Au-pairs, what do you do with them in the evenings ?

I also do things with my family at weekends sometimes, like if they go to the cinema they invite me, its definatly the little things like that that are very appreciated. I agree with mumbump with the keeping her happy thing, once she is here there will always be oportunites to get another job, so make her feel like part of the family.

so that you can get free view, its more channels than the standard 5 but not as many as sky/ntl, and there is no monthly contract you just buy it (from comet/dixsons/argos) plug it in and you have about 30 channels.

Our au pair initially spent a lot of time on the computer. We didn't give her a television in her room because we said we'd rather she socialised with us - couldn't cope with not knowing someone I was sharing a house with personally! She acquired a boyfriend at the beginning of the year and goes out mid-week sometimes and takes herself off with him at weekends.

I think at least initially, you have to be super supportive and involve them in everything at the weekend particularly because it can be a really big deal to them to be living overseas and (having done it myself) you tend to feel pretty isolated. After the first month or two, they're likely to feel more settled and need less from you. If you like your au pair and want to keep her, ensuring she is happy is an integral part of the deal, imo...

What is a free view box?

i am a nanny, but had similar sorts of problems as an au pair as in not knowing anybody, or the area.
Some tips i would advice is to make sure she has a decent tv/DVD in their room (i'm not saying brand new just works well!) If you have sky/ntl maybe have a box in her room, or if thats to expensive, get her a free view box (they are only about £30)
Also make sure you give her a tour of your area, including supermarket, local town centre, blockbusters-i was only pointed in the right direction and it took me a couple of months to realise i was stopping at some local shops, not the town centre!!!!!!
Lastly introduce her to people! thats been my hardest task: to meet friends. Come on here and see who has nannys/au pairs in your area, who i am sure would be more than happy to meet with her.

Good luck (sorry if i have gone on!!)

Encourage her to go to her room by making it as comfortable as possible. Does she have a telly and DVD player in her room? Somewhere comfortable to sit and read? Etc.?

But, I see nothing wrong with putting some of these expectations in a welcomepakc / house rules. You might say, "After a lond day a t the office I like to watch the news while I have my dinner so would appreciate if you could respect that the living room is for my use after 7:00. However, if I am out, or choose to go upstairs, by all means feel free to come down and watch telly on your own."

I've never had this problem. My nanny works long hours and by the time I get home from work she pretty much heads up to her room for a well deserved break (or out to the pub). Of course a nanny is a bit different from an au pair.