Sorry if this offends anyone but...... 'plump' nannies?

[sunnyjim]

Is it just us or are nanny's generally 'plump'? (okay in this specific case I'm talking fat really, size 18+)

We have a new nanny, not started yet, but doing the odd half day alongside me to check that we all get along.

I just have concerns about her ability to deal with DS (active 22 month old) on a day to day basis. She finds it difficult to get up or down from the floor and I found I had to slow my pace massively when we went out to the park today.

I guess a part of me thinks that if she has a weight problem, does this reflect in her willpower/ self motivation in other areas?
Will she feed him decent food?
Will she take him to active sporty things (which he loves) or focus on sitting sitll crafty things (which he hates)

I'm a size 18. I look after 2 toddlers, a baby and my own 4 yr old. I walk approx 3 hours per day, every day. I, also, ONLY cook healthy, well balanced meals for all children in my care.

If you're not happy with your choice of nanny then maybe you should look for someone more suited to your needs.

My SIL is an out of work nanny (unemployed for almost a year now) and I think potential employers may be thinking along the same lines as you.

She's bigger than a size 18 though - I don't know her dress size but I'm a 16 and I weigh 12 stone something, she weighs 25 stone.

It's such a shame because she gives me a run for my money with 'get up and go' when she's with DS (not sure whether she's being competitive though). I know she would cook healthy dinners, although would probably rely on cooking what she was told to cook. She'd definetly take him to any activity that was approved of by the parents - sporty or otherwise.

It's such a shame because I've watched my SIL go for interview after interview and be turned down and I can only think it's because of parents assumptions based on her weight. She's fantastic with kids and genuinely loves them - it's not just a job to her.

All fat people selfishly make children do boring and still activities, didn't you know? Don't employ her, she'll probably have a coronary. And she'll clear out your fridge on a daily basis.

In fact, slip her a leaflet for Fat Fighters. You sound like you know Marjory Dawes.

well I am a size 20 and I have a 2yo and a 3yo and have plenty of energy to look after them, do a full time degree and work 10 hours per week also. They are always fed healthy, home cooked meals and eat plenty of fruit and veg and are not overweight at all.

lol colditz

phew

Glad Colditz posted that. I was biting my lips & sitting on my hands.

Do you think people over size 10 should be sterilised, god forbid a size 18 should breed & not be able to keep up!

As someone who is a damned sight more than plump but who has managed perfectly well to chase around after my own child for almost 6 years, I can assure you that plump doesn't mean idle, uneducated about nutrition, or any of those other things your post insinuates. We don't just sit around watching Jeremy Kyle and stuffing chocolate all day (although sometimes it's tempting ... the chocolate I mean, not the Jeremy Kyle).

I have plenty of self-motivation.
I feed my daughter an excellent diet.
I take her to active sporty things AND do crafts with her.

Your nanny might be better off without such a blinkered employer.

Okay I did say sorry to start with!

I just got a bit concerned when I saw that it took her a good while to get up from sitting on the floor to go and get DS off the table he had climbed onto.

The comment about crafty things was because she talked about how much she liked doing those things even after I'd said DS hates them and prefers active play.

ROFL Colditz!!!

It doesnt sound like u should have employed her if you have doubt!

Were you sitting with a stop watch timing her rise off the floor???

I hope for her sake you don't employ her.

SHEESH, can see why you are names Sunnyjim !

Can you imagine if someone said something equally as degrading as that about you, how would you feel ?? Perhaps she is on here and can see you for what you really are....maybe your son would learn some life manners from her....

"Concern" is one thing but our and out "fatism",which in my book is as bad as racism or homophobia is unacceptable.
As long as your child is loved and cared for in your absence,does it matter if your nanny can't get to the table as fast as Paula Radcliffe??????????

Oh what an awful thread this is...

Do you think overweight people shoudl just have office jobs sitting on there arses all day then?

In fact i am outta of here before i fly off the handle..

One thing i will say though is i believe in calma so maybe you will be a fat old lady one day

I believe in karma too

he he sorry

I do, scoobydoooo, I do think we should all have office jobs. I would flaming well love an office job?

Honestly sunnyjim, did you know fat people go on mumsnet too, or did you think we are all too bloated with cake to read?

After all, it is a sitting down activity...

Sorry, I cannot belive this thread. It took me 4 years to loose weight I gained at school from being sad due to being bullied. I am now a size 14 but it took some un-doing. You know I once said to a rude woman on a train who told me I was taking up too much space that it was people like her who made people hang themselves. You need to check out the image your portray.

This attitude is unfortunately not rare. A friend was looking for a nanny, and mentioned she wanted someone slim and young. Granted, it was in the same conversation in which she mentioned wanting someone who would take the kids to lots of activities etc etc.

I've known a few quite big nannies who were active and busy and took their charges everywhere, and were really lovely. I don't think there's really any way this thread wouldn't hurt people.

I do think someone caring for kids will have an easier time of it if they're mobile and able to get around quickly, but if she's not fit enough to keep up, she'll soon be fit enough.

What was degrading about what I said? I commented that she was large, I also commented about her apparant level fo physical ability.

And of course I didn't have a bloody stopwatch! I observed that she was unable to get up without some effort and had to stop for breath before walking across the room to get DS.

I find it very hard to keep up with him physically and one of my criteria for anyone caring for him is energy levels and get up and go. If she hadn't shown any signs that the extra weight was affecting her ability to do active / physical things then I wouldn't have posted.

And before anyone else starts in about 'size 10s' My last job was as a community nutritionist and I used to preach about how a size 10 ISN'T a healthy or maintainable weight for alot of women and that a size 12-14 is more healthy. I also know that to be over a size 18 isn't healthy.

My mom is a size 18, energetic, focused and fit, this girl is much larger than that and doesn't appear to be fit/full of energy.

Agree with WWB. I am a size 18 & have no problems running after my 3 yr old. I also help a friend out twice a week (all day) with her 3 yr old & 10 month old. No worries chasing the elder 2 around the garden, or playing ball with them.

DD has a great diet. I am nutritional aware. Just because I am on the larger side, it doesn't mean my dd exsists on McD's or junk food!

Maybe she feels (like I do) that sitting still crafty type stuff is a good disipline at learning to sit still & have quiet time now & then, instead of racing around all day?

DD dropped her naps recently after giving up her dummy, but she still needs them. We find an hour of quiet time calms her down & means she is less likely to kick off around 5pm, through tiredness.

I am a size 14 but to me size is just bloody nubers as long as people are happy & doing the job that you want them to do right does it matter what size or shape they are?