Would you mention that you had children at a job interview?

I feel I have to because my "gap" is a year long.
And I have been asked "what will you do for childcare". (Not at that place of work any more)
The job where I was the most honest - my current job - have given me the most leeway. So for me, the honesty was very worth it.

I mentioned it once but it was in context of showing my understanding and experience of the service.

I had a job interview today and was asked outright. It was for a child orientated place of work, so guessing thats why?

What did rile me a little was that no where on my application did I say my marital status. However, the letter inviting me to interview said to Mrs. X. XxXX. I am a Mrs but separated so prefer to be title free. I can only presume they "looked me up" prior to interview - in which case they would have also seen the maternity leave as well.

No I wouldn't mention that I had children, as it's not relevant. Unless they asked what I did outside work, in which case I might.

Bovril surely it's her issue how she fits childcare and work together? I'd have thought it's nothing to do with her employers unless and until she says she can't manage the requirements.

I wouldn't take off my ring. (I only wear an "engagement" style ring, although I am married, so I guess anyone judging would reach the wrong conclusion anyway).

I do tend to mention it but not deliberately - it kind of comes out by 'accident' or as part of a conversation.

This however is because my work is very strongly related to babies and children so it is a benefit overall I think. The places I work have been very child friendly - everyone (and I mean everyone) who has children has pictures of them on their desks. I often pop in with mine if I am not working that day and need something. You can usually find a small child somewhere

I wonder though if many employers just expect women over a certain age to have children?

Annoyingly it works in exactly the opposit way for my DH. He has been told on more than one occasion that he is considered more reliable, hard working, long term etc because he has DC

I haven't actually had a job interview since having DC but I do have a training interview coming up and I mentioned my status as a lone parents twice on my application form.

I personally see my lone parent status as a positive and proof of the fact that despite the obvious limitations I can cope and juggle. I don't want to work for an employer that considers it a negative because I think such discrimination would also affect me in other ways (and probably even if I didn't have DC either). However, I am aware that this might backfire in a male-dominated environment.

Nope. I would ask questions that would help me make a decision about the suitability of the job for me, but I would not hand out information that would enable a sexist, stereotyping interviewer make assumptions about my life. And I don't always wear my rings anyway, so it would depend how the mood took me.

I do not generally mention my children at job interviews - it isn't really relevant. I do ask about the amount of travelling, as that makes a big difference to me. TBH, in my industry, work/life balance is a Big Ishoo, so most companies are bending over backwards to be family-friendly for both sexes, rather than focusing on women.

I've never seen the need to take off my rings - I don't look at interviewees' hands myself, and anyway, these days it's no indication of marital status nor gives you any idea of whether someone has children or not.

Bovril, I'm sure what can be done - the job is no longer that for which the woman was interviewed. The terms and conditions have changed significantly. Regardless of children, I'd be pretty pissed off if that was me, and would be querying the need for the regular day in London and what has changed to necessitate this.

I'm not sure how I feel about this but I'd like your opinions...

I'm leaving my job and one of the ladies that is replacing me has a young daughter. She'll be expected to do quite a lot of travelling with the role and may have a few overnighters, but very much on an ad hoc basis, but with notice IYSWIM... Now she has been told that she will need to be in London one day a week at least and that she'll need to work til six ish...

So, she didn't mention her child at interview, and now is in the situation were she may not be able to do the job due to childminders etc...

What would you have done in this instance?