From NBC message board Question from someone. I do think that some of the parents handled the distress of watching their children's angst a bit harshly. A calmer approach probably would have gone over better and not put the teens on the defense immediately. I think it shows that there is a bit of impatience on the parents' part.

Response
It probably does appear that way on television, but unfortunatey they have to condense 72 hours x 5 households into 1 one hour episode. So it looks like we just immediately fly off the handle, and that isn't the case. In all actuality we were extremly patient and understanding of the teens' learning curves. I know that in my case, the incident that prompted me to go over to speak to Sean and Kelsey was over a period of SEVERAL hours. When I finally went over, I was in pajamas and it was in the early hours of the morning, but they had started trying to get her to sleep in the early evening.

Been out of the loop for a while since we've been away. Haven't seen the show, although I'm still curious about it. Also haven't had time to read all the posts here since there's so many. Wld never put my children through anything like this b/c I think the whole idea is unnecessary and definitely there to bring in $$ and ratings to NBC. I've said all this before. Was wondering, though, about the timeframe these children are separated from their parents. While on vacation I did some thinking about this. I used to work as a nanny for 2 different families, as well as babysat for many others. I'm also a mother of 2 young children. As a nanny, there was a transition period for both me and the children, as it took some time to get used to one another. I was a total stranger to these children as they were strangers to me. In each case, both parents worked long hrs. I was left w/ the kids from the moment they woke up in the morning, to the time they went to bed at night. Long hrs to say the least, and the kids barely saw their parents. In a way I felt like a second mom to them. I did everything for them. I feel that the kids got as attached to me, as I did to them. There was even a time when the parents took a trip, leaving me w/ the kids for an entire wkend! By that time I knew them quite well, but it was still a bit unusual, now that I look back on it. In the case of both families, the parents chose to work, it was not a necessity. They were well off. I had fun w/ the kids and would take them here, there and everywhere. Not sure I'd allow just anyone to do that w/ my own children, but the parents trusted me. I still keep in touch w/ the one family who lives not too far from me, and I see the boys from time to time. Their grown now, and their doing well. They're happy, well adjusted young men who are involved in sports and are doing well in school. We have a good relationship, and I'm happy I have the opportunity to stay in touch w/ them. They've taught me a lot about what it's like to be a mom, and overall, I learned a lot from my experience w/ them, as well as w/ the other children I cared for. So here's another perspective from my experience as a nanny, which in my view was a good one. Does anyone have any comments on this, seeing it from my point of view? I was w/ these children for several yrs, and initially, I was the stranger. In Baby Borrowers (since I don't know the details of the show), how long are these teens expected to care for these children at one time? Do you think that length of time has a greater impact on these children, or does it not make a difference? In my experience, it was a positive one. Yes, the parents did come home at the end of the day, after the kids were in bed, and they saw their children first thing in the morning, but only briefly. Do you think this made all the difference? Just curious what everyone's thoughts are on this persective.

I don't know, Debbiedoo. Do you know how many teens are sexually active and irresponsible about it? They have that "it will never happen to me" attitude. I agree that the show can be beneficial to some and bring light to the reality of parenthood, but will it really stop teens from having sex? In my opinion, it's not a foolproof solution. Sometimes it takes making a mistake to learn a lesson. I think what Gail is trying to say is that these teens have other means of birth control and learning lessons, rather than participating in an experimental show that can have long-term affects on the children. These children have no say in the matter. The parents and the teens make the decisions, not the children. Is it worth airing a show like this to "see what happens" when innocent children's lives are at stake? I don't know. And is there a real lesson to learn here, or is this really about $$ and ratings. Like w/ abortion, the parents are the ones making the decisions. However, what say do these babies have in the matter? NONE! I think that's what Gail's trying to say here. I personally wldn't put my kids through an experiment such as this on Baby Borrowers, but if it takes a show like this for parents and teens to learn life lessons, that's their doing, and they have to face the consequences in the end. Will there be consequences down the road? Who knows. But why take the risk.

I am a teen parent myself and many of my friends think that I have it easy. Well newsflash its not. I was glad to see the show was going to be on and I hope that it showed all the teens that it isn't easy. I myself had a very close friend watch my child for only a couple of hours to give her a taste as to how easy my LIFE isn't. When I got home later that day she told me she had taken for granted what I was doing and that she was extremely proud of me. I think it was a big eye opener for her and I personally every teen should have to deal with something like that to learn its not all easy...