Welcome to my house!!!!!

[MUM2BLESS]

I am a childminder.

I remember when I got a call from a couple who wanted to come and see me. They arrived with their daughter who was just over 12 months old. She look at me in amazement, not a horrible way. I think it was because I was the first black person she had perhaps seen. Whithin a short time she was playing with the things I had put out for her.

Before the couple left, mum wanted to use my services.

I care for children from different racial/cultural backgrounds.

I must admit I get people looking at me, when I am out with one or two of the white children I care for. I get stares from black, white and asian people. Some of these stares are cold!!

Does anyone care for children of another race? what reaction do you get?

The white children I care for are not colour blind they just do not see my colour as a problem.

I offer a warm welcome to all children, regardless of their race. I love them and will continue to give them the very best service possible, giving their parents peace of mind.

I care for children from various ethnic backgrounds. I currently care for 2 black African children an Asian girl and some white British children they are all treated as equals. We have had stares too but other times I have been asked if children are twins one of those times that sticks in my mind is an Asian boy and my ds2 and I was asked if they were twins. I think sometimes it's just curiosity as opposed to nastiness.

Yes it could be that people are curious.

I have learnt so much dealing with the different nationalities. We have different methods correcting our children.

My parents were quite firm with us as children. I notice that some parents are more laid back than others.

I try to work with parents in the way they deal with their children, only giving my opinion IF NECESSARY.

I am White and used to care for a gorgeous Black baby, I also had my own child and another White boy with me most of the week. I did get a few odd looks and once heard a horrible woman in the park mumbling to her friend about how some women (I assume she meant me) would sleep with anything in trousers! All said whilst looking at me and the children and shaking her head!

I walked off mumbling to the children that it's a good job their childminder was more intelligent than the average idiot at the park

Do you cook for all your kids or do they bring their own food from home.

Most of my kids have food from their own homes. I find it easier to do this, also its saves on time too.

I enjoy carribbean as well as english food. My husband is also a brilliant chef. I like a little bit of spice and seasoning in my food. Not too much though! We all have different taste buds.

I have kids from a variety of nationalities and haven't had any comments before... and if I did I would not be impressed! I am a white African and have been brought up not seeing colour, just the person. Wish everyone did!

I only have one child I mind at the mo, hes Asian, and hes lovley.
Cant say Ive noticed any odd looks, or heard any body say anything, and to be honest dont give a hoot, would just give then a sort of look.
This child, I do feed, Which I do find difficult sometimes, as mum is Hindu and dad is Muslim so they dont eat pork or beef at home, so we seem to eat a lot of chicken, cheese salad and veg here, not alot of variety
so if any body has any ideas do feel free to post
sorry to hijack thread..

Majafa thanks for that. Your not hijacking this thread at all. Its great to hear from you.

Would you ever ask his parents to provide food from home?

I sometimes look after a little girl (family) whos doees not eat pork. She brings food from home.

JenniPenni, thanks for your imput. Wish more people were like you!!!

Some childminders look after children who are fussy eaters. Do you give them what they want to eat or do you try to introduce a variety of food to them.

Did not mean to change this thread towards food. Interesting!!

Please feel free to join in with this whether to let me know what reactions you get or whether you find providing food a challenge etc.

Hi I have just started looking after two black children they are brother and sister, before and after school. I am white and I have really noticed that I have been getting some odd looks from people when we are walking to school!!

Interesting.

I have been childminding for almost 2 years now. Its a amazing that I am not the only one experiencing this.

In my 5 years of childminding I've looked after all white, apart from 1 lovely gorgeous black girl when I first started. I don't know why I haven't had a mix of people contact me? BUT, I've had stares for the number of small children I've had with me. Once I was on the school run pushing a triple buggy and had my ds2 in a sling (he was only a few months old) and a workvan drove past and one of the men shouted 'something' out of the window. I didn't hear the words but I KNEW it was something to do with the number of children I had. A lot of people just assume you fire out babies willy nilly, sleep with different men so they all have different fathers etc (even with only white children - can be to do with hair colourings etc). I used to feel the need to have a T-Shirt saying something about me being a CHILDMINDER!!! Honestly though, I wish someone would dare to say something to my face, I'd be very polite about it but definitely make them think twice about making judgements like that!!

@ majafa: how about fish? A small piece of salmon maybe? Or cod in parsely sauce (bit of a cold weather dish, that) Or even fish fingers - nothing wring with Captain Birdseye in my view!

I have had enquiries from black and white people. I have looked after a jewish girl, children from African parentage etc.

I think parents want to know that which ever childminder they use, their children will be accepted regardless of their colour etc.

I know that the equal opp is around, but for some people accepting other races and culture is natural. For some people its a big effort.

majafa I've raised my ds (20 months) as vegetarian. He has had a few bites of chicken (didn't like it, so won't bother again) and some fish. But I make sure he gets enough of everything, every day. It's time consuming and hard work, but definitely lots of variety. I'm vegetarian and have quite a variety in my diet I'll come back with ideas when I'm not so busy. Have a lot of work to do tonight.

MUM2BLESS - I was at the playground a few weeks ago, and was chatting with a woman (who was black) and her DD was playing right nearby with my DS. Well, there was another black family way down the grassy area near the tennis courts.... a fair distance away, but we could still see them iyswim... this snooty b*tchy lady comes over and says "excuse me! excuse me!" frantically, to the woman I was talking to... "your little boy is crying!" She looked very confused. The little boy near the tennis courts was crying... no one was attending to him But the woman I was chatting to, said "That's not my son". I was at the whole situation and the snooty lady just looked all disshevelled and said "oh I'm sorry, then! People need to look after their own children!" and she waddled off. I turned to the woman and said I was for her and she just shrugged and said "it happens a lot. I'm used to it"

Starxpat thanks your feedback.

Thanx guys,
Thank fully he eats whatever I put in front of him,
I dont generally provide meals, I really dont know why I agreed to this one, think I must have been having a senior moment..
Yep he likes fish fingers, Cod in a sauce of some discription sounds like an good idea.
Keep them coming