Help Would you even interveiw this girl as a sitter?

[JellEBeanDesigns]

here are our emails she is kinda starting to give me bad vibes, plusi have never had a sitter for the boys before so I am sooo super picky! Tell me if I am just self sabotaging

i,

My name is Felicia and I am 17 years old. I am looking for a small part-time job 1-2 a week so this would work out perfect for me. I would charge you $12 an hour because you've got 2 children. I have been babysitting consistently since I was about the age of 12 years. Small jobs of babysitting were offered with help from the age of 10-12 years; that being because, Mom ran an in-home childcare since I was born until I was 10 years so I've grown up helping with kids and Mom has always told me I've got a world of patients with little ones! I would promise to follow your meal plans and keep special eye on the babies allergies. I am home schooled -- my schedule is very flexible. I am Advanced babysitter certified. I am attaching my resume. Below is my site to learn more about me and my experiences in babysitting and such. I am alright with the lunch hours babysitting because I am NOT a morning person but would be open to mornings if ever needed. I have reliable transportation from Mom, Dad, and Fiance. I'll be getting my own car & license within 2-3 months. If you're interested in meeting up and learning more, please email me back and we'll discuss a time for an interview.

Thanks for your time & God Bless,

Hi Sam,

Unfortunately, I am not available for an interview tomorrow because my Fiance and I will be leading church (music & sermon) -- tomorrow and afterwards, we are taking our grandmother out for lunch and Elitches because she's in from out-of-state and will be leaving soon; I'm so sorry though! My father preaches for a Free Will Baptist church and we're devoted Christians as well! My fiance wants to become a pastor under my father as well as he's the music leader of our church and him and I engage in daily devotions and prayer! I am a helper in our church nursery right now but, at some points off and on, have solo and alone, been the nursery worker and manager. I will contact you ASAP to set-up an interview. I could have an interview Monday anytime from 1PM-10PM OR anytime Tuesday from 5PM-10PM. I couldn't have an interview next week between Wednesday-Friday because my fiance is having a liver biopsy and I will need to be home with him. Please email me letting me know which time might work better on Monday or Tuesday and we'll go from their. Could you please email me your home address so I know about how far I am from you? I live in Northglenn but I know Broomfield isn't too far from where I am. Dad's church is near Broomfield. Thanks for such a quick reply and I can't wait to meet you and your family.

Have a nice night,

) What is your home address so I know where to go for the interview and job?
I prefer to meet elsewhere than my home, hope you understand, how does a park work for you?


2) What is the time that you'll need me each week on that day you need me, approx?
I am not sure yet I have not set anything in stone since I have not yet hired a sitter
3) On occasion my fiance might be with me, does this purpose a problem? -- We still PROMISE to give FULL FOCUS to the boys!
My hubby and I will have to meet him first. How old is he? What does he do for a living? How long have you known him?
4) Is it OK that the fiance is with me during the interview? -- I don't know you, so I would feel more comfortable having someone with me. Thanks for understanding this situation.
That is fine, same goes for not inviting you to my home
5) How many hours at a time were you thinking of needing me and WHICH DAY? (Mon, Tues, & Fri work best for me.) Once school starts, all but Thursday would work for me.
Once again I am not sure at this point I would need to hire someone before I make a commitment to someone else
One of the biggest things to me would be planning ahead of time if at all possible. I live a busy life -- WORKING AHEAD IN SCHOOL to graduate in a year, learning to drive, volunteering time at a society 2 days a week, being involved in church, etc. I usually plan my weeks on Sunday evenings, (making that a week ahead of time in my planning schedule.) In an emergency, I will be flexible. I am not stubborn! Thanks for understanding this!
Felicia I own my own business and as such I am on call most of the time I will do my best to work around your schedule but I need someone flexible. If need be I will only need you one day a week for two hours
Have a nice night and hope to hear back soon,

Felicia


Sam,

A park for the interview is fine by me. Do you know where EB rains park is? (It's near the Northglenn recreation center.) That park might be nice so I know where to go. I think we could set-up a time and day for each week once we meet for our interview. You can meet Steven (my fiance) at the interview as I'd like to meet your husband as well if I can? Steven is 23. He works from Caridian BTC (putting blood kits together) & he's a music pastor for my fathers church! Good guy! I've known him since September of 2007. I will do my best being flexible for you and being on call some and most of the time. I work ahead in school and plan but usually I can work around your schedule because of home school. I am doing summer school but same goes now, I can work with you on the times!

Hope to hear back soon,

Felicia


I just wonder how far you live from me. I'd hate to follow up with an interview if you live too far from me. I'm OK with meeting somewhere up that way but, I'd like to be familiar with how far you are before proceeding.

Sam,

I'm not against meeting you at a park, on the other hand, I'm a little bit particular in the type of environment that I care for children in therefore, should you decide you'd like for me to care for the boys, I would be interested in seeing your home as well before I make a permanent decision as well. Hope this doesn't offend you; I myself have had some surprises in the past in the past, therefore want to be cautious as well. I fully respect your wishes and hope you understand mine as well.

God Bless,

Felicia

I feel like she is pressuring me to let her come to my home. I am not down with that nor am I down with her 23 yr old boyfriend coming to my house. I mean its illegal for them to date and I am sketchy at best about having men I dont know around my children since I had issues with a guy when I was little

[daisy0306]

I'm not a WOHM, but as a parent I would stay firm about meeting in the park. And I would NOT want her fiance at my house with my children AT ALL. If she can't agree to those terms then perhaps she's not who you're looking for :2cents:

[JDT]

Honestly I didn't even need to read all of that to know that she was a big fat no!

When you said "she started giving me bad vibes" that's all I needed to know.

I have hired MANY babysitters over the years. More than resumes I go on gut!

[JeDeeLenae]

I'm not even going to read the post because my first thought when I saw the title of the thread was, "If you're worried enough to ask on Diaperswappers, it's probably a no."

[I Smile Because Of Them]

That's weird that she wants to meet at your home first. I would say no, and meet her at the park. You can tell her that if the interview goes well, then you can have a second interview at your house that way she can make her decision. But I would really go with your gut, you sound weary of her and a mothers instinct in always right. Goodluck mama.

[saongiri]

Hmmm-I never interviewed a sitter either but this sounds weird and I'm not sure about it.I definitely wouldn't let her come to my house at this point and heck no I wouldn't let her bring her fiance around my kids. Just my :2cents: alo if it feels off that's ptobably your mommy radar going off!

[kittkat398]

If you're getting bad vibes it's most likely not going to work out.
Also she's interviewing for a job. A job for her. This is not a tandem position, you aren't looking to hire two people. The fiance does not belong with her while she's working. End of story.

[BumbleBear]

I'm not even going to read the post because my first thought when I saw the title of the thread was, "If you're worried enough to ask on Diaperswappers, it's probably a no."

:werd: Go with your gut, mama!

[BNC]

Definately dont hire her. 1) you are already wary of it 2) she wants to bring her 23 year old boyfriend, who she has known for less than 1 year around your kids 3) she is interviewing for a JOB - she should do everything in her power to accomodate you, not the other way around.

[AmyCivic80]

I personally wouldn't hire her. I find it to be very strange that she would even think to ask if her fiance could come to her JOB with her. I would go with your gut and not hire her.

[hippydippymama]

I would not hire her. I wouldn't hire anyone for ANY job that expects to be able to have their boyfriend/girlfriend over while they're working. Why does he even need to be there....can he really not get enough of his jailbait fiance that he has to hang out with her at her JOB?? Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I don't get a good vibe from this either.

[JellEBeanDesigns]

yea i told her no thanks and am going through a friends sitter

[piccolo41099]

very simple, NO!!!

[Tinabel]

Oh good, momma, I'm glad you said no, reading that she gave me bad vibes too, it was just wierd how she kept pushing your house and bringing her boyfriend...

[Munkey Ciao]

Without reading the whole extent of it, my answer is always, "trust your instincts"...as a mama, I find they are seldom wrong.

[JellEBeanDesigns]

Update OM word she emailed me after I told her we werent a good fit and I would just keep looking and so on....she emailed me and told me I AM TOO PARTICULAR!! I know for serious I am so glad I didnt even bother with her

[Carly's Mama]

oh good I am glad you didn't go with her - why the heck would she bring her "fiance" to work with her? I would absolutely NOT be comfortable knowing they were in my house with my kids - no way. What a WHACK JOB!

[Rosella]

Trust your instincts, mama. :goodvibes: Bad vibes mean bad news! Glad you chose not to hire her.

[slturner]

Update OM word she emailed me after I told her we werent a good fit and I would just keep looking and so on....she emailed me and told me I AM TOO PARTICULAR!! I know for serious I am so glad I didnt even bother with her

Well DUH! You're the mama - You're supposed to be particular :thumbsup: . I'm glad you told her no. GL finding a sitter. :hugs:

[JDT]

Update OM word she emailed me after I told her we werent a good fit and I would just keep looking and so on....she emailed me and told me I AM TOO PARTICULAR!! I know for serious I am so glad I didnt even bother with her

What the F! Is she serious!? You did yourself a GIANT favor by not moving forward with that one!

[escapethevillage]

I was O.K with her until I got to the part where she wants to know if her fiance would be allowed to come over. Then it just got creepier from there. Especially when she kept wanting to know about your house.

Good choice!

[floprieto]

Honestly I would not even keep on communicating with her! She is supposed to WANT the job... but she is making a lot of requests... I would NOT be ok with her having her fiance at my home... $12/h also seems a little high IMO... I used to babysitt for way less and i was a college student and teacher assistant at the time...
Anyone else responded to your post?

[JellEBeanDesigns]

I found someone for 8-10 an hour

[Fither]

mama, i'm so glad you didn't decide to go forward with her. i've been a babysitter/nanny before, and hired two babysitters in the past. there is NO WAY i would ever have acted like that, and would have said "see ya" to anyone who acted like that before interviewing.

what has worked best for us is to ask around for a recommendation from people we trust. it looks like you've hired someone, so hopefully it will work out for you!

[Bot Girl]

I'm really glad you did not hire her!!!!! What a nut case!

[JellEBeanDesigns]

yea we have settled on just getting someone for five or so hours a week

[mamatutugirls]

yes, those emails seemed very strange :headscratch:

[nadjarea]

so glad you didn't go with her. Even her emails seemed a little sketchy, I realize not everyone has perfect English and grammar. But we are talking about employment here. It sounded on the verge of a scam....Glad you found someone else. :)

[AtoZMomma]

If your gut says "no," then the answer is NO. Several things stand out as feeling awkward to me. Trust your instinct.

[kaspears17]

I'm not even going to read teh e-mail. If she gives you "bad vibes" NO. Do not interview her. Go with the mommy gut.

[tommymommy]

Its a little weird that all this communication is being done by email anyway given that its a face to face job. Why not just pick up the phone to set the interview? You would get a better feel of the vibe right away and would have saved yourself some time! Oh well, it looks like you definitely made the right choice.

[HIOStarz4]

I did not read it all either just about to where you responded, But i would say I big fat NO. Tell her she has too many other things going on and obviously is attached to her FIANCE, wth, she is 17. WEIRD in my opion. You need a sitter not someone to come over and play house with her BF. Plus she is already showing you she is WAY to busy to be working for you.
I used to be a nanny, babysitter my entire childhood/teen years. And there is no way I would talk to a prospective Employer/family the way she does.
Good Luck

[nemawei]

I'm a PT WOHM (& PT WAHM) and I am also looking for a sitter.

I wouldn't meet this woman or even email her again other than to say "Thanks for your time but I've decided to ***" (stay home or my MIL said she would do it for free or something along those lines that doesn't have anything to do with her)

Right or wrong, here are my reasons: "fiance coming with me" and "get rides from my fiance" and "NOT a morning person" and "Need to plan on Sunday night"... all things that signal to me this might be a difficult person to deal with and not someone I want to rely on to be responsible for the most important person in my life.

[reneng]

When you said "she started giving me bad vibes" that's all I needed to know... More than resumes I go on gut!

:yeahthat: I completely agree!!!! These are your precious babies and mama knows best!!!! Especially when it comes to things like this!!! Good luck finding the right person to help you out!!!:goodvibes:

[angalynn23]

Just my opinion (I've interview nearly every sitter/daycare home/center in my town!) she seems a little immature for me. I would NOT want the boyfriend around... and yeah that's an illegal relationship (shows her judgement standards are skewed). I also don't like that she is so pushy, not to mention insistant on "seeing your home". That gave ME bad vibes. One thing I learned with interviewing for sitters GO WITH YOUR GUT! You know best, Mama, and your gut tells you NO!

[luvsviola]

I would personally not be comfortable with this sitter. At least in the beginning, I want my sitter to come alone and focus just on the kids. Maybe after a couple months if you get to meet him, then I would consider it if it was late evenings so she wasn't there alone. But I would find someone else.

[tasbaby]

Glad you decided not to hire her. She sounded too busy, probably would not have been flexible or reliable, wanted her adult fiance at the job interview and told you she was particular about your home, but thought you were too particular about a babysitter. Whole thing was too weird for me!

[hautemama925]

The younger generation is more technical than all the others so all by email is *normal*. As for "pressuring" you to see your house, an employee has to watch out for themselves and judge the environment they're willing to work in as well. For all she knows you could live in a mansion or a dump. I would have set up an interview for her. She sounds great! She has so many great qualifications and other things going for her. Take a look at other 17yr olds next time you are out and about or at the mall...

IMO:-)

[lovespepper]

Answer: Probably not. She sounds too problematic. For someone that has not even met you yet, she is giving an awful lot of details about her life. (in an email no less) And I would never entertain a 23 yr old male to come along. You just don't bring your friends to your job.

Slightly off topic: but why do you want to meet at a park? To me a more professional place might be a local coffee house, etc.:2cents:

[lovespepper]

One more thought, if she wanted to bring someone along on the initial meeting/interview, it should be her parents considering she is still a minor.

[this_mel_rocks]

Several things bother me. She is a no!

[RebekahG77]

I'm glad you went with your instincts. Many red flags went up for me while I was reading!

[Guardandolaluna]

:roflmbo::roflmbo::roflmbo::roflmbo::roflmbo: is this person for real???? I would not leave this person with my child for a minute.. even if I was in the other room! She is a few fries short of a happy meal! :headscratch:

[kidpsych2be]

Um. She's 17. No. No. No. No.

$12/hour? No.

Fiance with her? No.

No, no, no, no. Run.

:hugs:

[earthmamatobe]

Okay I didn't read EVERY response but I'd say that you should always go with your gut feeling. BUT just for the record I would not take a sitting job in someone else's home without seeing the home environment either.

[kijip]

Call me crazy but I can't fathom hiring a 17 year old sitter who was not in school full-time or college part-time and who can't use spell check AND who is ENGAGED at an age where it is not even legal in my state to be married without special consent. And why did she want to meet your husband and introduce you to her fiance? The whole thing sounds just off to me.

And being smart and professional enough to spell check and carefully proofread an application (patient instead of patience? :headscratch: Come on!) is a huge qualification for being any sort of influence in my son's life.

[trippsmom]

I wouldn't even bother ever talking to her again. I can understand that some people can get chatty trying to make sure they come accross the right way, but this is INSANE!

I keep another ds mama's little man at my home during the week for a few hours everyday. I wanted her to come to my house to see what it was like here so that she would be comfortable with it. It really didn't work at her house (ds is too into things and it's not really truely baby-proofed.).

I so wouldn't let her have her boyfriend there. I had to read 2x where she stated how long she knew him...

Don't do it!! Plus, if you have enough doubt to come to us, you already know the answer.

[amandaev]

I read half way through, and I say NOPE! I'm sorry if she can't even detatch herself from her fiance to come interview, this is just the beggining. No way, no how! You dont need that.

[trippsmom]

Um. She's 17. No. No. No. No.



Hey now, don't down on age! I sat for 3 kids when I was just 16 and overnight as well. I sat for them for short periods when I was just 14... The 3 week old had a seizure while I was there and I made it through that at 14!

One of my 2 favorite sitters for ds just turned 17! I love Liz to death and greatly trust her with him. She's been sitting for him since he was 3 months old and I never once thought twice about her age.

I still wouldn't give her a second thought, but her age isn't what puts me off.

[Lovely]

Sounds like a bad situation to me.

[lucy menard]

She seems awful! She is pushy, abrasive, and is shoving intimate details about her life down your throat! That is not the personality I would want my sons to be exposed to everyday. And the tone of your communications suggests that she is doing you a favor and she is the one who is conducting the interview. Weird! I smell a rat...

[lucy menard]

so glad you didn't go with her. Even her emails seemed a little sketchy, I realize not everyone has perfect English and grammar. But we are talking about employment here. It sounded on the verge of a scam....Glad you found someone else. :)

Seriously- why would you hire somebody who can't even bother to dip deep enough into their education to use proper spelling and grammar! Our economy is in the toilet and it's competitive out there. Neat appearance, proper grammar, and an accommodating attitude should be a given when looking for work.

[MomE2MathU]

Definitely not. I'm glad you didn't continue with her. There were many many red flags in her emails IMO.

[OneFabMama]

The younger generation is more technical than all the others so all by email is *normal*. As for "pressuring" you to see your house, an employee has to watch out for themselves and judge the environment they're willing to work in as well. For all she knows you could live in a mansion or a dump. I would have set up an interview for her. She sounds great! She has so many great qualifications and other things going for her. Take a look at other 17yr olds next time you are out and about or at the mall...

IMO:-)

:headscratch: Really? A 17 year old who wants to bring her 23 year old fiance to her job? I don't think so.

Anyway, I am glad you decided to go with your gut and find someone else. This just sounded like a massive headache, and I would have probably emailed her back and said you HAVE to be extremely particular when it comes to the care of your CHILDREN (duh, right?) We're not talking about taking care of your pet fish here. Oy!

[CMommyof2]

Without reading the whole extent of it, my answer is always, "trust your instincts"...as a mama, I find they are seldom wrong.

I agree trust your instincts. Although I do get she wants to be careful about where she sits but I think taht should be after the first meeting if you were still uncomfortable. I have babysat in some nasty places:yuck:

Also I am not sure it's illegal fer her at 17 to be dating a 23 year old. That how old my dh and I were when we started dating and it wasn't illegal. That's besides the point though:giggle:
eta- that varies by state laws though

[Anna1345]

I haven't read all responses and not even sure if you have a final decision yet, but here is my opininion:

1. Homeschooling is a good sign. A parent that takes the time & effort to HS means she has more then likely been in an environment where faith & values were heavily instilled.

2. Engaged at a young age, not necessarily a BAD thing, but definitely an eye brow raiser

3. Fiance over when sitting? NO and not just b/c of where their mind will be but b/c of the impression it might leave on the kids & the attachment they may or may not form.

4. I can totally understand her scheduling issue. I think you will have that with ANY sitter you interview. You really need to finalize a more specific time and day of the week you will need someone. I am not sure I would want to agree to work for someone before knowing exactly times & days (or even roughly)

5. I don't see any problem at all meeting at a park or cafe first. THEN if it all goes well, doing a home visit. She is right, there are crazy parents everywhere. She will never know what she is running into and it would be good to see how she meshes inyour home with the kids.

6. I think most of your concern stems from the fact that she is desperately trying to sound professional. The fact remains that she is 17. No matter what her baby sitting experience, she will not have business/professionalism experience at this age. She just hasn't learned that balance..... Something to consider.

[Anna1345]

She seems awful! She is pushy, abrasive, and is shoving intimate details about her life down your throat! That is not the personality I would want my sons to be exposed to everyday. And the tone of your communications suggests that she is doing you a favor and she is the one who is conducting the interview. Weird! I smell a rat...
She is 17. That is what most 17 yo do.


If you want some one of a professional manner, go to an agency or hire a college student.

[kijip]

I haven't read all responses and not even sure if you have a final decision yet, but here is my opininion:

1. Homeschooling is a good sign. A parent that takes the time & effort to HS means she has more then likely been in an environment where faith & values were heavily instilled.



I think that is a big assumption. Frankly a homeschooler who is engaged at 17 (my parents would have never allowed that) and can't spell or use a computer well enough to do spell check throws up red flags for me. Clearly her education was lacking in the writing department. When I was 17, I was writing very well and presented myself professionally in resume, cover letter and interview form because of practice and my education. I landed a very nice job right after graduation at 17 and put myself through college, always able to find work due to my great resume and interview presentation. 17 does not need to mean immature or naive to the ways of professionalism. I don't think that you can assume that a homeschooler has good values and faith anymore than you can assume that a public school student does. You also can not assume who has the better education. I went to public, private and home schooling as a child. In college, I tutored tons of remedial math students (those that not only had not taken calculus but had never touched trig and advanced algebra and were now struggling with basic pre-algebra skills in college, despite having 2 years of high school math credits:headscratch: ) - nearly all were from 1 bad public school or home schooled either from far left or far right families.

[Samo]

i read the first 2 and it's too creepy...does not sound real, to be honest, i would be scared!!! "she" seems to be throwing a lot of "too good to be true" points in there (homechooled? home daycare/church daycare? taking out grandma? pastor father and fiance?) sounds like the perfect christian good hearted girl! i wouldn't believe it. It just got ridiculous when she said her fiance was having a liver biopsy (a sympathy pointer). It got scary when she asked for your address...twice in one email...

i'd follow your instinct...even if everything she said were true...i would not take the risk. i mean, look how many emails you've gotten!!!! looks a bit TOO interested for just a babysitting job...

[OneFabMama]

I haven't read all responses and not even sure if you have a final decision yet, but here is my opininion:

1. Homeschooling is a good sign. A parent that takes the time & effort to HS means she has more then likely been in an environment where faith & values were heavily instilled.



Not necessarily true. I was home school the last 3 years of high school, and I can say that is/was NOT the case for me.

Just sayin...

[Anna1345]

All I know is that every hs'ing family I know --- 6 or 7 of them -- are fabulous!

And lets face it, most 17 yo are not too concerned about grammar or even know it that well. I tutor kids like that all the time. Getting ready to go back and finish grad school & my grammar stinks. The only way I wouldn't buy it is if it seemed like it was an older person posing as a younger teen which is a vibe I just don't get from her emails....

[venia]

She sounds like a good kid, but has not been taught how communicate in a professional manner. I feel sorry for her because her resume sounds fantastic, but if she doesn't have the professional persona to back it up she's going to missing out on ALOT of quality jobs (and wonder why). I also suspect she is being somewhat coached by her boyfriend and is trying to act "grown up/married" by including him in her business transactions. Her boyfriend has no business with you and should NEVER be at your home unless invited by you outside of sitting hours, period. She should bring a parent with her to the interview and the parent also be present touring the home at a later date (after initial interviews). She should see every interview as practice for the "big one" that will come along with her dream job, so interviews are never a waste of time like she mentioned. Also followup, is just as important as the interview even in the face of rejection. Her reactions were petty and retaliatory :/

Based on her emails I would not have hired her either. I would have also sent a concluding email explaining why. I would mention that by including her boyfriend and wanting to view the home on the first interview sent up huge red-flags. I would have also stated the importance of the job and how seriously you would have expected her to be about it (including HER not allowing significant others at the workplace).

[Anna1345]

Based on her emails I would not have hired her either. I would have also sent a concluding email explaining why. I would mention that by including her boyfriend and wanting to view the home on the first interview sent up huge red-flags. I would have also stated the importance of the job and how seriously you would have expected her to be about it (including HER not allowing significant others at the workplace).

ITA

[antoniosmommy]

It seems like the two of you are already doing a power struggle so, she won't really respect you as a mom or i.e.: the 'leader'. And a definite no on the 23 year old fiancee, why the heck does he need to be over there 4 hours a week? that's not necessary at all. i can understand she wants to see the house but, doesn't have to be the first interview.

I go with everyone else, if you're not comfortable, don't do it.

[newbiemama]

I get strange vibes from those e-mails, too. Especially the 23 year old bf!! Bottom line is if you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. Mother's have good instincts, and this girl sounds a little sketchy! If you still want to give her the benefit of the doubt, meet her in a park or restaurant and see how you feel after that. And I would be firm about the NO BOYFRIEND OVER!!

[Melaine]

She sounds like a good kid, but has not been taught how communicate in a professional manner. I feel sorry for her because her resume sounds fantastic, but if she doesn't have the professional persona to back it up she's going to missing out on ALOT of quality jobs (and wonder why). I also suspect she is being somewhat coached by her boyfriend and is trying to act "grown up/married" by including him in her business transactions. Her boyfriend has no business with you and should NEVER be at your home unless invited by you outside of sitting hours, period. She should bring a parent with her to the interview and the parent also be present touring the home at a later date (after initial interviews). She should see every interview as practice for the "big one" that will come along with her dream job, so interviews are never a waste of time like she mentioned. Also followup, is just as important as the interview even in the face of rejection. Her reactions were petty and retaliatory :/

Based on her emails I would not have hired her either. I would have also sent a concluding email explaining why. I would mention that by including her boyfriend and wanting to view the home on the first interview sent up huge red-flags. I would have also stated the importance of the job and how seriously you would have expected her to be about it (including HER not allowing significant others at the workplace).

Definitely. Well put. I was homeschooled K-12th and have known a LOT of homeschoolers in my time. I've learned that you can't make assumptions either way about them, any more than you can/should make assumptions about children educated through public or private institutes. I would NEVER interview this girl, but you may want to e-mail her with some gentle pointers about her attitude and "resume". IMO, spelling and maturity count at any age when it comes to a job. At her age, I would have been able to communicate clearly and politely. She's really lacking in maturity which is a concern since she is engaged to an older guy! For those who have made comments about age, I really disagree; I've known many 17 year olds, and younger, who I would trust with my children. On the other hand, there are many well-meaning, otherwise "mature" 30 year olds who will not be keeping my kiddos---ever.

Glad you said no to her!

[neysa]

Definately dont hire her. 1) you are already wary of it 2) she wants to bring her 23 year old boyfriend, who she has known for less than 1 year around your kids 3) she is interviewing for a JOB - she should do everything in her power to accomodate you, not the other way around.

:yeahthat:

Skip over this one I say

[tonimk19]

I would just say no thank you, you've just found someone. There are just too many things that stick out (and I didn't even get halfway through your post).
She's 17, homeschooled (nothing against HS) and engaged to a man that's 23, has no transportation or license, seems very, very religious (that's not always something you bring up to a prospective employer). Plus, why is the fiance wanting to come with when she works? Doesn't he work? I'm not sure where you found her but maybe you have a local Moms group that can ask around for a sitter for you? I would trust your gut and move on before giving her any more info. You can ask for references also but I say move on...

[kijip]

And lets face it, most 17 yo are not too concerned about grammar or even know it that well.

I disagree. Maybe I am old fashioned but I seem to recall spending every school year from 4th grade on pouring over English grammar textbooks. Lots of writing, editing, and re-writing sentences until about 9th grade.

[kidpsych2be]

Hey now, don't down on age! I sat for 3 kids when I was just 16 and overnight as well. I sat for them for short periods when I was just 14... The 3 week old had a seizure while I was there and I made it through that at 14!

One of my 2 favorite sitters for ds just turned 17! I love Liz to death and greatly trust her with him. She's been sitting for him since he was 3 months old and I never once thought twice about her age.

I still wouldn't give her a second thought, but her age isn't what puts me off.

Yeah, but this kid ain't you...so....ya know? Obviously she's thinking much like a typical 17 yo that lacks the responsibility needed to protect and care for small children.

[jollygoodANDgreen]

No way, too much hard mental work going on, go with your gut & move on to the next!

[medaroge]

I'm glad you passed on her, if your instinct says no, then the anwser is NO!

[KatieGrace]

I didn't read through the responses,so I hope I'm not repeating anything,but IMO, if you have to question it at all,then I would say NO...The e-mails from her gave me bad vibes,too,and I would not even consider going any further with her...hth!:thumbsup:

[MotherMoonPads]

Depending on the state that you're in, it might not be illegal for them to date ;)

I wouldn't interview her though. For one, it's way too much money (in my area at least), for two, there's absolutely no way I'd want her with her fiance there while watching my kids.

I'm glad you passed.