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Advice for an au pair.

114 replies

Lucyinthesky14 · 09/06/2012 13:55

Hi mumsnet, i've been on so many websites seeking advice but alot of it isn't very useful and some can be quite mean. someone recommended this site to me before and i hope i can get some help. I am not a mum, but i am au pair living abroad and i would be so greatful for your help. I have been here for almost 2 months, when i came here everything was perfect but now things are starting to go a bit downhill and it doesn't seem so peachy. i dont know what to do or whether im overreacting.

The thing is i feel very uncomfortable around the dad. When his wife goes out he often asks me round to keep him company, to drink wine or to watch a movie. I went once and he was a bit strange with me, asking how things were with my boyfriend etc. and i have made a point of not going there alone since. He asks if i will go on a solo trip alone with him to Berlin, Which strangely enough his wife supports him with! When i got here i agreed to it, as i had said how much iwanted to go to berlin, and first thought that he was being friendly but now i wonder if there is an ulterior motive. His wife knows about this trip and him asking me round. i said i will be happy going to berlin alone, as i quite a confident, independant person, but he insists on going with me as he knows where to go etc....i dont know if his wife knows about all his invitations. He often sends me emails or skypes me when he goes away, asking questions sometimes to do with the children but sometimes just general chat. i try not to give him much cut, but as i said before sometimes you dont want to come across as unfriendly. The other day i had lotion on my shoulder and he was like, oh here let me get it for you, and rubbed it in! He gets emails when i update my facebook with anything and puts little things on his fb in english now, when he doesn't speak that language and neither do any of his friends. He also insisted on walking me back to my flat one evening i'd been out, and just stood at the door staring at me. i literally live a second away from their flat and wouldn't have needed to be accompanied back. he never does this when his wife is there. I generally feel uncomfortable and feel like he always wants to talk to me and be near me. He looks at me alot, and i dont know if his wife is oblivious to this or aware of it, either way she doesn't say or do anything, or doesn't see it as a problem. And the other day he told me i was being 'bitchy' and acted wrongly after he and his wife tried to persuade me to let a 17 year old boy stay in my flat who is going to be working with them. I don't think this is very acceptable as i wouldn't stay with a stranger back home, so i wouldn't do it here. I also thought it was rude the way he talked to me saying that. They had mentioned this man staying to me three times, even though i told them blatantly that i did not agree with it the first time. I felt a bit pressurised the third time they asked and he said that because i got upset, that i reacted badly and was 'bitching'. I am in my early twenties, and he is only 5 years older than me. I just want to go home now, but i dont know if im possibly over reacting or what? is this normal behaviour? Is he just being overley friendly? I wanted advice on this site as i know you will be honest with me. If it isn't right, how should i leave. should i give notice, or just go? please help!

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Sarcalogos · 11/06/2012 11:35

Good. Keep yourself safe. And book a bloody flight!

Lucyinthesky14 · 11/06/2012 11:34

Thanks Sarcalogos, you are right about the reference, i've only been here just under 2 months, and to be honest, a bad reference is the last of my worries.

Im gonna talk to them tonight and tell them.

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Sarcalogos · 11/06/2012 11:30

I genuinely don't think the reference is important here. As someone else said up thread, it's only been a few months, once you are at home just erase this from your CV, saying you spent a few months travelling, improving your language skills is fine. (and not a lie).

The idea that you think they would follow you to the airport is scary. If I had an aupair (which I don't, but I have had employees at work under me), I wouldn't follow them to the airport if they tried to leave, that's massive intimidation. Even if I was totally blameless and they had done a flit, I'd be annoyed but there wouldn't be anything I could actually do about it. The fact you feel controlled by them is very wrong.

Book a flight and invent that family emergency Lucy. Now.

Lucyinthesky14 · 11/06/2012 11:22

I think leaving in the middle of the night is a lot easier said than done. Considering i am in the middle of knowhere at the moment, i'm an hour or so away from the nearest airport. It would also be very difficult for me to get out without anyone seeing me or hearing me. The flights dont leave til the evening, so if i leave in the middle of the night i will have to wait the whole day for a flight, at which point i'm sure they will have suspected where i have went. Then i would have a big problem with them tracking me down at the airport etc. It's not an easy situation to be in, i certainly don't enjoy the drama, believe me. My motives are entirely what i have said. I've been thinking about this so much and wanting to make sure i do the right thing. I just came on here to get help and advice, so thank you for that.

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cumbria81 · 11/06/2012 11:11

I don't think you should leave without saying anything. If nothing else you'll get a horrendous reference. If you really want to leave in secret, leave a note saying how the husband's behaviour has made you feel. The wife deserves to know and it will reflect better on you. If she thinks you've made it up that's her problem.

iluvkids · 11/06/2012 09:13

nodding in agreement with Fishpond on the questioning motives

Fishpond · 11/06/2012 03:08

To be honest I'm questioning your motives after reading this whole thread.

You keep making excuses after repeatedly agreeing with everyone here that the father behavior is inappropriate and borderline abusive Hmm. You say you want to get out but then say you'll speak to them and have different options, etc. Cut your losses and leave, why are you dragging this out more than it needs to be?

Fwiw, I'm coming at this from experience. I've been a young girl alone in another country and felt vulnerable, and I got the hell out of the situation ASAP. That's why I don't get why you are being hesitant about leaving when you say you are uncomfortable Confused

MakesCakesWhenStressed · 10/06/2012 22:51

Good luck, but do trust your instincts and don't force any issues. Things can go from ' fine' to ' oh fuck' in seconds you know...

Lucyinthesky14 · 10/06/2012 22:34

Ok everybody, thank you so much for your help and listening to me. It's really helped me out. I don't think I am in any immediate danger at the moment so I will wait a couple days yet. I am unhappy at the moment though because of everything so i won't stay here simply because i shouldn't be in a job i don't enjoy. I will let you all know what happens though. Thank you again.

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thebody · 10/06/2012 22:33

Lucy, if you are that uncomfortable then leave now. Book a taxi and arrange a flight home, stay in a hotel until if needs be.

If you stay I suspect you are enjoying the drama.

maples · 10/06/2012 22:01

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maples · 10/06/2012 22:00

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Sarcalogos · 10/06/2012 20:26

No it isn't your fault. They are your employers and they are setting unfair rules. Of course it isn't your fault.

I think your idea of rushing home for a 'family matter' is sensible. Even if you just take a week at home to think about things and get some perspective. I bet you don't go back, but that isn't the point

If it was me, i would be inventing an ill family member before morning.

metalelephant · 10/06/2012 20:26

No it's not your fault that they misled you. It is your choice however to stay when you could be packing and calling a cab instead.

LemarchandsBox · 10/06/2012 20:23

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lucyinthesky14 · 10/06/2012 20:21

yeah i know ladies. What if i pretend i have a matter to attend to at home? and just dont come back?

the thing is i agreed to working here for more than 20 hours before i came, it wasn't until i realised it was against the law when i got here looking thru the net. so isn't that my fault?

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LemarchandsBox · 10/06/2012 20:19

This reply has been deleted

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Sarcalogos · 10/06/2012 20:18

Lucy your plan sounds really dangerous to me. Please take the advice here, no one thinks you should stay and put up with this.

metalelephant · 10/06/2012 19:59

Hang on...they are taking advantage of you by making work more than you're paid for, he's hitting on you and she's turning a blind eye and you're still staying with them as to not burden them with having to sort out childcare?

Why are you facilitating them?

Don't mean to sound cruel but what is the point, they're already treating you bad and the dad may assault you, judging from his advances. The mum sounds like a doormat but is still happy to treat you like one.

You owe them nothing, get out and find another family. Good luck.

SoldeInvierno · 10/06/2012 19:45

What will you do if they ask you to leave straight away and throw your stuff out of the house? my aupair family in Germany, many moons ago, did that to the previous aupair. They told me a few days after I arrived and I lived in fear they would do the same to me. You need a plan in case something like that happens.

daisyrain · 10/06/2012 17:57

Get out of there a.s.a.p, He sounds awful & very controlling. Vile little man.

Good luck, dont look back, you deserve to be happy x

Lucyinthesky14 · 10/06/2012 17:39

I think next week i am going to tell them i am unhappy with the situation, and then wait to see how they react. If they are fine with it, then i can leave easily. But if they go crazy, then i will tell them that i'm sorry, and that i'll stay as long as they change a few things. Then i will leave within the next day! Leaving a note explaining why.

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iluvkids · 10/06/2012 17:34

trains are great in austria, budget airlines fly out of vienna, graz, linz, klagenfurt, slazburg.... if your a brit, you can get home pretty easily

hattifattner · 10/06/2012 17:32

you have two choices: Either speak to the mum, highlighting that you are working too many hours and that you need your free time to yourself. Id also mention that your are uncomfortable feeling that you have to spend your free time with your employer, and that you will in future be off duty from X time to Y time and they should not expect you to be available unless by prior arrangement.

Or leave, but tell her the above so she doesnt do it with the next employee.

If he kicks off, pack you bag, call a cab and leave.

Lucyinthesky14 · 10/06/2012 17:29

I know, i would be telling her to come home.

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