I'm applying to be a nanny, and they ask this question. What's a "good" answer?

Question

How would you characterize your weaknesses?

For strengths, I put honesty, integrity and responsibility and that I hoped to pass those traits on to all children entrusted to my care (it's not B.S., it's actually true).

As for weaknesses, how do I present a weakness without making it sound really bad?

I'd say my weaknesses are: sometimes I can't hide my mood. I thought about putting that I was almost obsessive about keeping children safe, but it doesn't sound like a weakness - but it does sometimes interfere (like I won't let my girls stay at their grandparents because they refuse to child-proof their pool - and they're very upset about that because they think they will keep a close enough eye on them that they won't get in trouble - I won't loosen my grip on this, though - no way am I having some horrible tragedy happen because one of the girls wakes up in the middle of the night, follows the dog thru the dog door and drowns).

Any help on this weakenss thing?

Here's what I came up with:

I think that others might say that my weakness would be that I'm overprotective. For instance, I won't allow my girls to stay at a close relative's house overnight without my husband and I because their pool is not child-proofed. They believe that they can keep a close enough eye on the children, but I just won't take the chance. I don't see that it's overprotective - after all, either girl could follow the dog out of the doggy door and be within 10 feet of the un-fenced pool. But, I have been called overprotective, so maybe that's it!
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Rest of answer continued below

CONTINUED:

I'm also an open book - I find it difficult to disguise how I'm feeling. I can do it, but it's difficult for me. As I've said before, I prefer honesty and many times I feel dishonest if I'm "wearing a mask." My grandmother passed away recently and I struggled with whether to show my feelings to my daughter or put on a happy face. I chose to show her that I was in pain, even though I was teaching her that her great grandma was in heaven. I decided I preferred showing her it was all right to cry and that some things are, by definition, sad, and it was better to let them out than keep them in.

Answer 1

I THINK THE OVERPROTECTIVE THING WILL WORK REALLY WELL FOR YOU.
As far as the hiding moods...I have the same problem...just be honest and give an example (GOOD EXAMPLE) of not being able to hide your mood.
Good Luck = D

Answer 2

I would not say you can hide your mood...instead say that you are unwilling to compromise a child's safety and that you are ultra-conservative in this regard.

Give that very example except make it sound less emotional. I would look for a nanny who not only has a loving approach to childcare, but would also want someone who is businesslike, matter-of-fact about her principles and doesn't become overly emotional.

Say that you would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to taking care of children and you would hope that the parents would empower you and give you the green light to take whatever means necessary to keep their kid safe.

As a parent of two small boys, just keeping them safe and out of harm's way is a job in itself. Good luck!

Answer 3

What about:

"My mood is easily read out as I'm not used to wearing masks. This could be a weakness in situations where putting on a tough face is needed"