It’s a hot topic of debate amongst new parents: Would you install hidden cameras in your home to secretly monitor the helper caring for your child?
Whether you’re leaving behind maternity leave and going back to work, or need some relief during the difficult early days with a new baby, handing over your child into the care of a live-in helper can be a real emotional challenge. It also requires deep trust in the person you’re leaving your little one alone with, so it’s understandable that installing a hidden camera in the home can be an issue for parents to consider when hiring a live-in helper. Some parents feel most at ease with a camera monitoring what happens in the home while they’re away from their children; to others, filming their helpers is unimaginable and sets the tone for a lack of trust in the household.
So we asked our panel of parents,
“Where do you sit on the ‘secret camera’ debate when it comes to helpers? Is this a matter of safety, or intrusive?
The result was a 50-50 split: here are just some of the answers:
“Intrusive. Trust is important.”
Sri Rahayu, Singaporean, two kids
“It seems intrusive to me but I can see why people do it. I am a pretty trusting person, but if I had real concerns about how my children (or pets or belongings) were being treated, I suppose I would consider it. Mostly for evidence to prove what I already suspected. You will not find me using secret cameras unless I am already pretty sure something bad is going on…”
Faith Chanda, American, two kids
“Safe – we have them.”
Emily Brown, British, two kids
“Intrusive. I would tell them if we had a camera. But then, if there is no trust, the relationship does not work and she must go.”
Olga Grant, Netherlands, two kids
“If she watched the kids regularly, we would absolutely have them throughout the house.”
Brian Bird, American, two kids
“It is good to have. Having more information is always better than less. Whether for good or bad, explain to the helper that it’s not just to watch her but to watch the kids, too.”
Maria Athena Catedral Bughao, Filipino, two kids
“Too weird”
Helena Ramsdale, British, one child
“Intrusive but I can understand why some parents feel the need – it’s a mother’s instinct to protect her child and we go to great lengths to do so. Though I feel if you have no trust then you have the wrong person.”
Priscilla Gosh, Australian, two kids
“We have cameras at home that we switch on, with the knowledge of my helper, when we go out at night. Safe.”
Aruna Rao, Indian, two kids
What would you do? Join the discussion!