Would you hire a morbidly obese Nanny?

[whompingwillo]

I would like to hire someone we’ve met for my 9 month old baby. She’s fab, great with kids, lovely, I have no concerns.

I would estimate her BMI is 50-60 and my husband noticed that it is a struggle for her to get up and down off the floor and he is worried that if baby was in danger she may struggle.

So what would you do? Do you think that weight could impact a job like this? I’m sure people of this weight have their own children and are safe to look after them?

YABU - morbid obesity could impact her ability to do this job

YANBU - she’ll be fine

Also i would not hire someone with an obvious eating disorder such as anorexia to be a nanny or someone with a drug or alcohol dependency -nothing against them but i need their focus to be on the child and when someone is in the midst of addiction / mhealth crisis it is very difficult to look after small children

You absolutely can get that way from medication

Steroids are one, anti-depressants are another. There's also medication for migraines, seizures, hormone disorders and many more.

People don't like to think weight gain can be affected by anything other than food, though - I guess it's easier to feel morally superior that way.

Right. There seem to be a lot of assumptions and stereotyping - and absolute masterclass in why fat prejudice exists in the workplace. And maybe, just maybe, she won't need to continuously run after your child who's heading for a road because she might actually teach them to be safe and not do it?

If she's been a nanny before and this is her job I'm sure she's navigated all the tricks in the book.

Of course it can be linked to mental health in some cases!

It would be more like 20 - 24 stone to have a bmi of 50 - 60 at 5’3”.

I wouldn’t hire the nanny as I’d want them to be capable of running around with/after them in years to come.

The vast, vast majority are unkind. The earlier ones just tried to disguise it as concern for OP's poor toddler.

Though later comments apparently think this woman is about to crush the child to death

This may not be popular but I was 18stone.

I'm now 9 stone.

When I was obese I told myself it was because I had bad knees and couldn't exercise, that I haf borderline hypothyroidism which made me gain weight, that inwas heavy set and genetically a big person.

That my depression medication made me gain weight.

Non of that was true.

My knees and health were bad because I was fat. Not the other way round.

I overate. I binged. I chose the wrong foods. I was depressed and used food as comfort.

I think that's the case for alot of fat people but it's a way of protecting yourself, the denial.

It's only when you're out the other side you can see that. Like with other addictions.

You do not need to eat that much extra. A bar of chocolate over your daily calories will do it.

Maybe some people are being nasty. But I've seen most saying she wouldn't be fit for the job and the childs safety is the most important thing.

Yes I was correcting the incorrect assumption that obesity in itself is a mental health disorder.

If you genuinely think children aren't safe with a 17 stone nanny - I assume you're going to social services and reporting every single parent of that size? What about teachers, nursery nurses, childminders? Should they all lose their jobs because they're unfit to work and unsafe around their charges?

Or is it just an anonymous stranger on the internet who can be bullied and picked on by a bunch of grown women?

I agree.
If someone is hiring a nanny, they have the right to choose who they believe is right for the job.
It's nothing to do with 'hating' obese people, it's to do with wanting the best person, in their opinion, to look after their child.

Teachers and nursery staff are not in sole charge.

Exactly. You only need to eat a tiny amount extra everyday to put on weight. It really doesn't take much at all.

It's not about weight or BMI per se, it's about fitness, mobility, stamina, energy levels, eagerness to run around doing things and the ability to keep your child safe as they transition from baby to toddler to school. Nannying is a strenuous job!

Of course you can care for a child when you have limited fitness and mobility, but the child's life and experiences will inevitably be adapted to suit the adult's needs. Presumably you'll working your arse off to afford your nanny, so why would you pay to limit your child's early years? That puzzles me.

There was a segment on LBC this week about the increasing numbers of ordinary children without special needs who are entering reception class at school lacking basic readiness in all sorts of ways - from still in nappies; to can't recognise a pencil, or have the fine motor skills to use it; or know how turn the pages of a book; or not fit enough to climb stairs or play outdoors; or even lack the core strength to sit upright on the floor. It was James O'Brien's show if you want to track it down. Some of those children will be coming from very inactive homes.

@roses2 Gosh what world do you live in that you have never seen an obese teacher?

I was quite interested in a PP's post that her fit, svelte nanny once lost a child in the park 😱

What do you really need in a nanny OP?
Reliable, honest and long-serving enough to suit your needs?
Compassionate carer?
Educated in childcare methods that suit your values eg food you prefer to give?
Etc

Against this, how important is your husband's disguised distaste/disgust for certain female bodies?

Eh? Many teachers are in sole charge of a classroom full of kids!

That will make you overweight not morbidly obese. If you’re 20 stone you’re eating more than a Kit Kat extra every day!

Doesn't what?
Both overweight and slimmer people can be affected by health issues however more often than not being overweight exacerbates the problem, sometimes it's the cause, sometimes the issue itself, and sometimes makes treatment more challenging. I'm not having a go at heavier people it's just the way it is.

Second fat bashing thread of the day
Let's all pile on and say how awful fat people are and they can't possibly do their job

Lol a bar over your daily calories would not make you morbidly obese. I eat chocolate most days and I'm slightly overweight. Definitely nowhere near morbidly obese.

But there are other people in the building or on trips to parks.And the kids are older and not trying to throw themselves out of the window, like DS used to do.
Perhaps I should say teachers are not usually on their own in dangerous situations like crossing the road or near a water body.

Rubbish. I'm an overweight nanny, have been a nanny for 34 years and I haven't had a day off sick for over 20 years. Also, I have no trouble running around after the kids.

It will make you morbidly obese if you do it everyday for years.

What is the MN obsession with fat people?!