UrbanBaby

05.27.08, 18:54 PM General Topics
28 replies

What would your reaction be: nanny went to throw out the garbage while db was sleeping and door locked itself. Locking db in the apt. Doorman didn't have key bc nanny took that key earlier in the day bc super was up here and locked the other lock (for which nanny doesn't have key). Nanny didn't immediately return key to doorman (which is the prudent thing to do). When I got the call at work, I seriously started shaking. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 05.27.08, 06:54 PM Flag

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^^ btw, if I leave apt with db sleeping (trash compacter on the floor), I close the dead bolt so door doesn't shut, bc you never know . [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 06:56 PM Flag

I'd definitely be annoyed in the same way I'd be annoyed with myself, but it is one of those things that happens and could easily have happened with you. I wouldn't leave the deadbolt on for fear of someone coming in and taking db. I mean, I know it's far-fetched, but I'd feel safer with it locked. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:04 PM Flag

this is a small doorman building, door is basically in view of trash room. if you allow door to shut (even assuming you think it won't lock), take your key (i've done that as well). [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:08 PM Flag

Before db, I used to do deadbolt thing, but now I take key when I go to put garbage in back of house now that we're in burbs. I understand your annoyance, but I still think if all else were equal her mistake could have happened to anyone. It would have been worse if it were an awake toddler, but a sleeping infant in crib is not in immediate danger (though obviously not a good situation.) [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:11 PM Flag

if db was awake, she should NOT be tossing the garbage. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:14 PM Flag

Of course not. I'm not saying she was not careless, but I am saying that having a sleeping baby locked inside an apt for 20 minutes is not as serious as a mobile baby or toddler in a crib or pack n' play. How old is your baby? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:20 PM Flag

^^^my point is this, if I liked the nanny and she normally showed good judgment, I'd be pissed at the situation, but also understand that it happens and work out a solution so it never happens again. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:22 PM Flag

this happened to me too, but i didn't have a sleeping child inside. set your front doorknob to NOT lock automatically, just rely on the dead bolt for which one will always need a key to lock. i had to prop up a ladder and climb in thru the bathroom window. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 06:57 PM Flag

that's the way the door is normally set, but the super changed it when he went in to change something. but for me, personally, that is not enough if i have a child inside, so I deadbolt the lock. clearly, nanny did not take same precaution. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:00 PM Flag

ils have knobs that don't lock, but deadbolts that require keys on either inside and outside of door to lock (no thumbturn latches, gotta use a key). maybe that would be better solution? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:03 PM Flag

no, i'm fine with our lock, just not our nanny. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:07 PM Flag

It's a horrible accident -- but I do think that a nanny should be extra careful (maybe nt fair, but still!). I'm sure that she meant to return the key to the doorman sooner or later -- it just wasn't convenient at the time. Do you like her otherwise? How is her judgement in general? I assume that DC was okay. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 06:59 PM Flag

bad judgment otherwise. i wish i could have fired her on the spot, i'm interviewing, but don't have anyone lined up yet. I basically said, please go home now (I rushed home from work) -- I didnt even look at her. DB was fine, sleeping. I think i was harsh, but I was so shaken up. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:01 PM Flag

Nanny didn't do anything wrong here. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:03 PM Flag

OP just doesn't like nanny and this is the last straw. That's diff't from what if nanny made a mistake like this. This is yet another blunder in a line of blunders, it seems to me. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:06 PM Flag

yes, that's basically it. and nanny did do something wrong. she locked my child in the apt. when i showed up, sweating (i ran home), she didn't immediately appologize, but said, "i just went to throw out the garbage" [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:09 PM Flag

Because you were freaking out and she was trying to explain things in hopes of keeping her job. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:32 PM Flag

totally harsh. that is why nannies bad mouth their employers all day long at the playground. trust me i have heard them. you expect them to be perfect and come down too hard on them for things that could happen when child is in your care. you fault them for talking on their cell when you do the same thing at the playground. you get mad when your kid has a fall or gets a cut when that is what kids do. the important thing is that your baby wasn't hurt, there wasn't a fire etc. the nanny did the right thing to call you immediately. be mad at the super for changing the setting on the door but to fire the nanny-that is ridiculous imo. also be careful about treating your help badly. remember you are leaving your children with them. It amazes me the stories i hear about bad treatment from employers. luckily most nannies don't take it out on the kids that they take care of. and no i am not a nanny, just a sahm who actually talks to nannies on the playground. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:10 PM Flag

(1) bad practice to let door shut and leave apt. (2) nanny knew that lock was being "funky" since she needed key from doorman. (3) nanny didn't call me, she went down to building lobby (yes, my baby along in the apt, although at this point she had no choice) and basically asked them to open the door -- didn't get the concept that there's no back up key to the back up key that she didn't return. Doorman reached me at work. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:13 PM Flag

OK your baby was not hurt. it was a mistake. do you ever make them? nanny is human. cut her some slack (unless there is a history of bad judgment). your baby is fine. the whole drama was an hour or two tops right. you obviously feel strongly so fire her. GL with the new nanny. Just knwo that everyone is not perfect. i know a woman who fired her nany because she came home and found baby had thrown up in her sleep and nanny had not cleaned it up. Except baby was fast asleep and nanny said there was no sound. Guess what, that has happened to me and several friends with our dc. All I am saying is put things in perspective. #1 thing is that baby is fine. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:19 PM Flag

how old is db? if infant, I would be very upset that she left him sleeping and went out. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:00 PM Flag

to take trash out on the same floor?? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:02 PM Flag

db is 14 mo. the funny thing is, she actually never ever throws out "our" garbage. i'll come home sometimes and the little supermarket bag in the can is overflowing. she puts her own garbage in a separate bag and just throws that out. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:17 PM Flag

You're looking for an excuse to fire her, and you've found it. Don't ask us to validate your decision. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:39 PM Flag

I would be upset. But the same thing could happen to me or DH. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:00 PM Flag

ditto [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:01 PM Flag

tritto [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:06 PM Flag

done it. With our home when I went to get the mail. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 05.27.08, 07:09 PM Flag