How to Interview a Mother's Helper

While caring for your children can be rewarding beyond words, it can also be a lot of work. That's where a mother's helper can benefit your family. A mother's helper is just that -- an extra set of hands and eyes for you. You could hire this person to play with your children while you get other things done, help you with meal times, or to accompany you and your children on trips out of the house. Before hiring a mother's helper, ask important questions during the interview process.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your potential mother's helper why she's interested in working for you. Ask about what ages of children she prefers working with, why she enjoys spending time with kids, what children usually like about her, and what she does to get to know children when she starts working with them.

    • 2

      Inquire about any previous childcare experience she's had and ask for references. Ask questions, such as "How long have you been working in the child care field?" or "What were the ages of the children you've previously worked with?" Ask "Would you allow me to do a background check on you?" and "Are there any problems with your previous employer that I should be aware of?"

    • 3

      Ask if she's currently working for another family and how open her schedule is. Talk to her about the specific hours you're needing help, whether it's a few hours each day, a couple days a week or a few hours on Saturday mornings. Keep in mind that if you're interviewing a pre-teen or teenager, her time will most likely be restricted to after school, evenings and weekends, while some college kids and adults may have a more open schedule during the day but less availability in the evenings and on the weekends.

    • 4

      Find out if she is certified in first aid and CPR. If not, would she be willing to train? Ask about specific skills she could potentially offer. Does she like to read to kids, is she good with craft projects or does she prefer more active play? If the candidate is older, inquire about other tasks she'd be willing to help with, such as house work, taking your children to the park or library, or baking treats with the kids.

    • 5

      Ask about transportation. Does she have her own car and a driver's license? Would she be willing to run errands for you?

    • 6

      Describe to her what expectations you have for a mother's helper, listing what her responsibilities will be if you hire her. Those responsibilities could include preparing and feeding your kids meals, reinforcing your rules, overseeing playdates, dressing your kids, helping with homework and cleaning up after your children. Ask her if she feels she is able to fulfill that role.

    • 7

      Discuss what type of payment arrangement you have in mind to make sure it's agreeable. The mean hourly wage estimate in the United States for a childcare worker is $10.25 per hour, as of 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of course the going rate of pay can vary depending on what part of the country you live in. The District of Columbia's hourly mean wage, for example, is $14.66, while in South Dakota, it's only $8.73.

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