The goal is not to “win” the conversation—it is to see how someone thinks under real household conditions: late pickups, sick days, and boundaries with parents who work from home.
Start with structure, not small talk
Open with a five-minute outline of your home: ages of children, typical week, and what success looks like in the first ninety days. Then invite the candidate to ask questions. Professionals reveal as much in what they ask as in what they answer.
Ask scenario questions
Replace “Tell me about a difficult child” with specifics: how they would handle a sudden schedule change, a disagreement with a parent about screen time, or a confidentiality boundary around travel. Listen for clarity, tone, and whether they invite partnership rather than escalate.
Use a second conversation for chemistry
The first interview tests judgment; the second (often with children present in a controlled way) tests warmth and pace. Keep both conversations bounded so candidates know your process is respectful of their time, too.