Case in point

Tanya is nanny to Danny, who enjoys playing with Chloe, who lives along the road. Tanya gets together with Alice, Chloe's nanny, so that the children can enjoy each other's company. But the two nannies have very different attitudes to young children. Alice is quick to criticise over minor issues such as food. This lunchtime Danny has asked not to be served carrots. Alice comments to Tanya, 'Doesn't he like carrots then?' Tanya deliberately brings Danny into the exchange with, 'You aren't very keen on cooked carrots, are you, Danny?' Danny says, 'No, I like carrot sticks.' Alice carries on, saying to Tanya, 'Is he always a fussy eater then?' Tanya then says more sharply, 'No, Danny just prefers his carrots raw and he likes plenty of other vegetables.' Tanya is also uneasy about the way Alice wants to gossip as adults when they are together, then gets annoyed if Danny or Chloe show they have been listening, and calls them 'big ears' and 'nosy'. Tanya tries to stop the flow of gossip by shaking her head and looking meaningfully towards the children. Alice stops for a short while and then continues. Finally Tanya has to talk firmly to Alice, who has been complaining about Chloe's parents. Tanya says that she is not prepared to have adult conversations in front of the children. That evening, Tanya explains the situation to Danny's parents and how she handled it.