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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What to do with aupair

607 replies

Whattheactualheck · 15/10/2018 17:04

Would really appreciate some help here. Aupair started out fairly promisingly but things are becoming increasingly strained. It doesn’t feel as though she wants to be part of our family. She spends a lot of time on her phone when she’s supposedly “ playing “ with the kids. I’ve already told her about this several times. She can’t cook and so I’m preparing all the meals even when I come back from work I’ve barely got my foot in the door and I’m busy in the kitchen. She has every weekend off and has friends she stays with in the next town so we don’t see her from Saturday morning until Sunday late at night. This is fine and I’m glad she has fun. However it’s the attitude when she’s here. She’s cold with the children. Makes no conversation and acts like she doesn’t like them. My son was ill the other day and I said I had to go back to work for a few hours and could she please look after him. I got tearful phone call from him saying could I come home as the aupair went out just after I’d left. My husband and I repeatedly tried to phone her but she wouldn’t pick up. I had to leave work in the end and her reason when I finally got hold of her was “ it was such a gorgeous sunny day I really fancied a walk”. A two hour walk when you’ve got a sick child that you’re supposed to be in charge of? Then this morning another tearful call from son saying she’s been mean to him and his siblings. Cold and snappy and just generally rolling eyes at them and being unkind. Would I be justified in calling it a day? Son she left alone is 11 by the way. I don’t mind twenty mins here and there but this was over two hours . I’ve had enough.

OP posts:
riceuten · 16/10/2018 18:56

I'd be inclined to read the riot act to her, and offer her one last chance. If she has any interest at all in doing it, she'll accept, but letting her choose to go herself would probably be best for all

Lostinlondon999 · 16/10/2018 18:59

I’m worried that you had to ask.

TightPants · 16/10/2018 18:59

Blimey OP, why would you do anything to help her when she’s done fuck all to help you - and you’re paying her to do fuck all?
Get her gone!
She’s obviously got friends she can stay with, and is a prize piss taker!

Whattheactualheck · 16/10/2018 19:01

Too late for second chances I’ve told her that’s it for me. We’ve had words over a few things so she knows she was on a sticky wicket anyway but chose to then leave my child alone

OP posts:
nonetworkaccess · 16/10/2018 19:02

I hope you've changed the wifi code. If she knows details and decides a bit of revenge is in order, it could make life difficult.

My ex did this before leaving and getting my provider to change it back was a headache that took weeks.

I'd change the locks, too.

Good luck.

EdisonLightBulb · 16/10/2018 19:03

I wouldn't offer her another chance, she appears to think that she is earning a wage to live in your house for free. What else does she actually do? She needs to be gone by Monday. Plenty of time to book a flight home or make alternative arrangements.

onegiftedgal · 16/10/2018 19:04

Maybe she's just picking up your vibes and your loose approach to what being a mother actually involves.

nannygoat50 · 16/10/2018 19:05

Good bye !!!!!!👋🏻

juneau · 16/10/2018 19:06

Wow - she really is a manipulative one isn't she? Fucking off out all day, then returning to chain smoke (bet you were delighted to discover that the person caring for your DC is a chain-smoker!), and then crying and saying she thought everything was okay. How the hell is it okay to shirk your duties and go off for a walk, leaving an ill DC home alone when you've been specifically asked to stay with that DC? Be strong OP and stand firm. She needs to go. Protect yourself and your home and don't leave her home alone now she knows you want her out. Cancel the gym membership, get your key back and keep a close eye on her!

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 16/10/2018 19:08

Do you have a definite moving out date? I’d be inclined to keep a very close eye on her till she leaves.

TAMS71 · 16/10/2018 19:08

I'm surprised you are even asking, why on earth would you leave your children for even another minute with her, how sad. However for future au pair, she/he needs far more time off than from sat am to Sunday evening.

She is clearly not happy in the job so you will be doing her a favour, it's making you all miserable!

YearOfYouRemember · 16/10/2018 19:12

Did you ask her why she thought all was okay? She's insulting you, she knows it isn't.

Whattheactualheck · 16/10/2018 19:13

I’m actually getting annoyed now. Why don’t people read the thread. I have clearly said she has all day when the kids are at school not Just Saturday to Sunday. Even then she probably only did about two hours a day . Honestly I think some people just want a stick to beat people with for no reason! Well I feel terrible and I hate making people cry. She’s sad and that’s not making me feel very good right now

OP posts:
Highlandheath · 16/10/2018 19:14

Back in the day when I had au pairs it was hell! There was one who was really good, and appreciated being part of the family and really loved the children, but I fired one for shagging and leaving used condoms in my bed, one for having parties while I was away with the children (no idea who had been in the house) one for hitting the children, one for using the house as a kindergarten and taking all the children on the street in, without my consent, I only realised when one of the mums turned up to drop her kid off and the au pair was out and I was in! Thought the food was going fast, one for not bothering to take the children to scheduled activities, going awol with a 3 year old in a pram, one for sneaking men into the house (how effing dangerous!!) and one when I discovered that she had been fired for shagging her previous employer's husband, the wife had kept her suitcase, and I was surprised how little luggage she had but amazing references (from him!!). The goodie was a Dutch girl who was fired from her previous family, because she couldn't cook, but, she said "I can cook Cordon Bleu, I was honest about that".... Cordon Bleu in Holland is a make of frozen ham and cheese fritter!! Didn't matter that she couldn't cook, he was honest, sweet natured and lovely with the children. Back in the even further back day when I au paired for a year I had one family who were really difficult, and one family who were really nice, but I was the same person in both families. Having someone live in your home is tough for her and for you, and particularly so if they don't seem to be trying to fit in. It may be you are just a bad match for her, and she's homesick, either way, you do her and you no favours keeping her, set her free and find someone who fits with you and your family! But wind it up real fast, otherwise very bad things can happen in the last week!

Whattheactualheck · 16/10/2018 19:15

Also no not “ how sad” TAMS”. The reason I’m having to work from home this week is because I won’t and can’t leave them with her!

OP posts:
EK36 · 16/10/2018 19:15

Well done OP. Glad she's going. Hope your children get someone kind and living next time. Is it worth having a fixed trial period next time?

greeneyedlulu · 16/10/2018 19:16

Get her out of the house now!

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 16/10/2018 19:16

She knows you feel terrible. She’s playing on your good nature.

Ignore the odd poster who hasn’t read the whole thread. Listen to the ones who have and are telling you loud and clear this is a cf and if I know cf she won’t go easy.

Elephant14 · 16/10/2018 19:17

I don't know what to make of it Whattheactual - you've got people on here complaining as if you owe her a living and others telling you to chuck her out now. No one's happy eh?

I'm afraid I'm in the latter camp, she's not a teenager and she clearly has nothing but contempt for you and your family. Of course she's sad, she's lost her meal ticket!

montenuit · 16/10/2018 19:17

Well I feel terrible and I hate making people cry. She’s sad and that’s not making me feel very good right now

seriously OP, she made your children feel like crap in their own home.

why do you feel sorry for her?!

Whattheactualheck · 16/10/2018 19:18

She’s sobbing in her room. I feel so bad

OP posts:
confusedmomm · 16/10/2018 19:18

Well done OP! Just for reference if you lose your docs you can get an emergency one re-issued which enables you to travel back to your main country of residence. There are fees involved which is probably why she's opted to go the long way. However it's about your children's happiness first and you did the best thing for them and for you.

Gigglebrain · 16/10/2018 19:20

Onegiftedgal,
What a horrible spiteful comment. you don’t know the op at all.
Unless you’re the au pair!

montenuit · 16/10/2018 19:21

From your OP "Then this morning another tearful call from son saying she’s been mean to him and his siblings. Cold and snappy and just generally rolling eyes at them and being unkind"

just remember this

montenuit · 16/10/2018 19:22

i bet she's crying.
paid job, gym membership, weekends off, doesn't have to do much has all come to an end