AP's bed is not comfortable enough...

I slept in someone elses bed for a couple of nights this week. Could hardly sleep for being uncomfortable. Far too soft! I'm used to a rock hard spring mattress! When I stripped the bed I found they had a special topper on made of duck feathers to make the bed extra squishy (on top of already v.soft mattress). So whatever you get won't please everyone! But glad to see that you're replacing your ap's mattress.

you can trust me to lower the tone

glad you ordered a new matress

not sure if you in london, but we have just bought a spare bed and mattress from warren evans (you can google) - really great mattress's and surprisingly reasonable ....

NewTeacher, the problem is not that it is a spring mattress, the problem is that it is poor-quality Argos shite.

Have a look here: www.mattressland.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1&sort=PRODUCT_LIST_PRICE_DESC&filter_id=30

rpfl mp

dont know about your household but there is NEVER a prior agreement to wee in my bed when im sleeping there

I don't care unless it's actually being wee'ed on while I am sleeping in it, and there has been no prior agreement about this

true mp - but least the op will know hopefully that the other 2 ap didnt wee on it

maybe i am weird, but i would hate the thought of sleeping a bed that may have been weed on

and yes i do think about this when i am on holiday/stay in hotel etc

I think you should buy a new mattress. Not buying one will cause you more problems than buying one and it's in your interests for her to sleep well at night.

It's ALREADY second-hand, two other APs have used it

No different to buying from ebay IMO - most people will be clear what it has been used for (lots of guest beds) and if they are a smoking house

i wouldnt buy a 2nd hand matress for someone who would be sleeping in the bed every night

maybe fine for guest bedroom - though i wouldnt buy a second hand mattress for a child (cot death) and also many matress's have been weed on

not sure if i would want a 2nd hand weed on mattress actually ....

There are often mattresses on Ebay which go for about a quid - might be worth looking. People always changing spare beds/moving house etc. This is how we got our spare bed and it's really comfy.

Why not ask if she'd find one of the kid's mattresses more comfy and do a swap? (if she's got a single bed)

Or ask her to try some out and give you some prices and you'll see what you can do?

NewTeacher - I don't think I was particularly harsh.

I think the comments directed at your au pair 'five star hotel' and 'princess pea' comments are far harsher.

I supposed I was just puzzled as to why you were asking the question. To me it's simple - the au pair is complaining of an uncomfortable bed, due to the springs which are probably a bit worn out. In my opinion the solution is simple: you need to buy a new mattress. Not a luxury; a necessity.

I'm glad for your au pair's sake that you have checked the bed yourself and will be replacing the mattress.

agree buy a new mattress, you can get decent ones from argos for about £80/100

a spare bed that gets slept in a few times a year isnt rhe same as a bed being slept in night after night

5 star hoteks also have uncomfortable beds all depends if you like a hard/soft matress

In what way is buying a comfortable mattress 'throwing away money'? It's hardly a luxury.

So what's the plan if it's STILL not comfortable enough after you replace it? Just curious.

Actually, some very good advice we got from friends this summer who have had their share of live in nannies is to sleep in the room you are planning for the person and see how YOU like it. Warm enough? Too warm? Too much light? Noisy? That sort of thing.Bed comfortable? definitely on the list. (Some things I'm convinced you may never agree on with APs though i.e. temperature...!!!!)

Yes try IKEA, they are comfortable.

I would imagine that a cheapo Argos mattress would probably be pretty knackered after 3 years of continual use.

Some people are used to a good-quality mattress, have a look at

www.mattressland.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1&type=134

there are plenty to choose from.

Her bed is probably also "her space". She should be able to look forward to going to bed each night.
Think of it as an operating expense - like a desk for an office worker etc.

I think some have been harsh because in the OP there was a tone...like "isn't it enough that she gets a mattress!!!!!"

Well, thats my understanding of it anyway.

My MIL had an awful bed in her house, my hips used to ache, I am very sensitive to funny beds.

We folded a duvet over the sheets as some suggested and it was the most comfortable sleep of my life that night!

I don't think you're being cruel - just help her find a less expensive solution that a new mattress

Oi! FOAM MATRESS ON TOP! It really works!

(Just thought I should mention it again in case it slipped off your radar in the uneccesar flaming)

Honestly, a duvet will make it heaps better for her in the short term.

I have 2 underneath my sheets as the springs really poke into me and make weird boingy sounds all night otherwise and we aren't in a position to buy a new mattress (this is only 2.5yrs old, Argos [hmm)

Why shouldn't she have a comfortable bed?! Get her a decent mattress. Doesn't have to cost the earth. If she has a decent nights sleep she'll be more enthused about her daytime activities (ie working for you!)...