To think that what this person wants, is an au pair?

[ziggiestardust]

So I was scrolling through FB this morning and came across this on a local selling site. AIBU to think that this person is basically hoping for a flexible childcare solution they can charge rent to?

The advert says they’ll offer a reduction for occasional babysitting/school runs... but ethically, isn’t that a bit... woolly? I mean ‘occasionally’ could SO easily lapse into ‘twice a week’, and if your reduction in rent (which is £600pcm for a single room) depends on you being able to help out with childcare... honestly, I feel like this is verging on CF territory. Surely you shouldn’t be mixing the two areas of lodger/childcarer up? The way they’ve described the person becoming ‘part of the family’ is basically the description of an au pair? I think this could really take advantage of a young person studying/working over here because it potentially blurs the lines.

What do you think? Full disclosure, I have an au pair, so that’s why the ‘part of the family’ line really stuck out to me.

“Young female European students”

Yeah, they want cheap childcare.

loopy I know right!? I showed my AP (we’re really close, absolutely love her to bits) and she actually laughed and said ‘oh my God she sounds like a nightmare to work for!’ In fairness she’s probably sensitive as well as her partner has had a bad experience with a family.

Young female European students

Yeah, they want cheap childcare.

Yep, I read this as 'young exploitable white female'.

Sounds like you will be paying them to look after their children

Since AP usually get room and board included

Ok, you're entitled to your view. But really, who are you to judge, and is it appropriate to share this advert (with photos of their house?) on another website without their permission?!

Ok, you're entitled to your view. But really, who are you to judge, and is it appropriate to share this advert (with photos of their house?) on another website without their permission?!

Meh, they’ve shared them on a public FB page. And you can’t make out their faces anyway.

Are you the poster of the ad @chippingalong ?

Yep sounds like they want an AP and want the AP to pay for the privilege.

Will show to my AP when she gets in tonight.

No, I'm not the advertiser. That was just the first thing that occured to me tbh, I found it uncomfortable. Others clearly have a different view, fair enough.

They put it on social media....kind of fair game

@OVAground we could be saving a bunch of money haha! Look at the person advertising living in 3019 while we’re back here in 2019 paying for our childcare 😂

I think my concern is; the lines could be blurred. Not made your childcare quota this month? Well, we can literally pull the rug from under your feet. It could well be an excellent proposition of course...

It depends on the frequency, an au pair would expect to work over 20 hours a week in exchange for a room and £100 a week (day is worth £250 a week.) if the room is £600pcm and the rent is half for 5 hours of childcare it's a good deal

The room has suited...

Errm yeah I wonder why the previous arrangements didn't work out.

Complete cheeky fuckers, I can only imagine what the comments say.

Look at the person advertising living in 3019 while we’re back here in 2019 paying for our childcare

Excellent.
When AP comes in I’m going to tell her I’m stopping her weekly payments and will expect the going rate of £350 for her room.

I'm not sure I see this as cheeky. Isn't it saying the rent is £600, but if you want to do the odd bit of childcare, we can do a deal? There's no obligation to do the childcare - someone could just say yes to the room but not the childcare bit. I think if this person wanted an au pair they would be clear on what they wanted - occasional pickup or babysitting doesn't sound like they are looking for a regular, fixed commitment but more a bit of ad hoc help.

I'm not the poster fyi!

I think it’s the “be part of the family” bit that sends alarm bells ringing for me. That screams “put on a wash, cook dinners and wipe the baby’s arse for free” to me.

I think it's a good idea! It makes sense if they don't take the piss. The lodger is being told in advance what the score is, cheaper rent in return for occasional babysitting. It could be mutually beneficial.

Bloody hell, I’d beat let my AP know she goes us back dated rent then

There’s actually no comments other than someone asking if they can share it!

My sil has this situation and tbh it works. They have a student who lives in their granny flat, at full time uni. Cheaper rent than normal. Once a week, depending entirely on when the lodger was going to be home anyway, she babysits for them and they go out for dinner. Sometimes it's Monday, sometimes a different day. Sil occasionally needs to pop out for errands whilst baby sleeps. Easily managed if lodger is home anyway. It can work really well.

I wouldn't be able to stop myself from commenting!!

Yep AP add.
I always thought you pay the AP a little bit, not the other way around.

I used to be a lodger for reduced rent plus occasional babysitting. It worked well.