Ask Dr. Helen: Should Men Be Kicked Out of the Church Nursery?
Back to the church nursery question – my experience & opinion:
When our daughter was a baby and toddler, there was a man (lawyer, taught swimming lessons to blind kids, married with 3 young sons) who confessed to abusing baby girls in the church nursery, as well as little girls in the swimming classes. Claimed he started with kiddie porn and soon the images weren’t enough. Begged for forgiveness, was not prosecuted, etc. I had bad vibes about this guy b/c he always commented on our little girl – “she’s so beautiful”, etc. So, I stayed with my little one in the nursery during those years or took her into church with us. I’ve seen far too much poor caregiving in daycare or church nursery situations to think it’s a good setting for kids compared with the care of loving parents. I don’t think it’s fair to single out men for suspicion, but unfortunately I think men have to be vigilant about avoiding any remotely questionable circumstances. And I believe both boys and girls are damaged by the sexual advances of an adult of either sex.
