male child minder...would you use??

alwaysonthego_2

my dd's childminder is male and fantastic.

going to move this to the families board

ska_lover

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Got to be honest... wouldn't use a male child minder with a female child.

What are you going to do if your daughter goes to school and there is a male teacher!!???

If you really feel like this then that is your prerogative as a parent, but please do not pass on these irrational fears to your daughter that she is to be scared of all men!! Your irrational fear of men, could ruin all her future relationships with men.

thorsoak

Sadly, fathers, uncles and grandfathers are those who appear to be the most consistent child abusers

That statement is a generalisation, as is your statement.

Women are also child abusers (think Myra Hindley, Rose West, et al).

I support the idea of more male child minders, reception and primary teachers and teaching assistants - there are so many single parent families now without positive male role models that more men in the child caring/rearing/teaching professions can only be a good thing.

susan1

There are loads of male Paediatric Nurses around and no one bats an eyelid, what's the difference?

peachyprice

Kayalana99 wrote: »

No, but on that 0.00001% chance that he was, I would have to live with the fact that I put my child with this person + she would have to live with what happened ofc.

I could just never take that risk how ever small.

And as much as I have to admit to the bolded text, you have to draw the line with who you trust, but a family members friend is going though the process of JUST this because someone close in her family has abused her 4 year old.... it makes me sick to my stomach what is going on but the fact is because of the chance that it COULD happen I just couldn't bare to be the person responsible for leaving my child with this person.

You do know that there are female child abusers too, don't you? In fact just think of the recent news stories of abusers in nurseries, many of them were women.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/taboo-tolerance/female-sexual-abuse-the-untold-story-of-societys-last-taboo-1767688.html

I suggest you don't ever leave your child with anyone. Just in case.

SunshineButterfly

I would not pick one sex over the other in terms of childminder. I would pick in terms of reputation, paperwork, experience with children and word of mouth.
Our current childminder is female and is absolutely brilliant. She had an excellent reputation which is why I picked her. But because she is in demand she also has a male volunteer who works with her 4 days a week. He has been CRB checked and also volunteers one day a week at the local school.

Am I worried because there is a man looking after my children? Of course not!

I think its saddening how the world has turned out. That we as parents now have to worry so much about abusers and safety.

I would say do your training, get first aid under your belt. And if you get the chance to.. maybe volunteer in a school or somewhere with children to gain early experience other than with your own? This way.. your already building on existing experience and you can gain references from whereever you volunteer to add to your portfolio.

Toto

Yes I'd use a male child minder. My only considerations when choosing a child minder are, qualifications eg Ofsted, first aid etc , recommendations, personality and if my child likes them. I couldn't care less if they are male or female. When my daughter was in nursery all of the kids loved the male nursery nurses.

You might get the odd person who is narrow minded and judgemental, but that really is their problem. Don't let this stop you from doing something you'd like to do.

Toto

susan1 wrote: »

There are loads of male Paediatric Nurses around and no one bats an eyelid, what's the difference?

I'm a midwife and in my trust we have one male midwife. He gets some women who don't want a male midwife, which of course is their right and choice. But, I often find it slightly odd that no one seems to mind the male obstetricians.

marisco_2

I would not be bothered in the slightest whether a child-minder were male or female. So long as they were fully qualified, and on meeting the person I felt confident they knew what they were talking about and would be a responsible and positive influence around my children, that is what I would base my decision on. I am a teacher and have many male colleagues who are fabulous with the children in their care. I think it is a shame that more men don't consider working with children personally. They have a lot to offer.

Takeaway_Addict

Toto wrote: »

I'm a midwife and in my trust we have one male midwife. He gets some women who don't want a male midwife, which of course is their right and choice. But, I often find it slightly odd that no one seems to mind the male obstetricians.

Is it their right and choice though? Would this not be protected under the equality act 2010 in that they cannot choose based on someone's sex?