Au-pair has just...

[Exmouth]

Lol that there is now a subject called this!

Au-pair has just wandered into kitchen where I was busily potting plants and tidying up generally, and whilst I was out in the garden for a second, changed the music on the iPod (to the Cure) and then sauntered out of kitchen two mintues later. I heard myself saying 'Is it ok if I switch the Cure off, as you're not in here?' 'Oh yes fine' she replied. It's all so different from previous au-pair. I feel as though this is just unacceptable. But yet she is so sweet and does all I ask her to, is brilliant with ds, ds really likes her, etc. it's just previous au-pair was very very respectful. This one is much more laid-back (Aussie). It's just that I feel if someone is doing a job in the kitchen they deserve to listen to whatever they like. I wouldn't dream of changing music she had put on.

With people like this,you have to be as straight back.
I share an office with a woman who has the radio on.I used to ask her politely to turn it off (and couldn't fathom why she wouldn't when I walked in,knowing how I don't like it.)

Now I just switch it off.

In fact,last week i lent her radio to the secretaries next door,therefore solving the problem entirely.

You obviously have no idea how bad au pairs can be!!

Have I got this right - you asked if you could turn off her choice of music and she said yes? Mmm, sounds dreadful.

If this is her worst offence then you're not doing too badly.

Just ask her not to change the music.

Pf you are possibly right. I am just too bloody prickly to have one in the house, although last one we had for a year. She spoiled me by being utterly devoted. But ds likes this one and the last one got on his nerves.

Ex,I have been toying with getting an au-pair.
(My dh is away and I am alone with two kids and work) but have come to the conclusion that I would find it so irritating to share my home with someone that I would doubtless end up committing murder.

somehow, moony, i think you would actually do that.

OMG Moondag I would have been hopping mad at you if you dared lend my personal belongings to someone else regardless of the situation.

Exmouth - if this happens again I would just pipe up as soon as she changes it and say "can you turn it back please I'm listening to that". I too would have been a bit gobsmacked at her doing it though.

PMSL @ Moondag, obviously I meant Moondog.

I've got to 'get over it' and myself, and just accept it as a necessary evil for the next 5 and half months (not counting the days, honest). I also have to be more assertive, don't think she'd mind tbh. It's letting things fester that's bad. Fester? What a word!

Am horrified that you don't like the Cure Exmouth!

Are you unreasonable to like the Cure?

Yes

NEXT

Very unreasonable. The Cure should never be turned off, only up very loudly and wailed to (like in my house). Does au pair want to come and live with us instead?

Whoa there the Cure is on MY iPod.

I was playing Sting Fio.

a.) You dont like the Cure
b.) Why do you have an au-pair if youre in the house anyway?
c.) Whats being Aussie got to do with it

Maybe she thought you were going to stay outside and it was ok to change the music.

Its nice that she feels relaxed enough in your house to do that.

I dont like the Cure.

My thoughts exaclty LV!!!

lol,,,at postings, cure are fab,,,
if yuor lo loves her and she is great with him, music change is least of yuor worries

Now if it was Coldplay, I'd be calling immigration right now.

Surely it's just good manners to ask!!!

lol at people thinking I don't like the Cure when I have them on my iPod!!

Had a chat and she was fine about it, v laid back. Best thing is to talk about it. So no problem at all.