Caregiver starts next week. Do we put a camera in the living room, and do we tell her?

I go back to work in July and we've found someone through a referral for our 4 month old. She seems good, and her trial days start next week. My partner wants a camera in the living room. I'm not against it, but I'd want to tell her upfront, and I worry it starts things off on the wrong note. Did you have one? Did you tell your caregiver, and how did that go?

1 comment

  • we had one and told her on day one. she was fine, said her last family had one too. what i didn't expect was how often i'd check it in the first month. stopped after that don't put it anywhere near where she changes or rests though

    • That's reassuring. Did you mention it before she accepted the job, or once she'd started? I'm leaning towards saying it at the trial.

    • Replying to @indigo_bookmark_7794

      Before. We raised it in the first meeting along with pay and hours, as a normal part of the arrangement. With no family nearby to drop in, it was our only window into the day, and putting it on the table early made it feel less like suspicion. One person said no thank you, and that was useful to know too.

    • violet_pool_8388

      Replying to @indigo_bookmark_7794

      We never had a camera, so take this as one view. What told me the most, years back, was coming home early unannounced once or twice in the first month and seeing how she was with the children. A camera shows you the room. It does not tell you whether she will call you when something goes wrong.

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