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Nanny Camming - Is it ok and how do I do it?
ResIpsaLoquitur
Not a grammar nazi, just alt-write.Registered User regular
Not a grammar nazi, just alt-write.Registered User regular
Okay, so here's the set up:
I have a little one, 6 months old, and while his mom and I have done a good job taking care of him without outside help, our work and school schedules are going to make that impossible in the long run.
One possible solution is to bring a babysitter into the mix, since we don't need full time daycare.
I have a webcam on my computer at home (which is in the living room, where said babysitter would be spending most of the time with my son), which I've been thinking of using to be able to check on babysitter and son through the day (through remote client access).
Three issues present themselves:
1) Is it okay to monitor babysitter and child without divulging said monitoring to the babysitter? Mostly the webcam is to check on the baby, but checking up on the babysitter doesn't seem like a bad idea either.
2) How would I go about doing this, software-wise?
3) Based on the answer to #2, would I be able to do this without setting off tell-tale signs to the babysitter (ie, the light to the webcam popping on and off)?
I have a little one, 6 months old, and while his mom and I have done a good job taking care of him without outside help, our work and school schedules are going to make that impossible in the long run.
One possible solution is to bring a babysitter into the mix, since we don't need full time daycare.
I have a webcam on my computer at home (which is in the living room, where said babysitter would be spending most of the time with my son), which I've been thinking of using to be able to check on babysitter and son through the day (through remote client access).
Three issues present themselves:
1) Is it okay to monitor babysitter and child without divulging said monitoring to the babysitter? Mostly the webcam is to check on the baby, but checking up on the babysitter doesn't seem like a bad idea either.
2) How would I go about doing this, software-wise?
3) Based on the answer to #2, would I be able to do this without setting off tell-tale signs to the babysitter (ie, the light to the webcam popping on and off)?
League of Legends: MichaelDominick; Blizzard(NA): MichaelD#11402; Steam ID: MichaelDominick
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ethically? this is a horrible idea and you should probably feel bad about it
edit: if you're really worried about what's going on there's no reason you can't disclose the camera's existence to the babysitter
Interrogative: Are you a parent?
If you're on XP, you could probably rig up TimerShot and a tiny SSL-secured web server sharing out that directory to check up on things. Vista/7 I'm not sure offhand.
And as far as the light, take apart the camera and remove it, cover it with tape, or just get a cam that has no indicator light. :P
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Plus, when you pick a sitter you know that you're getting one that's confident enough to be monitored.
Pretend I limed all of this, because it was pretty much going to be my suggestion.
PSN/XBL: Zampanov -- Steam: Zampanov
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"The power of the weirdness compels me."
Obviously, it deters bad behavior, and may result in some crappy nannies self-selecting out of your pool of applicants.
Plus, it gives the nanny some peace of mind, knowing that if something bad happens which truly isn't her fault, she'll probably be able to prove it.
When I babysat years ago, I was always really paranoid about getting blamed for every scraped knee or bump (and I obviously didn't want an injury on my conscience), making me a little over-protective.
If I knew that I could prove that I wasn't being negligent in case something beyond my control happened, I probably would have been a better babysitter.
Just tell the sitter you have the cam set up.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
Not a bad idea.
But if we're dealing with an external webcam sitting in plain view on top of the PC monitor in the living room, the nanny will probably be able to make an educated guess as to where they're being filmed.
There are professionals who get tricked in the interview and screening process all the time. Why would you expect a parent to be able to do this any better? Suffice it to say that if they had the time to do a perfect, thorough job they wouldn't need a sitter to begin with.
There's also the whole notion that shit happens, and even a reasonably good person doing a reasonably good job most of the time can find or put themselves in situations where having an objective record of the events would be a good thing for all parties involved. Anyway, I'm going to let that go.
To the OP:
1. Tell all applicants during their interviews that as a parent you feel the responsible thing to do is to have some cameras set up to make sure that nothing happens while you are away. Whether you want to tell them where those cameras are is up to you.
2. Make it clear that it is not only for your child's benefit, but for theirs as well - this way if something happens that is out of their control they can't be blamed for it.
3. Also make it clear that you will not be using these records to evaluate every little thing they do - rather, it will be a "just in case" measure that will allow you to monitor serious situations should they arise, and provide feedback on things that you feel are important to how your child should be taught and cared for. There is a very wide range of what is reasonable behavior with regards to child rearing, and as long as they don't violate any of the rules you have laid out there's no reason for them to feel like they are being scrutinized.
4. Ask them if they are OK with this type of setup, and if not then find someone else.
As for the actual camera setup, I'll leave that for the more experienced people to help you with.