Honest opinions please....male childminders

[duckdodgers]

AIBU to worry about peoples reactions to this? My DH is a fantastic Dad to our 3 boys, aged 3, 9 and 18. Hes been looking after them, especially the youngest 2 since I went back to work full time after having DS3 over 2 years ago. Loves doing it and very hands on obviously, and is so much better at housework than me to. He then works as a Support worker on a Saturday when Im off work.

Hes been talking for a while about doing childminding through the week and now hes decided to go for it. Im fully supportive and want to help, but cant help but worry that all reactions arent going to be entirely positive and after all his hard work, months of checks, all the work and expense he wont get any children.

Some local Mums know him because he took DS3 to toddler groups (hated it but did it for DS!). Some have been really supportive but 1 has pointed out that he might have a job getting children because hes a man.

I know that if people met DH they would be won over by his amazing personality just like me but Im biased!! But amongst a lot of local female childminders will parents give him the chance? My feelings arent helped by a thread I read here recently of a Mum furious that a male member of nursery staff had changed her babies nappy. I know in theory males shouldnt be treated any different from females but reality is often a different kettle of fish.....

So a little bit of MN market research - do you think he will face any problems?? Would you use a male childminder??

Thanks everyone for your good luck wishes, off to bed now. Will give him the positive feedback from here in the morning, it really does mean a lot.

Thats sad willIever

As a mum to a very "outgoing" (!) 2 year old boy I think he would love a male CM. He has had 2 male key workers in nursery and loves them both, and he seems to bond more quickly with men than women.

Having said that I would have been more anxious about him going to any CM that I didn't previously know, as the issue of them being alone with him would always be there in the back of my mind.

But clearly many parents use CMs and are very happy with them. Sadly there will be some people who will make absurd assumptions about men who want to work with children, but these attitiudes can only be changed by men who are prepared to challenge them (and by women supporting them.)

Good luck to your DH!

I would have zero problem with a male CM. Gender wouldn't even come into it for me. I also happen to think your DH would get a lot of business from single mums who are looking for an excellent male role model for their DCs. I know if I was a lone parent, that would be something that would attract me to a male CM. As it is, I have no need for a CM, but I would have no problem with the care of my DCs being done by a man. It would come down to personality for me, not reproductive organs. :)