Yes, being a nanny and a helper is a profession and a respectable one at that. And many other professions wear uniform like doctors, nurses, health aids, waiters, cooks, etc. But in this, we go back to the idea like how it is with royal families or families of really high stature leaving in big manors with hundreds of helpers. But of a normal family with one helper or nanny who stays with you at home, is it really necessary for them to use a uniform? When I see a middle-class family out on a tour or a lazy walk, with the nannies tagged along in uniform, it’s like they’re trying to tell the world they are so well-off they can afford themselves to hire someone who can “serve” them.
The other day, while I was browsing some pictures from a social network, I’ve seen in one of the pictures someone I personally know (very chic and always made up) having one of those normal walk in the park with her baby in a stroller being pushed by the obviously nanny – wearing a uniform. I had to zoom in the picture 3 times and see if the nanny is really wearing a uniform. Perplexed I was. That is why I started having this thoughts about nannies, helpers and uniforms. The question resonated in my mind. What for? Maybe to look more professional? To look cleaner? There could be tons of reasons and perhaps many of them are valid… from where I stand? I just don’t think it is necessary.
And it is sad because I’ve been seeing how nannies and helpers are being treated in some households and I don’t agree on many of them. Not to mention being paid a measly salary. Many would pay a very low salary and then expect that the nannies or helpers will be perfect in everything service related. Tell me if there is no injustice there.
I do know of horror stories with some nannies BUT just because there are few who are probably disturbed, it doesn’t warrant anyone to automatically treat the nannies or helper they’d hire as such.
Maybe I’m over analyzing things or maybe I am too cynical. Maybe I am the one judging. But I sure wouldn’t require our nanny to wear uniform.