I always had my husband or someone watch my own kids so I could concentrate on the new family - think of it as working hours. I always introduced my husband and kids to the family. I take them on a tour of the main floor explaining as we go and they can see the back yard from the kitchen. I then take them downstairs to the playroom. Point out a few things and pull out a bin of toys for the baby - in case the mom wants to put the child down.

We sit down there to talk, go over the contract etc. there. If child plays and wanders or whatever fine. I do not serve food since I don't allow it in the basement and personally I find it distracting in an interview since I am constantly being aware of hot tea and small kids. Now on a side note I do usually take my tea downstairs on regular days in a thermal sippy cup but keep it in a different area than the kids.

I try to get a chance to interact with the child but I am also keenly aware that the child needs to get comfortable with me as a stranger and the strange house before suddenly being baraged so I tread carefully and take my lead from parent and child. I have a binder I put together when I first moved to Ottawa of certificates, letters of reference etc. and give that to parents to look through. I usually offer to hold the baby while they do or get down on the floor with the child while they do.

We close by discussing what kind of a timeline they are looking at in terms of making a decision and that usually elicits how many more interviews they have set up. Then we go back upstairs and they leave.

I do give my info to them and go over only parts of it at the interview since if they aren't coming no point in wasting the time on details. I then encourage them to read over everything and to get back to me with any comments or questions that need clarification.