Taking toddler to GC interview

[dude101]

Hi,

Few weeks from now our GC interview is coming up. Its early in the morning. We have a 3yr old toddler (US citizen) and we don't have anyone/anywhere to leave our kid and go for this interview.

I am wondering has anyone experienced taking their small kids to GC interview without having an interview notice for the kids. Do the staff at the interview location create any issues in letting the child accompany their parents?

Really appreciate any useful feedback.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Use the search function and search for "toddler to the interview", "Toddler", "Baby + interview".
You can also search on the experiences section. The topic has been discussed countless times and there is always a hung jury on it. So expect a hung jury too at the Field Office. Don't expect that EVERYONE will love it when your toddler decides to scream nonstop, or poop, or puke in the middle of the interview on the officer's desk where she/he will likely eat lunch.

Food for thought...

[seattle2903]

Hi,

Few weeks from now our GC interview is coming up. Its early in the morning. We have a 3yr old toddler (US citizen) and we don't have anyone/anywhere to leave our kid and go for this interview.

I am wondering has anyone experienced taking their small kids to GC interview without having an interview notice for the kids. Do the staff at the interview location create any issues in letting the child accompany their parents?

Really appreciate any useful feedback.

Search for previous experiences, preferably at your Field office. However, I would definitely NOT do it myself. I personally dislike kids in general and if I was the IO and my interviewees came with a baby it would instantly put me in a bad mood. You do not want to piss off your IO before the interview even starts. But then again, you may have an IO that loves kids and is okay with having it there. For the reasons above, I would not risk annoying the person that adjudicates my immigration status.

[WaitedLongEnough]

Search for previous experiences, preferably at your Field office. However, I would definitely NOT do it myself. I personally dislike kids in general and if I was the IO and my interviewees came with a baby it would instantly put me in a bad mood. You do not want to piss off your IO before the interview even starts. But then again, you may have an IO that loves kids and is okay with having it there. For the reasons above, I would not risk annoying the person that adjudicates my immigration status.

WAIT , did you say you dislike kids ? 😭

[miiki]

There were a bunch of small children/babies in the waiting room during our interview. Seems like a common problem.

If you have no childcare, you have no childcare. If you have to bring them, I'd keep them strapped into the stroller and not let them run around the IO's office. And I don't really care how you raise them on a day to day basis, but if handing them a cell phone and some chicken nuggets keeps them quiet for 30 minutes, then guess what I'd be doing?

When my demon spawn was little, to my bewilderment, I'd always get compliments on how well behaved he was.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

There were a bunch of small children/babies in the waiting room during our interview. Seems like a common problem.

If you have no childcare, you have no childcare. If you have to bring them, I'd keep them strapped into the stroller and not let them run around the IO's office. And I don't really care how you raise them on a day to day basis, but if handing them a cell phone and some chicken nuggets keeps them quiet for 30 minutes, then guess what I'd be doing?

When my demon spawn was little, to my bewilderment, I'd always get compliments on how well behaved he was.

I threw ONE TANTRUM in public - at Sears... Never again. After that, all my mother ever had to do was give me the "look". It was very subtle, followed by a discreet squint and a gracious head tilt. OH...I knew... But kids these days... you see parents trying to "reason" with them. ANYWAY... yes, good avice. Just like OP is there to get immigration benefits, EVERYONE ELSE IS. The world does not have to bend backwards because your child is having a "moment".

[seattle2903]

WAIT , did you say you dislike kids ? 😭

I do. I do not have any and definitely will not have them in the future either. While I do not have anything against people having kids, I find bringing children in a professional meeting (as is the GC interview) disruptive and unprofessional. But if OP truly can not find anyone to watch her kid for 2 hours, then I guess the best advice is to hope that child will behave and not piss off the IO.

[WaitedLongEnough]

I do. I do not have any and definitely will not have them in the future either. While I do not have anything against people having kids, I find bringing children in a professional meeting (as is the GC interview) disruptive and unprofessional. But if OP truly can not find anyone to watch her kid for 2 hours, then I guess the best advice is to hope that child will behave and not piss off the IO.

You obviously do not have children to make such statement. Wow !! I am gone back to minding my business 🤷🏼*♀️

[WaitedLongEnough]

Dear OP

My 4 years old daughter is a good kid , I have brought her to a million places and she always amazes me how well behaved she is... this is my one and in the future I worry that I may never have a good kid like her (praying , praying)

I don?t know your situation, but I would advice not to bring your child to the interview, even if they are well behaved like my princess daughter.... I see it as bringing a child to a job interview (I hope that makes sense). You don?t have a friend?! What is the exact age of your child ? this child does not go to school or daycare? (My daughter started daycare at 11 months). No cousins ? What about your neighbor? What about your husbands family ? Even if you may not get along with that one family member , friend or somebody , swallow your pride for this one day and ask them to watch toddler for you. If they want $50 or so , pay it. It will be worth it 🙂 all the best ! And whatever you decide, I sincerely pray that it works out for you.

Just a little side note , Bringing a child to an interview to prove bonafide marriage is NOT necessary, the proof must be in paper documents. My daughter is not my husbands daughter and I will not bring her to the interview. He?s on her emergency blue car at school, so many pictures of both of them at soccer practice , birthday parties at school , his birthday, him getting my daughter Valentine?s Day gift, receipts , family dinner , list goes on and on. Gather those proof and MORE if that?s your end goal.

- sign , a mother who sincerely understand the struggles and thank God every single day for my husband and family who would do anything to watch my well behaved daughter ❤️

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

And once again... a hung jury, and that's good! Waitedlongenough nailed it, though. It is like bringing a child to a job interview; except that this is a REALLY important "job interview".

[dude101]

My 4 years old daughter is a good kid , I have brought her to a million places and she always amazes me how well behaved she is... this is my one and in the future I worry that I may never have a good kid like her (praying , praying)

I don?t know your situation, but I would advice not to bring your child to the interview, even if they are well behaved like my princess daughter.... I see it as bringing a child to a job interview (I hope that makes sense). You don?t have a friend?! What is the exact age of your child ? this child does not go to school or daycare? (My daughter started daycare at 11 months). No cousins ? What about your neighbor? What about your husbands family ? Even if you may not get along with that one family member , friend or somebody , swallow your pride for this one day and ask them to watch toddler for you. If they want $50 or so , pay it. It will be worth it 🙂 all the best ! And whatever you decide, I sincerely pray that it works out for you.

Just a little side note , Bringing a child to an interview to prove bonafide marriage is NOT necessary, the proof must be in paper documents. My daughter is not my husbands daughter and I will not bring her to the interview. He?s on her emergency blue car at school, so many pictures of both of them at soccer practice , birthday parties at school , his birthday, him getting my daughter Valentine?s Day gift, receipts , family dinner , list goes on and on. Gather those proof and MORE if that?s your end goal.

- sign , a mother who sincerely understand the struggles and thank God every single day for my husband and family who would do anything to watch my well behaved daughter ❤️

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. I will update you all here, how it all went.

[krypton9591]

I agree with USCFFS and WaitedLongEnough, it's like bringing a child to an extremely important 2nd job interview that is the make it or break it decision as to whether or not you're hired. It is simply an unwise idea. I would recommend finding a sitter for the day or at-least for the few hours you'll be there. Best of Luck to you. and I hope all goes well.

[hital]

Hi,

Few weeks from now our GC interview is coming up. Its early in the morning. We have a 3yr old toddler (US citizen) and we don't have anyone/anywhere to leave our kid and go for this interview.

I am wondering has anyone experienced taking their small kids to GC interview without having an interview notice for the kids. Do the staff at the interview location create any issues in letting the child accompany their parents?

Really appreciate any useful feedback.

I had my interview yesterday at 7:15am. reached the office at 6:15 and most of the people were already there by 6:30 but the security gate opened only at 7am. I had 2 kids one toddler 2&1/2 yr old. Don't get stressed. It's okay to take kids just make sure to take some stuffs that your kids like to get involved on their own like coloring books and some color. Some picture books that they can flip and be engaged on their own, some games on the tab or phone with sound muted. Also for me lollipop was the best choice to keep the toddler quite. I know it was not a good thing to offer but just for few hours for one day it doesn't harm. I gave my kid one lollipop at a time, as soon as it ended i gave her another and 45 minutes passed with 2 lollipops still on her hand and as soon we stepped out of the room i threw away the remaining. My luck was that IO was a nice guy who also had 3 kids so he pretty much understood.
Good luck for your interview.

[WaitedLongEnough]

I had my interview yesterday at 7:15am. reached the office at 6:15 and most of the people were already there by 6:30 but the security gate opened only at 7am. I had 2 kids one toddler 2&1/2 yr old. Don't get stressed. It's okay to take kids just make sure to take some stuffs that your kids like to get involved on their own like coloring books and some color. Some picture books that they can flip and be engaged on their own, some games on the tab or phone with sound muted. Also for me lollipop was the best choice to keep the toddler quite. I know it was not a good thing to offer but just for few hours for one day it doesn't harm. I gave my kid one lollipop at a time, as soon as it ended i gave her another and 45 minutes passed with 2 lollipops still on her hand and as soon we stepped out of the room i threw away the remaining. My luck was that IO was a nice guy who also had 3 kids so he pretty much understood.
Good luck for your interview.

I am glad that worked out for you ! All the best and thanks for sharing your experience with kids. Much appreciated

[dude101]

Thank you

I had my interview yesterday at 7:15am. reached the office at 6:15 and most of the people were already there by 6:30 but the security gate opened only at 7am. I had 2 kids one toddler 2&1/2 yr old. Don't get stressed. It's okay to take kids just make sure to take some stuffs that your kids like to get involved on their own like coloring books and some color. Some picture books that they can flip and be engaged on their own, some games on the tab or phone with sound muted. Also for me lollipop was the best choice to keep the toddler quite. I know it was not a good thing to offer but just for few hours for one day it doesn't harm. I gave my kid one lollipop at a time, as soon as it ended i gave her another and 45 minutes passed with 2 lollipops still on her hand and as soon we stepped out of the room i threw away the remaining. My luck was that IO was a nice guy who also had 3 kids so he pretty much understood.
Good luck for your interview.

Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it. Great ideas for keeping kids busy. I will make use of them.