Now I'm not a regular poster here... I have only been to a few Glocals activities but I do check the website a couple times a week to see if anything really takes my fancy.
Yesterday (Saturday) I was having a browse and came across the Toddler Playgroup in the Member Activities section. As I am a Nanny to a 3 year old, I thought great, that sounds like fun for the two of us and I popped on over to Meetup.com, filled in the relevant questionnaire and went on with my day.
Just now, I had an email from the organiser, stating my membership had been declined, because I am a Nanny!
Toddler Playgroups in my eyes are for the children, regardless of if they are attending with Mummy, Daddy, a Grandparent or Nanny. I have worked in many European cities over the past 10 years and have always been welcomed into these sorts of groups with my charges. I am amazed, that in what I have found to be a welcoming and fairly friendly expat community in Geneva to find a group of people so narrowminded. Had I stated in my application that I was my charges 28 year old, Australian, Mother, I'm sure I would of been accepted with no question. That however would be misleading and dishonest. My current charge will now not have the opportunity to join in what I thought would be a fantastic group only because her parents work fulltime and have chosen to place her in the care of a highly experienced Nanny.
Should however, the organiser of the group change her mind due to the email I have sent her or this posting, we will still not be attending.
I am writing this, just to air my opinion on what I feel is a pretty narrow minded situation, especially in a country that doesn't make it easy for Mothers to go out and work.
Global Forums > Reviews of Member Activities > Toddler Playgroup
Only members can see names and photos
Toddler Playgroup
Jul 12, 2009 @ 23:02
The text you are quoting:
Now I'm not a regular poster here... I have only been to a few Glocals activities but I do check the website a couple times a week to see if anything really takes my fancy.
Yesterday (Saturday) I was having a browse and came across the Toddler Playgroup in the Member Activities section. As I am a Nanny to a 3 year old, I thought great, that sounds like fun for the two of us and I popped on over to Meetup.com, filled in the relevant questionnaire and went on with my day.
Just now, I had an email from the organiser, stating my membership had been declined, because I am a Nanny!
Toddler Playgroups in my eyes are for the children, regardless of if they are attending with Mummy, Daddy, a Grandparent or Nanny. I have worked in many European cities over the past 10 years and have always been welcomed into these sorts of groups with my charges. I am amazed, that in what I have found to be a welcoming and fairly friendly expat community in Geneva to find a group of people so narrowminded. Had I stated in my application that I was my charges 28 year old, Australian, Mother, I'm sure I would of been accepted with no question. That however would be misleading and dishonest. My current charge will now not have the opportunity to join in what I thought would be a fantastic group only because her parents work fulltime and have chosen to place her in the care of a highly experienced Nanny.
Should however, the organiser of the group change her mind due to the email I have sent her or this posting, we will still not be attending.
I am writing this, just to air my opinion on what I feel is a pretty narrow minded situation, especially in a country that doesn't make it easy for Mothers to go out and work.
spuccihJul 12, 2009 @ 23:02
Yesterday (Saturday) I was having a browse and came across the Toddler Playgroup in the Member Activities section. As I am a Nanny to a 3 year old, I thought great, that sounds like fun for the two of us and I popped on over to Meetup.com, filled in the relevant questionnaire and went on with my day.
Just now, I had an email from the organiser, stating my membership had been declined, because I am a Nanny!
Toddler Playgroups in my eyes are for the children, regardless of if they are attending with Mummy, Daddy, a Grandparent or Nanny. I have worked in many European cities over the past 10 years and have always been welcomed into these sorts of groups with my charges. I am amazed, that in what I have found to be a welcoming and fairly friendly expat community in Geneva to find a group of people so narrowminded. Had I stated in my application that I was my charges 28 year old, Australian, Mother, I'm sure I would of been accepted with no question. That however would be misleading and dishonest. My current charge will now not have the opportunity to join in what I thought would be a fantastic group only because her parents work fulltime and have chosen to place her in the care of a highly experienced Nanny.
Should however, the organiser of the group change her mind due to the email I have sent her or this posting, we will still not be attending.
I am writing this, just to air my opinion on what I feel is a pretty narrow minded situation, especially in a country that doesn't make it easy for Mothers to go out and work.
spuccihJul 12, 2009 @ 23:02
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Toddler Playgroup
Post 1
Jul 12, 2009 @ 23:57
Spuccih:
I personally agree with your logic. However, each organiser - who puts time and effort into organising get togethers - is perfectly free to choose who he/she wants to do their activity with. If certain parents prefer to get together with other parents - it's their right. A bit of shame the organiser didn't mention it on their post, tho.
MOving forward, why don't you organise a toddler playgroup Member-Activity on glocals.com? I'm one of the site's moderators, and I promise we'll hoghlight your post and email it to all members who have toddlers. Your call...
Nir
The text you are quoting:
Spuccih:
I personally agree with your logic. However, each organiser - who puts time and effort into organising get togethers - is perfectly free to choose who he/she wants to do their activity with. If certain parents prefer to get together with other parents - it's their right. A bit of shame the organiser didn't mention it on their post, tho.
MOving forward, why don't you organise a toddler playgroup Member-Activity on glocals.com? I'm one of the site's moderators, and I promise we'll hoghlight your post and email it to all members who have toddlers. Your call...
Nir
Nir Ofek, Jul 12, 2009 @ 23:57
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Toddler Playgroup
Post 2
Jul 14, 2009 @ 19:07
Rights, schmights, the only thing to say here is that the playgroup organiser's response is pathetic, selfish and incomprehensible. Surely a toddler's playgroup's main aim is to give the toddlers some playtime with their contemporairies?
Profiling the adult attendees is just bizarre. As was noted, there are few enough options for young children in GE without denying all but parentals. Are adoptees to be barred?
The text you are quoting:
Rights, schmights, the only thing to say here is that the playgroup organiser's response is pathetic, selfish and incomprehensible. Surely a toddler's playgroup's main aim is to give the toddlers some playtime with their contemporairies?
Profiling the adult attendees is just bizarre. As was noted, there are few enough options for young children in GE without denying all but parentals. Are adoptees to be barred?
Feehary, Jul 14, 2009 @ 19:07
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Toddler Playgroup
Post 3
Jul 14, 2009 @ 21:40
Maybe the organiser's reply is indeed incomprehensible. But still, if he/she take the time to pull an activity together, they can choose who they want to do it with...Whether we like it or not.
I suggest again - why don't you take the efforts and pull together an activity for kids? We'll help promote it anyway we can.
Nir
The text you are quoting:
Maybe the organiser's reply is indeed incomprehensible. But still, if he/she take the time to pull an activity together, they can choose who they want to do it with...Whether we like it or not.
I suggest again - why don't you take the efforts and pull together an activity for kids? We'll help promote it anyway we can.
Nir
Nir Ofek, Jul 14, 2009 @ 21:40
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Toddler Playgroup
Post 4
Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:02
I agree that it is a shame that they have excluded you because you are a nanny and therefore, your charge is losing out.
In their defense, it is still admirable they are taking the effort to organise this event, and of course they do have the right to stipulate who comes along but of course, all these requirements be put very clearly in their posting.
I used to run a playgroup.. People always had some questions before they came that may have influenced whether they chose to come along. For example, are the adults all parents ? what is the age range of the adults ? is it a male and female group or just females ?
You may find it strange that people would ask such a thing as none of these are really a factor in the child enjoying the session but in reality alot of these adults do these groups of course for the sake of their little ones but also, for the adult contact themselves ! Maybe that is one of the reasons this group is being held too and of course they would be selective to who they choose.
Also, having worked as a nanny for the past 14 years....there is certainly a mis-understanding of the difference between a nanny and an au-pair and for that reason worry that u might be an au-pair, ( the common thing for an au-pair is a short term contract )
Maybe this group would like people that are parents to come along as they know they are likely to be around for a while and realise that sometimes the turn over of nannies/au-pairs may cause people to only come for a short period ?
Either way, do not despair....i am sure your family would be happy for your charge to go along to any of the activity classes available here in Geneva, so your options are still open. :)
In their defense, it is still admirable they are taking the effort to organise this event, and of course they do have the right to stipulate who comes along but of course, all these requirements be put very clearly in their posting.
I used to run a playgroup.. People always had some questions before they came that may have influenced whether they chose to come along. For example, are the adults all parents ? what is the age range of the adults ? is it a male and female group or just females ?
You may find it strange that people would ask such a thing as none of these are really a factor in the child enjoying the session but in reality alot of these adults do these groups of course for the sake of their little ones but also, for the adult contact themselves ! Maybe that is one of the reasons this group is being held too and of course they would be selective to who they choose.
Also, having worked as a nanny for the past 14 years....there is certainly a mis-understanding of the difference between a nanny and an au-pair and for that reason worry that u might be an au-pair, ( the common thing for an au-pair is a short term contract )
Maybe this group would like people that are parents to come along as they know they are likely to be around for a while and realise that sometimes the turn over of nannies/au-pairs may cause people to only come for a short period ?
Either way, do not despair....i am sure your family would be happy for your charge to go along to any of the activity classes available here in Geneva, so your options are still open. :)
The text you are quoting:
I agree that it is a shame that they have excluded you because you are a nanny and therefore, your charge is losing out.
In their defense, it is still admirable they are taking the effort to organise this event, and of course they do have the right to stipulate who comes along but of course, all these requirements be put very clearly in their posting.
I used to run a playgroup.. People always had some questions before they came that may have influenced whether they chose to come along. For example, are the adults all parents ? what is the age range of the adults ? is it a male and female group or just females ?
You may find it strange that people would ask such a thing as none of these are really a factor in the child enjoying the session but in reality alot of these adults do these groups of course for the sake of their little ones but also, for the adult contact themselves ! Maybe that is one of the reasons this group is being held too and of course they would be selective to who they choose.
Also, having worked as a nanny for the past 14 years....there is certainly a mis-understanding of the difference between a nanny and an au-pair and for that reason worry that u might be an au-pair, ( the common thing for an au-pair is a short term contract )
Maybe this group would like people that are parents to come along as they know they are likely to be around for a while and realise that sometimes the turn over of nannies/au-pairs may cause people to only come for a short period ?
Either way, do not despair....i am sure your family would be happy for your charge to go along to any of the activity classes available here in Geneva, so your options are still open. :)
uktheturtle, Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:02
In their defense, it is still admirable they are taking the effort to organise this event, and of course they do have the right to stipulate who comes along but of course, all these requirements be put very clearly in their posting.
I used to run a playgroup.. People always had some questions before they came that may have influenced whether they chose to come along. For example, are the adults all parents ? what is the age range of the adults ? is it a male and female group or just females ?
You may find it strange that people would ask such a thing as none of these are really a factor in the child enjoying the session but in reality alot of these adults do these groups of course for the sake of their little ones but also, for the adult contact themselves ! Maybe that is one of the reasons this group is being held too and of course they would be selective to who they choose.
Also, having worked as a nanny for the past 14 years....there is certainly a mis-understanding of the difference between a nanny and an au-pair and for that reason worry that u might be an au-pair, ( the common thing for an au-pair is a short term contract )
Maybe this group would like people that are parents to come along as they know they are likely to be around for a while and realise that sometimes the turn over of nannies/au-pairs may cause people to only come for a short period ?
Either way, do not despair....i am sure your family would be happy for your charge to go along to any of the activity classes available here in Geneva, so your options are still open. :)
uktheturtle, Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:02
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Toddler Playgroup
Post 5
Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:50
I agree that this is an unfair response. I understand that the organiser has the right to decide who can and can't attend but I don't see how it makes any difference whether you are the child's mother or nanny.
If you are in search of things to do with your charge, I don't know if you are aware but there is a parent and child centre in Plainpalais, open every afternoon. All you need to pay is a donation. It's called I have popped in with my baby but haven't stayed as she was very little and there was no one else there on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It looks nice though and the people who run it seem nice too.
If you are in search of things to do with your charge, I don't know if you are aware but there is a parent and child centre in Plainpalais, open every afternoon. All you need to pay is a donation. It's called I have popped in with my baby but haven't stayed as she was very little and there was no one else there on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It looks nice though and the people who run it seem nice too.
The text you are quoting:
I agree that this is an unfair response. I understand that the organiser has the right to decide who can and can't attend but I don't see how it makes any difference whether you are the child's mother or nanny.
If you are in search of things to do with your charge, I don't know if you are aware but there is a parent and child centre in Plainpalais, open every afternoon. All you need to pay is a donation. It's called I have popped in with my baby but haven't stayed as she was very little and there was no one else there on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It looks nice though and the people who run it seem nice too.
cosmicsnail, Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:50
If you are in search of things to do with your charge, I don't know if you are aware but there is a parent and child centre in Plainpalais, open every afternoon. All you need to pay is a donation. It's called I have popped in with my baby but haven't stayed as she was very little and there was no one else there on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It looks nice though and the people who run it seem nice too.
cosmicsnail, Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:50
Your Reply:
