Bringing up my own child on interviews.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently about to interview with several families for part-time employment. I have a 9 month old, but he would be going to a home daycare while I work, so I would not need him to come with me to the job. How and when should I bring this up to a family? I want them to get to know me as a nanny without the bias of the "nanny with the kid". What reservations do parents have about this situation? How can I ease those fears? Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

MB here, but I always bring up my kids during job interviews. If someone has a big problem with it, then I don't want to be working for them anyway.

We only had one nanny candidate who had her own children. She was really struggling with what to do with her own children while they weren't in school, and didn't really seem to have solid care in place. We ended up not hiring her. I do think that she found another job that worked for her (teaching preschool, maybe).

[Anonymous]

OP, please arrange for a babysitter or a friend to be with your DC while you go for interviews. It is much more professional to have a solid child care arrangement in place than to tote kids along. It will keep things professional, you can discuss and talk calmly. How will you sit through the interview with a 9 month old kiddo in your lap? Don't get me wrong, I love babies, I am suggesting this for your own good.

[Anonymous]

PP here. My apologies, OP. Please gone eggs post above.^

[Anonymous]

Ignore*

[Anonymous]

I'm a MB and would NEVER bring up the fact that I have kids in a job interview. Completely unprofessional.

Where are you going to put your child when the daycare is closed but your nanny job needs you to work?

[Anonymous]

I, as an MB, would find it odd and appalling that you would send your own child to some cheap, junky home daycare while trying to suggest you are a nanny deserving of a good wage. If you are worth the money you should stay home with your child and give him the love, attention, and education you would offer MBs child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, as an MB, would find it odd and appalling that you would send your own child to some cheap, junky home daycare while trying to suggest you are a nanny deserving of a good wage. If you are worth the money you should stay home with your child and give him the love, attention, and education you would offer MBs child.

Lol what? If she's worth the money, she should stay home?...makes absolutely no sense.

OP, I would not mention having a child. If they ask if there's anything that might come up in your life that you'd need time off or whatever, let them know- but otherwise at the first interview I don't see a reason for it

[Anonymous]

I had this issue when my baby was first born. I mentioned it in the interviews because that weeded out about 90% of people I didn't want to work for. I'm not going to lie, I got turned down for a lot of jobs but I found the perfect job. They loved me above all the other candidates and were especially glad I had my own baby a few months older than theirs. That gave the nervous mom peace of mind that her baby would be loved/nurtured. We need to work just like every other mom out there so the ppl who don't want to hire you are just selfish. That job ended and I was looking again when my child was 2. Again, eight interviews and I ended up finding the perfect nanny share for me. I've only taken one sick day for my child (last week) in 9.5 months. You'll find a family who will love you and your baby OP. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm sending my child to a home daycare that is run by a SAHM who is great. Part of the reason I'm not bringing him with me to work is because I want him to get used to being with other people and to have that time to have fun and socialize with different people. If he was with me, he would be very attached. He's a little shy and I believe in my heart a couple days a week of him being away from me will be beneficial for him. I am going back part-time for that specific reason, I want the balance of being home with him a good amount but still having some income. I feel that as a nanny it's a little bit different than another job where you wouldn't necessarily have to bring up that you have a child. I would feel like I'm not telling the truth by not mentioning him at all. I don't ever bring kids with me on interviews.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to the ladies that have given me insightful and professional responses so far. I really appreciate opinions of both sides.

[Anonymous]

I would only bring it up if it's going to impact your ability to do some aspect of the job, or limit when you can come in.

Otherwise, just interview and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

How part time is it?

I would not want to get into a situation, personally, with a nanny who is going to put her own kid in home daycare 45 hrs/week but for someone who is going to work 20, I guess it is OK. MBs who need part time care are usually more flexible too.

Anyway, short of it is that it does not serve you to disclose this. A lot of MBs want to avoid this situation. However, since it is something that could cause an issue later, it would be better to mention at the interview so it is not a surprise later on after you start.

The issues with a nanny who has her own baby is 1. would she be constantly comparing her kid to mine? If mine knows her abc's and hers doesn't, will that be an issue? 2. will she miss work? 3. what is her motivation/need such that she needs to put her own kid in another person's care while she watches my kid? 4. will she ever want to bring her own kid to work which will not be ok with me?

When you say that you have your own baby at the interview, I would do it in a way that addresses the 4 concerns above, instead of just announcing and giving no details.

For instance, having your own baby which you will leave at home daycare will not be an issue if I know 1. you trust this home daycare already because of xyz 2. You would rather leave her for a little but during the work week so you can have a bit more flexibility for the budget which is better for your daughter in the long run 3. any backup plans you have in case your daughter is sick and cannot go to home daycare

[Anonymous]

I am not a nanny, but there is no reason to bring up your child at an interview. I would never even think of it if I were interviewing for a job, it is irrelevant.

my son has special needs, so I might consider bringing it up AFTER I got an offer only if I needed to negotiate extra time off or another accommodation to manage his needs.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It would be 2-3 full days a week, which is what I'm interviewing for right now. I do have a reason for putting him in home daycare (the socialization and getting him used to others) so hopefully that would ease an MB fears of why? Also, my husband or sister could get him if he's sick or I'm delayed. I am not judgmental in the least and realize that each child develops at their own pace. I would hope that my personality would show that in an interview, but perhaps there are some ways I can better convey that to a parent? Any suggestions?