When you know you have a "challenging" child, do you mention it in your ad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is a handful. She is extremely willful and can throw tantrums that last for several hours. She is only 17 months but we have already been through 2 nannies.

I don't want to keep going though the interview process and the turnover of nannies isn't good for DD.

Should I warn potential candidates from the start?

YES, do not waste your time or theirs. Mention it in the general sense in your posting and then describe more in detail over the phone.

[Anonymous]

Our child has special needs and I mentioned it generally in the ad. Then more detail over the phone. Then I let them meet my child at the interview and provide a bit more detail in context (what child needs extra help on - I provide tricks that work or things I've tried that didn't.) I let all applicants know that I wanted and needed their help in handling these issues and we would all work on this together. So far, no one has not been interested in the job because of the challenges. I also received many responses from nannies with experiences with special needs kids. I got the impression from a few that they really thought they could help and were full of ideas.

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to the ped about the multi-hour tantrums? I think you need to understand what you're dealing with before you can bring some one else into it.

[Anonymous]

You have a child only a mother can live. Tantrums that go on for hours?!

[Anonymous]

^^love not live. I am not trying to be mean but it seems obvious that she has very real problems. I have a niece like this and it has been extremely difficult for entire family and extended family. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely.

That way the people who respond to your ad will be those that have extra patience, the type of nanny that you would want for your child.

During the interview, let them meet your child and interact with them.

I would also offer a higher rate for the added stress of caring for a difficult child.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

That way the people who respond to your ad will be those that have extra patience, the type of nanny that you would want for your child.

During the interview, let them meet your child and interact with them.

I would also offer a higher rate for the added stress of caring for a difficult child.

Good luck.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Yes, you need to give the basics in your initial ad, and you need to go into specifics in a phone or in person interview. However, I wear nice, business clothes for interviews, assuming that the family expects a professional. It's not the time and place for playing, and I'm not dressed for playing, nor are you paying me for my time. Also, if your child is meeting a whole line of people in a few days' time, but only spending 2-4 minutes with them, you aren't allowing the child or nanny a clear impression. If you want to do a trial period, do so, but do it separate from the interview, or ask the nanny to bring along clothes for a trial if the interview goes well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

That way the people who respond to your ad will be those that have extra patience, the type of nanny that you would want for your child.

During the interview, let them meet your child and interact with them.

I would also offer a higher rate for the added stress of caring for a difficult child.

Good luck.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Yes, you need to give the basics in your initial ad, and you need to go into specifics in a phone or in person interview. However, I wear nice, business clothes for interviews, assuming that the family expects a professional. It's not the time and place for playing, and I'm not dressed for playing, nor are you paying me for my time. Also, if your child is meeting a whole line of people in a few days' time, but only spending 2-4 minutes with them, you aren't allowing the child or nanny a clear impression. If you want to do a trial period, do so, but do it separate from the interview, or ask the nanny to bring along clothes for a trial if the interview goes well.

The pp was talking about interacting with the child not getting down on floor to play. I would absolutely look for how comfortable and engaging the nanny candidate is with child during interview. Consider this is the "technical part" of the interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

That way the people who respond to your ad will be those that have extra patience, the type of nanny that you would want for your child.

During the interview, let them meet your child and interact with them.

I would also offer a higher rate for the added stress of caring for a difficult child.

Good luck.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Yes, you need to give the basics in your initial ad, and you need to go into specifics in a phone or in person interview. However, I wear nice, business clothes for interviews, assuming that the family expects a professional. It's not the time and place for playing, and I'm not dressed for playing, nor are you paying me for my time. Also, if your child is meeting a whole line of people in a few days' time, but only spending 2-4 minutes with them, you aren't allowing the child or nanny a clear impression. If you want to do a trial period, do so, but do it separate from the interview, or ask the nanny to bring along clothes for a trial if the interview goes well.

The pp was talking about interacting with the child not getting down on floor to play. I would absolutely look for how comfortable and engaging the nanny candidate is with child during interview. Consider this is the "technical part" of the interview.

I know plenty of nannies (myself included) who are not comfortable taking notes, fielding and asking questions and then trying to juggle an infant and a toddler. But I had a family think this was the way to do the interview... I walked. Do the interview, then meet the child, do the interview then have a trial, either way, I'm taking notes and asking questions, I'm not hanging onto your two kids and soothing them when the toddler wants to get down (but MB wants toddle held) and the toddler keeps pinching the infant (and DB tells me to handle it, literally 3 minutes after meeting the child, before we discussed their discipline method and parenting style). Nope, not doing that again, no way.