How to Interview a Mother's Helper
A mother's helper wears many hats. They run errands, cook meals, provide childcare and housekeeping services for active families while a parent remains at home. A good mother's helper can be a godsend for busy parents. In just a few steps you'll learn how to interview and choose a helper that is right for you and your family.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Consider your needs and remember that every family is different. If you are the parent of teenagers, the role of a mother's helper will be quite different than a family with preschoolers. Before you write down interview questions think about some of the basic duties your helper will be performing. If they will be running errands or transporting children, you'll want information about their driving record and other personal history.
-
2
Write down all specific needs. Most people expect a mother's helper to provide light cleaning and childcare services. Do you need someone with a drivers license or someone with a CPR certificate? Start with your "must-have" questions first.
-
-
3
Gather basic information. When you speak with a potential mother's helper on the telephone for the first time make sure you gather basic information from them. You'll want their their full name, address, telephone number, date of birth and parents' names (if appropriate) first.
-
4
Ask for references. This is a crucial step. Inform the potential mother's helper that you will need the telephone numbers of at least two to three personal references at the initial interview. Ask them to bring the referral information to your face to face meeting.
-
5
Conduct a thorough interview. Does the potential helper have younger siblings they've cared for? Have they done this sort of work before? What would they do in case of an emergency? View the resources list for additional questions you will want to ask during your interview.
-
6
Take notes. If you are interviewing numerous people for a mother's helper position, don't assume that someone will end up being a stand-out. As you are talking with a candidate jot down some of the comments they made that left an impression with you, good or bad. Also, you may want to jot down the clothing they were wearing so when you are reviewing your notes, you will have a visual reminder of the person you were speaking with.
-
7
Interview your children, too. Once you've hired a mother's helper invite your children to share their experiences about the helper on a regular basis so you can ensure that you've chosen a good match.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Involve your children in the interview process. If you have older children, encourage them to ask questions, too. If you have younger children, invite the potential mother's helper to spend an afternoon with the family so the children and the helper can get a feel for one another and the family rules.
If you are expecting your mother's helper to run errands or transport your children, make sure they have a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
