Is my aupair being cheeky? Says it is hard for her to walk 25 min each way for school run.

I used to walk 25 min, 6 x a day (with 2 at school, 2 at nursery) and it was hideous, up steep hill one way though. We were soaked in the rain, even with rain macs etc. Even when it went to 4 x a day, it was alot. I think it is going to be hard for her and don't think she is being cheeky. These days alot of people expect to drive places, especially due to weather etc. I don't think she is cheeky.

this thread hits home just how car obsessed this nation is.

There was another thread yesterday where the OP posted that she'd just realised what a big committment it was to travel 30mins each way to her child's school. Most posters said that they thought it was too much. So why is it okay to walk 25mins each way while pushing a 4yr-old in a pushchair?

Personally I have to walk everywhere so I'm used to it but I can understand why the AP has problems with it.

Like your thinking, MrsRecycle...

blueshoes - I reckon you need to state up front that the job involves a 25 minute walk, 4 times a day and that it will involve pushing your dd in a pushchair, presumably when she is too tired to walk...

Agree with expat

Next time make sure you emphasise that they need to enjoy walking.

blueshoes - if you're still around - I'd try Dutch, they cycle everywhere and get car sick On your list of questions ask if they suffer from car sickness - if they do hire them

TC - We have a cleaner that does all of the cleaning duties (want her number? - she's brilliant and lives in Eastcote - I pay her £21 a week and she cleans my 4 bed house).

So my AP gets to take dds to school, pick them up, take them to their activities and sit and drink coffee/use the internet whilst waiting for my dds to finish. Then she takes the tube back. Quite easy and I'd love to be paid £65 a week to do this.

Oh and my last AP left to be a waitress (couldn't cope with dd2 moaning all the time ) and she still hasn't got a job and a home. Very apt

why on earth is a 4 year old in a buggy? that must weigh a ton to push. if the answer is that she can't walk that far, then pay for the bus.

if you are only paying £65 for childcare you can afford another £20 for the bus without bankrupting the household

Possibly, she doesn't want to accept your post. No good going throught he rigramole, only to have her quit after a week.

Best to face up to reality and find someone else, because if she has to do that school run the 'enjoyable' experience will be anything but.

She has made this clear to you and a dealbreaker is just that.

Not to you, elliott, but blueshoes au pair seems to think it a bit much.

But I frequently don't fancy coming into the office in the morning - this is a job, and in the scheme of things, its not such a bad one.

I wouldn't fancy a 50 minute round trip every morning and every night, especially in the cold and rain. I do think it is longer than average for a school run.

Is your DD starting school, rather than preschool? If so I can imagine she will not be wanting to be in a buggy. DD is in reception year and there isn't a chance you'd have got her ina buggy once at school.

So if DD is walking that 25 minutes will be much longer.

I agree that you shouldn't ask someone to do what you wouldn't do yourself. And that she's clearly the wrong person for the job if she balks at it. But in principle, it is sooo not hard work.

Thomcat - my aupair (6 years ago @£45 per week) slept in DS's top bunk in his room!! We had found her when we lived in a larger house, then moved and gave her the option of finding another family but she said it was fine sharing with DS!

oh lol i meant 2 hours, typo

Bottom line is, the gal doesn't want to do it.

So best get to finding someone who will.

2 miles a day?

Filly, do you really think it takes someone 2 hours to walk 2 miles?

Even pushing a buggy it wouldn't take that long.

Like I said, I cover 2.5 miles uphill in about 40 minutes, so I reckon this is about 5 miles/days. And then there's the buggy with 4-year-old in it.

I agree, TnOgu, with your post. No surprise there!

but if she wants to waitress then surely she can do that? She is presumably an EU citizen and thusly can come to the UK and work in a cafe here.

for whatever reason, she has chosen to au pair. I do think there are real up sides to au pairing, not least that you live with a family and get english lessons.

I just can't see walking 2 miles a day, as PART of total duties, as a big deal. Its nothing.

I think you should only ever ask others to do what you, yourself would be prepared to do.

So, if you normally walk to and from the school, then yes, I think it's reasonable to expect the aupair to do that.

Doesn't say much for the food if you cleaning up sick Fillyjonk

I liked waitressing. I waitressed at Chuy's in Barten Springs Road, Austin.

First I started in the bar, which was cool because the restaurant usually had a 2 hour wait for a table at weekends and people were willing to sit in the bar.

Then I went to the central area and by the time I worked up to Thurs., Fri. and Sat. night shift, I only had to work those three days to make enough money to pay my car payment, insurance, gas, and extras (was at uni and other costs were covered by my parents).

The staff were fab and we all had a great time after the place closed for the night.

I did the two school runs on foot in the torrential rain on Monday. I put DD in her raincoat and wellies and cropped jeans (so they wouldn't trail in the puddles. The jeans were still wet that evening. And I had to dry her hair with the hairdryer. She is 3 so had to do the 4 trips. I was quite amazed that she didn't complain, so was extra nice and made her hot milk and a biscuit and gave her a cuddle when we got back.

Exactly TC - I mean, would you seriously rather be doing housework? or waitressing
I am really at this.