Job interview question re:discipline

[PinkBinkie]

I just went for a job interview today with a nanny agency for a position caring for a 3 and 5 yr old. I had to fill out a HEAP of forms. One question was...
How would you discipline a child who continually ignores your instructions?

I was considering writing TIME OUT but I know some ppl who disagree with the SUPERNANNY style of discipline.

So I wrote......
Re-consider the instructions
Offer 2 choices if possible
Explain what needs to happen and what will happen next (routine)

Did I answer this correctly? What would you do?

Thanks
Jodi

[the_queen]

Hmmmm I can see the point you're making.
But by saying "re-consider the options" I personally would interpret that as kinda "backing down"..... IYKWIM. I would be more inclined to answer something along the lines of "natural consequences" style of discipline. Like if I say "OK hands need to be washed now for lunch" and kid says "NO" and I say "come on, we all need to have clean hands before we eat" and kid says "NO AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME" then you can't really re-consider the instructions, because what you said, stands. Hands need to be washed before eating. So in that situation, child would not get lunch until hands were washed.






(I would answer in more detail but DH is whingeing at me to come to bed....:rolleyes:)

[cwsmum]

I don't think there is a 'correct' answer to a question like that, it would be more like a 'prefered' answer, and that would depend on the person doing the hiring.

I probably would have said something along the lines of...stop the child, explain to them what they need to do/stop doing and why. Offer alternatives if possible, eg, you can't throw the ball in the house coz you might break a window, etc...but we can go outside and you can throw the ball.
I would also have mentioned somewhere that I would use the same style of discipline as the parents use with the children...something that you would discuss before you first day caring for the children...and also that you would discuss any issues regarding discipline, that didn't resolve themselves once the children got to know you, with the parents.

I think you answered the question fine, it just depends on the family you are hoping to work for and how they believe children should be disciplined.

Good luck, hope you get the job :)

[pegasus]

Bottom line is that if you get the job and have to discipline in a way that you don't agree with, then you probably won't fit with the job. So my thought would have been to answer truthfully so that at the end of the day they know who they are considering to hire, and you know whether you'll be able to stick with the job.

[PinkBinkie]

Thanks for your replies girls. It's hard to explain how you would discipline on paper and in a limited space. But it's true, I need to discipline how the parents would discipline in that situation. And I don't believe in backing down, then the kids know they can twist me around their little fingers!! I phone the parents tonight to arrange an interview with them so at least I got through the first stage of interviews! It's very involved. I even have to get a medical all clear from my gp to say I can work with kids. Does being a mother count?!
Thanks for your advice
:D

[the_queen]

LOL I'd say being a mother does definately count!!

What I wanted to also say in my above post (before I gave in to my whingeing toddler - I mean, husband :rolleyes:) was, if I was the parent hiring you, then I would expect you to discipline my children the same way I discipline them. I would expect you to listen to my parenting philosophies, and try to implement them in the same ways I do.

Of course, I'm sure some families think that by getting a nanny they'll be getting SuperNanny :rolleyes: but me personally, I'd want the nanny's techniques to be as closely aligned to mine as possible. I completely understand everyone has different styles - but if I'm paying you to take care of my children, then you'd be doing things my way. :)

[shed]

bubbalucy, your answers sounded great to me.

as the queen says, whatever the style of the parents is would be the right answer, so how can you know beforehand?

If you had answered
1. Make idle threats
2. Give in and say "oh forget it then"
3. start yelling "Oi you, don't you DARE ignore me miss/mister"

or a combination of the above then you would be using my particular style, but I would probably rather have someone with more finesse than me if I was paying them!!

[PinkBinkie]

Thanks SHED - you made me have a good chuckle :laughing:
It's terrible isn't it, as a NANNY I'll be perfect and do exactly the RIGHT things but at home it's a different matter!! I mean, at their house I WON'T watch TV while the kids play around me, I WON'T be on bubhub while the kids play around me, and I'll cook interesting meals (not the same boring ones!) and I might even take them to the beach to play. I think as a mum 24/7 I get lazy or maybe just want time out but this will be a JOB and it's only 4 hrs then I leave! Unlike motherhood. Anyway, I have my interview with the parents on Monday.

And THEQUEEN, I totally agree with you and will be saying that at the interview so thanks!!

[natasha]

I'd have said 'whatever the parents want me to do!'

Coz that's basically what they want from you!

Or am I just being a smart ****??:laughing:
It's no wonder I got fired from my last job!!:laughing:

Anyway, it sounds like you did a grand job hun,well done!

[jessgray]

i would say i would ask the parents how they deal with i and follow that form of discipline os its consisitent. and i would also ask them if they have a reward system for good behaviour :)

[Mummy-2-2]

So how did the interview go?