The Phone Call Every Mom Should Make

The Phone Call Every Mom Should Make

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

filed under: family

One veteran babysitter berates moms for neglecting to call home when they are running late. Are you guilty of this?

Mary Poppins: Punctuality in every instance of life is appreciated. I know that it may seem a little ridiculous to think that you need to call home if you are going to be late once you are a parent, but guess what? Those rules from high school still apply. Now, I do not mean that you need to call if you are going to be five minutes late. But if you say you will return at 8 PM and you do not show up until 11 PM, a phone call would really be appreciated.

I honestly am at a loss about how this small responsibility slips so many minds. Even though you are a full-fledged adult, everyone worries. Your children constantly ask where you are, and I have to make up excuses for you. I have no idea where you are, and after two hours have passed, I begin to imagine the worst possible outcome. It really is just bad manners -- and it's all completely avoidable if you would just PHONE HOME!

Now some of you will think, "Oh, it's just the nanny ... I don't need to call!" Well, you are wrong! I may be your employee, but I still deserve the same respect and treatment as any other human. Again, I cannot stress this enough: You entrust me with the care of your children ... shouldn't you treat me well? Am I not looking after the most important things in your life?

Mary Poppins is a nanny/babysitter who is not afraid to tell parents what is really going on with their kids. With over eight years of experience, Mary Poppins offers fresh commentary on issues that many families are facing today. You might not like what she says, but you may recognize the truth in it.

4 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I once had a woman I babysat for come home at 4:30 IN THE MORNING. She was due home at 11pm. I got a phone call at 1:30 saying she was running late but would be home soon … ugh! And I was only 14 at the time!! Luckily, I was only 3 houses up the block from my house, but I distinctly remember that night, and walking home at 4:30, getting myself a cup of tea, and watching the sun rise. Stupidly, that was NOT the last time I sat for those kids - but as nuts at the mother was, I really loved the kids and felt bad for their situation, so I hung around.

- Kirstie

Posted 03/10/09 11:18 AM

I’m a mother of 2 children and cannot believe that there are parents out there who do not have the decency to call when they are not going to return when they said they will. That’s awful.

- Mom2two

Posted 03/10/09 01:57 PM

I remember when picking up my kids from the daycare and a worker was telling me some parents have them staying as late as 8 pm. I was amazed then as I am today.She told me some want to shop or just do whatever . All I wanted to do was get my kids on the way home and just start dinner. I feel that we all go to work and want to leave when our day shift is over ,so why do these people think its ok for the child care workers to stay longer. I know some places started to charge 35.00 an hour for being late and I don’t blame them.

- Peggy Gorman

Posted 03/10/09 09:01 PM

This rule applies even when your kids grow up. If you leave preteens and teenagers alone (and yes, you should! They learn responsibility and they learn to control their environment), you must give them the same courtesy that you ask from them; namely, you must tell them when to expect you and call when you are running late.

- The Mother

Posted 03/10/09 09:06 PM