to teach me portuguese and that is how we commuicated, through me . She ended leaving after a year because she was moving. Then our last one was spanish. She spoke some very very basic english. She was with us for probably 3 years and my youngest brother adored her so so much. She was so patient and kind. She was with our family durning a really hard time for us kids. My parents were getting seperated but still living in the same house. Talk about tension. She decided to leave because she couldn't handle the tension anymore.
So while I can understand you might be scared because of the language barrier it might actually not be that bad. Their are always dictonaries and sign language.
I didnt realize you wrote this as I wrote my response.
Im glad someone can relate to what Im saying
and no offense to English speakers, but there's a sense of entitlement that comes with these teenagers asking $17 an hour to babysit 
The non English speakers are truly full of heart and appreciate the value of a dollar... sorry to ramble. 
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:15 PM |
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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
Name:
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
Posted by anna
I would give her a second chance. Not speaking English, although it's hard, but is not nearly a bad a problem as what other problems may arise.
Im just speaking from coming from - my mom is off the boat from Italy, she's always been self conscious of her English (and we always make fun of it too ) but all our lives she was HIGHLY recommended from one person to another, to babysit.
Many of the parents spoke spanish, so my mom was able to learn spanish VERY easily (Well all speak spanish and italian) but the last child she babysat (who's now almost 15yrs old ) Her parents only speak English, and always cheered my mom on so to speak, helped her explain what she was trying to say, and understood what she meant by even her nonverbal cues (us Italians speak more with the hands )
But honestly, Im not sure how bad her English, or how much of her language you may know. but someone so loving is something priceless.
You should treasure her and give it some thought.
Make it an opportunity for you to learn a new language, while you teach eachother your native tongues..
Hey, I'll take her
Im not saying you dont have a point. I do see your point and how you might feel, but Im also trying to see her side of it too. It's hard for non-English speakers to get work as it is, and this just brought back my own experiences (or my mom's) to mind.
hope that helps
and I hope that came across the right way.
I totally know what you mean. My regular mother's helper told me that this new woman would be able to understand me, but is embarassed about her use of the English language, so she therfore is hesitant to speak a lot. So, I was still totally open to meeting her.
The thing that unsettles me is that she doesn't have a car and I was kind of nervous and said, "In case of an accident, you know how to use 911?" and she just kind of looked at me blankly and said ok.
What if DD choked on something? I'm not sure she could even communicate to me over the phone. That is the only reason why I wouldn't use her. I am terrible at speaking Spanish (her language), but DH can speak...too bad he isn't home much.
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:16 PM |
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4monkeys
boys will be boys =)
Member since 9/05 7205 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: I taped a babysitter today....
Now I see your point more clearly.
That would make me nervous too. I guess I was never in the shoes of totally not being able to communicate.
My mom had us right there to translate at all times if she stumbled on her words.
That's a tough call. Is she trying to take classes anywhere? Maybe you should write down things to go over with her and have someone translate it in front of you. and try to encourage her to learn English.
Lots of luck in whatever you decide.
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| Posted 10/12/07 8:26 PM |
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