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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Things that annoy you about your aupair...

115 replies

ChocolateBiscuitCake · 04/04/2015 14:39

Have just given the au pair the heave-ho and a huge weight has lifted. However, I am now enduring the two week notice period with a stroppy teenager.

Thought I would start a lighthearted thread on the annoying things that they do mine does:

Empty the dishwasher but after 6 months still not know where everything goes, so leave it on the side.

Filling the dishwasher with cleaned things left on the side of the sink to dry.

Hoover around things on the floor (rather than put them away). Definitely no hoovering behind doors!

Always let the dog lie in the only ground floor room with carpet, mostly when wet (when specifically told, no dog in this room).

Feed the fat dog treats (we don't have any, she has bought her own!).

The list goes on.

Any one else able to add their experiences?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DrankSangriaInThePark · 04/04/2015 15:25

Do you get through many au-pairs, OP?

butterfly2015 · 04/04/2015 15:25

At least one or two loads of washing per day, dish washer once a day, clean and tidy the kitchen three times a day and Hoover once a week. And look after the kids. And supervise the dog.

And you have a,cleaner. So what does the cleaner do? And what do you do? And why does a teenager need an aupair anyway?

Must be dreadful having to do everything yourself for a whole fortnight. I hope you manage to get a replacement soon.

First world problems indeed!!

ChocolateBiscuitCake · 04/04/2015 15:20

Artandco - her only housekeeping duties were to help with the dishwasher, keep kitchen tidy after meals, hoover the ground floor once a week and wash/put away children's laundry…hardly challenging.

And soontobesix I already have a cleaner! Wink.

Boomf I do look after my own kids…she was meant to be an extra pair of hands, especially with the arrival of a newborn!

OP posts:
PrintScreen · 04/04/2015 15:18

Don't ever expect MN to give you a sane reaction to an au pair problem. On MN an au pair employer is tantamount to a slave owner.

Nolim · 04/04/2015 15:17

Wtf boomf

Boomf · 04/04/2015 15:14

Look after your own kids lazy bones Wink

SoonToBeSix · 04/04/2015 15:12

Think you should have employed a cleaner/ housekeeper, poor girl.

ChocolateBiscuitCake · 04/04/2015 15:09

No actually - she was meant to look after the kids only she couldn't...literally! I am 8 months pregnant, so believe me I wanted the extra pair of hands.

She is an only child with no childcare experience (my fault - went for "maturity" over experience) and could not leave her with all three as no capacity to engage or do anything other than watch telly with them. My older two would run circles. Only could leave her with my youngest (aged 3) for short periods and everytime I returned she would be sitting him with her iPhone feeding sweets.

the main reason for firing her involves the arrival of a BT bill over £1000 (I pay for her pay as you go top up mobile). It is fair to say she is a shocker, no?!

OP posts:
MrsMargoLeadbetter · 04/04/2015 14:54

All your Hmm lighthearted comments relate to the house/dog. So presumedly so looked after the kids ok.....which is the main purpose of an au pair.

I can understand that having an au pair brings lots of challenges but your post sounds like she was your cleaner/housekeeper...

Ledkr · 04/04/2015 14:46

Glad you've sacked the lazy selfish bastard.

Artandco · 04/04/2015 14:45

An au pair is supposed to mainly help with childcare though. I would be grateful she did any of the above. It sounds like she was helping chore wise just not to your satisfaction, and was at least kind to the dog

Finola1step · 04/04/2015 14:45

I wonder why the poor girl spoils the dog...

thefirstmrsrochester · 04/04/2015 14:44
Hmm
ambientolf · 04/04/2015 14:43

#firstworldproblems

Ledkr · 04/04/2015 14:41
Biscuit
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