Date: Friday, November 7, 1997
Source: Diane L. Schirf.
Section: COMMENTARY
Column: Voice of the people (letter.)
Dateline: CHICAGO
Copyright CHICAGO TRIBUNE

‘NANNY’ TOO YOUNG

I did not follow the so-called “nanny” trial that closely, although from the summaries I’ve read I do think that the evidence and testimony presented were inconclusive and that there was some reasonable doubt.

That aside, I question the judgment and common sense of the parents. Why did they choose an inexperienced 17-year-old to care for an infant full time? For full-time day care, especially for a baby, I would think parents would want a more mature, experienced person — not a 17-year-old who may not recognize signs of distress in a baby or know how to handle emergencies or other situations and who probably has not at least gone through parenting courses, as most first-time parents do.

I simply would not entrust a baby, who has so many needs, to the care of someone who may not be able to take care of those needs. Yet I suspect this situation is not uncommon. Unfortunately.