Where is the community of Black Nannies? Is there a such thing?

[LaReese Cooper]

Is it taboo to be black and want to hire a nanny, a black nanny? I am considering hiring a nanny for my 4 year old son. I will be relocating to a new state and will only have my sister (& 15yr old nephew) in the state. Of course she will be more than willing to watch her nephew but not every time needed. I will only have a need for a part time nanny and majority of that time, I will be in the home.

As I am transitioning to my new environment, I am also transitioning to start my own business and network with other entreprenuers. I plan to get trained as a Sisterlock Consultant that will allow me to work from home doing natural black hair. So there will be times when I will need my little one watched (and not by the tv) while I am taking caring of clients and there will also be times that I am at evening network meetings where I will need child care.

As I am beginning my search, I am finding interesting articles of nannies of other races not wanting to accept the job because of the family being black. I even saw an article where black nannies didn't want to watch children of other black families. How crazy is that? It seems like we should have our own network of black nannies that we can go to and find our families nannies as well. I'm not against another race, but after reading those articles, I am definitely more heistant than before.

Is it that most black families don't hire nannies? I really would like to find a good nanny and preferable black. Am I wrong?

[Kelly Brinkley]

I actually had a black nanny. Then I had a Filipino nanny. I wanted a nice older woman and the black nanny was great. The problem, and I actually heard this from a white woman, is that you can't have nanny of the same race b/c they become too familiar. I know that sounds bad, but it just tends to be true.

[Angela]

Hi i would love to have a black nanny but i have never been able to. I'm a sahm with a 3yr little girl and i plan to get back in the work force by the beginning of next year and will need daycare. Having someone come to my house who i feel comfortable with and maybe can relate to my lifestyle hence same culture would be nice. If anyone knows of a website or a network of black nannies in the atlanta area let me know.

thanks

[Denise Porter]

I had a black nanny growing up and yes she became too familiar and she and my Mom were best friends until she died a few years ago. I hope that you are able to find someone as wonderful as mine was:)

[Tracie Jackson]

No you are not wrong. I did not have a nanny per se. However, I did find a women in my children's "traditional" pre-school, who struck out on her own and opened a pre-school in her home. I took a chance and moved my children to her house. It was the best decision I ever made. I learned so much from Ms. Vicky regarding child rearing. She had my 1 year old reading, doing math, art, etc. She always made home cooked meals for breakfast and lunch. And the most important thing...SHE LOVED MY CHILDREN AS IF THEY WERE HER OWN. That was 9 years ago. My children remember her vividly.

[LaReese Cooper]

Wow. That's great. I will pray on it and I know that God will provide. Thanks for your reply.

[Tracy]

I know several AA families who have/had Black nannies. However, they were usually foreign students (African, West Indian)from local colleges. They did not experience the "becoming too familiar" because these young ladies were about their education and saw this as a job. Now when one family hired an older AA woman there were problems because momma wanted to tell them how to raise the kids, keep the house clean between her cleanings, etc.

My cousin had a wonderful African woman who worked with her for several years not only as a nanny but also helped her with other activities outside the home.

[Susan]

LaReese,

I don't think it is taboo to want to hire a black nanny to care for your child. As it is important as a Mother to pick the right person for your child that is use to the way you live and care for your children. My husband and I went through this with our girls when they were younger and after many sitters, and hours of endless searching, I found our beloved Ms. Harris.

I am a mother of two girls now ages 15 and 11 we worked outside of the house full time since they were born. Trying to find the "right" child care provider is not an easy task. Not only is it diffcult to find a "good" baby sitter it is even harder to find one that is black and who will work in your home at your convenience. But, it can be done with a little creativity. We found our beloved Ms. Harris and not only did she care for my youngest who was 4 at the time but, when my new born came 4 years later she cared for her too. She was like an extened grandmother to our children and we still love her just as much today. We did not have any family around who could watch our children because everyone worked and had at least 4 children of their own so they didn't want to be bothered with 2 more on the weekends not even for an hour. So, I understand.

When we found Ms. Harris, we did have to compromise. We had to bring our children to her house but, it was worth the compromise - because we could do what we needed to do without worry about them and we knew our children were fine and safe, fed, clean and happy at the end of each the day.

In your case, I would say to try the church first. Ask if you can put something in the church bulletin. There you may find the right person you are looking for who has the flexibility to watch your children at your convenience (maybe because they are retired) and also have the experience in managing "our children" plus - with God in the middle. I can't say how important it is to have God in the mix when it comes to your children as I am sure that you know, just like myself, the many horror stories you can see on tv or read in the paper about daily of child abuse and neglect from baby sitters and child care providers.

If you don't get anywhere with that, try contacting the Department of Social Services (child care provider list) and just look at the last names as it can help you to narrow it down. Do some calling around yourself on the ones you are not sure if they are black last names or not. At least in this case, they are licensed, and have been checked out, background search of all members of their household, social workers stop by unexpectedly to check on them, etc. However, I do urge you look further into their references thoroughly.

Last, put an add on craigs list or in the local newspaper for a Nanny - and don't say "black" just describe your childs needs and your household environment so that the reader will know that you are a black mother and your home is a black home. I think you know where I'm going on this but, good luck to you. You have a task ahead of you, but it can be done if you are open minded, flexible and creative in your search.

[Tosi Ufodike]

Love your response...I will feature it on my upcoming show on Friday at 11:30am..!!!
http://tobtr.com/s/764671

[LaReese Cooper]

Thanks Susan. Your story definitely has given me some hope. Great suggestions. Thanks for your reply.

[Margaret Rogers]

When my daughter was younger I was looking for a Nanny for her and I could not find one anywhere. I live in a densely populated state so you would think it would be easy. My elderly aunt ended up watching her for me until she got too mobile.

[Linda]

For people in Atlanta looking for a black nanny, here's a referral.

Gena TaylorProfessional/Certified Part-Time Nanny- www.taylormademealsandmore.com">http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.taylormademealsandmore.com

[Michelle S. Hawkins]

There are many black nannies. They are usually working for white companies. I live in Scottsdale AZ and I see them all the time. Find a reputable company that does background checks. The problem is that some will not work for a Black family. Yes, lets be honest about it, there is still that mentality among some of us. My daughter and I run into to that here where the blacks won't wait on you , but will run to wait on whites. Some get mad when we come to events (A lot of them free to the public) as if what are we doing there. And no, we do not go looking homeless.

So just be aware that these issues still exist because you are trusting the most precious thing you have, your baby to someone else.