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Paid childcare

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

I think I heart my new AP, and she's not even here yet!

38 replies

MarmadukeScarlet · 25/06/2008 17:58

Emailed her today to say that her/DC bathroom a complete write off due to burst soli pipe and the worlds slowest plumbers - were due to be finished Friday but not an item in place as yet.

Gave her 4 options stay in B&B 10 mins walk up lane, stay with us and use neighbours family bathroom, stay with us and share my ensuite with me and DC (only other shower in house currently) or delay arrival a week.

She phoned to say she doesn't mind doing whatever I chose, she is used to less than ideal conditions as she and her uncle lived in and rennovated a huge house 2 yrs ago. She told me she was happy to decorate or do anything that needed doing!

She sent me the loveliest email too, saying how she doesn't expect any special treament and I am not to care about her as she will be caring about us. (I think she means 'look after', but I got the gist!)

I have a feeling that she is going to be a vast improvement on the last one! Roll on Saturday!

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MrsRecycle · 03/07/2008 16:30

mds all plumbers (inc personal friends) are slow. Tell your SAP, I can always pick her up on Friday night and she can have a weekend away at the caravan with me - we have a shower! [

MarmadukeScarlet · 02/07/2008 21:47

no I have employed the worlds slowest plumbers. Luckily AP is now living with us and going next door for her shower every night.

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cheapskatemum · 02/07/2008 19:37

Is your plumbing work finished, MDS? Then your world really would be perfect!

MrsRecycle · 02/07/2008 07:39

Hi MDS - we are coping remarkably well, thanks. I won't say it's been easy but it has certainly brought us all closer together as a family. But having our old SAP stay for a couple of days (she was with us for a year) has restored my faith in them, a bit. Just not sure I could find another SAP that easy (and that I really want to start the search again).

That sounds brilliant that you are considering that week - I will make enquiries for you. My df has a van there and is going away then and I did ask about her van. I'll see if I can tempt her again. If not, I'll ask around.

You have had a stressful few weeks haven't you, but it seems that the tide has turned which I am so pleased for you.

We were near you on Saturday night at the Oak & Ivy in Hawkhurst with LOs, had a lovely night out.

ilovethecake · 02/07/2008 00:43

thanks, oh of course, how could i have not worked that one out for myself that was really annoying me! Good nite everyone!

MarmadukeScarlet · 01/07/2008 21:49

SAP = Super AP

DAP = daft AP??

MrsR, thank you I know your wishes are heartfelt. How is your situation now?
I don't suppose there are still vacancies for the week in question are there? I was concerned before about coming with her if she was no help. Also the replastering of legs, Educational Tribunal as well as the bathroom chaos have occupied me somewhat over the last weeks!

OP posts:
ilovethecake · 01/07/2008 19:29

So whats a DAPit has been a long day so my brain can't work it out?

imananny · 01/07/2008 18:52

glad you have a SAP rather than a DAP

long may she last xx

SimpleAsABC · 01/07/2008 18:27

And is an sap a SMASHING aupair???

MrsRecycle · 01/07/2008 17:59

oh MDS am so so pleased for you. You really deserved a SAP and it seems like you've got one. Hope you are getting a rest and some "me" time that you really do deserve (especially now the sun is out).

MarmadukeScarlet · 30/06/2008 22:04

As christened by ilovethecake a Joke Au Pair, with reference to my last disaster who went shopping and ate me out of house and home instead of working.

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SimpleAsABC · 30/06/2008 21:13

Marmaduke... I don't know what a JAP is!!

MarmadukeScarlet · 30/06/2008 20:44

Cake, JAP LOL that was exactly what she was!

I will be dispensing advice forthwith and being generally useful on here, but allow me to wallow in my smuggery for a little longer!

A big thank you to all the posters who supported me through my JAP and kept me going and are now pleased for me. The saddest part is she is only a summer AP, but I may have to kidnap her!

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ilovethecake · 30/06/2008 19:56

i could go on.... and on.... but i'm not going too!! I am so pleased for you and your family it's so nice to hear that everthing has worked out for the best, gosh just think you could still be on mumsnet asking for advice about the jap(joke Au Pair!!) good luck and all the best would be gr8 if the next time we saw your name on mumsnet was just to give advice to someone else!!

spicemonster · 30/06/2008 18:11

God I'm such a softy - that 2nd post made me well up

I read your other thread about your vile AP and felt so sorry for you so I'm really pleased things have worked out so well

Weegle · 30/06/2008 18:07

excellent, yay!

mummypoppins · 30/06/2008 15:49

brlliant brilliant brilliant!!!!!

jura · 30/06/2008 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squiffy · 30/06/2008 14:37

wow. very pleased for you.

MarmadukeScarlet · 30/06/2008 14:16

Sorry girls, ingles just prompted me to return to the thread.

In summary...SHE IS FAB

Not only is she cheery and keen the DC love her, by Sunday DS was pushing away my 'hold hand' to hold hands with SAP (Super Au Pair!).

She arrived Sat am and played with the DC all weekend, I kept reminding her it was her time off but she loves to play with them. Went to a 5th party Sun, she spent all afternoon on the bouncy castle with DS whilst I drank pimms! I did force her to sit and eat/rest, but it was tricky to get her to stop!

She is taking DD swimming after school today - she is a swim coach for DC aged 6-9 - and SAP informed me that DD has asked her to teach her piano every day - another talent which she has kept quiet! - which is fine by SAP as she enjoys it!

She has been at the B&B up the road for 2 nights, but is moving next door with my lovely neighbours until her bathroom here is finished.

I have given her the timetable of household chores and DC events, but she finished the kitchen in record time and asked what else she could do!

Also DS has a speech issue (as part of his disability) and as we said goodnight last night he spoke. I couldn't understand and asked him to repeat it twice, she then told me what he'd said - after she had said it I realised it was exactly what he had said! So she can understand his unclear speech better than me!

So thanks for all the good wishes, I hope things stay this positive.

OP posts:
Weegle · 29/06/2008 16:39

How's it going? Hopefully she's as nice in person as you thought from email!

SimpleAsABC · 29/06/2008 11:30

Well!! How did the first night go?? I'm waiting to find out...

cheapskatemum · 28/06/2008 18:33

Ha ha Squiffy, but you didn't mention that in the ad, did you?!? MDS she sounds great, I'm so happy for you! And hope the bathroom's done quickly. My (German) summer au pair arrives end of July, hope she's as nice as your new one sounds. Now having problems hiring for September...

squiffy · 26/06/2008 11:06

Oh I am so envoius.

Mind you, this reminds me of our first AP's arrival - the week before she turned up the cesspit got blocked and we had to wait a couple of weeks to get it fixed. We could still use the loos but had to put a huge piece of wood over the path to the cars, because there was a manhole cover which oozed when you walked on it - it was the AP who discovered this aspect of the problem..... . And then maybe a week or so later she innocently asked me about the scratching noises she had heard at night on her floor..... cue for 4 weeks of having every window in the house open (in the middle of winter) to get rid of the smell of dead rats...

And I wonder why I am having trouble finding AP's at the moment...

MrsRecycle · 26/06/2008 09:20

oh MDS she sounds wonderful - am so pleased for you, you deserve a good one. FYI, our APs bathroom was out of action and she had to use ours (upstairs) and it wasn't a problem. Also, our bathroom was out of action and we had to use APs ensuite and that wasn't a problem (even sneaking through her room in the middle of the night). You will be amazed how well it works out.