Looking for a babysitter... would it be odd to interview in THEIR home?

[NonnyMouse]

I'm thinking of looking for a local who we can use for casual babysitting from time to time but was thinking I'd like to actually see tem in their own home rather than just work off a first impression of them coming to me. You can tell so much more about a person by how they live, I think, and I need to fully trust anyone I leave with DS.

Would you find this an odd or intrusive request if you were applying for a babysitting position?

[Roopee]

No I don't think it's 'weird' at all. In fact, I had a client ask me if she could come to my place for one of our meetings, I knew it was to see how I lived and I completely understood her reasoning.

It was fine as I had nothing to hide.

[Pinkzy]

I'm thinking of looking for a local who we can use for casual babysitting from time to time but was thinking I'd like to actually see tem in their own home rather than just work off a first impression of them coming to me. You can tell so much more about a person by how they live, I think, and I need to fully trust anyone I leave with DS.

Would you find this an odd or intrusive request if you were applying for a babysitting position?

Nope, I wouldn't find it odd or intrusive at all :)

You'll be interviewing people who you will potentially be trusting to care for the most precious things in the world to you. Seeing how they live is a VERY good idea as you are right, you can generally tell a lot about someone by how they live and what their own home environment is like. I think it's a very smart idea myself.

[lilBoofD]

I agree.

I actually think its a great idea :)

[NonnyMouse]

ACtually I wish I could use a fellow hubber, cause then I could stalk all their posts and see if I like what I read! LOL

[crazymuma]

To be honest I think its a little odd - but if thats what you have to do to feel comfortable then do it. I would just hate for you to miss out on an amazing babysitter just because you don't like where they live or who they live with.

[Pinkzy]

ACtually I wish I could use a fellow hubber, cause then I could stalk all their posts and see if I like what I read! LOL

:laughing: :laughing::laughing::yelclap:

[NonnyMouse]

To be honest I think its a little odd - but if thats what you have to do to feel comfortable then do it. I would just hate for you to miss out on an amazing babysitter just because you don't like where they live or who they live with.

Oh, it's not a case of me needing to like where they live, or who they live with. It's more about seeing people in their own environment, rather than just the image they're presenting if they come to your house. For example they might say they're big on family, but have no photos of their own family anywhere, so it might not ring truw IYKWIM?

Plus if things turn pearshaped, then at the very least I'll know where to find them LOL

I actually hired a cleaner years ago and checked her references etc, thought she presented as a lovely gentle little old lady who took great care with her appearance etc and seemed perfect for us, but in reality she was a slovenly old hag who conned her clients and she stole several thousand dollars from us and the students we were hosting at the time. I'm not too confident on my character juding ability after that.

[florence]

How would you find the people you want to interview?

[NonnyMouse]

Dunno.... maybe a note on our local community board?

[crazymuma]

Okay well I guess that makes sense then.

I found an amzing young babysitter on a notice at the shops - met her and her sister and the kids went straight to her - my kids don't go to stangers EVER but did with her - that was all it took for me to be comfortable - I also had a 5 year old who was able to call me/tell me if there were any problems - don't think I would have hired a stranger if I had young kids/babies who couldn't talk.

Maybe you should try the local day care centers and see if any of their carers do private babysitting.

[1+1=5]

if you have a TAFE or a university near by, you could advertise to students studying child related (day care, teaching, midwifery etc) courses. students always need casual work.

and no, i don't think its weird to interview at peoples' homes. with regards to photos, my parents were very big on family and we were always very close but we never had any photos around the house.

[OhGeeMuma]

. For example they might say they're big on family, but have no photos of their own family anywhere, so it might not ring truw IYKWIM?

I'm big on family and I haven't got a single family photo up in my place. It just doesn't suit my decor :laughing:

But that said I can understand your want to see their home.

[nothanksbye]

I would find it weird and very inrusive.

Unless they are babysitting in their house.

I dont think its fair to ask to see their house. My house looks like a bomb hit it.....but I am a great babysitter...lol.

[bumMum]

i dont think it's that weird but of course what if the babysitter turns out to be a uni student who lives with their parents or something? or some girl living in a share house with like 6 people?
it wouldn't mean anything is wrong with them if their house was messy or something, it could be everyone else.

[The sooper nanny]

i dont know... if anyone saw me in my own house atm I dont think Id ever get a job again.... :laughing: the house is a mess.... granted ive been on the couch with gastro for 3 days ......:(

Im not sure Id feel comfortable with someone interviewing me in my house but then in my line of work, ive always kept my private life at arms length. So I guess in the situation youre proposing, why not? They can only say no.... I like the idea of advertising at unis tafes etc... most of those people will already have working with children checks. Good luck :yelclap:

[Janesmum123]

I can understand where you are coming from but I would find it odd. (I'd feel like you wanted to snoop or your weird..:laughing:..which I'm sure your not)
People can still put on a show in there own home you never really get a clear idea of what someone is like on a first meeting.
It's so hard to find someone you can trust with your kids.

[EmPowering]

i babysit alot and i would be fine with an interview in my own house:yes::yes::yes: i would actually find it less intimidating for a first meeting !

[Mum2Mimi]

i was going to say that perhaps you should advertise at tafe or uni but ive already been beatin to it lol :)

I wouldnt have a problem with somebody coming to my house but i can understand y people would say no, its a great idea though as you will meet the 'real' person as it will be less informal and they will feel more comfortable in their own home,where as if they go to yours they will put on a front

Goodluck & .let us kno hw u go ;)

[EmPowering]

ACtually I wish I could use a fellow hubber, cause then I could stalk all their posts and see if I like what I read! LOL
pick meeeee hahah

[NonnyMouse]

Thanks for all the replies.

I understand some would be embarrassed to have someone come to their house, but really, whoever I pick is not only going to see MY messy house, but also be left there unattended with not only my child, but also all my possessions, private stuff etc. I think if I can trust them enough for that, they would have to at least be willing to trust me enough to visit them in their home before hiring them.

I don't care about mess... I like that "l;ived in" look! LOL

[SpecialPatrolGroup]

I think it's pretty simple - if they don't like it, they don't look after your kids. That said, as a representative of the messy-house community, I would hate to think that someone would assume i'm not suitable to look after a child because i'm bad at putting things away:laughing:!

[nothanksbye]

Thanks for all the replies.

I understand some would be embarrassed to have someone come to their house, but really, whoever I pick is not only going to see MY messy house, but also be left there unattended with not only my child, but also all my possessions, private stuff etc. I think if I can trust them enough for that, they would have to at least be willing to trust me enough to visit them in their home before hiring them.

I don't care about mess... I like that "l;ived in" look! LOL


Its not embarrasment.

Some people are just more private then others.

[Pinkzy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I understand some would be embarrassed to have someone come to their house, but really, whoever I pick is not only going to see MY messy house, but also be left there unattended with not only my child, but also all my possessions, private stuff etc. I think if I can trust them enough for that, they would have to at least be willing to trust me enough to visit them in their home before hiring them.

I don't care about mess... I like that "l;ived in" look! LOL

:iagree:Absolutely. I'd feel the same way. Have you thought about advertising on a free site (like gumtree in your state) that you're looking for a babysitter?

You could make it known in the ad what your requirements are (blue card etc) and that you would like to conduct the interviews in the candidates home - whoever is interested could email you. I reckon you'll get a lot of responses :thumbsup:

[nannymummy]

I'm a nanny to a 16 month old and do occasional babysitting. (better then working in a chilc care centre)

At the moment I probably would have to say I would not be comfortable in havign an interview in my home due to circumstances I have at the moment. Am pregnant and still vomiting quite often I also have juliette in our home most ays as its air con so suits me better then staying at hers so as well as not really cleaning at the moment i have a toddler making a mess.

I am a very house proud person. So I would have to say look at the circumstances of what is happening int heir life before requesting to interview in their home. Maybe have interviews at your house first then pick a few you like then do follow up interviews maybe in their home or if not ok with that for reasons maybe a cafe

[nannymummy]

sorry about above typing toddlers on your lap will cause that :laughing:

[NonnyMouse]

Its not embarrasment.

Some people are just more private then others.

I get that, I'm private too, which is why it's important to me that the person I let into my home with my child is someone I feel I can trust.

When I mentioned embarassment, I was refering to the huge number of comments along the lines of "I'd hate it if having a messy house meant I was judged a bad babysitter". It seems that everyone assumes that having a messy house makes them bad at caring for children? Or that others would judge it this way? I assumed that all those who felt they wouldn't want someone to see their mess, would therefore refuse an in-home interview because of the embarrassment factor.

[nothanksbye]

I get that, I'm private too, which is why it's important to me that the person I let into my home with my child is someone I feel I can trust.

When I mentioned embarassment, I was refering to the huge number of comments along the lines of "I'd hate it if having a messy house meant I was judged a bad babysitter". It seems that everyone assumes that having a messy house makes them bad at caring for children? Or that others would judge it this way? I assumed that all those who felt they wouldn't want someone to see their mess, would therefore refuse an in-home interview because of the embarrassment factor.

Mmmm I know what you mean. But no not embarrassed just dont think my house mess indicates my ability to look after a bub...

I know what you are going through I have hired countless babysitters and nannys.
Its tough.