What To Think About This Interview?

[newtodaycare22]

Just had an interview with an acquaintance that I went to high school with. We weren't good friends but we knew each other and her parents are now my neighbors (small word right)?

Anyway, interview went great. Kid seems like a good fit and mom is nice as can be. We are finishing up and dad is with the kid in the other room. The dad YELLS "WHOA!" in a tone of voice that scared me, enough that I rushed into the room worried. I asked what happened and he said "Your cat just smacked him in the face!" The kid looked a little confused but not upset. Dad scooped up and was like Are you ok r u ok. The 3.5 year old asked to play (haha, kids are resilient). I asked what happened and he said she smacked him for no reason.

I've been open 2 years and never had a problem with my cat. She's cut 1 kid because he tried to throw her across the room-the parents knew the story and said good he deserved it. She's pretty skittish around them and usually they leave her be.

Well, I thought that may be a decision changer because dad seemed so mad. I told them to go home and talk it over and let me know. The mom said "oh, no. We don't need to. cancel your next interviews because we want him here, right?" then she looked at the husband with a look like YOU WILL SAY YES". He just kind of said nothing.

She's supposed to bring me the paperwork this week. I'm hesitant because of the dad and his temper, but I'm not sure I want to turn down the kid because of this! Should I just reiterate something about the cat when she hands me the contract? Something about the cat getting used to him and him getting used to the cat? Ugh. Such a good start and such a bad ending

[Michelle]

yes, I would just tell them that the kid and cat need to get used to each other. dad needs assurance that your cat doesn't "attack" so I would make a quick little comment but don't dwell on it and don't blow it out of proportion because that would make it seem like your guilty of something.
Sounds like a good family! Watch that kid around your cat, he might have done something to him and dad knows it.

[cheerfuldom]

Sounds like it will blow over....I wouldn't worry about it. If they have a problem with the cat, they can terminate care. I wouldnt call what the dad did a temper, either.

[MamaBear]

I bet the kid pulled your cat's tail or something to cause that to happen. I have a cat too that is super used to the kids. Never ever hits or scratches. But if some kid pulled her tail, she will swipe her paw. Of course he will lie and say his son didn't do anything to the cat.... He probably didn't want to admit that his kid was messing with him.

[nannyde]

I just interviewed a family with a newborn who interviewed a provider before me. The parents asked if the provider had pets (they are pet lovers) and the provider said "yes I have a cat and he is very friendly". Not a second after she got the word "friendly" out of her mouth the cat leaped onto the Dad and bit him in the arm. He had his newborn in his left arm and the cat bit him on the right arm.

That pretty much ended the interview.

I don't have cats but I never allow my two puppers to be out during interviews. I don't allow them free range access to my child care ......... either parents or kids. They are by "invite only" whenever there are children or parents in the home. They aren't allowed to go into the child care without me holding them the entire time.

I don't like cats but even if I did I wouldn't have one in the child care. They are too difficult to keep away from the kids.

[Kaddidle Care]

Cats are weird. I trust my dog with any child but the cat - nuh uh! I usually put her in my bedroom with the door closed when there are children in my house. Thankfully, my cat is very verbal and will warn first - most of the time.

They don't usually attack unprovoked though. I'm betting the little munchkin did something to it too.

Did the cat just box the child or did it scratch him?