Baby Borrowers: What about the babies?

by Angie Felton (Subscribe to Angie Felton's posts) Jul 2nd 2008 5:00PM

Categories: Newborns, Babies, Toddlers, In The News, Playground Bureau, Media, That's Entertainment

I've never been much of a fan of reality TV. Putting ordinary people (who are always prettier or meaner or whinier than anyone person I've ever met) in weird circumstances to show what happens just isn't entertaining to me. I've got kids, I deal with weird circumstances ALL DAY LONG!

Apparently, I'm not the only one who isn't crazy about at least one reality TV show. The Washington D.C. based nonprofit group Zero to Three is upset with the new NBC television series "Baby Borrowers". The group's spokesperson told Page Six, "We're concerned about the fact that these babies are being separated from their parents and placed with strangers. On the first episode, the babies were separated for about 12 hours and were clearly in distress. Typically they will cry and cling and search for their parents, which they were doing. They should be with someone they've had the opportunity to get to know."

I'm all for educating teens on child care getting rid of the notion that parenting is one big ball of baby powdery fun, but there ARE better ways than dumping a baby off with complete strangers for a television show. Working at a childcare center, volunteering at a church nursery or preschool, or even babysitting are all good ways to get a small idea of what life as a parent is like.

There is no way I'd ever, ever, ever have agreed to let my babies be on a television show like this, even with a nanny stationed nearby in case she's needed. What exactly is going on with our society that makes babies fair game for a reality series, anyway?

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Comments (53)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

brandypaulson 7-02-2008 @ 5:22PM

I think it's shocking. Babies should not be used as props in tv shows. Isn't there some law against child abuse like this?

Felicia Ulrich 7-02-2008 @ 5:34PM

The parents of the babies watch from a servalance camara in the house on the same street. They are aloud to step in at anytime and they have.

Felicia 7-02-2008 @ 5:35PM

The parents of the babies watch from a surveillance camera in the house
on the same street. They are aloud to step in at anytime and they
have.

Crystal 7-02-2008 @ 5:55PM

What about babies who are dropped off at daycare all day? Do they get a chance to bond with their day care provider before mom and dad drop them off?? I dont think so. And, from what I've heard, day cares are like revolving doors when it comes to workers. (At least some of them)

And mom and dad dont have the option to watch their babies on closed circuit TV.

I think the show is trying to teach a message to teens about pregnancy and babies. And, I think its doing a great job of getting its point across.

There is a trained nanny in the house to step in if an emergent situation occurs. And, like the previous poster stated, mom and dad can step in anytime they feel the need. They are right next door.

me 7-02-2008 @ 8:38PM

You make it sound like parents have a choice about day care. Many of us loving parents HAVE to work 2 jobs to support the family. Stop being a jerk!

ShortiRox 7-03-2008 @ 8:34AM

Is it really fair to compare this reality show to trained daycare staff (and subsequently start a mommy war right here right now)? I mean really. This is apples to oranges. The show is obviously going to pick people who are going to bring some sort of ratings (ie young, totally naive and clueless). You can't compare a reality show to parents who drop their children off at daycare. I would also like to add that for the most part. . . working parents would rather not drop their kids off at daycare if they didn't HAVE to. These parents are CHOOSING to exploit their babies on t.v.

Reesa 7-06-2008 @ 12:26PM

It is best for us to teach them now about te reality for caing for children, then when they have them abuse, neglect and abandon them because they are not ready for it.

Linda 7-02-2008 @ 6:17PM

My first impression was "what kind of parent would allow their infant to be used like this?"

spotlight 7-03-2008 @ 7:50PM

There was one parent on the show who said that she was a teen mother and felt she had alot of potential but never fully got the chance to live up to it b/c she became a mom so young. I think thats a great reason to want to do a show like this. Not only were the parents watching the teens on monitors near by there was a trained nanny present watching over the teen.

hollytriedit 7-02-2008 @ 9:21PM

I wondered about the babies, too. And about the babies' parents! I have a hard time dropping my daughter off with people she doesn't know--and that I don't trust. My daughter goes to daycare five days a week, but she is safe, well-cared-for, and LOVES it there. That's different then dropping her off in a strange situation with lots of people, lights, and clueless teenagers.

christinah 7-02-2008 @ 10:28PM

oh come on babies are left with strangers all the time the parents are right there and can stop it at any moment peaple in this world is just reaching for things to make peaple react

Molly 7-06-2008 @ 10:16PM

Do You Have Children?

Kellie 7-02-2008 @ 10:45PM

It made me really nauseas. My baby is 9 months and it hit too close to home for me. I could never do it.

caron 7-02-2008 @ 11:01PM

What if they were paying you 5 years worth of salary? Would you do it then? Maybe these moms need the money and they see it as a beneficial move for their child. Maybe, putting the child on a show for a short period of time, gives the parent the ability to stay home with the child in the future......it's not like the baby is leaving their sight.

Katrina 7-03-2008 @ 6:56AM

Apparently from what I have read is that not one of the parents, children or teens were paid for being on the show it was strictly volunteer. The forums for the show over at NBC.com has interviews with the parents and the teens and they all seem to be saying the same thing, they did not get paid to do the show.

Helen Lovejoy 7-03-2008 @ 7:58AM

Won't somebody please think about the children?

Jamie 7-03-2008 @ 8:41AM

The children are being thought about in this post. I believe the one thing to keep in mind is that the children are not going to end up in therapy over this one. It is likely stressful for both the Parents and the Child, but not detrimental. I have a 1 year old and am not far from having a newborn. I would find it hard to drop my baby off at a studio. But it is for a good cause, I would think hard about it.

So, the debate I would like to see here is this: Will this technique prevent Teen Pregnancy? Is a newborn's day with NBC going to prevent teens from getting pregnant? If yes, then it would it be worth the involvement of newborn babies to you? If no, then would you petition to take the show off of the air?

Crystal 7-03-2008 @ 9:24AM

I was responding to the concern of ZERO TO THREE regarding the babies being separated from their parents and dropped off with strangers, all day.

I still dont see how that is different than day care. Except at daycare the babies will eventually get used to their day care providers. That is, if they dont quit and/or get fired.

I'm from the school of thought that we always have a choice. I am a SAHM. And proud of it. I dont drive a new car, we rent our home, and we make sacrifices so that we can make it on one income. Being at home with my kids, during their younger years, is far more important that material possessions.
When they go to school, mom will go back to work, and maybe we can spoil ourselves a little.

ShortiRox 7-03-2008 @ 9:40AM

Wow, you must be like, the best mom ever! What would you like for people to say, yes shame on us working parents for scraping by even on two incomes. Puh-leeze. Comparing this tv show to daycare is way off.

As for the poster above talking about the greater good of the show . . . I def see your point, however, (and I'm sure you would agree) tv is not the best way to deter teen pregnancy, it starts in the home with good parenting. Sure, the kids prob won't even remember the experience and it might even be a good idea to make a program like this without the glare of production of all that jazz.

Good concept really, just not the best idea for tv. Another thing is, it might prevent the actual cast on the show but for a viewer I'm not sure if it will have such a great impact.

ShortiRox 7-03-2008 @ 9:44AM

Chrystal, I would also like to point out that the difference between this and daycare is these kids are supposed to know nothing of having children and caring for them. Daycare is trained staff and licensed daycare providers. Big HUGE difference. These are teens, that is the difference.

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