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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Is this normal CM behaviour?

15 replies

happybunnies · 13/10/2010 03:10

We live abroad and have a place in a state-run CM system where we're allocated a CM (but can say no)

It's the settling in period for DS1, 10 months, so I stay with him at CM's house for an hour each morning.

CM has two other mindees, 17mo boy and 2yo boy, let's call him Max.

The other day Max saw one of CM's male neighbours on the stairs with a bag and was bashful/scared of him. I've seen her repeatedly saying to him, "do xyz or I'll get the man with the bag".

Yesterday I was chatting to Max while DD1 played and CM got up and pretended she was leaving Max there with me, put on coat, went round corner, closed door. Max looked puzzled. I got the impression CM was trying to demonstrate to me how attached Max was to her (?!)

When it was time to get shoes on and go out to the park, he was running riot in the house. But he did get his socks eventually, I chatted to him about putting socks on, she said, no, just pretend to be going out the door and did a whole "we're leaving without you routine" til he hurriedly put shoes on in a panic.

He asked to look at an ornament, she said "Say: "CM, I love you" first.

When his mum left after dropping him he burst into tears (normal I guess) and stood by the front door crying. She didn't go to him. After a while, she said here have a biscuit (they're not supposed to have biccies, but...) and he calmed down. Later his mum asked if Max was ok and had stopped crying, CM said yes, he's fine I gave him a cuddle. She hadn't, she'd just given a bickie.

This woman is very smily and quite cuddly and was smiley through all above interactions with Max. But should she be more gently explaining things him rather than this? I've seen him running riot but she says that's only because I'm there. The other mindee not there at moment.

What do you think? Should I raise it with her?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
happybunnies · 13/10/2010 03:12

sorry, while DS1 played

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 13/10/2010 06:03

I'm a little confused...you are actually considering leaving your child to be cared for by this person? You have described seeing her threaten one of her mindees, lie to him, frighten him and emotionally blackmail him and lie to his mother. And you are simply wondering if you shoudl say something to her. If things are as you describe, I would be finding someone else to look after my child.

happybunnies · 13/10/2010 06:25

Thanks Sofia, am feeling v confused and vulnerable about the whole thing. Needed to get it down and hear others' reaction.

Any more views out there? CMs, what do you think?

OP posts:
jendot · 13/10/2010 08:01

If she behaves like this when you are around....Id be really worried how she would behave when she didn't have a judgy adult watching her...

I would be out of there!!!

LesbianMummy1 · 13/10/2010 08:05

No not normal. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILD THERE!

Warning bells must already be ringing for you if a child cries at drop off time I comfort them sometimes I do say that's enough crying now but only if I know them well and know they over react sometimes most just need a hug.

Threats of punishments and being left alone are just scare mongering. It can be frustrating waiting for kids to get ready but if you are in a rush you can always offer to help or get ready earlier.

She blatantly lied to a parent in front of you.

marriednotdead · 13/10/2010 08:23

No no no no, she sounds terrifying and quite sadistic.

Please do not leave your child alone with her.

Is there anyone you can report her to before she emotionally screws up every mindee?

lowrib · 13/10/2010 08:35

No, this is not right. She should be helping him settle in, not leaving him to cry.

The "I'll get the man with the bag" thing is just awful. If she was in this country I'd be considering reporting her to OFSTED. I'd let the other parent know what was going on and there's no way I'd leave my child with her!

DS has had two lovely CMs, it doesn't have to be like this.

new2cm · 13/10/2010 11:08

No, this is not good CM.

Your comment of "she said say: CM, I love you first" is outrageous.

She blatantly lied to a parent in front of you. How many lies do you think she is going to tell you (and other parents) in the future?

I with SofiaAmes on this one. OP are you for real? If you were describing an English CM in England I would have told you to report her to OFSTED. In fact, I would be tempted to report her on your behalf along the lines of, "I've read on mumsnet a message written by happybunnies which causes me concern" although I don't think in practice/reality I could do that.

happybunnies · 13/10/2010 14:00

thanks all, have taken steps to report her and is being taken v seriously

OP posts:
grapeandlemon · 13/10/2010 14:06

Good god she is almost emotionally torturing the poor little boy. Please report her. There are some really cruel people out there, why on earth did she choose to work with children!

woahthere · 13/10/2010 22:30

she sounds like a weirdo

thebody · 13/10/2010 22:57

what country / planet r u in??? sorry but having difficulty beliving this post.. seriously r u mental???? get yourself and your child out of there

is this a joke????? mumsnet really..

booooooooooyhoo · 13/10/2010 23:01

oh god, that poor little boy. please please follow this up. i would hate the thought of any child ebing treated like that.

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/10/2010 00:21

Poor max :( he is having emotional/social abuse

surely you can't really think of leaving your baby there?Hmm after all you have seen and heard - if she can blantly lie to the other mum who says that she won't to you

maduggar · 14/10/2010 08:50

How long were you there, to have seen both the drop-off and pick up of teh little boy?

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