‘In my area they all do it, but I simply cannot condone spying on the nanny’

With encouragement from her neighbours, Charlotte Cripps contemplates buying a nanny cam to see what really goes on while she’s at work

(Amara)

My rich neighbours are full of useful tips. They have a secret device on their front door that can check what time people come and go; so if their cleaner moans about not having enough time to finish the job, but leaves 45 minutes early, they are ahead of the game. It was the same neighbour who suggested that I get CCTV in my flat to make sure that Rosalee, the nanny, didn’t just put the kids in front of the TV all afternoon, and play Candy Crush.

I did look – rather idly I admit – into various gadgets including cameras hidden in alarm clocks, picture frames and fire extinguishers. “PC World,” my friend had said matter of factly, was where I should be heading after lunch for a secret nanny cam. But I just couldn’t bring myself to spy on her – it was totally and morally wrong. Of course I would like to know how often in a day my baby is strapped into her pram – probably all morning, for all I knew – watching YouTube videos of nursery rhymes.

And since Lola has developed a strong American drawl and was calling me “Mom”, I could only assume she is watching her fair share of American TV shows, which the nanny must be letting her watch. But for how long?