Customer Reviews

White House Nannies

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

White House Nannies tells stories of the interworkings of the nanny placement world that are worth telling. I laughed at Barbara, at White House Nannies, and at the families and nannies they bring together - some more successfully than others. As a working mother with nannies functioning as the 3rd parent in my home for over 7 years, I also laughed at myself as there was a story or maybe even two that "hit home." White House Nannies focuses on the humor in the struggle to balance work, marriage and family. The tongue-and-cheek syle of writing brings out the humor in every example (some typical and some not so typical) of this struggle. Very entertaining!

I think Barabara Klines' book is very funny and highly readable. It is also extremely educational. Barbara
has an excellent grip on what makes the nanny -mom relationship tick. They are both devoted to the same child and are on each other's radar screen constantly. Understanding where the other is coming from does not always come naturally but is essential if the duo are going to work. This book is rich in insight into that critical relationship. What makes this book rise above many of the other Nanny books, ( such as Nanny Diaries) is that the working mom is not demonized. Barbara is eminently sympathetic to the plight of the working mom, as she is a committed working mother herself , devoted to both work and children.
She manages to identify with them and value their dilemna and their needs and absolutely delights in coming to their rescue. She does not dismiss them as narcissistic,greedy, selfish shopaholics as they are pictured in Nanny Diaries. Instead they are real women trying to make their life work with the best childcare money can buy. She seems to truly value their desire to keep both balls in the air. Even with all the money to buy the best in childcare life doesn't fall into place so easily. This is all very real and Barbara feels uniquely sympathetic to both Mom and Nanny as they try to forge this unique relationship.

If there is a Donald Trump in the nanny business Ms. Kline would surely be hosting the next Apprentice show except that she does not seem to have the same gravitaz that Mr. Trump demonstrates. Name-dropping and full bragging of how important she is to the "over achieving" parents who are basically folks trying to integrate work and family lifestyles does not make Ms. Kline a likeable decent person. (Whether you agree with how the parents are spending their time or not)
Instead of being empathetic, Ms. Kline comes across as a self-ordained I-am-a-very-important person in Washington. She brags about the fact she can choose you as a client and gets more important clients than she really cares for.

The book is a quick easy read, but there is no substance and a lot of snide remarks on Ms. Kline's clients make her a character that any parent should stay away from.

This book is a great read! Anyone who has ever been a nanny or employed a nanny will feel like Barbara is an old friend! I couldn't put it down!!

I laughed my way through this book. I also cringed more than once, seeing myself and the women around me all too clearly in Kline's clients. You don't have to be a D.C. power player to relate to the comedy-- and, oh yes, the tragedy-- of trying to keep your brilliant career going while raising a kid or kids. This book is a fun read, but I also came away from WHITE HOUSE NANNIES committed to making some much-needed cuts to my work schedule. Would that my own life may never serve as fodder for the likes of this brilliantly engaging book!

This book is an intelligent and very funny look at the often wild world of child care. It's not only for the Washington crowd to guess who the players are, but every parent can recognize him or herself somewhere in this book. After reading this book you should feel much more comfortable with your own lot! It's an easy read that will make you laugh out loud.

When I saw this in the library, I guess I was expecting another version of The Nanny Diaries, which was cute. This "novel," however, was poorly written and jumped all over the place; there were no smooth transitions at all. It was basically one big promo of her company--any time she mentioned a "horror story" she was quick to add that it wasn't one of HER nannies. Basically, I thought it was boring and that the writing style emulated that of the 3rd graders I teach. It took me about an hour to read, after which I thought, "How did THAT get published?" If you want to read a nanny book, try the Nanny Diaries. This book is stupid.

I loved reading this book! As a 'new' nanny, I found this book very useful. At first i said I wouldn't want to work with a family like these mentioned in the book, but then I thought more about it, and I actually wouldn't mind getting the 'experience'. I live in So cal, so we do have families like those D.C. families. This is a must read!!

I found this book to be entertaining and engaging. I thought the other reviews were a bit harsh and it seemed like maybe the book hit a bit too close to home for them. Ok, this book won't change the world, but it was interesting and fun to read. I live in the midwest and apart from a brief trip to DC, I am completely unfamiliar with the city, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book one bit.

We have used White House Nannies and they did a fine job. After reading this book, however, I would be reluctant to use them again. I own a business and would never dream of violating my clients' privacy the way Kline does in this book. She is quite nasty, and unnecessarily so, as many of the stories speak for themselves. Sure, it's easy to mock power couples, but this is Kline's main source of income -- shouldn't she show a little more class?

Some names are real, others (I think) are not. Given the highly sensitive nature of the book, some clarity on this point would have helped.

For those not bothered by the ethics or the tone, there are some interesting stories and genuine insights into the nanny-parent relationship. Still, I'm rather sorry I contributed to the author's profit for such a mean and self-promoting book.