My wife will be coming with me on the interview trail, along with the 6 month old. Of course, we won't have a babysitter. All invitations say you can bring a guest to the pre-interview dinner. What are thoughts on bringing the baby?

Thanks.

it would probably be best to ask each program individually. it would probably be safe at the dinners of most institutions, but you'd want to make sure that it's not at a place that's simply a smoke filled bar.

Do you think they would have a problem if my hubby and 7 month old son came with me and just stayed in the hotel? The program is paying for the hotel...

I think the hotel room would definitely be fine... I would think that most programs would want your family to come take a look as well, as that would be a sign that you were serious about the program.

As for dinner, I think asking each place is a good idea. Some of them seem to be at normal restaurants, but others seem to be at bars... but I would say definitely good idea to bring spouse and family if appropriate -- as they (well, spouse, anyway) should get a say in the decision!

Hell no.

Nobody wants your baby at the dinner. Your spouse yes, but a baby, no.
At one interview someone brought a baby. They spent the whole time distracted and did not look good. Then the baby pooped itself.

Hell no.

Nobody wants your baby at the dinner. Your spouse yes, but a baby, no.
At one interview someone brought a baby. They spent the whole time distracted and did not look good. Then the baby pooped itself.

You do realize this is a job interview don't you?

Hell no.

Nobody wants your baby at the dinner. Your spouse yes, but a baby, no.
At one interview someone brought a baby. They spent the whole time distracted and did not look good. Then the baby pooped itself.

You do realize this is a job interview don't you?
I personally would just leave them in the hotel-- at least that is what I am planning if my hubby and son come along (and we don't have a babysitter)...

At this point I am even debating taking them with me...

Hell no.

Nobody wants your baby at the dinner. Your spouse yes, but a baby, no.
At one interview someone brought a baby. They spent the whole time distracted and did not look good. Then the baby pooped itself.

You do realize this is a job interview don't you?

You are an anti-kid tool

What's your child's temperment? I couldn't take my kid anywhere at 6 months - too loud and fussy - but some kids are really good. Also, if your wife is cool with leaving early if the little one starts to fuss, then no big deal. Perhaps alternatively bring wife and baby early for introductions and such and then have them leave early - someone can give you a ride back when everyone's done for the night.

Yeah, maybe some of us are anti-kid tools, but i think that shows an absolute lack of respect for other applicants at the interview dinner. We all have precious little time to learn about the programs from just a few residents. Unless your kid is making your decisions for you, leave the kid at home/hotel/somewhere else.

Yeah, maybe some of us are anti-kid tools, but i think that shows an absolute lack of respect for other applicants at the interview dinner. We all have precious little time to learn about the programs from just a few residents. Unless your kid is making your decisions for you, leave the kid at home/hotel/somewhere else.

So a little child ruins your chance of finding out about a program? Are you bad at talking, asking questions, looking around, or paying attention? I'm assuming at this point some medical school somewhere has allowed you to progress to the 4th year and you are now applying, so I assume the before mentioned skills of human interaction are intact - maybe it's too much to expect? I know that the powers of a 6 month old child can be quite intimidating to a person such as yourself, but I assure you the baby cannot hurt you.

God, I hope I do not get stuck with a horrible person, like yourself, for three years. There's something wrong with people who do not like kids.

So a little child ruins your chance of finding out about a program? Are you bad at talking, asking questions, looking around, or paying attention? I'm assuming at this point some medical school somewhere has allowed you to progress to the 4th year and you are now applying, so I assume the before mentioned skills of human interaction are intact - maybe it's too much to expect? I know that the powers of a 6 month old child can be quite intimidating to a person such as yourself, but I assure you the baby cannot hurt you.

God, I hope I do not get stuck with a horrible person, like yourself, for three years. There's something wrong with people who do not like kids.

Wow, you're being serious, aren't you? You may not have noticed, but children are attention-sucks. They suck attention to themselves like a vortex filled with cheerleaders. Beyond my absolute hatred of children (yes, that is exactly what you would love to believe, wouldn't you?), I think that's unfair to other applicants who have very little time to talk about the nittygritty about programs.

My guess, however, is that you don't care about other people's time. Just like you would deem a person who doesn't like children as "wrong". I would hate to see how you treat people who disagree with you. Or maybe they don't matter since there must just be something wrong with them.

Wow, you're being serious, aren't you? You may not have noticed, but children are attention-sucks. They suck attention to themselves like a vortex filled with cheerleaders. Beyond my absolute hatred of children (yes, that is exactly what you would love to believe, wouldn't you?), I think that's unfair to other applicants who have very little time to talk about the nittygritty about programs.

My guess, however, is that you don't care about other people's time. Just like you would deem a person who doesn't like children as "wrong". I would hate to see how you treat people who disagree with you. Or maybe they don't matter since there must just be something wrong with them.

You're funny, and yes I am being serious. Are you a big enough boy to make sure your questions get answered and your concerns are addressed? This is a job field for adults remember. If that doesn't happen, and there is a baby there . . . it must be the baby's fault! Damn scheming babies! Always out ta get ya! Do you routinely blame your shortcomings on infants? I mean if something isn't right or correct in your life it must be those damn todlers.

:thumbup:

It's also even more curious that you seem to be VERY interested in making you get heard - that you get attention - and yet have the temerity to cry "selfish" at me. It'd be funny, if it wasn't so tragic.

Good luck on the interview trail.

you guys are funny!
I agree that it may not be the best option to take a kid to the dinner...
I have a 7 month old and my husband and I had many experiences with my son just being a "kid" and there are lots of times when we can't even stay in a restaurant for 5 minutes cuz our son decides it is time to be fussy...everyone stares at that moment and believe me it can be so hard when people just stare out of curiousity...
then there are many times that my son is never fussy...
So, I don't think that kind of "attention" is wanted during this interview process...cuz you can never predict when a kid will be "fussy"...
but that is just my opinion...
hey good luck to you guys...

I would not take a baby/child to any interview dinner...I just think *you* wll not be able to focus on the task at hand and be distracted. I have only gone on two interviews so far but nobody brought along a baby....

I agree....leave the baby at the hotel for three main reasons, two of which have been alluded to before. One, I don't think it will give you the best opportunity to really interact with and get to know the residents (and other interviewees) at the program. The pre-interview dinner and the interview day should really be YOUR (and potentially your spouse's) day to truly get the feel for a program and location. Babies are great, but I think they can distract from this. Two, I think it is inconsiderate to the residents and other applicants. This is also their opportunity to feel out the program (for the applicants) and evaluate the potential future coworkers (for the residents) on a personal level. It is an adult get-together so to speak. Third, it is unfair to your baby. How will he/she enjoy a dinner with nothing but adults, a dinner which can potentially last for several hours? This is not like a dinner out with other friends' families...these people aren't your friends....yet. Putting myself in the shoes of applicants or residents at the dinner, a crying kid would grate on the nerves, but I couldn't blame the baby for getting fussy at a purely adult dinner that could potentially last several hours into the night. I would wonder why mom or dad brought him.

It's not about disliking kids; it's about knowing what are kid-appropriate and inappropriate functions. Would you take your baby to an adult-themed movie? How about a business dinner with potential clients? I think the pre-interview dinner falls more in line with these events...leave the little tyke at home. Once you get into the program, then you can introduce him to the other residents.

double tap

God, I hope I do not get stuck with a horrible person, like yourself, for three years. There's something wrong with people who do not like kids.

I would also argue there is something wrong with parents who don't know when it's a kid-appropriate function and when it's better to leave the baby at home...

...
It's not about disliking kids; it's about knowing what are kid-appropriate and inappropriate functions. ...
well said!:idea:

I would also argue there is something wrong with parents who don't know when it's a kid-appropriate function and when it's better to leave the baby at home...

It's probably not the greatest idea to bring your kid to a pre-interview dinner. I don't disagree. But if someone did, it's a bit asinine to to try and blame a bad evening on a child. There is no reason why a child at the dinner would interfere with your evening. Relax - these dinners are informal affairs.

Dudes, I don't know about your programs, but you could totally bring a baby to an IU interview dinner. What is the big deal? It is NOT an interview! It is a dinner. Some would argue that bringing your child to something like that would show the applicant how they and their baby would be accepted in social situations with other residents.

That's what the pre-interview dinner is.....a social function with applicants and residents.