Parents seek nanny with ‘Victorian values’ and ‘minimal affection’ for son

While many parents are embracing new-age styles of parenting, one couple are calling for old-fashioned methods as they search for a nanny to help to raise their child with Victorian-era rules and values. 

Although it may seem odd to some, the parents, who are based in the town of Ascot in England, are adamant the traditional values will turn their now seven-year-old son, into a reputable and virtuous adult.

Taking to a British child care site in the search for the perfect nanny, the husband and wife made clear the very specific rules their son is to live by, including restricting play to one hour a day and always looking presentable.

“Our son is also not allowed to access any kind of recreational technology such as, games consoles, computers and television, but will have access to board games, books and traditional wooden toys,” the advertisement read.

“We also want the nanny to enforce at least one hour of non-fiction reading every day to develop his knowledge of our society, history and current world affairs.”

A world with no play and strict learning? Who would have thought there are still people who live by these rules when wearing daggy clothes, playing in mud with sticks and vegging out with an iPad is more in vogue these days .

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Many parents nowadays encourage a softer approach to discipline and learning, with a focus on positive language to reinforce a child’s self-esteem and rewards for good behaviour. But for these parents, their beliefs lie elsewhere with the more authoritarian parenting style, steering clear of children’s emotions and instead “teaching” them to be the best version of themselves. 

“Much like traditional Victorian parenting, we believe it’s extremely important to show children minimal affection in order not to spoil them, so we also want the nanny to refrain from any contact other than shaking hands and a kiss on the head before bed if necessary,” the parents wrote.

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“We are firm believers that children should be seen and not heard and believe this will hep his development.”

It may sound like a challenging job to uphold their standards, but it sure pays well, at £55,000 (AU $98,570.29) a year, plus 25 days of holidays, public holidays and sick days.

If you are up for it, you could, as these parents say, make a great difference to this child’s upbringing and life in general.

“We know that the way we’re raising our son is not exactly conventional, however, we believe that in the long run it will turn him into a reputable and virtuous adult that can make a real impact to the world we live in,” the parents said. 

What do you think of the parents idea of raising their child? Would you prefer a Victorian style of parenting over the more modern and creative kind?