Nannies, Au Pairs, Governesses

[Steeltrap]

1. Did you have Nanny/Nannies, Au Pair etc..? (For how long)

Yes, until I was 10 years old.

2. If so, how do you think you were affected by this in terms of your childhood development relationships to others outside your family.
My mother told me a story about how my "Gigi" wouldn't let me lick off other kids' ice cream cones, so I may have inadvertently felt a "cut above other kids."

3. Why do you think your parent/s got the nanny/au pair etc..
Finances. My family wouldn't have had the lifestyle they did if not for my mother's income. She outearned my father.

4. Do you think it was beneficial for you?
I think it was, despite the early story I told. Gigi was actually more like my grandmother.

5 What race was your hired help and how do you think your relations with people of said race were based on your relationship with your nanny, au pair., etc..

Gigi was AfAm. She was the mother of one of the ladies who worked at the hospital with MamaTrap.

6. If you have kids, would you get them a nanny, governess etc..? of your race or another?

I am a non-mother, but if I ever marry an established, financially secure man (while continuing to work myself), I'd get a nanny. I'd rather them be cared for at home, particularly if young. Besides, I'm a chapter officer and if I continue serving in certain offices, I wouldn't be able to take my kids to meeting.
Race -- I'd prefer AfAm/African/West Indian, but would hire another woman of color.

7. What are your general thoughts and feelings about these type of arrangements?

As long as it's not exploitive, it's cool.


8. Do you think our society still needs this? Why or why not...

Yes, as long as the society still considers child-rearing a woman's function.

9. Do you think it's elitist?

Not really. We were middle- to upper-middle class, and I had Gigi.