So have all the aupairs returned after Christmas

Safer in London?! Never heard that one before...

Well suspicions were right she has made up some story of father not happy with her living in buckinghamshire and that she will be safer in London! She hasn't said when she is going but i will put money on this weekend. So the search starts again..........

ThatIngles thats excatly what I thought! I will write a cheque payable to the college. For half the amount then see what happens. JUst need to start the search again. This is our 6th aupair and first real problem so I think we have been lucky so far

mmmm interesting. you're probably right though, otherwise surely her father would want to be introduced / see where she lives. I wouldn't give her cash for college, I would say I was going to phone on Tuesday and pay by card...then you'll know

Well she is apprenetly meeting her Father on Monday in London I think she is going to meet new family but will see what happens. SHe is meant to be enrolling at College on Tuesday and I have said I would pay half her fees now and half when she finishes. So she will neeed to pay £70 on Tuesday so we will know then and then I can start the hunt for a new one!

Hi Norty....this bit
"DS (3.5) has just gone into serial plasters (both legs)for the next 2 months and can't really be left alone and I have really improved my relationship with DD, as I'm not so tired/rushed/stressed and we have spent lots of quality/girly time together."
makes me think it's got to be worth you trying another AP,..or getting some help anyway.
Unfortunately finding a decent AP is rather like finding a decent man......don't you think?

Oh BM, what a pain. If it is any consolation our AP had registered herself back on AP World after 1 week (I'm lovely honestly!) but only got 4 contacts.

If you like her/think she would make a good AP I would possibly tell her you know. You can then discuss why/what she wants and see if you can come to some compromise - if it is the location, well as ingles says better to find out early on!

Mine is deffo off end Feb, she was making noises about staying as long as I wanted her too but I obviously upset her and she has decided she is going then.

I'm quite pleased but torn, do I really want another AP as this one has not been great? Or do I really want to be showered/dressed and on time for school everyday? DS (3.5) has just gone into serial plasters (both legs)for the next 2 months and can't really be left alone and I have really improved my relationship with DD, as I'm not so tired/rushed/stressed and we have spent lots of quality/girly time together.

OOOHHH! Decisions, decisions....

on no bucksmum,...but good to get rid quickly than have them settle in for a couple of months. What do you think of her?

Well the new aupair arrived but I think she is looking for another job already shes only been here a week but I think she wants to be in London not in leafy bucks! She has updated her profile on au pair website.
Her english is poor so difficult to tackle suppose will have to wait and see just very annoying

Oh Good idea Laura,...now why didn't I think of that! We could put an advert on Gumtree. Even better as she's hoping to Nanny whilst at Uni, so the more experience the better.

ingles - Hmm, it's difficult if she's a bit of a party animal. TBH, I'd let my ap have a friend or two to stay whilst I was away, but I'd be hoping they'd be like her, and she is absolutely fine. Perhaps with 3 extra, things could get a little out of hand. Definitely push the job idea. Or perhaps somebody else locally might be glad of a live out ap during August with the school holidays?

mishmash - glad things worked out in the end. Much better that she has decided to go rather than the other way around.

Quint, Why don't you take her, to help you move house and look after kids while you get organised?

Ooohh definitely soft Norty....mind you a couple of little bonuses do seem to keep them happy....
Sorry things didn't work out MishMash but what a relief that she's going..even better you're now flexible.
Well, I might have managed to sort AP and August. She applied for Uni (portsmouth) for Sept and found out she was accepted today which is great. I've spent the afternoon encouraging her to get a job in our local town during August to help pay her fees...I think it might be working!

MM I'm glad that has sorted itself out and you won't be left needing childcare due to flexi hours.

Ingles, is she kidding??? Unless parents and girls at the same time, they'll be having a wild party at your expense methinks.

Perhaps if you wish to appease her you could say they are welcome BUT only when you are there. (God I am mad??) As I would be concerned that she will have them over when you aren't there and hope you won't notice....

Mine hasn't got on my nerves as much this week, perhaps she as improved or I am just glad of the extra help at any cost - DH away and DCs ill!

I have given her a £15 bonus this week for a few extra hours helping, actually she has had an extra day off too - I'm going soft.

Thanks FFU...I think you're probably right

laura - is she joking? Would you really feel comfortable having 3 unknown girls in your house? Parents, OK, hopfully mature respectful people, but a group of unknown, unsupervised girls?

btw - check with your house insurers. You may find you invalidate your insurance by inviting a group of complete strangers to live in your home while you are not there.

Laura...I was going to pay her £100 a week and then leave £150 for food and petrol. It's actually 3 weeks and 1 day. Her mum and dad are coming for 2 weeks. Thing is she's quite a party animal, so I was thinking of saying 1 girlfriend at a time...not sure if I like the idea of 4 of them partying in my house. What do you think?
Mish Mash...Is it the socks?
Good luck Bucksmum..

Oh no mishmash. What was the last straw?

Bucksmum - good luck

Our new french au pair arrives on Sunday I can't wait! The last we had was fantatsic but had to go back to uni early. So fingers crossed we have picked well this time

Would they be there at the same time as her parents? If you're away for almost a month, then even if the parents come for a fortnight, there's still another 2 weeks ish that she'll be alone. 3 seems a lot, but then, at least she's been upfront and honest about numbers. Would you be paying her normal rate whilst you're away? Presumably you wouldn't have to pay for the food for all these girls? How would she buy her own food during this time? Would you leave a kitty?

please can I do a little hijack....
AP know's we go away for most of August. She has to stay here and look after animals etc. I've told her to invite her parents over for a holiday which she was pleased with but she also wants to invite 3 girlfriends. What do you reckon?

Well my AP turned up on time and it's nice to have her back. ds (16 months) was the one that missed her the most - I've never seen him run to anyone like her.

The dds wanted to stay up and see her so that's nice. And my house is clean and tidy (although I'm not there away on Business at moment).

Norty - I must admit whilst my AP lacks initiative, she certainly makes up in for in comprehension - I only have to say things once and she does it. It's wonderful. I am at implying your dd is fat. It's funny my dd2 is a skinny thing and is so pleased that she's getting a belly so she can be like dd1 - its made her year.

Oh No Norty! God AP's can be a pain in the arse can't they.
What a cheeky mare you've got! I wouldn't of let her comeback after Xmas
Fingers crossed, I haven't got any problems with mine this week, and I've just asked her to ask round her friends if she knows of any AP's looking for a new family. I know you're not very far from me, so I'll keep you posted