Dr. Laura Schlessinger celebrates the collapse of the Nanny
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is releasing her 16th book this week, In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms. In a recent article with the Wall Street Journal she says “One thing I’ve been happy as peach pie about — because I’m all about the children and the happiness of a woman because that makes the happiness of the home — is that nannies, day cares and babysitters are all collapsing, which is forcing moms and dads to raise their children at home.”
I’m not really sure what collapse she’s talking about. There are more nannies in the market today than ever before. Maybe she’s referring to the record number of laid off nannies due to laid off parents and the large number of day cares that have been forced to close their doors because parents simply can’t afford childcare anymore. I guess she believes the upside is that parents are being forced to raise their own children.
That’s what I envision when I think of a happy home. Unemployment, unpaid bills, the stress and emotional turmoil that comes with losing a job.
I’m not in any way against stay-at-home moms. I think if a woman can and wants to stay home with her child, it’s a wonderful experience. But it’s not the only right choice. Working moms can raise emotionally healthy, happy kids and stay connected in real ways to their home life. Is it easy? No. But neither is staying home full-time with your kids. Parenting is a tough job whatever road you choose.
So what’s your take on the so called Mommy Wars? Do you think there really is a battle between stay-at-home and working parents? Or do you think it’s something created by the media? And what role do nannies play in all of this?
Seriously, who is promoting this nonsense? Dr. Laura and her cronies? She is so clueless about everything.
She needs a wedge issue.
Did you read her book? The parts I’ve read didn’t mention that Lew Bishop was at home. Or at least she use to say he was and he did housework. She’s just making a buck. She loves people not having the money to afford a nanny and unemployed nannies.
No one is against SAHM. It’s wonderful if you can be with your children. I am offended by people who exploit SAHM to make a buck or promote their ideology. Mothers who need to work don’t need a guilt trip about it. No one I know has a problem with SAHM. Dr. Laura makes money on those work at home scams, I think. She use to have ads for them.
She told mothers there is no excuse for children going to bed hungry, if they are it’s the mothers fault. She won’t recognize that there are people who are hungry. Her recommendation was to buy this other conservative book sellers program, to cure hunger. We checked it out and it cost about $900. before he could help. We’ve checked into some of her other recommendations and it’s similar. It will cost you about $900.
She use to be sponsored by a mortgage company to. Before the crash. She was pushing loans that got people in trouble.
She does more harm than good.
Loretta K.
April 13, 2009
Laura Schlessinger is viscious and will not tolerate anything that opposes her. When she worked with a fellow columnist, he was a legitimate medical doctor, he had to go. She has been part of a campaign to take down Dear Abbie. Her life has been full of petty jealousy and her answer is to rid the world of her enemies. She doesn’t care that nannies love their work and need jobs. She doesn’t care that Nanny Services are a business. She doesn’t care that mothers need or want to work and prefer a nanny.
She has few causes left now and the stay at home mom gig is one of her last hoorays, if we are in luck. In her mind nannies are a part of the liberal cabals that destroyed everything. There are those with her mind set that are serious about a rebellion or civil war. Don’t be tricked because they look like the church lady or a harmless buffoon.
TRM
April 13, 2009
Well obviously she is biased. She sees a Mother’s role from the 1950ties and forgot what decade she is living in. I am competing with 16 nannies this week for one position. It’s been that way with every job I applied for since May 10th. There are lot’s of positions but even more nannies looking. I have and edge with some parent’s because of my experience. I have always worked with parents as a team to raise their children. So I do agree with you Lora.
All of the children that have been in my care over the past 20 years have done well in their lives. Some have graduated from college and some are heading to college. She should have interviewed me and the children I have taken care of. She would have had a different story to tell if she did.
Jennifer Queen
July 21, 2009